bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The reserve pool of synaptic vesicles acts as a buffer for proteins involved in synaptic vesicle recycling
Authors: Denker Annette , Kröhnert Katharina , Bückers Johanna , Neher Erwin , Rizzoli Silvio O.
Published: September 2011

Presynaptic nerve terminals contain between several hundred vesicles (for example in small CNS synapses) and several tens of thousands (as in neuromuscular junctions). Although it has long been assumed that such high numbers of vesicles are required to sustain neurotransmission during conditions of high demand, we found that activity in vivo requires the recycling of only a few percent of the vesicles. However, the maintenance of large amounts of reserve vesicles in many evolutionarily distinct species suggests that they are relevant for synaptic function. We suggest here that these vesicles constitute buffers for soluble accessory proteins involved in vesicle recycling, preventing their loss into the axon. Supporting this hypothesis, we found that vesicle clusters contain a large variety of proteins needed for vesicle recycling, but without an obvious function within the clusters. Disrupting the clusters by application of black widow spider venom resulted in the diffusion of numerous soluble proteins into the axons. Prolonged stimulation and ionomycin application had a similar effect, suggesting that calcium influx causes the unbinding of soluble proteins from vesicles. Confirming this hypothesis, we found that isolated synaptic vesicles in vitro sequestered soluble proteins from the cytosol in a process that was inhibited by calcium addition. We conclude that the reserve vesicles support neurotransmission indirectly, ensuring that soluble recycling proteins are delivered upon demand during synaptic activity.
Linguistic diagnostics of written texts in two school-age populations
Authors: Berman Ruth A. , Nayditz Ronit , Ravid Dorit
Published: September 2011

The paper considers the writing abilities of Hebrew-speaking grade school and middle school students from mid-high compared with low SES backgrounds, as reflected in stories and compositions they wrote on the topic of friendship. A range of linguistic means of expression were employed as diagnostic of school-age written text construction, focusing on the lexicon and including both devices applicable in different languages (overall text length in words and clauses, syntactic clause density, and lexical diversity and density as reflected in proportions of content words) as well as Hebrew-specific features (verb-pattern morphology and construct-state noun compounds). Analyses showed these features to differentiate across the independent variables of the study-age-schooling level, and SES background, and text genre (narrative vs. expository). In terms of genre, expository-type essays usually had denser and more lexically diverse texture than stories. In developmental perspective, lexical diagnostics improved in the texts produced by 13–14 year-olds in comparison with those of 9–10 year-olds. Finally, texts produced by middle-class children attending well-established schools were in general of better lexical quality than those produced by children from disadvantaged backgrounds attending low-achieving schools. Keywords:linguistic usage; school-age language development; SES background; discourse genre; clause length; text length, lexical quality; Hebrew
Equus—A Psychodrama?
Authors: Rose Nicky
Published: September 2011

Nicky Rose works with adolescents in Intermediate Treatment at the Blackfriars Settlement. His important area of work is in the use of psychodrama, dramatic form and video playback.
Buddhism and Psychotherapy
Authors: Brandon David
Published: September 2011

“A Buddhist nun visits a large city for the first time on a shopping expedition. Soon after, other nuns notice her behaving strangely. She feels snakes are crawling all over her body. A Zen Buddhist psychiatrist sees her eventually for five minutes. She tells him about the snakes. He says ‘I shall come back in a week. Please do two things. First say nothing of this to anyone. Secondly observe the snakes carefully so you can give me a detailed description.’ When he returns, she has resumed her duties. She says ‘When I concentrated completely on the snakes, they disappeared.’”1
Genesis
Authors: Gardner Juliette
Published: September 2011

As part of the course at York each person is given the task of creating a character to present to the rest of the group. About ten weeks are allowed for its growth but hardly any of the preparation for it is done in course time. The character must dress, bring what props, use whatever dramatic style its character feels to be appropriate. It is presented by “living” in public a short scene from its everyday life. Then the character is interviewed by the audience and must reply in rôle. It is hoped that people will remember and refer to what Constantin Stanislavsky has to say about building a character. (His books “Building a Character” and “Creating a Rôle” are both published by Methuen.)

The following is an account of the creation of one such character. (Ed.)
Problem Solving through Self-Help Groups
Authors: Lindenfield Gael
Published: September 2011

This article was not written while Gael was doing the Dramatherapy course at York, though some of the work it describes was happening at that time and was connected with it. (Ed.)
The Drama of Attachment
Authors: Meldrum Brenda
Published: September 2011

We must aim for a community of compassion in which each recognises the tragic aspects of the other. We must cope with the problem of recreating our history in such a way that it becomes indistinguishable from an invention.
Closed-form empirical relations to predict the dynamic pull-in parameters of electrostatically actuated tapered microcantilevers
Authors: Joglekar M M , Pawaskar D N
Published: September 2011

We develop novel closed-form empirical relations to estimate the dynamic pull-in parameters of electrostatically actuated linearly tapered microcantilever beams driven by a step-function voltage. A computationally efficient single degree-of-freedom model is employed in the setting of an energy-based technique to characterize the dynamic pull-in of the distributed electromechanical model that takes into account the effects of fringing field capacitance. The model exploits the fundamental mode shape of the respective nonprismatic geometry obtained using the differential transform technique. A unique surface fitting model is proposed to characterize the variations of both pull-in displacement and pull-in voltage over a realistically wide range of system parameters. Optimum coefficients of the proposed surface fitting model are obtained using nonlinear regression analysis. The empirical estimates of dynamic pull-in parameters are validated against 3D finite element simulations and available data in the literature. Excellent agreement indicates that the proposed relationships are sufficiently accurate to be safely used for the preliminary design of tapered microcantilever beams.
TopiaryExplorer: visualizing large phylogenetic trees with environmental metadata
Authors: Pirrung Meg , Kennedy Ryan , Caporaso J. Gregory , Stombaugh Jesse , Wendel Doug , Knight Rob
Published: September 2011

Motivation: Microbial community profiling is a highly active area of research, but tools that facilitate visualization of phylogenetic trees and associated environmental data have not kept up with the increasing quantity of data generated in these studies.

Results: TopiaryExplorer supports the visualization of very large phylogenetic trees, including features such as the automated coloring of branches by environmental data, manipulation of trees and incorporation of per-tip metadata (e.g. taxonomic labels).

Availability:  http://topiaryexplorer.sourceforge.net

Contact:  rob.knight@colorado.edu
Molecular and Phenotypic Characterization of Colletotrichum Species Associated with Anthracnose Disease of Papaya in Trinidad
Authors: Rampersad Sephra N.
Published: September 2011

Anthracnose disease is a major limiting factor to papaya production worldwide. Accurate identification of the pathogens responsible for this disease is important to developing disease management strategies. One hundred and three (103) isolates of Colletotrichum were collected from infected papaya fruits cvs. Red lady and Tainung No. 2 - F1 hybrid in Trinidad. Of all isolates, 79% were C. gloeosporioides and 21% were C. truncatum. Spore morphology, cultural characteristics, differential reaction to benomyl in addition to ITS1 and β-tubulin gene sequence comparisons unequivocally identified and separated the two species of Colletotrichum. Certain characteristics enabled discrimination between the two species and may be used for provisional identification of these species isolated from papaya. Isolates of C. gloeosporioides grew at a significantly faster rate than those of C. truncatum. C. gloeosporioides isolates were sensitive to benomyl at 1.0 μg/ml, but C. truncatum isolates were resistant. Pathogenicity tests revealed that Colletotrichum species and papaya cultivar had no significant effect on lesion diameter. In cross-infection studies, isolates of C. gloeosporioides from mango and C. truncatum from sweet pepper were able to infect and cause symptoms in wounded mature papaya fruit under controlled conditions. There was no evidence of anthracnose infection in seeds of infected fruits based on the results of growing-on tests. Phylogenetic analyses were based on comparisons of ITS1 and β-tubulin gene sequences. Both neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony methods resolved all Colletotrichum isolates from papaya into species-specific clusters with high bootstrap support. Additionally, a pair of species-specific primers were developed (Ct-TUB-F/R) which allowed reliable detection of C. truncatum isolates from papaya.
Lipidomics of Candida albicans biofilms reveals phase-dependent production of phospholipid molecular classes and role for lipid rafts in biofilm formation
Authors: Lattif Ali Abdul , Mukherjee Pranab K. , Chandra Jyotsna , Roth Mary R. , Welti Ruth , Rouabhia Mahmoud , Ghannoum Mahmoud A.
Published: September 2011

Candida albicans-associated bloodstream infections are linked to the ability of this yeast to form biofilms. In this study, we used lipidomics to compare the lipid profiles of C. albicans biofilms and planktonic cells, in early and mature developmental phases. Our results showed that significant differences exist in lipid composition in both developmental phases. Biofilms contained higher levels of phospholipid and sphingolipids than planktonic cells (nmol per g biomass, P<0.05 for all comparisons). In the early phase, levels of lipid in most classes were significantly higher in biofilms compared to planktonic cells (P≤0.05). The ratio of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine was lower in biofilms compared to planktonic cells in both early (1.17 vs 2.52, P≤0.001) and late (2.34 vs 3.81, P≤0.001) developmental phases. The unsaturation index of phospholipids decreased with time, with this effect being particularly strong for biofilms. Inhibition of the biosynthetic pathway for sphingolipid [mannosyl diinositolphosphoryl ceramide, M(IP)2C] by myriocin or aureobasidin A, and disruption of the gene encoding inositolphosphotransferase (Ipt1p), abrogated the ability of C. albicans to form biofilms. The differences in lipid profiles between biofilms and planktonic Candida cells may have important implications for the biology and antifungal resistance of biofilms.
The RSP_2889 gene product of Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a CueR homologue controlling copper-responsive genes
Authors: Peuser Verena , Glaeser Jens , Klug Gabriele
Published: September 2011

Metal homeostasis is important in all living cells in order to provide sufficient amounts of metal ions for biological processes but to prevent toxic effects by excess amounts. Here we show that the gene product of RSP_2889 of the facultatively photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides is homologous to CueR, a regulator of copper metabolism in Escherichia coli and other bacteria. CueR binds to the promoter regions of genes for a copper-translocating ATPase and for a copper chaperone and is responsible for their high expression when cells are exposed to elevated levels of copper ions. While deletion of RSP_2889 has no significant effect on copper resistance, expression from a low-copy-number plasmid mediates increased sensitivity to copper.
The Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus twin-arginine transport system has roles in predatory and prey-independent growth
Authors: Chang Chien-Yi , Hobley Laura , Till Rob , Capeness Michael , Kanna Machi , Burtt William , Jagtap Pratik , Aizawa Shin-Ichi , Sockett R. Elizabeth
Published: September 2011

Bdellovibrio
bacteriovorus grows in one of two ways: either (i) predatorily [in a host-dependent (HD) manner], when it invades the periplasm of another Gram-negative bacterium, exporting into the prey co-ordinated waves of soluble enzymes using the prey cell contents for growth; or (ii) in a host-independent (HI) manner, when it grows (slowly) axenically in rich media. Periplasmic invasion potentially exposes B. bacteriovorus to extremes of pH and exposes the need to scavenge electron donors from prey electron transport components by synthesis of metalloenzymes. The twin-arginine transport system (Tat) in other bacteria transports folded metalloenzymes and the B. bacteriovorus genome encodes 21 potential Tat-transported substrates and Tat transporter proteins TatA1, TatA2 and TatBC. GFP tagging of the Tat signal peptide from Bd1802, a high-potential iron–sulfur protein (HiPIP), revealed it to be exported into the prey bacterium during predatory growth. Mutagenesis showed that the B. bacteriovorus tatA2 and tatC gene products are essential for both HI and HD growth, despite the fact that they partially complement (in SDS resistance assays) the corresponding mutations in Escherichia coli where neither TatA nor TatC are essential for life. The essentiality of B. bacteriovorus TatA2 was surprising given that the B. bacteriovorus genome encodes a second tatA homologue, tatA1. Transcription of tatA1 was found to be induced upon entry to the bdelloplast, and insertional inactivation of tatA1 showed that it significantly slowed the rates of both HI and HD growth. B. bacteriovorus is one of a few bacterial species that are reliant on a functional Tat system and where deletion of a single tatA1 gene causes a significant growth defect(s), despite the presence of its tatA2 homologue.
Widespread signatures of recent selection linked to nucleosome positioning in the human lineage
Authors: Prendergast James G.D. , Semple Colin A.M.
Published: September 2011

In this study we investigated the strengths and modes of selection associated with nucleosome positioning in the human lineage through the comparison of interspecies and intraspecies rates of divergence. We identify significant evidence for both positive and negative selection linked to human nucleosome positioning for the first time, implicating a widespread and important role for DNA sequence in the location of well-positioned nucleosomes. Selection appears to be acting on particular base substitutions to maintain optimum GC compositions in core and linker regions, with, e.g., unexpectedly elevated rates of C→T substitutions during recent human evolution at linker regions 60–90 bp from the nucleosome dyad but significant depletion of the same substitutions within nucleosome core regions. These patterns are strikingly consistent with the known relationships between genomic sequence composition and nucleosome assembly. By stratifying nucleosomes according to the GC content of their genomic neighborhood, we also show that the strength and direction of selection detected is dictated by local GC content. Intriguingly these signatures of selection are not restricted to nucleosomes in close proximity to exons, suggesting the correct positioning of nucleosomes is not only important in and around coding regions. This analysis provides strong evidence that the genomic sequences associated with nucleosomes are not evolving neutrally, and suggests that underlying DNA sequence is an important factor in nucleosome positioning. Recent signatures of selection linked to genomic features as ubiquitous as the nucleosome have important implications for human genome evolution and disease.
Light-Dependent Regulation ofDEL1Is Determined by the Antagonistic Action of E2Fb and E2Fc
Authors: Berckmans Barbara , Lammens Tim , Van Den Daele Hilde , Magyar Zoltan , Bögre Laszlo , De Veylder Lieven
Published: September 2011

Endoreduplication represents a variation on the cell cycle in which multiple rounds of DNA replication occur without subsequent chromosome separation and cytokinesis, thereby increasing the cellular DNA content. It is known that the DNA ploidy level of cells is controlled by external stimuli such as light; however, limited knowledge is available on how environmental signals regulate the endoreduplication cycle at the molecular level. Previously, we had demonstrated that the conversion from a mitotic cell cycle into an endoreduplication cycle is controlled by the atypical E2F transcription factor, DP-E2F-LIKE1 (DEL1), that represses the endocycle onset. Here, the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) DEL1 gene was identified as a transcriptional target of the classical E2Fb and E2Fc transcription factors that antagonistically control its transcript levels through competition for a single E2F cis-acting binding site. In accordance with the reported opposite effects of light on the protein levels of E2Fb and E2Fc, DEL1 transcription depended on the light regime. Strikingly, modified DEL1 expression levels uncoupled the link between light and endoreduplication in hypocotyls, implying that DEL1 acts as a regulatory connection between endocycle control and the photomorphogenic response.
Sickle cell nephropathy – a practical approach
Authors: Sharpe Claire C. , Thein Swee L.
Published: September 2011

Despite its apparently simple molecular aetiology, sickle cell disease (SCD) has long been known to have a remarkably variable clinical course, with complications involving many organs including the kidneys. Whilst many affected individuals show no evidence of renal involvement into late adulthood, others develop renal dysfunction in childhood or early adult life with a significant proportion eventually requiring renal replacement therapy. This review explores the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) and discusses how each complication can be investigated, monitored and managed in the outpatient setting. We summarize current knowledge of genetic modulation of sickle‐related renal dysfunction. We outline the evidence for various treatment options and discuss others for which little evidence currently exists.
Perceived environmental restrictions for the participation of children with mild developmental disabilities
Authors: Rosenberg L. , Ratzon N. Z. , Jarus T. , Bart O.
Published: September 2011

Aim  In light of the International Classification of Functioning, and Health (ICF) model, to assess whether parents of children with mild developmental disabilities perceived various environmental factors as barriers to their child's participation, and whether these factors have a unique contribution to the total explained variance of participation, beyond personal factors.

Methods  Seventy‐nine kindergarten children (mean age 5.20 ± 0.52 years old) with mild developmental disabilities and their parents participated in the study. Three questionnaires measuring the child's participation, performance skills and environmental factors were completed by the parents.

Results  Parents perceived environmental factors as slightly restricting to their child's participation. Associations were found between home and education factors and the dimensions of child participation – independence, enjoyment and parental satisfaction. Although parents perceived human environmental factors as more restricting than physical factors at home, regression analysis revealed that the latter was found to affect the child participation dimension of independence beyond the contribution of personal factors.

Interpretation  These findings are the first, to our knowledge, to support the contribution of environmental factors to the participation of young children with mild developmental disabilities. The results show that environmental factors have significant slight contribution to child's independence in participation beyond other predictors (i.e. personal factors). Therefore, it is recommended to include environmental restrictions measurement in the child evaluation process to facilitate effective intervention programs.
An inquiry into moral virtues, especially compassion, in psychiatric nurses: findings from a Delphi study
Authors: ARMSTRONG A. E. , PARSONS S. , BARKER P. J.
Published: September 2011

A three‐round Delphi study was conducted to gather data on ethical reasoning among psychiatric nurses (N= 26 in round one (R1), decreasing toN= 14 in the final round (R3)). Transcripts of questionnaires were carefully read and compared. Responses were manually sorted into categories, themes and patterns of interest. Eight debates emerged from the data. This article discusses two in detail: the nature of moral virtues and the meaning of compassion in psychiatric nursing. A sympathetic overview of virtue ethics is also provided. The nurses' responses included a lot of virtue terms, such as, ‘honest’, ‘fair’, and ‘care”. However, ‘nurses’ moral virtues' was ranked low in importance as a notion invoked in ethical decision making in the round‐one ranking exercise. Only half of the sample believed that the moral character of a psychiatric nurse is important in ethical decision‐making. Further, most of the round‐one sample thought the virtues could not be acquired. Compassion was identified as crucial to psychiatric nursing and the nurse–client relationship, though, as expected, many diverse meanings were attributed to this notion. While the Delphi method proved adequate for our purposes, problems with regard to accurately understanding the respondents' intended meanings highlighted a major weakness of this technique, in common with other methods relying on questionnaires. Further inquiry is needed regarding the role of moral virtues and virtue ethics in both psychiatric nursing and nurse education.
Multiplex PCR for specific and robust detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum in pure culture and infected plant material
Authors: Adriko J. , Aritua V. , Mortensen C. N. , Tushemereirwe W. K. , Kubiriba J. , Lund O. S.
Published: September 2011

The present study developed a pathovar‐specific PCR for the detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm), the cause of banana xanthomonas wilt, by amplification of a 265‐bp region of the gene encoding the general secretion pathway protein D (GspD). A distinct DNA fragment of the expected size was amplified from genomic DNA from all of 12 Xcm isolates tested and no amplification of DNA was observed from other xanthomonads or plant‐associated bacteria, including the two closely related species Xanthomonas vasicola pv. holcicola and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vasculorum. The Xcm‐specific PCR was successfully multiplexed with internal control primers targeting 16S rDNA for application on DNA from bacterial cultures and with primers targeting plant mitochondrial 26S rDNA for application on DNA extracted from plant material. Diagnostic discrimination of healthy and infected plants was subsequently demonstrated in tests on artificially inoculated screenhouse cultivars of banana and field bananas with and without symptoms sampled from different parts of Uganda. This study therefore demonstrated a robust and specific Xcm diagnostic tool with the added advantage of applying internal PCR controls for direct quality assessment of results.
Iron content of Cambodian foods when prepared in cooking pots containing an iron ingot
Authors: Charles Christopher V. , Summerlee Alastair J. S. , Dewey Cate E.
Published: September 2011

Objectives  To investigate the effect of cooking with an iron ingot on the iron content of several water and Cambodian food preparations.

Methods  Various food and water samples were prepared, in replicate, in glass and aluminium pots with and without an iron ingot. The samples were subjected to iron content analysis using standard ICP–OES procedures.

Results  Prepared with an ingot, the iron content was 76.3 μg iron/g higher in lemon water, 32.6 μg iron/g higher in pork soup and 3.3 μg iron/g higher in fish soup, than in the same foods prepared without an ingot. Acidity of the food samples was positively associated with iron leaching.

Conclusions  Even when taking into account the low bioavailability of contaminant iron, approximately 75% of the daily iron requirement can be met by consuming 1L of lemon water prepared with an iron ingot. Its use may be a cheap and sustainable means of improving iron intake for those with iron‐deficient diets.
Clinical application of mTORi based immunosuppression for renal transplantation in India
Authors: Chacko Bobby
Published: September 2011

Chacko B. Clinical application of mTORi based immunosuppression for renal transplantation in India.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 1–15.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Long‐term renal graft survival is hampered by allograft dysfunction and cardiovascular disease resulting from calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). This has led to the development of immunosuppressive regimens involving mammalian target of rapamaycin (mTOR) inhibitors, sirolimus and everolimus. They seem to provide long‐term benefits for kidney function in transplant patients because of their anti‐proliferation and anti‐tumor properties and absence of nephrotoxicity. Their use has been evaluated in therapeutic regimens aimed at reducing the nephrotoxicity associated with CNIs. Both proactive and reactive strategies have been used. Whether existing strategies of using mTORi in renal transplantation is applicable for Indian patient’s remains to be seen. Data on side effect profile, economic viability and the impact of these drugs on infections, particularly in India, are worth documenting. After briefly reviewing available data from India, this article explores the indications, patient populations; timing and practical aspects as well as the safety and efficacy of mTORi‐based regimens for renal transplantation and suggests a framework which could allow transplant physicians to tailor its use to their own practice with particular reference to the Indian subcontinent.
Use of deferiprone for iron chelation in patients with transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia
Authors: Jamuar Saumya Shekhar , Lai Angeline Hwei Meeng , Tan Ah Moy , Chan Mei Yoke , Tan Ee Shien , Ng Ivy Swee Lian
Published: September 2011

Aim:  To conduct a retrospective case analysis of the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of deferiprone in our population.

Methods:  All patients with transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia at KK Hospital who have been on deferiprone were included in the study. Outcomes measured include the change in ferritin levels and cardiac T2* values during deferiprone therapy, and incidence of side effects.

Results:  Thirty‐three (47.1%) of the total cohort of 70 patients have been on deferiprone, out of which 26 were on combination therapy with desferrioxamine. Majority of the patients (76%) had stable cardiac iron load during deferiprone therapy, and four patients with moderate to severe cardiac iron load showed improvement. Ten patients (30.3%) had improvement in their ferritin levels. Three patients (9.1%) developed mild neutropenia at 3, 18 and 26 months, respectively, and two patients (6.1%) had agranulocytosis at 4 and 10 months, respectively. Their neutrophil counts improved spontaneously after cessation of deferiprone. Thrombocytopenia developed in 27.3% of the patients and was transient in majority (77.8%) of the patients. Five patients (15.2%) developed arthritis that improved after cessation of deferiprone therapy, and one patient had transient arthralgia that resolved spontaneously. Three patients (9.1%) had nausea and abdominal pain.

Conclusion:  Deferiprone effectively reduced or stabilised cardiac iron load in our patients. Thrombocytopenia, arthropathy, neutropenia and agranulocytosis are the most important side effects. It is recommended that patients on deferiprone have their full blood counts monitored weekly for the first year of therapy and subsequently fortnightly as long as they are on deferiprone.
Mate location and antennal morphology in the praying mantidHierodula majuscula
Authors: Allen Louise E , Barry Katherine L , Holwell Gregory I
Published: September 2011

Many sensory modes can be exploited to determine the location of potential mates. In insects, long‐distance location primarily involves chemical or acoustic cues, whereas short‐distance communication mainly utilises visual or tactile cues. The structural complexity of the environment may influence the transmission of information, and therefore, it is common to see multiple sensory modes employed to increase the likelihood of accurate mate location. Praying mantids are known to use airborne chemicals for long‐distance location and visual cues in close proximity. This study examined which types of cues are used for mate location in an unstudied species,Hierodula majuscula, from Queensland, Australia. The timing of female pheromone emission during ‘calling’ periods reached a peak at 3:00 h, with the majority of females assuming a calling posture at this time. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm the presence of basiconic sensilla (used for chemical reception) on male antennae, and males successfully responded to female chemical cues and subsequently located potential mates. Males were not as successful at finding females when restricted to using visual cues.
Long‐term administration of prazosin improves bladder storage function: Results from a study in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Haga Nobuhiro , Aikawa Ken , Ishibashi Kei , Yanagida Tomohiko , Nomiya Masanori , Takahashi Norio , Shiomi Homare , Oguro Toshiki , Ogawa Souichiro , Yamaguchi Osamu
Published: September 2011

Objectives:  To investigate the effects of long‐term administration of the α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin on afferent inputs from the lower urinary tract (LUT).

Methods:  Twenty female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomized to receive a 4‐week course of prazosin (0.12 mg/kg per day) or vehicle; 10 female Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats were given vehicle. Prazosin or vehicle was administered via an osmotic pump. The effect of prazosin on urodynamic parameters was determined by continuous cystometry in conscious animals. After cystometry, rats were killed and c‐fos expression in the dorsal horn of the L6 spinal cord was measured by immunohistochemistry.

Results:  The bladder contraction interval was significantly shorter in untreated SHR compared with WKY rats (2.36 ± 0 vs 4.27 ± 0.12 min, respectively; P < 0.05) and cystometric capacity was decreased significantly in SHR compared with WKY rats. L6 spinal cord c‐Fos expression was also significantly greater in SHR than WKY rats. The administration of prazosin significantly increased the micturition interval (4.07 ± 0.58 min; P < 0.05) and bladder capacity, but it did not affect micturition pressure. In SHR, the number of c‐Fos‐positive neurons was significantly lower following the administration of prazosin compared with vehicle.

Conclusions:  Increased afferent input from the LUT may induce an increase in urinary frequency in SHR. Furthermore, long‐term administration of prazosin can exert inhibitory effects on afferent pathways from the LUT during the storage phase. Reductions of afferent input can result in increased bladder capacity and increased micturition interval.
Predicting the environmental niche of the genusPhymaturus: Arepallumaandpatagonicusgroups ecologically differentiated?
Authors: DEBANDI GUILLERMO , CORBALÁN VALERIA , SCOLARO JOSÉ ALEJANDRO , ROIG‐JUÑENT SERGIO ALBERTO
Published: September 2011

The genusPhymaturus(Reptilia: Liolaemidae) is distributed in the mountains and rocky plateaux of Argentina and Chile and comprises two groups of species,pallumaandpatagonicus. The two lineages have diverged early in the evolution of the genus and up to today, there is very little geographical overlap between them. We worked with records of localities from the literature, herpetological collections and field data to evaluate habitat suitability of the genusPhymaturus. We used 11 environmental variables to develop environmental niche models (ENMs) for each group within the genus using the Maxent software, and to determine those variables that best explain the distribution of each group. We also estimated measures of niche similarity using ENMTools to determine whether niche differentiation is real or apparent. The geographical overlap between the groups was very low considering the large geographical range of the genus. Some variables, such as mean annual temperature, soil type and bare soil cover, have a high contribution to the models for both groups. The current niche overlap betweenPhymaturusgroups indicates that the environmental niches of thepallumaandpatagonicusgroups are not equivalent. Based on background analysis, we cannot reject the hypothesis that similarity (or divergence) between groups ofPhymaturusis no more than expected based on the availability of habitat. The results of this study are a first approximation to the knowledge of the environmental variables associated with thepallumaandpatagonicusgroups, and reveal that the ecological differences found between these groups are more likely due to habitat availability in their respective regions than to differences in habitat preferences.
Influence of contrasting availabilities of water and nutrients on the radiation use efficiency in C3 and C4 grasses
Authors: CRISTIANO PIEDAD M. , POSSE GABRIELA , DI BELLA CARLOS M. , BOCA TERESA
Published: September 2011

The radiation use efficiency (RUE) model is one of the most used tools to generate large spatial and temporal scale net primary productivity (NPP) estimations by remote sensing. It involves two key issues to make accurate estimations of NPP: the estimation of the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intercepted by vegetation (fPAR) and the estimation of the plant RUE. The objectives of this work were to quantify the above‐ground RUE under optimal water and nutrient conditions in two C3 and one C4 grass species and to analyse the effect of restrictions in these factors upon RUE by comparing both metabolic pathways. Grasses were cultivated from seeds and four treatments combining contrasting availabilities of water and nutrients were applied. RUE values were calculated from measurements of the incoming PAR, fPAR and productivity. In each of the species, plants with sufficient water and nutrients showed the highest RUE (2.61–3.52 g MJ−1), whereas those with deficiencies in both resources presented the lowest RUE (1.15–2.39 g MJ−1). Cynodon dactylon (C4) was the species with higher value of RUE and no significant differences were detected between treatments. However, no significant differences were detected between C. dactylon and D. glomerata under no stress treatment (N1W1) and between C. dactylon and L. perenne under water stress treatment (N1W0). RUE values of Dactylis glomerata (C3) diminished if only one of the two stress factors was presented, while Lolium perenne (C3) only when both stress factors were present. The decreases under stress treatments were between 35% and 60% compared with the no stress treatment. When regional NPP is estimated it is therefore important to take into account the decrease in the RUE, especially in areas under severe stress.
Interleukin‐15 treatment improves glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in obese mice
Authors: Barra N. G. , Chew M. V. , Holloway A. C. , Ashkar A. A.
Published: September 2011

The prevalence of metabolic diseases associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, continues to rise along with obesity rates. Recently, obesity has been described as an inflammatory condition, suggesting a link between the dysregulation in proinflammatory cytokine production and the aetiology of these metabolic diseases. While known as an immunomodulatory cytokine, Interleukin‐15 (IL‐15) has been shown to have effects on adipose tissue and induce weight loss in diet‐induced obese mice. As weight loss improves glucose homeostasis, the goal of this study was to determine whether IL‐15 impacts glucose regulation in a mouse model of diet‐induced obesity. Our data demonstrate that IL‐15 treatment significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose challenge compared to obese counterparts and/or lean controls. These results show that IL‐15 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and its associated abnormal glucose regulation.
The role of Δ6‐desaturase acyl‐carrier specificity in the efficient synthesis of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in transgenic plants
Authors: Sayanova Olga , Ruiz‐Lopez Noemi , Haslam Richard P. , Napier Johnathan A.
Published: September 2011

The role of acyl‐CoA‐dependent Δ6‐desaturation in the heterologous synthesis of omega‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids was systematically evaluated in transgenic yeast and Arabidopsis thaliana. The acyl‐CoA Δ6‐desaturase from the picoalga Ostreococcus tauri and orthologous activities from mouse (Mus musculus) and salmon (Salmo salar) were shown to generate substantial levels of Δ6‐desaturated acyl‐CoAs, in contrast to the phospholipid‐dependent Δ6‐desaturases from higher plants that failed to modify this metabolic pool. Transgenic plants expressing the acyl‐CoA Δ6‐desaturases from either O. tauri or salmon, in conjunction with the two additional activities required for the synthesis of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids, contained higher levels of eicosapentaenoic acid compared with plants expressing the borage phospholipid‐dependent Δ6‐desaturase. The use of acyl‐CoA‐dependent Δ6‐desaturases almost completely abolished the accumulation of unwanted biosynthetic intermediates such as γ‐linolenic acid in total seed lipids. Expression of acyl‐CoA Δ6‐desaturases resulted in increased distribution of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the polar lipids of transgenic plants, reflecting the larger substrate pool available for acylation by enzymes of the Kennedy pathway. Expression of the O. tauriΔ6‐desaturase in transgenic Camelina sativa plants also resulted in the accumulation of high levels of Δ6‐desaturated fatty acids. This study provides evidence for the efficacy of using acyl‐CoA‐dependent Δ6‐desaturases in the efficient metabolic engineering of transgenic plants with high value traits such as the synthesis of omega‐3 LC‐PUFAs.
Swedish Farmers Talking about Nature – A Study of the Interrelations between Farmers' Values and the Sociocultural Notion of Naturintresse
Authors: Boonstra Wiebren J. , Ahnström Johan , Hallgren Lars
Published: September 2011

Agro‐environmental schemes (AES) aim to counteract declining biodiversity on farmland and to improve ecosystem services, such as pollination and pest regulation. Studies show, however, that an involvement in AES does not lead to any substantive cognitive or motivational change in farmers' behaviour. Hermeneutic studies have tried to explain these modest effects by analysing farmers' mentalities and behaviour. This article contributes to these studies by using self‐identifications and stories of 16 Swedish farmers about nature and AES to create a typology of different farmers' valuations. In pursuit of this objective the article establishes a conceptual link between these hermeneutic studies and so‐called farming style analysis (FSA). The study lays bare latent points of friction between the views of these farmers and more conventional sociocultural notions about nature and nature conservation.
Prospective trial of metronomic chlorambucil chemotherapy in dogs with naturally occurring cancer
Authors: Leach T. N. , Childress M. O. , Greene S. N. , Mohamed A. S. , Moore G. E. , Schrempp D. R. , Lahrman S. R. , Knapp D. W.
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study was to assess the toxicoses and antitumor activity of metronomic chlorambucil at a dosage of 4 mg m−2 daily in dogs with naturally occurring cancer. Thirty‐six dogs were enrolled in the study. The protocol was well tolerated with no grade 3 or 4 toxicoses noted. Complete remission was achieved, and lasted over 35 weeks in three dogs (mast cell tumour, soft tissue sarcoma and thyroid carcinoma). Partial remission was noted in 1 dog with histiocytic sarcoma (39 weeks duration) for an overall remission rate of 11% (4 of 36). Stable disease was noted in 17 dogs (47%) with various other cancers. The median progression‐free interval was 61 days, and the median survival time was 153 days. Chlorambucil given in a metronomic protocol showed antitumor activity in dogs with a variety of naturally occurring cancers.
Empire, Subalternity, and Ijtihād: Two Muslim Women's Leadership Models in the Post‐9/11 US
Authors: Ahmed Fauzia Erfan
Published: September 2011

Binary stereotypes silence Muslim women in post 9/11 America, but little has been written about how Muslim women's leadership can enable voice. This article presents two leadership models based on the philosophy of ijtihād (independent reasoning), which facilitate self‐worth and solidarity, key elements of voice. The less visible spiritual colleague model, which has a followership of practising Muslim women, facilitates self‐worth through ijtihād, allowing women to seek self‐definition through their own interpretation of the Qur'ān. As strategy, the leader converts her home into a space which is simultaneously sacred and political where such informal discussions take place around religious rituals. The public bridge‐builder model creates solidarity between and among its following of practising and nonpractising Muslims and non‐Muslim men and women. The strategy focuses on effective dialogue between different groups. Ijtihād as discourse in pursuit of knowledge (‘ilm) creates equality and respect, the basis of sustainable alliances.
The importance of a multifaceted approach to characterizing the microbial flora of chronic wounds
Authors: Han Anne , Zenilman Jonathan M. , Melendez Johan H. , Shirtliff Mark E. , Agostinho Alessandra , James Garth , Stewart Philip S. , Mongodin Emmanuel F. , Rao Dhana , Rickard Alexander H. , Lazarus Gerald S.
Published: September 2011

Chronic wounds contain complex polymicrobial communities of sessile organisms that have been underappreciated because of limitations of standard culture techniques. The aim of this work was to combine recently developed next‐generation investigative techniques to comprehensively describe the microbial characteristics of chronic wounds. Tissue samples were obtained from 15 patients with chronic wounds presenting to the Johns Hopkins Wound Center. Standard bacteriological cultures demonstrated an average of three common bacterial species in wound samples. By contrast, high‐throughput pyrosequencing revealed increased bacterial diversity with an average of 17 genera in each wound. Data from microbial community profiling of chronic wounds were compared with published sequenced analyses of bacteria from normal skin. Increased proportions of anaerobes, Gram‐negative rods and Gram‐positive cocci were found in chronic wounds. In addition, chronic wounds had significantly lower populations of Propionibacterium compared with normal skin. Using epifluorescence microscopy, wound bacteria were visualized in highly organized thick confluent biofilms or as scattered individual bacterial cells. Fluorescent in situ hybridization allowed for the visualization of Staphylococcus aureus cells in a wound sample. Quorum‐sensing molecules were measured by bioassay to evaluate signaling patterns among bacteria in the wounds. A range of autoinducer‐2 activities was detected in the wound samples. Collectively, these data provide new insights into the identity, organization, and behavior of bacteria in chronic wounds. Such information may provide important clues to effective future strategies in wound healing.
The electric field near human skin wounds declines with age and provides a noninvasive indicator of wound healing
Authors: Nuccitelli Richard , Nuccitelli Pamela , Li Changyi , Narsing Suman , Pariser David M. , Lui Kaying
Published: September 2011

Due to the transepidermal potential of 15–50 mV, inside positive, an injury current is driven out of all human skin wounds. The flow of this current generates a lateral electric field within the epidermis that is more negative at the wound edge than at regions more lateral from the wound edge. Electric fields in this region could be as large as 40 mV/mm, and electric fields of this magnitude have been shown to stimulate human keratinocyte migration toward the wounded region. After flowing out of the wound, the current returns through the space between the epidermis and stratum corneum, generating a lateral field above the epidermis in the opposite direction. Here, we report the results from the first clinical trial designed to measure this lateral electric field adjacent to human skin wounds noninvasively. Using a new instrument, the Dermacorder®, we found that the mean lateral electric field in the space between the epidermis and stratum corneum adjacent to a lancet wound in 18–25‐year‐olds is 107–148 mV/mm, 48% larger on average than that in 65–80‐year‐olds. We also conducted extensive measurements of the lateral electric field adjacent to mouse wounds as they healed and compared this field with histological sections through the wound to determine the correlation between the electric field and the rate of epithelial wound closure. Immediately after wounding, the average lateral electric field was 122 ± 9 mV/mm. When the wound is filled in with a thick, disorganized epidermal layer, the mean field falls to 79 ± 4 mV/mm. Once this epidermis forms a compact structure with only three cell layers, the mean field is 59 ± 5 mV/mm. Thus, the peak‐to‐peak spatial variation in surface potential is largest in fresh wounds and slowly declines as the wound closes. The rate of wound healing is slightly greater when wounds are kept moist as expected, but we could find no correlation between the amplitude of the electric field and the rate of wound healing.
Stromal cell‐derived factor 1 (SDF‐1) and its receptor CXCR4 in the formation of postburn hypertrophic scar (HTS)
Authors: Ding Jie , Hori Keijiro , Zhang Rainny , Marcoux Yvonne , Honardoust Dariush , Shankowsky Heather A. , Tredget Edward E.
Published: September 2011

Recent data support the involvement of stromal cell‐derived factor 1 (SDF‐1) in the homing of bone marrow‐derived stem cells to wound sites during skeletal, myocardial, vascular, lung, and skin wound repair as well as some fibrotic disorders via its receptor CXCR4. In this study, the role of SDF‐1/CXCR4 signaling in the formation of hypertrophic scar (HTS) following burn injury and after treatment with systemic interferon α2b (IFNα2b) is investigated. Studies show SDF‐1/CXCR4 signaling was up‐regulated in burn patients, including SDF‐1 level in HTS tissue and serum as well as CD14+CXCR4+ cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In vitro, dermal fibroblasts constitutively expressed SDF‐1 and deep dermal fibroblasts expressed more SDF‐1 than superficial fibroblasts. Lipopolysaccharide increased SDF‐1 gene expression in fibroblasts. Also, recombinant SDF‐1 and lipopolysaccharide stimulated fibroblast‐conditioned medium up‐regulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell mobility. In the burn patients with HTS who received subcutaneous IFNα2b treatment, increased SDF‐1/CXCR4 signaling was found prior to treatment which was down‐regulated after IFNα2b administration, coincident with enhanced remodeling of their HTS. Our results suggest that SDF‐1/CXCR4 signaling is involved in the development of HTS by promoting migration of activated CD14+CXCR4+ cells from the bloodstream to wound sites, where they may differentiate into fibrocyte and myofibroblasts and contribute to the development of HTS.