bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SPECTRAL PROPERTIES OF LIGHT CONDUCTED IN STEMS OF WOODY PLANTS SHOW MARKED SEASONAL DIFFERENCES SUGGESTING A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS
Authors: Sun Qiang , Yoda Kiyotsugu , Suzuki Hitoshi
Published: April 2013

Optical properties of stems in woody plants were investigated in the winter–spring period, and compared with those in the summer–autumn period. In both periods light could enter the interior of the stems and was conducted efficiently along the axial direction. Vessels, fibers and tracheids were all involved in this axial light conduction. However, spectral properties of the light conducted by stems differed in different periods. The light conducted in stems of the winter–spring period showed higher relative intensity ratios at wavelengths around 825 nm and 920 nm than that in stems of the summer–autumn period. Furthermore, in the winter– spring period, stems of deciduous species conducted light at a wavelength around 825 nm at a higher relative intensity ratio than those of evergreen species. These seasonal variations and inter-specific differences in spectral properties of woody stems suggest a close relationship with rhythms of growth, substance metabolism and photomorphogenesis in plants.
INTERCELLULAR SPACE SYSTEM IN XYLEM RAYS OF PNEUMATOPHORES IN SONNERATIA ALBA (SONNERATIACEAE) AND ITS POSSIBLE FUNCTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
Authors: Sun Qiang , Kobayashi Kazutaka , Suzuki Mitsuo
Published: April 2013

Sonneratia alba J. Smith is a fast-growing pioneer mangrove tree species, and woody pneumatophores are one of the main morphological characters distinguishing this species from other mangrove species. Xylem rays of the pneumatophores in S. alba were exclusively uni-seriate and homocellular with procumbent cells. Intercellular spaces developed mainly between rows of procumbent ray cells to form continuous canals along the pneumatophore radius. Short axial intercellular spaces were present at the end wall sites of spindle-like procumbent ray cells within the same row, and interconnected with the neighboring radial intercellular canals into an intercellular space network within the xylem rays. The radial intercellular canals of xylem rays were larger in the outer secondary xylem than in the inner secondary xylem of a pneumatophore, and in the underground part than in the aboveground part. Blind pits (unilateral pits) towards the radial intercellular canals developed in the radial walls of vessels and the transverse walls of ray cells. The blind pits of vessels were bordered and vestured, and arranged radially in two regular rows in larger radial intercellular canals, but in one row or diffusely in narrower canals. The structural characters of the xylem rays and the intercellular space system of the pneumatophore suggest their possible involvement in water transport in the secondary xylem. An intercellular space system did not occur in xylem rays of the cable roots and stems of this species.
PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY OF NECTRIA CANKER ON FRAXINUS MANDSHURICA VAR. JAPONICA
Authors: Sakamoto Yasuaki , Yamada Yuko , Sano Yuzou , Tamai Yutaka , Funada Ryo
Published: April 2013

The anatomical characteristics of Nectria canker on Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica were analyzed. Typical cankers were conspicuous, round to oval, with uniform concentric rings of affected xylem in a target-like structure. Each concentric annual growth ring was wider than the corresponding annual rings lateral to the cankers. The xylem elements were extremely disoriented. The cambial zone became discontinuous and disappeared. An inoculation test with the causal fungus, Nectria galligena, produced similar anatomical abnormalities and revealed the process of canker formation. Fewer and narrower vessels were formed, and water conduction took place only in the large vessels of the current year in the cankers.
GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF FIBER LENGTH AND COARSENESS BASED ON PAPER PRODUCT PERFORMANCE AND MATERIAL VARIABILITY – A REVIEW
Authors: Via Brian K. , Stine Michael , Shupe Todd F. , So Chi-Leung , Groom Leslie
Published: April 2013

Improvement of specific gravity through tree breeding was an early choice made in the mid 20th century due to its ease of measurement and impact on pulp yield and lumber strength and stiffness. This was often the first, and in many cases, the only wood quality trait selected for. However, from a product standpoint, increased specific gravity has shown to lower many paper strength and stiffness properties and has been assumed to be directly attributable to increased fiber coarseness. As a result, it is currently not clear which fiber trait would best benefit a tree improvement program for paper products. This review found coarseness to be perhaps more important to paper strength and stiffness whereas tracheid length showed better promise from a breeding point of view due to its independence from specific gravity. However, both traits possessed strong heritability and influence on product performance and thus both would be beneficial to breed for depending on organizational goals and end product mix. The objective of this paper is to review and prioritize coarseness and tracheid length from both an end use and raw material perspective. To aid in prioritization, the variation, correlation, and heritability of both traits were reviewed along with significant genetic and phenotypic correlations. Variation trends within and between families as well as within a tree were reviewed.
WOOD ANATOMY OF THE TRIBE MILLETTIEAE WITH COMMENTS ON RELATED PAPILIONOID LEGUMINOSAE
Authors: Gasson Peter , Wray Elspeth , Schrire Brian D.
Published: April 2013

The tribe Millettieae has traditionally included some 43 to 47 genera although more recent phylogenetic evidence has shown that a smaller core-Millettieae group of c. 23 genera may form part of a recircumscribed Millettieae sensu stricto. We have examined the wood of 27 genera, 16 of which are in the core-Millettieae and the remaining 11 belong in 4 groups, mostly with closer affinities outside Millettieae s.str. The wood anatomy of the various genera is nevertheless very uniform. Most genera are diffuse porous with no predominant vessel pattern. They have paratracheal parenchyma ranging from scanty through vasicentric, aliform and confluent, and often banded. Rays are mainly up to 5 cells wide. Axial parenchyma and rays are nearly always storied. The lianas Paraderris elliptica, Derris uliginosa, Ostryocarpus cf. riparius and Wisteria spp. have alternating bands of xylem and phloem, which are also found in some Dalbergieae. Even in the genera without such anomalous secondary growth there are many similarities between the wood of Millettieae and Dalbergieae. The wood of some genera in Sophoreae and Swartzieae is also compared. Our observations will be put in the context of recent cladistic analyses on both morphological and molecular data by other authors.
Ten new species of Cladonia (Cladoniaceae, Lichenized Fungi) from the Guianas and Venezuela, South America
Authors: AHTI TEUVO , SIPMAN HARRIE J. M.
Published: April 2013

The diversity of the lichen family Cladoniaceae in the Neotropics is apparently underestimated. A revision of the family for the Flora of the Guianas resulted in the description of 10 species new to science from Northern South America: Cladonia cayennensis; Cladonia flavocrispata; Cladonia isidiifera; Cladonia maasii; Cladonia mollis; Cladonia persphacelata; Cladonia recta; Cladonia rupununii; Cladonia subsphacelata; Cladonia termitarum.
Re-examination of the eastern Pacific and Atlantic material of Alpheus malleator Dana, 1852, with the description of Alpheus wonkimi sp. nov. (Crustacea, Decapoda, Alpheidae)
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR
Published: April 2013

The bumpy-clawed snapping shrimp, Alpheus malleator Dana, 1852 (Alpheidae), is revised based on the recently collect-ed and older museum material from the eastern Pacific (Panama, Ecuador), Caribbean (Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago), Brazil (São Paulo), and West Africa (Cape Verde, Senegal, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Congo). The eastern Pa-cific material is assigned to A. wonkimi sp. nov., based on one morphological difference in the colour and thickness of the uropodal spiniform seta, as well as previously published molecular data. The Caribbean, Brazilian and West African ma-terial is considered to represent a single, widespread, morphologically variable, amphi-Atlantic taxon, A. malleator. Al-pheus pugilator A. Milne-Edwards, 1878 is retained as a junior synonym of A. malleator, whereas A. tuberculosus Osorio, 1892, A. malleator var. edentatus Zimmer, 1913 and A. belli Coutière, 1898, the latter two based on juvenile specimens, are tentatively placed in the synonymy of A. malleator. Illustrations, including colour photographs, are provided for A. wonkimi sp. nov. and A. malleator and their morphological variability is discussed and illustrated.
Being a Hypocrite or Committed While I Am Shopping? A Comparison of the Impact of Two Interventions on Environmentally Friendly Behavior
Authors: Rubens Lolita , Gosling Patrick , Bonaiuto Marino , Brisbois Xavier , Moch Annie
Published: April 2013

Commitment and the hypocrisy paradigm are two models used to convince people to adopt proenvironmental behaviors. The aim of the present study is to compare the effect of those interventions with a delay between the intervention and the observation of the behavior as this has not been investigated yet. People in a Parisian supermarket were asked to commit themselves by signing a poster advocating the target behavior: no use of plastic bags (commitment condition). Some of them were also asked to remember past transgressions to arouse cognitive dissonance (hypocrisy condition). Attention was paid to whether participants took free plastic bags. Our results showed that participants in the commitment condition were more likely to change their behavior than the participants in the control condition and in the hypocrisy condition. In a final section, implications for the two models are discussed.
Liquid Networks and the Metaphysics of Flux: Ontologies of Flow in an Age of Speed and Mobility
Authors: Sutherland Thomas
Published: April 2013

It is common for social theorists to utilize the metaphors of ‘flow’, ‘fluidity’, and ‘liquidity’ in order to substantiate the ways in which speed and mobility form the basis for a new kind of information or network society. Yet rarely have these concepts been sufficiently theorized in order to establish their relevance or appropriateness. This article contends that the notion of flow as utilized in social theory is profoundly metaphysical in nature, and needs to be judged as such. Beginning with a discussion of the accelerating timescape that characterizes the network society, it will then move on to examine three main issues with this ‘metaphysics of flux’. First, that the concept of flows unjustly privileges the process of becoming and, as a result, is unable to account for the materiality, substantiality, and agency of the objects being mobilized, and the contingency of their mediation. Second, that it posits the accelerating tendencies of capital as an ontological inevitability, thus discounting resistance to such forces. Finally, that it ignores the human faculty for reason and speculative thought in developing alternative means of political praxis. The solution, it will be argued, is not to abandon metaphysical accounts of the network society, but rather to challenge those accounts that, in exhibiting a crude empiricism, work to justify the status quo.
Online grooming legislation: Knee-jerk regulation?
Authors: Staksrud Elisabeth
Published: April 2013

The study explores whether or not the perceived threats of paedophiles grooming online cause disproportionate legislative reactions. This is done by reviewing if and how the legislative assumptions about the nature of grooming leading to specific grooming legislation in Norway match the actual user experiences of Norwegian children in general and those subjected to physical abuse following Internet encounters in particular. The expressed political assumptions (about how children use the Internet) leading to the Norwegian grooming legislation implemented in 2007 are compared with the actual experiences of Norwegian children between 9 and 16 years, regarding the same assumptions as documented in nationally representative statistical surveys conducted in 2003, 2006 and 2008. The findings show that the Norwegian grooming legislation was redundant, both legally and practically. The potential implications for prescriptive work, as well as the wider democratic dilemmas are discussed.
Cross-camera comparison of ROI-based semi-quantitative 123I-IBZM SPECT data in healthy volunteers using an anthropomorphic phantom for calibration
Authors: Mo Susanna Jakobson , Larsson Anne , Johansson Lennart , Stenlund Hans , Forsgren Lars , Riklund Katrine
Published: April 2013

Background

In 123I-Iolopride (IBZM) SPECT reference values may diverge between camera systems. If multicenter pooling of normal material databases is needed, differences in measured semi-quantitative data due to equipment performance and reconstruction parameters have to be investigated in each instance to determine the comparability.

Purpose

To explore the differences in 123I-IBZM measured uptake ratios between two different gamma cameras in healthy controls, the intra-rater reproducibility of the image evaluation method and the possibility to equalize uptake ratios by calibration through an anthropomorphic phantom.

Material and Methods

Differences in ROI-based semi-quantitative data from two different gamma camera systems, the three-headed brain dedicated Neurocam and the two-headed multipurpose hybrid system Infinia Hawkeye, were studied using image data from a group of healthy volunteers and an anthropomorphic brain-phantom scanned with both cameras. Several reconstruction methods and corrections were applied. To test the reliability of the ROI method, the intra-observer reproducibility was determined for the ROI method in this study.

Results

The ROI method had a high reliability. Differences in mean measured uptake 123I-IBZM ratios in healthy controls varied between 2.9% and 6.5% depending on reconstruction and correction for attenuation and scatter. After calibration, the differences decreased. There were no statistically significant differences between corrected ratios from the two camera systems in the study when images were reconstructed with attenuation correction.

Conclusion

The conformity of uptake ratios in attenuation corrected 123I-IBZM images derived from the two different cameras was improved by using an anthropomorphic phantom for calibration.
Different levels of cortical excitability reflect clinical fluctuations in migraine
Authors: Restuccia Domenico , Vollono Catello , Piero Ivana del , Martucci Lucia , Zanini Sergio
Published: April 2013

Background

In a previous study we demonstrated that high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) elicited by median nerve stimulation are significantly correlated to clinical fluctuations of migraine. We aimed at verifying whether clinical fluctuations and HFO changes are correlated to N20 somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) recovery cycle, which is likely to reflect the functional refractoriness of primary somatosensory cortex neurons.

Methods

We analysed both HFOs and N20 SEP recovery cycle to paired stimulation in 21 migraine patients and 18 healthy volunteers.

Results

Shortened recovery cycle correlated with low-amplitude HFOs as well as with clinical worsening. By contrast, prolonged recovery cycle correlated with enhanced HFOs, as well as with spontaneous clinical improvement.

Conclusions

In our migraine patients the strict relationship between presynaptic HFO amplitude and N20 recovery function suggests that changes of both parameters might be caused by modifications of the thalamo-cortical drive. Our findings suggest that the thalamo-cortical drive during interictal stages could fluctuate from abnormally high to abnormally low levels, depending on mechanisms which reduce cortical excitability in spontaneously improving patients, and increase cortical excitability in spontaneously worsening ones.
Late-Holocene NAO and oceanic forcing on high-altitude proglacial sedimentation (Lake Bramant, Western French Alps)
Authors: Guyard Hervé , Chapron Emmanuel , St-Onge Guillaume , Labrie Jacques
Published: April 2013

Comparison of glacially derived clastic inputs in high altitude proglacial lake Bramant (Western French Alps) with measured North Atlantic Oscillation winter (NAOw) index reveals an inverse correlation between ad 1884 and 1968 at the pluridecadal timescale (20–25 years). This reflects periodical variations in snow accumulation over Lake Bramant catchment area partly influencing the glacier mass balance in the watershed. Further comparisons with reconstructed NAOw index since ad 1500 highlight spatial and temporal variations of the pluridecadal NAOw influence on this alpine climate, especially at the end of the ‘Little Ice Age’. In addition, wavelet analysis of continuous proxies of clastic sedimentation over the last 4150 years indicates significant pluridecadal variability at frequencies compatible with the NAO (30 years), while periods centered at 60–70 years could also be linked to the North Atlantic Ocean–atmosphere internal variability (Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO)). The influence of the North Atlantic deep water production on the regional alpine climate is also suggested by a significant 550 yr cycle of clastic inputs since 2800 cal. BP. Coupling between the North Atlantic Ocean and the atmosphere seems therefore to play a fundamental role on glacier mass balance and climate during the late Holocene in the western Alps.
Stable carbon isotope values confirm a recent increase in grasslands in northwestern Madagascar
Authors: Crowley Brooke E , Samonds Karen E
Published: April 2013

Madagascar is home to some of the world’s most unique plants and animals. Unfortunately, anthropogenic forest loss has had a dramatic impact on both floral and faunal communities. In many regions the scale and timing of this loss remains poorly constrained. Such is the case for northwestern Madagascar. Pollen records for this region suggest that fires and grass abundance increased around 1000 calendar years before present (cal. BP), as well as c. 500 cal. BP, presumably reflecting growing human settlements. However, temporal and spatial resolution for these transitions is limited by a hiatus in the sediment record. We present a suite of carbon isotope data from 14C-dated vertebrate bones from Anjohibe Cave, northwestern Madagascar. In agreement with palynological records, isotope data indicate that the transition to open savannah may be a recent phenomenon in northwestern Madagascar. We document dramatic changes in the vertebrate community over the past 2000 years. Remains from extinct taxa are all older than 1500 cal. BP, locally extirpated taxa were in the region until c. 300 years ago, and introduced species are essentially modern. Stable carbon data suggest minimal consumption of C4 resources by extinct, locally extirpated and locally extant endemic taxa. On the contrary, introduced rats and shrews exhibit exceptionally high carbon isotope values; this may reflect a dietary shift to newly introduced grasses or consumption of seeds from C4 plants.
Treatment of GORD: Three decades of progress and disappointments
Authors: Galmiche Jean Paul , Zerbib Frank , des Varannes Stanislas Bruley
Published: April 2013

The treatment of GORD has been revolutionized by the introduction, in the 1980s, of proton‐pump inhibitors as the mainstay of medical therapy and by the development of laparoscopic antireflux surgery which has definitively replaced open surgery. However, despite these major advances, many unmet therapeutic needs still persist and justify novel therapeutic approaches. The aim of this historical review is to recall the main discoveries in the treatment of GORD that have occurred during the last three decades and to discuss why some initially promising drugs or techniques have not translated into clinical applications. A careful analysis of these previous disappointing experiences should help to identify high priorities and better research programmes on the management of GORD.
Microstructure characteristic and grain refining performance of Al–5Ti–1B master alloy improved by copper mould die casting
Authors: Li T , Wang J H , Su X P , Peng H P , Tu H , Liu Y
Published: April 2013

The influence of subrapid solidified processing parameters on the microstructure characteristic and grain refining efficiency of Al–5Ti–1B master alloy has been studied. The results show that the mean size of Al3Ti particles in Al–5Ti–1B master alloy decreases significantly after copper mould die casting. The morphology of Al3Ti particles changed from plate-like to blocky and petaloid. Compared with conventional Al–5Ti–1B master alloy, the phase constitution of subrapidly solidified Al–5Ti–1B master alloy does not change, and the improved master alloy shows a better grain refining efficiency. The microhardness of the pure aluminium refined by conventional and improved Al–5Tu–1B obeys the Hall–Petch relation, and the material constant kH is in the range of 84·02–91·80 MPa μm1/2. The mechanisms of grain refinement of aluminium by inoculation with improved Al–5Ti–1B master alloy are discussed based on the duplex nucleation theory and growth restriction effects in aluminium alloys.
Tensile behaviours of equal channel angular pressed Al–11·5Zn–2Mg–1·5Cu–0·2Sc–0·15Zr alloy fabricated by spray forming at ambient and elevated temperatures
Authors: Ning Z L , Cao F Y , Guo S , Wang G J , Zhao Z H , Li Z C , Sun J F
Published: April 2013

Tensile behaviours at ambient and elevated temperatures of an equal channel angular pressed ultrahigh strength Al–11·5Zn–2Mg–0·2Cu–0·2Sc–0·15Zr alloy fabricated by spray forming were investigated in the present paper. At ambient temperature, the equal channel angular pressed materials through route A exhibit moderate strength, lower than that of as extruded material but higher than that of extruded one followed by annealing. Increasing equal channel angular pressing pass has no effect on strength but decreases the elongation. At elevated temperature (300°C), tensile strength decreases significantly, and ductility increases dramatically with decreased strain rate. At a strain rate of 5×10−4 s−1, an elongation to failure of 241 and a strain rate sensitivity of 0·32 were obtained.
Grain boundary versus particle stimulated nucleation in hot deformed Al–4·5Zn–1Mg alloy
Authors: Eivani A R , Zhou J , Duszczyk J
Published: April 2013

In the present research, an analytical model of recrystallisation combining grain boundary (GB) and particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) in hot deformed Al–4·5Zn–1Mg alloy was developed. The effects of evolving subgrain sizes and associated stored energy in addition to the Zener drag pressure on recrystallisation were incorporated into the model. A number of constants, fitting parameters and activation energies for recrystallisation nucleation were determined for the Al–4·5Zn–1Mg alloy by investigating recrystallisation after axisymmetric hot compression testing. It was found that with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate, the number density of the nuclei decreased. Both GB and PSN played roles in the recrystallisation of this alloy. The temperature of subsequent annealing was found to be not strongly influential on the mode of recrystallisation, i.e. recrystallisation originated by GB nucleation or PSN. However, deformation conditions (strain, strain rate and temperature) clearly affected the mode of recrystallisation. Nucleation by the GB mechanism was especially marked. However, PSN played a dominant role in recrystallisation after deformation to large strains. In addition, when strain was <1, nucleation by the GB mechanism was only dominant if the strain rate was smaller than 1 s−1 and the deformation temperature was higher than 450°C.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of Gossypium hirsutumL. in response to sap sucking insects: aphid and whitefly
Authors: Dubey Neeraj Kumar , Goel Ridhi , Ranjan Alok , Idris Asif , Singh Sunil Kumar , Bag Sumit K , Chandrashekar Krishnappa , Pandey Kapil Deo , Singh Pradhyumna Kumar , Sawant Samir V
Published: April 2013

Background

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a major fiber crop that is grown worldwide; it faces extensive damage from sap-sucking insects, including aphids and whiteflies. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis was performed to understand the molecular details of interaction between Gossypium hirsutum L. and sap-sucking pests, namely Aphis gossypii (Aphid) and Bemisia tabacci (Whiteflies). Roche’s GS-Titanium was used to sequence transcriptomes of cotton infested with aphids and whiteflies for 2 h and 24 h.

Results

A total of 100935 contigs were produced with an average length of 529 bp after an assembly in all five selected conditions. The Blastn of the non-redundant (nr) cotton EST database resulted in the identification of 580 novel contigs in the cotton plant. It should be noted that in spite of minimal physical damage caused by the sap-sucking insects, they can change the gene expression of plants in 2 h of infestation; further change in gene expression due to whiteflies is quicker than due to aphids. The impact of the whitefly 24 h after infestation was more or less similar to that of the aphid 2 h after infestation. Aphids and whiteflies affect many genes that are regulated by various phytohormones and in response to microbial infection, indicating the involvement of complex crosstalk between these pathways. The KOBAS analysis of differentially regulated transcripts in response to aphids and whiteflies indicated that both the insects induce the metabolism of amino acids biosynthesis specially in case of whiteflies infestation at later phase. Further we also observed that expression of transcript related to photosynthesis specially carbon fixation were significantly influenced by infestation of Aphids and Whiteflies.

Conclusions

A comparison of different transcriptomes leads to the identification of differentially and temporally regulated transcripts in response to infestation by aphids and whiteflies. Most of these differentially expressed contigs were related to genes involved in biotic, abiotic stresses and enzymatic activities related to hydrolases, transferases, and kinases. The expression of some marker genes such as the overexpressors of cationic peroxidase 3, lipoxygenase I, TGA2, and non-specific lipase, which are involved in phytohormonal-mediated plant resistance development, was suppressed after infestation by aphids and whiteflies, indicating that insects suppressed plant resistance in order to facilitate their infestation. We also concluded that cotton shares several pathways such as phagosomes, RNA transport, and amino acid metabolism with Arabidopsis in response to the infestation by aphids and whiteflies.
Two RND proteins involved in heavy metal efflux in Caulobacter crescentus belong to separate clusters within proteobacteria
Authors: Valencia Estela Y , Braz Vânia S , Guzzo Cristiane , Marques Marilis V
Published: April 2013

Background

Heavy metal Resistance-Nodulation-Division (HME-RND) efflux systems help Gram-negative bacteria to keep the intracellular homeostasis under high metal concentrations. These proteins constitute the cytoplasmic membrane channel of the tripartite RND transport systems. Caulobacter crescentus NA1000 possess two HME-RND proteins, and the aim of this work was to determine their involvement in the response to cadmium, zinc, cobalt and nickel, and to analyze the phylogenetic distribution and characteristic signatures of orthologs of these two proteins.

Results

Expression assays of the czrCBA operon showed significant induction in the presence of cadmium and zinc, and moderate induction by cobalt and nickel. The nczCBA operon is highly induced in the presence of nickel and cobalt, moderately induced by zinc and not induced by cadmium. Analysis of the resistance phenotype of mutant strains showed that the ΔczrA strain is highly sensitive to cadmium, zinc and cobalt, but resistant to nickel. The ΔnczA strain and the double mutant strain showed reduced growth in the presence of all metals tested. Phylogenetic analysis of the C. crescentus HME-RND proteins showed that CzrA-like proteins, in contrast to those similar to NczA, are almost exclusively found in the Alphaproteobacteria group, and the characteristic protein signatures of each group were highlighted.

Conclusions

The czrCBA efflux system is involved mainly in response to cadmium and zinc with a secondary role in response to cobalt. The nczCBA efflux system is involved mainly in response to nickel and cobalt, with a secondary role in response to cadmium and zinc. CzrA belongs to the HME2 subfamily, which is almost exclusively found in the Alphaproteobacteria group, as shown by phylogenetic analysis. NczA belongs to the HME1 subfamily which is more widespread among diverse Proteobacteria groups. Each of these subfamilies present distinctive amino acid signatures.
The effect of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ infection on the proteomic profiles and nutritional status of pre-symptomatic and symptomatic grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) plants
Authors: Nwugo Chika C , Lin Hong , Duan Yongping , Civerolo Edwin L
Published: April 2013

Background

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a highly destructive citrus disease which threatens citrus production worldwide and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las), a non-culturable phloem-limited bacterium, is an associated causal agent of the disease. To better understand the physiological and molecular processes involved in host responses to Las, 2-DE and mass spectrometry analyses, as well as ICP spectroscopy analysis were employed to elucidate the global protein expression profiles and nutrient concentrations in leaves of Las-infected grapefruit plants at pre-symptomatic or symptomatic stages for HLB.

Results

This study identified 123 protein spots out of 191 spots that showed significant changes in the leaves of grapefruit plants in response to Las infection and all identified spots matched to 69 unique proteins/peptides. A down-regulation of 56 proteins including those associated with photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and metabolism was correlated with significant reductions in the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu in leaves of grapefruit plants in response to Las infection, particularly in symptomatic plants. Oxygen-evolving enhancer (OEE) proteins, a PSI 9 kDa protein, and a Btf3-like protein were among a small group of proteins that were down-regulated in both pre-symptomatic and symptomatic plants in response to Las infection. Furthermore, a Las-mediated up-regulation of 13 grapefruit proteins was detected, which included Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, chitinases, lectin-related proteins, miraculin-like proteins, peroxiredoxins and a CAP 160 protein. Interestingly, a Las-mediated up-regulation of granule-bound starch synthase was correlated with an increase in the K concentrations of pre-symptomatic and symptomatic plants.

Conclusions

This study constitutes the first attempt to characterize the interrelationships between protein expression and nutritional status of Las-infected pre-symptomatic or symptomatic grapefruit plants and sheds light on the physiological and molecular mechanisms associated with HLB disease development.
Comparative analysis of oral treponemes associated with periodontal health and disease
Authors: You Meng , Mo Sisu , Leung W Keung , Watt Rory M
Published: April 2013

Background

Periodontal diseases, such as periodontitis, are chronic inflammatory infections affecting the gingivae (gums), underlying connective tissues and bone that support the teeth. Oral treponemes (genus Treponema) are widely-considered to play important roles in periodontal disease etiology and pathogenesis; however, precise relationships remain to be fully established.

Methods

A 16S rRNA clone library-based approach was used to comprehensively characterize and compare the diversity of treponeme taxa present in subgingival plaque sampled from periodontitis patients (n = 10) versus periodontitis-free controls (n = 10). 16S rRNA gene sequences were assigned to operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using a 99% identity cut-off A variety of taxonomy (OTU) and phylogeny-based statistical approaches were used to compare populations of treponeme OTUs present in both subject groups.

Results

A total of 615 plasmid clones containing ca. 1500 bp Treponema 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained; 365 from periodontitis subjects, 250 from periodontitis-free controls. These were assigned to 110 treponeme OTUs. 93 OTUs were detected in the periodontitis subjects (mean 9.3 ± 5.2 OTUs per subject; range 9–26), and 43 OTUs were detected in controls (mean 4.3 ± 5.9 OTUs per subject; range 3–20). OTUs belonging to oral treponeme phylogroups 1–7 were detected in both subject sets. Phylogroup 1 treponemes had the highest levels of OTU richness (diversity) and clonal abundance within both subject groups. Levels of OTU richness and clonal abundance of phylogroup 2 treponemes were significantly higher in the periodontitis subjects (Mann Whitney U-test, p < 0.001). Both OTU-based and phylogeny-based analyses clearly indicated that there were significant differences in the composition of treponeme communities present in periodontitis versus control subjects. The detection frequency of five OTUs showed a statistically-significant correlation with disease status. The OTU (8P47) that corresponded to the type strain of Treponema denticola had the strongest association with periodontitis (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Higher levels of treponeme taxon richness and clonal abundance were associated with periodontitis. However, our results clearly indicated that subjects free from clinical symptoms of periodontal disease also contained highly diverse populations of treponeme bacteria within their subgingival microbiota. Our data supports the hypothesis that specific treponeme taxa are associated with periodontal disease.
Analysis of motivations that lead women to participate (or not) in a newborn cohort study
Authors: Vecchi Brumatti Liza , Montico Marcella , Russian Stefano , Tognin Veronica , Bin Maura , Barbone Fabio , Volpi Patrizia , Ronfani Luca
Published: April 2013

Background

Little is known about reasons that influence parents’ decision to participate in studies enrolling healthy children. The aim of this observational study was to verify the reasons that lead pregnant women to give their consent or to refuse participation to a newborn cohort study with a long follow up time.

Methods

To prospectively investigate the reasons that lead women to participate, to refuse the participation or to withdraw from a newborn cohort study, three different questionnaires were administered to pregnant women contacted or enrolled in the Phime cohort study, carried out in an Italian Hospital from 2007 to 2010.

Results

Phime study participation was refused by 304 women and 145 withdrew their consent during the follow up. All these women filled in the related questionnaires. Within 632 mothers in follow up at 18 months, 430 filled in the questionnaire on motivation to participate: 97% stated that the main reason was to contribute to research; 96% and 90% stated that they wanted to benefit future babies’ and mothers’ health. Ninety-six percent of women would appreciate to know the results of analysis carried out on biological samples collected and of the overall study results. One third of the mothers (37%) wanted to be involved in the definition of future similar studies, bringing their experience and their views. Within the 304 women who refused participation, 56% stated that the study was too demanding, 26% was not interested in participating and 18% was concerned about the need to collect biological samples and to be submitted to neurocognitive tests. Fifty-two percent of 145 women who withdrew after enrollment stated that the study was too demanding (52%), and 6% was concerned about the biological samples collection.

Conclusions

The altruistic reason appears to be the main reported by women to decide to participate in a newborn cohort study. The fact that the study was too demanding and the need to collect biological samples are important reasons that lead women to refuse participation or to withdraw from the study. An adequate communication on these aspects should minimize difficulties in enrolment and losses to follow up.
Bioluminescence imaging for IL-1β expression in experimental colitis
Authors: Li Limei , Liu Zhenzhe , Yang Xinyu , Yan Huimin , Bao Shisan , Fei Jian
Published: April 2013

Background

Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) contributes to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is correlated with the severity of intestinal inflammation. However, the precise source of IL-1β producing cells in DSS colitis is currently not known.

Methods

To determine IL-1β activity during intestinal inflammation in real time, an IL-1β transgenic mouse has been generated by incorporating the firefly luciferase gene driven by a 4.5-kb fragment of human IL-1β gene promoter (named cHS4I-hIL-1βP-Luc transgenic mice). Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced colitis was confirmed with clinical presentation and histopathology.

Results

A substantial increase in luciferase activity (reflecting IL-1β production) in the region of inflamed colon was observed in a time dependent manner, followed by additional activity in the region of the mesenteric lymph node. The up-regulated luciferase activity was suppressed by dexamethasone (steroids) during DSS challenge, consistent with reduced severity of colitis, confirming the specificity of luciferase activity.

Conclusions

Our data suggests that bioluminescence is an interesting technology, which may be used to evaluate transcription of various genes in real time in experimental colitis.
Evaluation of H.264/AVC over IEEE 802.11p vehicular networks
Authors: Rozas-Ramallal Ismael , Fernández-Caramés Tiago M , Dapena Adriana , García-Naya José Antonio
Published: April 2013

The capacity of vehicular networks to offer non-safety services, like infotainment applications or the exchange of multimedia information between vehicles, have attracted a great deal of attention to the field of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). In particular, in this article we focus our attention on IEEE 802.11p which defines enhancements to IEEE 802.11 required to support ITS applications. We present an FPGA-based testbed developed to evaluate H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding) video transmission over vehicular networks. The testbed covers some of the most common situations in vehicle-to-vehicle and roadside-to-vehicle communications and it is highly flexible, allowing the performance evaluation of different vehicular standard configurations. We also show several experimental results to illustrate the quality obtained when H.264/AVC encoded video is transmitted over IEEE 802.11p networks. The quality is measured considering two important parameters: the percentage of recovered group of pictures and the frame quality. In order to improve performance, we propose to substitute the convolutional channel encoder used in IEEE 802.11p for a low-density parity-check code encoder. In addition, we suggest a simple strategy to decide the optimum number of iterations needed to decode each packet received.
LKB1 tumor suppressor and salt-inducible kinases negatively regulate human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 transcription
Authors: Tang Hei-Man Vincent , Gao Wei-Wei , Chan Ching-Ping , Siu Yeung-Tung , Wong Chi-Ming , Kok Kin-Hang , Ching Yick-Pang , Takemori Hiroshi , Jin Dong-Yan
Published: April 2013

Background

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Treatment options are limited and prophylactic agents are not available. We have previously demonstrated an essential role for CREB-regulating transcriptional coactivators (CRTCs) in HTLV-1 transcription.

Results

In this study we report on the negative regulatory role of LKB1 tumor suppressor and salt-inducible kinases (SIKs) in the activation of HTLV-1 long terminal repeats (LTR) by the oncoprotein Tax. Activation of LKB1 and SIKs effectively blunted Tax activity in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, whereas compromising these kinases, but not AMP-dependent protein kinases, augmented Tax function. Activated LKB1 and SIKs associated with Tax and suppressed Tax-induced LTR activation by counteracting CRTCs and CREB. Enforced expression of LKB1 or SIK1 in cells transfected with HTLV-1 molecular clone pX1MT repressed proviral transcription. On the contrary, depletion of LKB1 in pX1MT-transfected cells and in HTLV-1-transformed T cells boosted the expression of Tax. Treatment of HTLV-1 transformed cells with metformin led to LKB1/SIK1 activation, reduction in Tax expression, and inhibition of cell proliferation.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed a new function of LKB1 and SIKs as negative regulators of HTLV-1 transcription. Pharmaceutical activation of LKB1 and SIKs might be considered as a new strategy in anti-HTLV-1 and anti-ATL therapy.
One century later: the folk botanical knowledge of the last remaining Albanians of the upper Reka Valley, Mount Korab, Western Macedonia
Authors: Pieroni Andrea , Rexhepi Besnik , Nedelcheva Anely , Hajdari Avni , Mustafa Behxhet , Kolosova Valeria , Cianfaglione Kevin , Quave Cassandra L
Published: April 2013

Background

Ethnobotanical surveys of the Western Balkans are important for the cross-cultural study of local plant knowledge and also for obtaining baseline data, which is crucial for fostering future rural development and eco-tourism initiatives in the region. The current ethnobotanical field study was conducted among the last remaining Albanians inhabiting the upper Reka Valley at the base of Mount Korab in the Mavrovo National Park of the Republic of Macedonia.

The aims of the study were threefold: 1) to document local knowledge pertaining to plants; 2) to compare these findings with those of an ethnographic account written one century ago and focused on the same territory; and 3) to compare these findings with those of similar field studies previously conducted in other areas of the Balkans.

Methods

Field research was conducted with all inhabitants of the last four inhabited villages of the upper Reka Valley (n=17). Semi-structured and open interviews were conducted regarding the perception and use of the local flora and cultivated plants.

Results and conclusion

The uses of ninety-two plant and fungal taxa were recorded; among the most uncommon uses, the contemporary use of young cooked potato (Solanum tuberosum) leaves and Rumex patientia as a filling for savory pies was documented. Comparison of the data with an ethnographic study conducted one century ago in the same area shows a remarkable resilience of original local plant knowledge, with the only exception of rye, which has today disappeared from the local foodscape. Medicinal plant use reports show important similarities with the ethnobotanical data collected in other Albanian areas, which are largely influenced by South-Slavic cultures.
Suppression of STIM1 inhibits human glioblastoma cell proliferation and induces G0/G1 phase arrest
Authors: Li Guilin , Zhang Zhenxing , Wang Renzhi , Ma Wenbin , Yang Ying , Wei Junji , Wei Yanping
Published: April 2013

Background

Depletion of calcium (Ca2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) activates the ubiquitous store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) pathway which sustains long-term Ca2+ signals and is critical for cellular functions. Stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1) serves a dual role as an ER Ca2+ sensor and activator of SOCE. Aberrant expression of STIM1 could be observed in several human cancer cells. However, the role of STIM1 in regulating tumorigenesis of human glioblastoma still remains unclear.

Methods

Expression of STIM1 protein in a panel of human glioblastoma cell lines (U251, U87 and U373) in different transformation level were evaluated by Western blot method. STIM1 loss of function was performed on U251 cells, derived from grade IV astrocytomas-glioblastoma multiforme with a lentvirus-mediated short harpin RNA (shRNA) method. The biological impacts after knock down of STIM1 on glioblastoma cells were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

Results

We discovered that STIM1 protein was expressed in U251, U87 and U373 cells, and especially higher in U251 cells. RNA interference efficiently downregulated the expression of STIM1 in U251 cells at both mRNA and protein levels. Specific downregulation of STIM1 inhibited U251 cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase through regulation of cell cycle-related genes, such as p21Waf1/Cip1
, cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and the antiproliferative effect of STIM1 silencing was also observed in U251 glioma xenograft tumor model.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm STIM1 as a rational therapeutic target in human glioblastoma, and also indicate that lentivirus-mediated STIM1 silencing is a promising therapeutic strategy for human glioblastoma.
Arthritis augments breast cancer metastasis: role of mast cells and SCF/c-Kit signaling
Authors: Roy Lopamudra Das , Curry Jennifer M , Sahraei Mahnaz , Besmer Dahlia M , Kidiyoor Amritha , Gruber Helen E , Mukherjee Pinku
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women in the United States. Metastasis is regulated not only by intrinsic genetic changes in malignant cells, but also by the microenvironment, especially those associated with chronic inflammation. We recently reported that mice with autoimmune arthritis have significantly increased incidence of bone and lung metastasis and decreased survival associated with breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated the mechanism underlying the increased metastasis.

Methods

We used two mouse models; one that develops spontaneous autoimmune arthritis (SKG mice) injected with metastatic breast cancer cells (4T1), and another that develops spontaneous breast cancer (MMTV-PyV MT mice) injected with type II collagen to induce autoimmune arthritis. Mast cell levels and metastasis were monitored.

Results

First, we confirmed that breast tumor-bearing arthritic mice have a significantly higher incidence of bone and lung metastasis than do their nonarthritic counterparts. Next, we showed increased recruitment of mast cells within the primary tumor of arthritic mice, which facilitates metastasis. Next, we report that arthritic mice without any tumors have higher numbers of mast cells in the bones and lungs, which may be the underlying cause for the enhanced lung and bone metastases observed in the arthritic mice. Next, we showed that once the tumor cells populate the metastatic niches (bones and lungs), they further increase the mast cell population within the niche and assist in enhancing metastasis. This may primarily be due to the interaction of c-Kit receptor present on mast cells and stem cell factor (SCF, the ligand for ckit) expressed on tumor cells. Finally, we showed that targeting the SCF/cKit interaction with an anti-ckit antibody reduces the differentiation of mast cells and consequently reduces metastasis.

Conclusion

This is the first report to show that mast cells may play a critical role in remodeling not only the tumor microenvironment but also the metastatic niche to facilitate efficient metastasis through SCF/cKit interaction in breast cancer with arthritis.