bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrastock differences in maturation schedules of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua
Authors: Wright Peter J. , Millar Colin P. , Gibb Fiona M.
Published: July 2011

Wright, P. J., Millar, C. P., and Gibb, F. M. 2011. Intrastock differences in maturation schedules of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1918–1927. Differences in maturation schedules from three subpopulations of North Sea cod (Gadus morhua) were examined using the demographic probabilistic maturation reaction norm (PMRN) approach. Declines in maturation probability with size and age were evident within the North Sea cod stock, but the magnitude of decline differed among subpopulations. The difference in the rate of decline led to significant spatial differences in recent times. Changes in maturation probability could not be explained by colonization from adjacent regions indicating a local response to conditions. The greatest decline in maturation probability followed the near collapse of regional spawning biomass during the 1980s and 1990s. A new methodology was developed to integrate the effects of temperature and competitive biomass into the estimation of the PMRN. Temperature had a positive effect on maturation probability, but could only partially explain the decreasing trend in PMRN midpoints. Consequently, regional selection for early maturing genotypes provides the most parsimonious explanation for the declines in maturation probability observed. The difference in maturation probability among North Sea cod subpopulations, and the additive contribution of temperature to the estimation of change, underscores the need to account for population structuring and to incorporate temperature as a covariate in future applications of the PMRN.
Determining Resident Clinical Performance
Authors: Baker Keith
Published: July 2011

Background

Valid and reliable (dependable) assessment of resident clinical skills is essential for learning, promotion, and remediation. Competency is defined as what a physician can do, whereas performance is what a physician does in everyday practice. There is an ongoing need for valid and reliable measures of resident clinical performance.

Methods

Anesthesia residents were evaluated confidentially on a weekly basis by faculty members who supervised them. The electronic evaluation form had five sections, including a rating section for absolute and relative-to-peers performance under each of the six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies, clinical competency committee questions, rater confidence in having the resident perform cases of increasing difficulty, and comment sections. Residents and their faculty mentors were provided with the resident's formative comments on a biweekly basis.

Results

From July 2008 to June 2010, 140 faculty members returned 14,469 evaluations on 108 residents. Faculty scores were pervasively positively biased and affected by idiosyncratic score range usage. These effects were eliminated by normalizing each performance score to the unique scoring characteristics of each faculty member (Z-scores). Individual Z-scores had low amounts of performance information, but signal averaging allowed determination of reliable performance scores. Average Z-scores were stable over time, related to external measures of medical knowledge, identified residents referred to the clinical competency committee, and increased when performance improved because of an intervention.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a reliable and valid clinical performance assessment system for residents at all levels of training.
An Increase in Aortic Blood Flow after an Infusion of 100 ml Colloid over 1 Minute Can Predict Fluid Responsiveness
Authors: Muller Laurent , Toumi Medhi , Bousquet Philippe-Jean , Riu-Poulenc Béatrice , Louart Guillaume , Candela Damien , Zoric Lana , Suehs Carey , de La Coussaye Jean-Emmanuel , Molinari Nicolas , Lefrant Jean-Yves
Published: July 2011

Background

Predicting fluid responsiveness remains a difficult question in hemodynamically unstable patients. The author's objective was to test whether noninvasive assessment by transthoracic echocardiography of subaortic velocity time index (VTI) variation after a low volume of fluid infusion (100 ml hydroxyethyl starch) can predict fluid responsiveness.

Methods

Thirty-nine critically ill ventilated and sedated patients with acute circulatory failure were prospectively studied. Subaortic VTI was measured by transthoracic echocardiography before fluid infusion (baseline), after 100 ml hydroxyethyl starch infusion over 1 min, and after an additional infusion of 400 ml hydroxyethyl starch over 14 min. The authors measured the variation of VTI after 100 ml fluid (ΔVTI 100) for each patient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for (ΔVTI 100). When available, receiver operating characteristic curves also were generated for pulse pressure variation and central venous pressure.

Results

After 500 ml volume expansion, VTI increased ≥ 15% in 21 patients (54%) defined as responders. ΔVTI 100 ≥ 10% predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 78%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of ΔVTI 100 was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.78-0.98). In 29 patients, pulse pressure variation and central venous pressure also were available. In this subgroup of patients, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for ΔVTI 100, pulse pressure variation, and central venous pressure were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.74-0.98, P < 0.05), 0.55 (95% CI: 0.35-0.73, NS), and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.41-0.79, NS), respectively.

Conclusion

In patients with low volume mechanical ventilation and acute circulatory failure, ΔVTI 100 accurately predicts fluid responsiveness.
Analysis of a Range of Catabolic Mutants Provides Evidence That Phytanoyl-Coenzyme A Does Not Act as a Substrate of the Electron-Transfer Flavoprotein/Electron-Transfer Flavoprotein:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase Complex in Arabidopsis during Dark-Induced Senescence
Authors: Araújo Wagner L. , Ishizaki Kimitsune , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Tohge Takayuki , Larson Tony R. , Krahnert Ina , Balbo Ilse , Witt Sandra , Dörmann Peter , Graham Ian A. , Leaver Christopher J. , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: July 2011

The process of dark-induced senescence in plants is not fully understood, however, the functional involvement of an electron-transfer flavoprotein/electron-transfer flavoprotein:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF/ETFQO), has been demonstrated. Recent studies have revealed that the enzymes isovaleryl-coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase and 2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase act as important electron donors to this complex. In addition both enzymes play a role in the breakdown of cellular carbon storage reserves with isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase being involved in degradation of the branched-chain amino acids, phytol, and lysine while 2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase is exclusively involved in lysine degradation. Given that the chlorophyll breakdown intermediate phytanoyl-CoA accumulates dramatically both in knockout mutants of the ETF/ETFQO complex and of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase following growth in extended dark periods we have investigated the direct importance of chlorophyll breakdown for the supply of carbon and electrons during this process. For this purpose we isolated three independent Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) knockout mutants of phytanoyl-CoA 2-hydroxylase and grew them under the same extended darkness regime as previously used. Despite the fact that these mutants accumulated phytanoyl-CoA and also 2-hydroxyglutarate they exhibited no morphological changes in comparison to the other mutants previously characterized. These results are consistent with a single entry point of phytol breakdown into the ETF/ETFQO system and furthermore suggest that phytol is not primarily metabolized by this pathway. Furthermore analysis of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase/2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase double mutants generated here suggest that these two enzymes essentially account for the entire electron input via the ETF complex.
Responses of Legume Versus Nonlegume Tropical Tree Seedlings to Elevated CO2 Concentration
Authors: Cernusak Lucas A. , Winter Klaus , Martínez Carlos , Correa Edwin , Aranda Jorge , Garcia Milton , Jaramillo Carlos , Turner Benjamin L.
Published: July 2011

We investigated responses of growth, leaf gas exchange, carbon-isotope discrimination, and whole-plant water-use efficiency (W  P) to elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) in seedlings of five leguminous and five nonleguminous tropical tree species. Plants were grown at CO2 partial pressures of 40 and 70 Pa. As a group, legumes did not differ from nonlegumes in growth response to elevated [CO2]. The mean ratio of final plant dry mass at elevated to ambient [CO2] (M  E/M  A) was 1.32 and 1.24 for legumes and nonlegumes, respectively. However, there was large variation in M  E/M  A among legume species (0.92–2.35), whereas nonlegumes varied much less (1.21–1.29). Variation among legume species in M  E/M  A was closely correlated with their capacity for nodule formation, as expressed by nodule mass ratio, the dry mass of nodules for a given plant dry mass. W  P increased markedly in response to elevated [CO2] in all species. The ratio of intercellular to ambient CO2 partial pressures during photosynthesis remained approximately constant at ambient and elevated [CO2], as did carbon isotope discrimination, suggesting that W  P should increase proportionally for a given increase in atmospheric [CO2]. These results suggest that tree legumes with a strong capacity for nodule formation could have a competitive advantage in tropical forests as atmospheric [CO2] rises and that the water-use efficiency of tropical tree species will increase under elevated [CO2].
Cyclin D2 is overexpressed in proliferation centers of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma
Authors: Igawa Takuro , Sato Yasuharu , Takata Katsuyoshi , Fushimi Soichiro , Tamura Maiko , Nakamura Naoya , Maeda Yoshinobu , Orita Yorihisa , Tanimoto Mitsune , Yoshino Tadashi
Published: July 2011

The D cyclins are important cell cycle regulatory proteins involved in the pathogenesis of some lymphomas. Cyclin D1 overexpression is a hallmark of mantle cell lymphoma, whereas cyclins D2 and D3 have not been shown to be closely associated with any particular subtype of lymphoma. In the present study, we found that cyclin D2 was specifically overexpressed in the proliferation centers (PC) of all cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) examined (19/19). To examine the molecular mechanisms underlying this overexpression, we immunohistochemically examined the expression of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB, p15, p16, p18, and p27 in the PC of six patients. Five cases showed upregulation of NF‐κB expression, which is known to directly induce cyclin D2 by binding to the promoter region of CCND2. All six PC examined demonstrated downregulation of p27 expression. In contrast, upregulation of p15 expression was detected in five of six PC examined. This discrepancy suggests that unknown cell cycle regulatory mechanisms involving NF‐κB‐related pathways are also involved, because NF‐κB upregulates cyclin D2 not only directly, but also indirectly through c‐Myc, which is believed to downregulate both p27 and p15. In conclusion, cyclin D2 is overexpressed in the PC of CLL/SLL and this overexpression is due, in part, to the upregulation of NF‐κB‐related pathways. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 2103–2107)
Genetic and environmental predictors, endogenous hormones and growth factors, and risk of estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer in Japanese women
Authors: Yoshimoto Nobuyasu , Nishiyama Takeshi , Toyama Tatsuya , Takahashi Satoru , Shiraki Norio , Sugiura Hiroshi , Endo Yumi , Iwasa Mai , Fujii Yoshitaka , Yamashita Hiroko
Published: July 2011

The incidence of breast cancer in Japanese women has doubled in all age groups over the past two decades. We have recently shown that this marked increase is mostly due to an increase in the estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive subtype. It is necessary to establish risk factors capable of predicting the risk of ER‐positive breast cancer that will enable the efficient selection of candidates for preventive therapy. We analyzed genetic factors, including 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), environmental risk factors (body mass index, age at menarche, pregnancy, age at first birth, breastfeeding, family history of breast cancer, age at menopause, use of hormone replacement therapy, alcohol intake, and smoking), serum hormones and growth factors (estradiol, testosterone, prolactin, insulin‐like growth factor 1 [IGF1] and IGF binding protein 3 [IGFBP3]), and mammographic density in 913 women with breast cancer and 278 disease‐free controls. To identify important risk factors, risk prediction models for ER‐positive breast cancer in both pre‐ and postmenopausal women were created by logistic regression analysis. In premenopausal women, one SNP (CYP19A1‐rs10046), age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, alcohol intake, serum levels of prolactin, testosterone, and IGFBP3 were considered to be risk predictors. In postmenopausal women, one SNP (TP53‐rs1042522), age, body mass index, age at menopause, serum levels of testosterone, and IGF1 were identified as risk predictors. Risk factors may differ between women of different menopausal status, and inclusion of common genetic variants and serum hormone measurements as well as environmental factors might improve risk assessment models. Further validation studies will clarify appropriate risk groups for preventive therapy. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 2065–2072)
Array‐based DNA methylation profiling in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Wilop Stefan , Fernandez Agustín F. , Jost Edgar , Herman James G. , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Esteller Manel , Galm Oliver
Published: July 2011

Methylation in the promoter region of many genes is involved in regulating gene expression patterns. Using the Illumina GoldenGate© methylation assay, we examined the methylation status of 1505 CpG‐sites from 807 genes in 32 samples from patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at diagnosis, nine at relapse and 15 normal controls and performed additional pyrosequencing and semiquantitative methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) of the GNMT promoter in 113 diagnostic AML samples. We found a gain of overall methylation in AML samples with a further increase at relapse. Regional hypermethylation as assessed by array analysis could be confirmed by both MSP and pyrosequencing. Additionally, large‐scale methylation analysis identified interesting candidate genes. Cluster analysis indicated that cytogenetic subgroups seemed to be characterized by additional distinct epigenetic modifications and that basic DNA methylation patterns remain at relapse. Therefore, promoter hypermethylation is a frequent event in AML and is accentuated at relapse. Array‐based methylation analysis determined distinct methylation profiles for non‐malignant controls and AML samples with specific chromosomal aberrations and can identify target genes for further evaluation.
Sleep disturbances in a community sample from preschool to school age
Authors: Simola P. , Laitalainen E. , Liukkonen K. , Virkkula P. , Kirjavainen T. , Pitkäranta A. , Aronen E. T.
Published: July 2011

Objective  To study the prevalence of various sleep problems at school age in a Finnish community sample and to evaluate the persistence of the sleep problems from the preschool age to school age in a 4‐year follow‐up.

Methods  Parents completed the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children questionnaire on their child's sleep during the preschool years (3–6 years) and again during the school years (7–11 years). At follow‐up the parents also completed a questionnaire on family structure and socio‐economic status.

Results  The parents of 481 children completed the questionnaires during both the first study and the follow‐up (girls 49%, boys 51%; mean age 9, range 7–11). At the population level, sleep problems slightly declined from preschool to school age (P < 0.05). However, sleep problems at preschool age showed a strong persistence to school age. At the follow‐up, 35% of the children who were considered to have a sleep disorder at preschool age still suffered from it at school age. At the community level, this equates to 9% of the children. The children with no sleep problems at preschool age rarely developed sleep problems at school age.

Conclusions  This study showed that various types of sleep problems are common at school age. Sleep problems persisted from preschool to school age at the individual level. It is important to recognize all types of sleep problems, especially persistent ones. Persistent sleep problems in children may cause and exacerbate other somatic, cognitive and psychiatric problems. Therefore, more attention should be focused on sleep problems in paediatric health care with interventions aimed particularly at children with prolonged sleep problems.
Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α agonists suppress transforming growth factor-α-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in human keratinocytes
Authors: Meissner M. , Berlinski B. , Gille J. , Doll M. , Kaufmann R.
Published: July 2011

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), PPARα, PPARδ, and PPARγ, are nuclear ligand-activated transcription factors that are best known as regulators of glucose and lipid metabolism. PPARα agonists have been shown to have profound anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects on human keratinocytes, and are important for maintaining homeostasis of the skin. To better characterize the mechanisms underlying these phenomena, we analysed the effects of PPARα agonists on transforming growth factor (TGF)-α-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. MMP-9 expression in keratinocytes has previously been linked to inflammatory skin diseases, regenerative skin mechanisms, and tumour development and metastasis. We found that PPARα agonists effectively inhibited TGF-α-induced MMP-9 expression in human keratinocytes via a post-transcriptional mechanism, revealing a novel and important aspect of the anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic action of these compounds.
Participation, satisfaction and knowledge level of patients with cutaneous psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Renzi C. , Di Pietro C. , Tabolli S.
Published: July 2011

There have been few studies about the participation in health care and the satisfaction of patients with psoriasis and with psoriatic arthritis. The objective of this study was to examine the attitudes of and satisfaction with decision-making of patients with psoriasis. The study was based on a self-completed questionnaire, given after a routine medical visit to a consecutive sample of 240 patients with psoriasis [207 with cutaneous psoriasis (CP) and 33 with psoriatic arthritis (PA)]. Of the patients with CP and PA, only about a third (27.3% and 28.1%, respectively) preferred to leave decisions entirely to their doctor, whereas the majority (72.7% and 71.9%, respectively) wanted to be involved in decision-making. However, the level of knowledge about the disease was not as high, with 17.0% and 21.4% of patient with CP and PA, respectively, having a good level of knowledge about psoriasis treatment. Participation, knowledge and overall satisfaction were not significantly different between patients with CP and those with PA. Information on treatment side-effects (OR = 5.11; 95% CI 2.5–15.0; P < 0.001) and information on treatment options (OR = 3.15; 95% CI 1.4–7.1; P = 0.006) were significantly associated with overall patient satisfaction.
Mutations in the PSTPIP1 gene and aberrant splicing variants in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Nesterovitch A. B. , Hoffman M. D. , Simon M. , Petukhov P. A. , Tharp M. D. , Glant T. T.
Published: July 2011

Background. Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, noninfectious form of skin ulceration, typically accompanied by neutrophilic infiltration. Several familial cases have been reported, suggesting the involvement of genetic factors in the aetiology of PG. Two mutations (A230T and E250Q) in the PSTPIP1 gene, encoding proline–serine–threonine phosphatase-interacting protein (PSTPIP)1 have been identified in patients with PAPA (pyogenic sterile arthritis with PG and acne) syndrome, a rare autoinflammatory disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance.

Aim. The aim of this study was to sequence PSTPIP1 complementary cDNA and genomic DNA for mutations, and to identify genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of PSTPIP1 in patients with PG.

Methods. The genomic region and cDNA of the PSTPIP1 gene were sequenced from peripheral blood leucocytes of 14 patients with PG and 20 healthy controls.

Results. One patient (PG1) had aberrant splicing variants of the PSTPIP1 transcript with deletions of exons 9, 11 and 12 and of exons 9–12 together, and all other patients with PG carried deletions of exon 11 and of 11–12. We also identified a novel mutation (G258A) in patient PG3, and novel polymorphisms [(CCTG)6 and (CCTG)8 tandem repeats] in the promoter region of the PSTPIP1 gene.

Conclusion. All combinations of aberrant splicing variants had frame shifts and premature stop codons leading to truncated proteins and loss of function of PSTPIP1. The (CCTG)n tandem repeats in the promoter region of PSTPIP1 had no association with PG. The mutations G258A and R52Q are predicted by the improved prediction algorithm to have a possibly damaging effect on PSTPIP1 function.
A pathologist’s view on the testis biopsy
Authors: Oosterhuis J. W. , Stoop H. , Dohle G. , Boellaard W. , van Casteren N. , Wolffenbuttel K. , Looijenga L. H. J.
Published: July 2011

Aspects of the biopsy of the testis from the pathologist’s point of view are discussed. Direct enzyme‐histochemical staining for alkaline phosphatase (dAP) on frozen sections of biopsies taken during operation is a useful diagnostic tool to aid surgeons in testis‐sparing surgery. Biopsy of the contralateral testis for the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ (CIS) in patients with a testicular germ cell tumour is not standard of care in most countries because of the high rate of negative biopsies. Based on risk factors for germ cell tumours, i.p. microlithiasis, a patient population is defined in which the rate of CIS in the contralateral biopsy is about 25%. It is reiterated that the diagnosis of CIS in testicular biopsies requires expertise, and should not be carried out without immunohistochemistry for markers for CIS. As OCT3/4 is increasingly used as marker, it is important to be aware that it may be false‐negative in biopsies fixed in Bouin’s or Stieve’s fixative. Preliminary results are presented on a series of biopsies from cryptorchid testes in infants and children allowing the definition of morphological and immunohistochemical criteria for delayed maturation of gonocytes and pre‐CIS.
Do assistive devices, training, and workload affect injury incidence? Prevention efforts by nursing homes and back injuries among nursing assistants
Authors: D’Arcy Laura P. , Sasai Yasuko , Stearns Sally C.
Published: July 2011

d’arcy l.p., sasai y. & stearns s.c. (2012) Do assistive devices, training, and workload affect injury incidence? Prevention efforts by nursing homes and back injuries among nursing assistants. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(4), 836–845.

Aims.  This paper is a report of a study of association between workplace injuries experienced by nursing assistants in nursing homes in the United States and four factors that may affect injury rates: initial nursing assistant training, training at the current facility, lifting devices, and time to execute daily duties.

Background.  High injury rates among nursing personnel have been reported in multiple settings across countries. The existing literature is divided on the effectiveness of training and assistive devices in reducing injury rates among nursing assistants.

Methods.  We examined associations between whether or not the nursing assistant has experienced an injury and four key factors: quality of initial injury prevention training, injury prevention training at current facility, lift availability and whether or not the nursing assistant has sufficient time to complete resident activities of daily living. We estimated a survey‐weighted logit model using 2004 National Nursing Assistant Survey data.

Results/findings.  The odds of an injury in the past year were lower among nursing assistants who reported always having a lift available when needed (41% lower odds), available facility training to reduce workplace injuries (39%), and sufficient time to complete resident activities of daily living (35%). Quality of initial training to prevent work injuries was not significantly associated with injury status.

Conclusion.  Regions without widespread access to lifting devices may be able to reduce injury rates by increasing the availability of lifting devices. The potential for reductions in injury rates in the United States is greatest from improving training and ensuring adequate time for resident care, as most facilities currently have lifts available.
The Vibrio cholerae VctPDGC system transports catechol siderophores and a siderophore‐free iron ligand
Authors: Wyckoff Elizabeth E. , Payne Shelley M.
Published: July 2011

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, has an absolute requirement for iron. It transports the catechol siderophores vibriobactin, which it synthesizes and secretes, and enterobactin. These siderophores are transported across the inner membrane by one of two periplasmic binding protein‐dependent ABC transporters, VctPDGC or ViuPDGC. We show here that one of these inner membrane transport systems, VctPDGC, also promotes iron acquisition in the absence of siderophores. Plasmids carrying the vctPDGC genes stimulated growth in both rich and minimal media of a Shigella flexneri mutant that produces no siderophores. vctPDGC also stimulated the growth of an Escherichia coli enterobactin biosynthetic mutant in low iron medium, and this effect did not require feoB, tonB or aroB. A tyrosine to phenylalanine substitution in the periplasmic binding protein VctP did not alter enterobactin transport, but eliminated growth stimulation in the absence of a siderophore. These data suggest that the VctPDGC system has the capacity to transport both catechol siderophores and a siderophore‐free iron ligand. We also show that VctPDGC is the previously unidentified siderophore‐independent iron transporter in V. cholerae, and this appears to complete the list of iron transport systems in V. cholerae.
The Water‐Soluble Extract from Cultured Medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Mycelia (Designated as MAK) Ameliorates Murine Colitis Induced by Trinitrobenzene Sulphonic Acid
Authors: Hanaoka R. , Ueno Y. , Tanaka S. , Nagai K. , Onitake T. , Yoshioka K. , Chayama K.
Published: July 2011

Ganoderma lucidum Karst is well known as ‘Reishi’, a traditional food in China and Japan. It contains a polysaccharide component known to induce granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) production from murine splenocytes. Moreover, GM‐CSF may be a therapeutic agent for Crohn’s disease. In this study, we investigated the water‐soluble, polysaccharide components of Reishi (designated as MAK) in murine colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS). We examined the concentration of GM‐CSF in peritoneal macrophage cells (PMs) of C57BL/6 mice during in vitro and in vivo stimulation with MAK. After feeding with chow or MAK for 2 weeks, 2 mg of TNBS/50% ethanol was administered to each mouse. After 3 days of TNBS treatment, intestinal inflammation was evaluated, and mononuclear cells of the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and colon were cultured for ELISA. To determine the preventive role of GM‐CSF, the mice were pre‐treated with or without anti‐GM‐CSF antibody before TNBS administration. In vitro and in vivo MAK‐stimulated PMs produced GM‐CSF in a dose‐dependent manner. Intestinal inflammation by TNBS was improved by feeding with MAK. MLNs of mice treated with TNBS produced IFN‐γ, which was inhibited by feeding with MAK. In contrast, MLNs of mice treated with TNBS inhibited GM‐CSF production, which was induced by feeding with MAK. The colon organ culture assay also revealed that IFN‐γ was decreased and GM‐CSF was increased by MAK. The preventive effect was blocked by the neutralization of GM‐CSF. We concluded that the induction of GM‐CSF by MAK may provide the anti‐inflammatory effect.
Bed‐thickness and grain‐size trends in a small‐scale proglacial channel–levée system; the Carboniferous Jejenes Formation, Western Argentina: implications for turbidity current flow processes
Authors: DYKSTRA MASON , KNELLER BEN , MILANA JUAN‐PABLO
Published: July 2011

Preserved in Quebrada de las Lajas, near San Juan, Argentina, is an ancient subaqueous proglacial sedimentary succession that includes a small‐scale (ca 50 m thick and ca 200 m wide) channel–levée system with excellent exposure of the channel axis and levée sediments. Coeval deposition of both the channel axis and the levées can be demonstrated clearly by lateral correlation of individual beds. The channel axis consists predominantly of a disorganized, pebble to boulder conglomerate with a poorly sorted matrix. The channel axis varies from 10 to 20 m wide and has a total amalgamated thickness of around 50 m. Beds fine gradationally away from the cobble–boulder conglomerates of the channel axis within a few metres, transitioning to well‐organized pebble to cobble conglomerates and sandstones of the channel margin. Within 60 m outboard of the channel axis in both directions, perpendicular to the trend of the channel axis, the mean grain size of the beds in the levées is silt to fine‐grained sand. Deposits in this channel–levée system are the product of both debris flows (channel axis) and co‐genetic turbidity currents (channel margins and levées). Bed thicknesses in the levées increase for up to 10 to 25 m away from the channel axis, beyond which bed thicknesses decrease with increasing distance. The positions of the bed thickness maxima define the levée crests, and the thinning beds constitute the outer levée slopes. From these relationships it is clear that the levée crest migrated both away from and toward the channel axis, and varied in height above the channel axis from 4 to 5 m (undecompacted), whereas the height of the levée crest relative to the distal levée varied from 4·5 to 10 m, indicating that the channel was at times super‐elevated relative to the distal levée. Bed thickness decay on the outside of the levée crest can be described quite well with a power‐law function (R2 = 0·85), whereas the thickness decay from the levée crest toward the channel axis follows a linear function (R2 = 0·78). Grain‐size changes are quite predictable from the channel margin outward, and follow logarithmic (R2 = 0·77) or power‐law (R2 = 0·72) decay curves, either of which fit the data quite well. This study demonstrates that, in at least this case: (i) levée thickness trends can be directly related to channel‐flow processes; (ii) individual bed thickness changes may control overall levée geometry; and (iii) levée and channel deposits can be coeval.
Arabidopsis RUGOSA2 encodes an mTERF family member required for mitochondrion, chloroplast and leaf development
Authors: Quesada Víctor , Sarmiento‐Mañús Raquel , González‐Bayón Rebeca , Hricová Andrea , Pérez‐Marcos Rubén , Graciá‐Martínez Eva , Medina‐Ruiz Laura , Leyva‐Díaz Eduardo , Ponce María Rosa , Micol José Luis
Published: July 2011

Little is known about the mechanisms that control transcription of the mitochondrial and chloroplastic genomes, and their interplay within plant cells. Here, we describe the positional cloning of the Arabidopsis RUG2 gene, which encodes a protein that is dual‐targeted to mitochondria and chloroplasts, and is homologous with the metazoan mitochondrial transcription termination factors (mTERFs). In the loss‐of‐function rug2 mutants, most organs were pale and showed reduced growth, and the leaves exhibited both green and pale sectors, with the latter containing sparsely packed mesophyll cells. Chloroplast and mitochondrion development were strongly perturbed in the rug2‐1 mutant, particularly in pale leaf sectors, in which chloroplasts were abnormally shaped and reduced in number, thereby impairing photoautotrophic growth. As expected from the pleiotropic phenotypes caused by its loss‐of‐function alleles, the RUG2 gene was ubiquitously expressed. In a microarray analysis of the mitochondrial and chloroplastic genomes, 56 genes were differentially expressed between rug2‐1 and the wild type: most mitochondrial genes were downregulated, whereas the majority of the chloroplastic genes were upregulated. Quantitative RT‐PCR analyses showed that the rug2‐1 mutation specifically increases expression of the RpoTp nuclear gene, which encodes chloroplastic RNA polymerase. Therefore, the RUG2 nuclear gene seems to be crucial for the maintenance of the correct levels of transcripts in the mitochondria and chloroplasts, which is essential for optimized functions of these organelles and proper plant development. Our results highlight the complexity of the functional interaction between these two organelles and the nucleus.
Chitinase III in pomegranate seeds (Punica granatum Linn.): a high‐capacity calcium‐binding protein in amyloplasts
Authors: Yang Haixia , Zhang Tuo , Masuda Taro , Lv Chenyan , Sun Lei , Qu Guiqin , Zhao Guanghua
Published: July 2011

Chitinases are a class of ubiquitous proteins that are widely distributed in plants. Defense is the major natural role for chitinases, primarily against fungal pathogens. Little is known regarding their non‐defensive roles in seeds. In this study, a new class III chitinase from pomegranate seeds (pomegranate seed chitinase, PSC) was isolated and purified to homogeneity. The native state of PSC is a monomer with a molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa. This chitinase naturally binds calcium ions with high capacity and low affinity, suggesting that PSC is a calcium storage protein. Consistent with this idea, its amino acid sequence (inferred from cDNA) is rich in acidic amino acid residues, especially Asp, similar to reported calcium storage proteins. The presence of calcium considerably improves the stability of the protein but has little effect on its enzymatic activity. Transmission electron microscopy analyses indicate that, similar to phytoferritin, this enzyme is widely distributed in the stroma of amyloplasts of the embryonic cells, suggesting that amyloplasts in seeds could serve as an alternative plastid for calcium storage. Indeed, the transmission electron microscopy results showed that, within the embryonic cells, calcium ions are mainly distributed in the stroma of the amyloplasts, consistent with a role for PSC in calcium storage. Thus, the plant appears to have evolved a new plastid for calcium storage in seeds. During seed germination, the content of this enzyme decreases with time, suggesting that it is involved in the germination process.
The role of context in the processing of alcohol‐relevant cues
Authors: Nees Frauke , Diener Carsten , Smolka Michael N. , Flor Herta
Published: July 2011

In line with learning theories of drug addiction, drug‐related cues may be viewed as important motivators of continued drug use. They may be differentially effective depending on the context and motivational significance. The present study aimed to test the significance of different contexts in modulating alcohol‐related cue reactivity. Pictures depicting alcohol intake or its paraphernalia and pictures without any relation to alcohol intake were varied to depict physical and social contexts or different consumptive contexts associated with full/half‐full/empty alcohol beverage containers. We obtained ratings of craving, valence and arousal of the cues as well as skin conductance responses (SCRs) and startle reflex modulation measures from 21 abstinent alcohol‐dependent patients, recruited from an addiction treatment center, and 21 matched healthy controls. Social scenes and full glasses or bottles were rated as more pleasant and arousing compared with neutral drinking situations and empty glasses or bottles in patients. Furthermore, we found a decreased startle reflex magnitude to social compared with neutral drinking situations, and both higher SCRs and decreased startle reflex magnitude to full compared with empty glasses or bottles in patients versus controls. These results show that both physical and social and consumptive contexts differentially influence cue reactivity in abstinent alcohol‐dependent patients with both social and pub‐related physical contexts, and the initial consumptive context eliciting the most appetitive and arousing responses. These data have not only important implications for our understanding of the role of learning in drug dependence but also for treatment, which needs to take these factors into account.
Hepatobiliary scintigraphy for the assessment of biliary stricture after pediatric living donor liver transplantation for hepaticojejunostomy reconstruction: The value of the excretion rate at 60 min
Authors: Fukuda Akinari , Sakamoto Seisuke , Shigeta Takanobu , Kakiuchi Toshihiko , Matsuno Naoto , Tanaka Hideaki , Kitamura Masayuki , Nosaka Shunsuke , Nakazawa Atsuko , Kasahara Mureo
Published: July 2011

Fukuda A, Sakamoto S, Shigeta T, Kakiuchi T, Matsuno N, Tanaka H, Kitamura M, Nosaka S, Nakazawa A, Kasahara M. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy for the assessment of biliary stricture after pediatric living donor liver transplantation for hepaticojejunostomy reconstruction: The value of the excretion rate at 60 min. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 594–600. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  HBS is performed to determine the presence of biliary stricture after liver transplantation. We focused on the Ex‐60 after an intravenous injection of tracer during HBS. The aim of this study was to review the cutoff values for the diagnosis of biliary stricture by HBS after pediatric LDLT. We analyzed 114 HBS studies using 99mTc‐PMT in 80 cases after pediatric LDLT. HBS was performed three months after LDLT on a routine basis and/or was performed when ultrasonography and blood test findings indicated biliary stricture. A ROC curve analysis was performed to identify the cutoff value for the correlation between Ex‐60 and biliary stricture. The Ex‐60 (mean ± s.d.) in the cases diagnosed as having biliary stricture and in normal subjects were 49.1 ± 20.2% vs. 78.0 ± 9.7% (p < 0.01), respectively. As a result of an ROC curve analysis of the Ex‐60, the recommended cutoff value to diagnose biliary stricture was set at 69.2% (sensitivity 87.0%, specificity 81.8%). In cases where the Ex‐60 by 99mTc‐PMT HBS is <69.2%, it is recommended that further treatment for biliary stricture should be provided.
Is there evidence of optimisation for carbon efficiency in plant proteomes?
Authors: Jankovic B. , Seoighe C. , Alqurashi M. , Gehring C.
Published: July 2011

Flowering plants, angiosperms, can be divided into two major clades, monocots and dicots, and while differences in amino acid composition in different species from the two clades have been reported, a systematic analysis of amino acid content and distribution remains outstanding. Here, we show that monocot and dicot proteins have developed distinct amino acid content. In Arabidopsis thaliana and poplar, as in the ancestral moss Physcomitrella patens, the average mass per amino acid appears to be independent of protein length, while in the monocots rice, maize and sorghum, shorter proteins tend to be made of lighter amino acids. An examination of the elemental content of these proteomes reveals that the difference between monocot and dicot proteins can be largely attributed to their different carbon signatures. In monocots, the shorter proteins, which comprise the majority of all proteins, are made of amino acids with less carbon, while the nitrogen content is unchanged in both monocots and dicots. We hypothesise that this signature could be the result of carbon use and energy optimisation in fast‐growing annual Poaceae (grasses).
Escaped introduced sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) infected by Sphaerospora testicularis (Myxozoa) reach maturity in coastal habitats off Canary Islands
Authors: Toledo‐Guedes Kilian , Sanchez‐Jerez Pablo , Mora‐Vidal Jaume , Girard Dominique , Brito Alberto
Published: July 2011

Aquaculture activities have introduced European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) along the coasts of some of the Canary Islands. We present the first record of simultaneous male and female gonad maturation of escaped sea bass in the wild, indicating that this species is finding its essential fish habitat (EFH). Individuals with ripe gonads were only caught during January and February 2009, although the maturation and spawning season may last from November to February in the studied area (Tenerife island). Bass infected by Sphaerospora testicularis were found and the incidence of the parasite was checked. This represents the southernmost record of the parasite, probably introduced together with sea bass stock. The results are discussed from the point of view of risk assessment and the ecology of invasions being valuable for aquaculture management in Central North Atlantic and Mediterranean areas.
Marker‐assisted improvement of a stable restorer line, KMR‐3R and its derived hybrid KRH2 for bacterial blight resistance and grain quality
Authors: Hari Yadla , Srinivasarao Kommoju , Viraktamath Basvaraj C. , Hariprasad Arremsetty S. , Laha Gouri S. , Ahmed Mohammed I. , Natarajkumar Podishetty , Ramesha Mugalodi S. , Neeraja Chirravuri N. , Balachandran Sena M. , Rani Nallathigal S. , Balaji Suresh Pippalla , Sujatha Kalidindi , Pandey Manish , Ashok Reddy Gajjala , Madhav Maganti S. , Sundaram Raman M.
Published: July 2011

With 3 figures and 4 tables

KMR‐3R is a stable restorer line with medium‐bold grain type and is the male parent of the popular public‐bred Indian rice hybrid, KRH2. As both KMR‐3R and KRH2 are highly susceptible to bacterial blight (BB) and possess undesirable bold‐grain type, we crossed KMR‐3R with a high‐yielding, BB resistant, fine‐grain‐type variety, Improved Samba Mahsuri, possessing the major BB resistant gene, Xa21. The F1s were backcrossed to KMR‐3R, and the BC1F1 plants were subjected to marker‐assisted selection (MAS) for Xa21 and two major fertility restorer genes, Rf3 and Rf4. ‘Triple’ positive BC1F1 plants were selfed and their progeny were subjected to MAS for Xa21 coupled with phenotype‐based visual selection for agromorphological and grain‐quality traits. At BC1F5 generation, three backcross derived lines (BK9, BK49 and BK61) possessing higher yield than KMR‐3R, tall plant stature along with fine‐grain type were identified and crossed with IR598025A, the female parent of KRH2. The hybrids were completely fertile, possessed long‐slender grain type, exhibited resistance to BB and displayed a yield advantage of 24% over KRH2 under BB infection.
Protective Effects of Melatonin against Oxidative Stress in Flow Cytometry‐sorted Buffalo Sperm
Authors: Li XX , Yang XG , Lu YQ , Lu SS , Zhang M , Yao HL , Meng LJ , Lu KH
Published: July 2011

Contents

Previous reports of the ability of melatonin to scavenge a variety of toxic oxygen and nitrogen‐based reactants suggest that melatonin could be an effective antioxidant for protecting sperm. In this study, flow cytometry and laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy were used to evaluate the effect of melatonin on buffalo sperm quality to optimize sperm sex‐sorting procedures. In fresh sperm incubated in the presence or absence of melatonin (10−4 m) for 1, 24, 48 h or 72 h at 27°C, the mitochondrial activity was significantly higher than in a non‐melatonin control (p < 0.05). Also, during the flow‐sorting process, sperm in melatonin‐supplemented groups had higher (p < 0.05) mitochondrial activity than the control. The intensity of Raman spectra from sperm frozen in media supplemented with melatonin was significantly weaker than that for non‐melatonin‐treated groups, except for a band at 1302 per cm. Thus, melatonin helps to protect buffalo sperm from reactive oxygen species induced by staining, sorting and freezing and increases semen quality after the freezing–thawing processes. Furthermore, the results indicate the high potential of the laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy technique for rapid, effective and non‐invasive assessment of the quality of sperm cells.
The Barthel Index and ADL Evaluation in Stroke Rehabilitation in Australia, Japan, the UK and the USA
Authors: Shah Surya , Cooper Betty , Maas Frikkie
Published: July 2011

At present many of the activities of daily living indices used in Australia lack essential characteristics of an index yielding desirable results. This study argues that the Barthel Index as modified by Shah, Vanclay and Cooper (1989a) is robust and has the required biometric and psychometric qualities. It presents evidence in support of the use of the Barthel Index as a preferred measure of the activities of daily living function to report therapeutically meaningful and valid information of patient care and stroke rehabilitation outcomes in Australia. It also presents the functional performance on the modified Barthel Index and the outcome of all 258 first stroke patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation in Brisbane, Australia. Using the Barthel Index as a measure of activities of daily living functions, the study then compares the performances and outcomes of stroke patients between Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Improving Handwriting Through Kinaesthetic Sensitivity Practice
Authors: Harris Sarah J. , Livesey David J.
Published: July 2011

Children in their first two years of formal education (kindergarten and year one) were assessed for handwriting performance. Those with poor handwriting were given practice on one of three tasks: kinaesthetic acuity, kinaesthetic memory and perception or a handwriting task. Both forms of kinaesthetic sensitivity practice produced significant improvement in handwriting performance by the year one children, while handwriting practice did not. The younger children did not demonstrate as clear cut gains as the older. These results support the findings of previous research which indicates the importance of kinaesthetic ability for performance of complex motor tasks.
Metaplastic breast carcinoma: A case report and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Toumi Zaher , Bullen Caroline , Tang Albert C. S. , Dalal Neha , Ellenbogen Simon
Published: July 2011

A 78‐year‐old retired woman was diagnosed with metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC), a rare tumor, in our hospital. We reviewed 15 articles with a total of 1328 patients to determine the epidemiology, clinical features, biomarkers, histology, management and outcome of patients with this tumor. The mean age at presentation is 58.5 years (range 32–83). Eighty‐one percent of patients presented either with a breast mass or abnormal mammographic finding. Twenty‐three percent of patients had a family history of breast cancer. Estrogen receptors were only found in 12%, progesterone receptors in 10% and HER2 in 6% of patients. The main method of treatment was mastectomy (66.9%) in combination with chemotherapy (57%) and radiotherapy (47%). Five‐year disease‐free survival ranged between 40% and 84% and 5‐year overall survival ranged between 64 and 83%. We have further reviewed the nature of this disease in the light of advancement in genetics, such as microarray gene expression profiling. The relationship of MBC with triple‐negative tumor and basal‐like tumor is discussed. It is hoped that advances in genetics and biomarkers will bring forward the era of personalized medicine in the treatment of breast carcinoma.