bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Range‐wide distribution of genetic diversity in the North American treeJuglans cinerea: a product of range shifts, not ecological marginality or recent population decline
Authors: HOBAN SEAN M. , BORKOWSKI DANIEL S. , BROSI SUNSHINE L. , McCLEARY TIM S. , THOMPSON LAURA M. , McLACHLAN JASON S. , PEREIRA MARIE A. , SCHLARBAUM SCOTT E. , ROMERO‐SEVERSON JEANNE
Published: October 2010

The spatial distribution of genetic diversity is a product of recent and historical ecological processes, as well as anthropogenic activities. A current challenge in population and conservation genetics is to disentangle the relative effects of these processes, as a first step in predicting population response to future environmental change. In this investigation, we compare the influence of contemporary population decline, contemporary ecological marginality and postglacial range shifts. Using classical model comparison procedures and Bayesian methods, we have identified postglacial range shift as the clear determinant of genetic diversity, differentiation and bottlenecks in 29 populations of butternut,Juglans cinereaL., a North American outcrossing forest tree. Although butternut has experienced dramatic 20th century decline because of an introduced fungal pathogen, our analysis indicates that recent population decline has had less genetic impact than postglacial recolonization history. Location within the range edge vs. the range core also failed to account for the observed patterns of diversity and differentiation. Our results suggest that the genetic impact of large‐scale recent population losses in forest trees should be considered in the light of Pleistocene‐era large‐scale range shifts that may have had long‐term genetic consequences. The data also suggest that the population dynamics and life history of wind‐pollinated forest trees may provide a buffer against steep population declines of short duration, a result having important implications for habitat management efforts,ex situconservation sampling and population viability analysis.
Divergence genetics analysis reveals historical population genetic processes leading to contrasting phylogeographic patterns in co‐distributed species
Authors: McGOVERN TAMARA M. , KEEVER CARSON C. , SASKI CHRISTOPHER A. , HART MICHAEL W. , MARKO PETER B.
Published: October 2010

Coalescent samplers are computational time machines for inferring the historical demographic genetic processes that have given rise to observable patterns of spatial genetic variation among contemporary populations. We have used traditional characterizations of population structure and coalescent‐based inferences about demographic processes to reconstruct the population histories of two co‐distributed marine species, the frilled dog whelk, Nucella lamellosa, and the bat star, Patiria miniata. Analyses of population structure were consistent with previous work in both species except that additional samples of N. lamellosa showed a larger regional genetic break on Vancouver Island (VI) rather than between the southern Alexander Archipelago as in P. miniata. Our understanding of the causes, rather than just the patterns, of spatial genetic variation was dramatically improved by coalescent analyses that emphasized variation in population divergence times. Overall, gene flow was greater in bat stars (planktonic development) than snails (benthic development) but spatially homogeneous within species. In both species, these large phylogeographic breaks corresponded to relatively ancient divergence times between populations rather than regionally restricted gene flow. Although only N. lamellosa shows a large break on VI, population separation times on VI are congruent between species, suggesting a similar response to late Pleistocene ice sheet expansion. The absence of a phylogeographic break in P. miniata on VI can be attributed to greater gene flow and larger effective population size in this species. Such insights put the relative significance of gene flow into a more comprehensive historical biogeographic context and have important implications for conservation and landscape genetic studies that emphasize the role of contemporary gene flow and connectivity in shaping patterns of population differentiation.
The effect of habitat fragmentation on the genetic structure of a top predator: loss of diversity and high differentiation among remnant populations of Atlantic Forest jaguars (Panthera onca)
Authors: HAAG T. , SANTOS A. S. , SANA D. A. , MORATO R. G. , CULLEN JR L. , CRAWSHAW JR P. G. , DE ANGELO C. , DI BITETTI M. S. , SALZANO F. M. , EIZIRIK E.
Published: October 2010

Habitat fragmentation may disrupt original patterns of gene flow and lead to drift‐induced differentiation among local population units. Top predators such as the jaguar may be particularly susceptible to this effect, given their low population densities, leading to small effective sizes in local fragments. On the other hand, the jaguar’s high dispersal capabilities and relatively long generation time might counteract this process, slowing the effect of drift on local populations over the time frame of decades or centuries. In this study, we have addressed this issue by investigating the genetic structure of jaguars in a recently fragmented Atlantic Forest region, aiming to test whether loss of diversity and differentiation among local populations are detectable, and whether they can be attributed to the recent effect of drift. We used 13 microsatellite loci to characterize the genetic diversity present in four remnant populations, and observed marked differentiation among them, with evidence of recent allelic loss in local areas. Although some migrant and admixed individuals were identified, our results indicate that recent large‐scale habitat removal and fragmentation among these areas has been sufficiently strong to promote differentiation induced by drift and loss of alleles at each site. Low estimated effective sizes supported the inference that genetic drift could have caused this effect within a short time frame. These results indicate that jaguars’ ability to effectively disperse across the human‐dominated landscapes that separate the fragments is currently very limited, and that each fragment contains a small, isolated population that is already suffering from the effects of genetic drift.
Landscape effects on extremely fragmented populations of a rare solitary bee, Colletes floralis
Authors: DAVIS EMILY S. , MURRAY TOMÁS E. , FITZPATRICK ÚNA , BROWN MARK J. F. , PAXTON ROBERT J.
Published: October 2010

Globally, there is concern over the decline of bees, an ecologically important group of pollinating insects. Genetic studies provide insights into population structure that are crucial for conservation management but that would be impossible to obtain by conventional ecological methods. Yet conservation genetic studies of bees have primarily focussed on social species rather than the more species‐rich solitary bees. Here, we investigate the population structure of Colletes floralis, a rare and threatened solitary mining bee, in Ireland and Scotland using nine microsatellite loci. Genetic diversity was surprisingly as high in Scottish (Hebridean island) populations at the extreme northwestern edge of the species range as in mainland Irish populations further south. Extremely high genetic differentiation among populations was detected; multilocus FST was up to 0.53, and and Dest were even higher (maximum: 0.85 and 1.00, respectively). A pattern of isolation by distance was evident for sites separated by land. Water appears to act as a substantial barrier to gene flow yet sites separated by sea did not exhibit isolation by distance. C. floralis populations are extremely isolated and probably not in regional migration‐drift equilibrium. GIS‐based landscape genetic analysis reveals urban areas as a potential and substantial barrier to gene flow. Our results highlight the need for urgent site‐specific management action to halt the decline of this and potentially other rare solitary bees.
Chemoreceptors in signalling complexes: shifted conformation and asymmetric coupling
Authors: Amin Divya N. , Hazelbauer Gerald L.
Published: October 2010

Bacterial chemotaxis is mediated by signalling complexes of chemoreceptors, histidine kinase CheA and coupling protein CheW. Interactions in complexes profoundly affect the kinase. We investigated effects of these interactions on chemoreceptors by comparing receptors alone and in complexes. Assays of initial rates of methylation indicated that signalling complexes shifted receptor conformation towards the methylation‐on, higher‐ligand‐affinity, kinase‐off state, tuning receptors for greater sensitivity. In contrast, transmembrane and conformational signalling within chemoreceptors was essentially unaltered, consistent with other evidence identifying receptor dimers as the fundamental units of such signalling. In signalling complexes, coupling of ligand binding to kinase activity is cooperative and the dynamic range of kinase control expanded > 100‐fold by receptor adaptational modification. We observed no cooperativity in influence of ligand on receptor conformation, only on kinase activity. However, receptor modification generated increased dynamic range in a stepwise fashion, partly in coupling ligand to receptor conformation and partly in coupling receptor conformation to kinase activity. Thus, receptors and kinase were not equivalently affected by interactions in signalling complexes or by ligand binding and adaptational modification, indicating asymmetrical coupling between them. This has implications for mechanisms of precise adaptation. Coupling might vary, providing a previously unappreciated locus for sensory control.
CGDEase, a Pseudomonas fluorescens protein of the PLC/APase superfamily with CDP‐ethanolamine and (dihexanoyl)glycerophosphoethanolamine hydrolase activity induced by osmoprotectants under phosphate‐deficient conditions
Authors: Costas María Jesús , Pinto Rosa María , Cordero Paloma Martín , Cabezas Alicia , Alves‐Pereira Isabel , Cameselle José Carlos , Ribeiro João Meireles
Published: October 2010

A novel enzyme, induced by choline, ethanolamine, glycine betaine or dimethylglycine, was released at low temperature and phosphate from Pseudomonas fluorescens (CECT 7229) suspensions at low cell densities. It is a CDP‐ethanolamine pyrophosphatase/(dihexanoyl)glycerophosphoethanolamine phosphodiesterase (CGDEase) less active on choline derivatives, and inactive on long‐chain phospholipids, CDP‐glycerol and other NDP‐X compounds. The reaction pattern was typical of phospholipase C (PLC), as either phosphoethanolamine or phosphocholine was produced. Peptide‐mass analyses, gene cloning and expression provided a molecular identity for CGDEase. Bioinformatic studies assigned it to the PLC branch of the phospholipase C/acid phosphatase (PLC/APase) superfamily, revealed an irregular phylogenetic distribution of close CGDEase relatives, and suggested their genes are not in operons or conserved contexts. A theoretical CGDEase structure was supported by mutagenesis of two predicted active‐site residues, which yielded essentially inactive mutants. Biological relevance is supported by comparisons with CGDEase relatives, induction by osmoprotectants (not by osmotic stress itself) and repression by micromolar phosphate. The low bacterial density requirement was related to phosphate liberation from lysed bacteria in denser populations, rather than to a classical quorum‐sensing effect. The results fit better a CGDEase role in phosphate scavenging than in osmoprotection.
The critical role of S‐lactoylglutathione formation during methylglyoxal detoxification in Escherichia coli
Authors: Ozyamak Ertan , Black Susan S. , Walker Claire A. , MacLean Morag J. , Bartlett Wendy , Miller Samantha , Booth Ian R.
Published: October 2010

Survival of exposure to methylglyoxal (MG) in Gram‐negative pathogens is largely dependent upon the operation of the glutathione‐dependent glyoxalase system, consisting of two enzymes, GlxI (gloA) and GlxII (gloB). In addition, the activation of the KefGB potassium efflux system is maintained closed by glutathione (GSH) and is activated by S‐lactoylGSH (SLG), the intermediate formed by GlxI and destroyed by GlxII. Escherichia coli mutants lacking GlxI are known to be extremely sensitive to MG. In this study we demonstrate that a ΔgloB mutant is as tolerant of MG as the parent, despite having the same degree of inhibition of MG detoxification as a ΔgloA strain. Increased expression of GlxII from a multicopy plasmid sensitizes E. coli to MG. Measurement of SLG pools, KefGB activity and cytoplasmic pH shows these parameters to be linked and to be very sensitive to changes in the activity of GlxI and GlxII. The SLG pool determines the activity of KefGB and the degree of acidification of the cytoplasm, which is a major determinant of the sensitivity to electrophiles. The data are discussed in terms of how cell fate is determined by the relative abundance of the enzymes and KefGB.
Small RNAs promote mRNA stability to activate the synthesis of virulence factors
Authors: Podkaminski Dimitri , Vogel Jörg
Published: October 2010

Although most bacterial small RNAs act to repress target mRNAs, some also activate messengers. The predominant mode of activation has been seen in ‘anti‐antisense’ regulation whereby a small RNA prevents the formation of an inhibitory 5′ mRNA structure that otherwise impairs translational initiation and protein synthesis. The translational activation might also stabilize the target yet this was considered a secondary effect in the examples known thus far. Two recent papers in Molecular Microbiology investigate post‐transcriptional activation of collagenase mRNA by Clostridium VR‐RNA, and streptokinase mRNA by Streptococcus FasX RNA, to suggest that small RNAs exert positive regulation of virulence genes primarily at the level of mRNA stabilization.
Rapid phylogenetic identification of members of the Pseudomonas syringae species complex using the rpoD locus
Authors: Parkinson N. , Bryant R. , Bew J. , Elphinstone J.
Published: October 2010

Phylogenies based on four loci confirmed the relatedness of all nine validly published species type strains within the Pseudomonas syringae species complex. To further establish the phylogenetic structure within the complex, all 67 pathovar type strains (with defined host ranges) were sequenced using a 578‐nucleotide rpoD locus. Since this locus encompassed that used in a previous seven‐locus study, it was possible to relate these strains to the existing phylogroup, genomospecies and binomial classifications. All species type strains were distinguished by relatively long branch lengths with all four loci, except for P. savastanoi, P. ficuserectae, P. meliae, P. amygdali and P. tremae, which were attributed to phylogroup 3. The grouping of P. tremae with these genomospecies‐2 species was surprising since this species was previously designated as the sole representative of genomospecies 5. The oat pathogen P. syringae pv. coronafaciens was also distinguished by relatively long branch lengths with all four loci. The rpoD phylogeny grouped all the pathovar type strains into major clades that corresponded to previously defined phylogroups, except for two genomospecies‐7 strains and P. caricapapayae, which were identified as a new phylogroup (6). There was good correlation between phylogroup and genomospecies classifications, except that two genomospecies‐8 strains (P. avellanae and P. syringae pv. theae) were found as a distinct clade within phylogroup 1 along with P. syringae pvs morsprunorum and actinidiae. The rpoD locus will provide a common reference framework to improve monitoring and surveillance of these important pathogens.
A nested‐PCR method for rapid detection of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on petals of oilseed rape (Brassica napus)
Authors: Qin L. , Fu Y. , Xie J. , Cheng J. , Jiang D. , Li G. , Huang J.
Published: October 2010

This study established a quick and accurate method to detect petal infection of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum using a nested‐PCR technique. DNA samples were extracted from each petal using a microwave method, followed by two rounds of PCR amplification. The first‐round PCR amplification was performed using the universal fungal primer pair ITS4/ITS5, and the second‐round amplification with a specific primer pair XJJ21/XJJ222, which was designed using the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms among nuclear rDNA ITS sequences of Sclerotinia spp., Botrytis spp. and other selected fungi. The established technique is rapid and inexpensive, and has a high degree of specificity and sensitivity. This assay can distinguish Sclerotinia spp. from other fungi, including Botrytis cinerea, a closely related and frequent cohabitant on oilseed rape petals, and can detect 50 fg genomic DNA, five ascospores of S. sclerotiorumin vitro or 50 ascospores of S. sclerotiorum on one petal in approximately 6 h, even in the presence of a high background of oilseed rape DNA. This technique was successfully applied in detecting natural petal infections.
Phenotypic and molecular genetic characterization indicate no major race‐specific interactions between Xanthomonas translucens pv. graminis and Lolium multiflorum
Authors: Wichmann F. , Müller Hug B. , Widmer F. , Boller B. , Studer B. , Kölliker R.
Published: October 2010

Bacterial wilt of forage grasses, caused by the pathogen Xanthomonas translucens pv. graminis (Xtg), is a major disease of forage grasses such as Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). The plant genotype‐bacterial isolate interaction was analysed to elucidate the existence of race‐specific responses and to assist the identification of plant disease resistance genes. In a greenhouse experiment, 62 selected plant genotypes were artificially inoculated with six different bacterial isolates. Significant differences in resistance were observed among L. multiflorum genotypes (P < 0·001) and in virulence (intensity of disease symptoms) among Xtg isolates (P < 0·001) using the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). No significant genotype‐isolate interaction (P > 0·05) could be observed using linear regression modelling. However, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction effects (ammi) analysis revealed five genotypes which did not cluster close to the origin of the biplot, indicating specific interactions between these genotypes and some bacterial isolates. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to identify marker‐resistance associations using the same plant genotypes and bacterial isolates. The SSR marker NFA027 located on linkage group (LG) 5 was significantly associated with bacterial wilt resistance across all six bacterial isolates and explained up to 37·4% of the total variance of AUDPC values. Neither the inoculation experiment nor the SSR analyses revealed major host genotype‐pathogen isolate interactions, thus suggesting that Xtg resistance, observed so far, is effective across a broad range of different bacterial isolates and plant genotypes.
Development of Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Preterm Infants
Authors: Walker J. C. , Smolders M. A. J. C. , Gemen E. F. A. , Antonius T. A. J. , Leuvenink J. , De Vries E.
Published: October 2010

In preterm neonates the immune system is thought to be less developed at birth, but very little is known about the actual size of lymphocyte subpopulations, and even less about the maturation of these subpopulations during the first months after a premature birth. To evaluate the development of lymphocyte subpopulations in preterm infants during the first 3 months after birth, we performed a prospective longitudinal study in two hospitals in the Netherlands. Preterm neonates (n = 38) of all post‐menstrual ages were included and blood samples were taken from cord blood, and at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 3 months. Lymphocyte subpopulations were measured by four‐colour flow cytometry. The data were compared with follow‐up data obtained in healthy term neonates (n = 8), and with single samples from school age children (n = 5) and adults (n = 5). Overall, we found a similar pattern of post‐natal development of lymphocyte subpopulations in the term and preterm infants. Both B lymphocytes and helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes mainly consist of naive cells at birth and during the 3 months of follow‐up in all neonatal age groups. So, the preterm immune system seems to be able to generate an outburst of naive T and B lymphocytes from the thymus and bone marrow within the same time span after the start of post‐natal antigenic stimulation from the environment as the term immune system, but, with lower post‐menstrual age, the absolute counts of naive helper T lymphocytes are lower.
Molecular Characterization of the Porcine TIM‐3 Gene
Authors: Zhao W. , Li Y. , Wang Z. , Li K. , Yang S.
Published: October 2010

TIM‐3 is a member of the TIM (T‐cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain) family, which plays an important role in TH1 responses and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we cloned and characterized the porcine TIM‐3 gene. Real‐time PCR showed little expression of porcine TIM‐3 in muscle and stomach, low expression in kidney, brain, stomach and muscle, moderate expression in liver, small intestine and lymph, and high expression in spleen and lung. Transient transfection indicated that porcine TIM‐3 fusion protein was found to localize on the cell membranes or cytoplasm. Association analysis indicated that the SNP AccI in exon2 was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with red blood cell count mean corpuscular haemoglobin, packed cell volume, Lymphocyte percentage and Lymphocyte modulus. In conclusion, our results provide some information for conducting further studies on the functions of porcine TIM‐3 gene in type I diabetes and suggest that SNP AccI in exon2 may be utilized as a marker for molecular‐assisted selection in animal breeding.
Improving transfusion practice: ongoing education and audit at two tertiary speciality hospitals in Western Australia
Authors: Gallagher‐Swann M. , Ingleby B. , Cole C. , Barr A.
Published: October 2010

Background: Institutions undertaking transfusion have a responsibility to ensure safe and appropriate practice. The hospital transfusion committee (HTC) plays a major role in monitoring all aspects of transfusion. Dedicated staff with the responsibility of undertaking transfusion education and audit have been employed at many hospitals. The question is ‘Do these positions improve practice?’.

Study design and methods: In 2005, a transfusion coordinator was employed by the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in Perth, Western Australia. After an initial audit to collect baseline data on transfusion documentation and compliance with national guidelines, a series of interventions was undertaken. In addition, the transfusion protocols were rewritten and published electronically. Further audits were undertaken in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

Results: Sequential audits show measured improvements in transfusion documentation. Baseline, hourly and completion observations are now correctly recorded in >94% of records at KEMH and >96% of records at PMH. Compliance with recording of 15 min observations has shown a 23% magnitude increase at KEMH and 36% at PMH. Compliance with recording of consent has increased by 20% at KEMH and 31% at PMH. Promotion of positive patient identification, when collecting specimens and administering blood, has been undertaken.

Conclusion: The initiatives implemented by the transfusion coordinator and endorsed by the HTCs have improved the standard of transfusion documentation and practice at both institutions.
Cross‐resistance to three frequently used sulfonylurea herbicides in populations of Apera spica‐venti from the Czech Republic
Authors: HAMOUZOVÁ K , SOUKUP J , JURSÍK M , HAMOUZ P , VENCLOVÁ V , TŮMOVÁ P
Published: October 2010

Hamouzová K, Soukup J, Jursík M, Hamouz P, Venclová V & Tůmová P (2011). Cross‐resistance to three frequently used sulfonylurea herbicides in populations of Apera spica‐venti from the Czech Republic. Weed Research51, 113–122.

Whole‐plant glasshouse bioassays, enzyme assays and field experiments were conducted to examine the sulfonylurea herbicide resistance pattern in Apera spica‐venti populations from the Czech Republic. Varying, but very high levels of resistance to chlorsulfuron, sulfosulfuron and iodosulfuron were found, and cross‐resistance to all three herbicides was confirmed. In dose–response glasshouse studies, resistance factors (GR50 ratios relative to a susceptible standard) were above 230 for chlorsulfuron, 115–270 for sulfosulfuron and 27–148 for iodosulfuron. A biotype originating from Lomnice that was cross resistant to the three herbicides was also highly resistant to sulfometuron‐methyl. Concentrations of herbicides required to inhibit acetolactate synthase (ALS) enzyme activity by 50% were substantially higher (up to 4000 times) for all three resistant populations, compared with the reference susceptible population, indicating that the A. spica‐venti populations have ALS enzymes that are highly insensitive to the tested sulfonylureas. The differences in the spectra of resistance suggest that the sulfonylurea resistance mechanisms may differ among biotypes. The field experiment was designed to compare the control effect of selected sulfonylureas (chlorsulfuron and iodosulfuron), isoproturon and fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl on ALS‐resistant populations. Sulfonylurea herbicides failed to control resistant populations, but these were well controlled with alternative mode of action herbicides, thus demonstrating practical options for weed management.
Weed detection for site‐specific weed management: mapping and real‐time approaches
Authors: LÓPEZ‐GRANADOS F
Published: October 2010

López‐GranadosF (2011). Weed detection for site‐specific weed management: mapping and real‐time approaches.Weed Research 51, 1–11.

This work describes the current status of remote and proximal (on‐ground) weed detection systems for site‐specific weed management and discusses the limitations and opportunities of these technologies. Remote sensing based on multispectral aerial imagery can provide accurate weed maps, especially at late weed phenological stages, whereas images from high spatial resolution satellite and unmanned aerial vehicles must still be analysed. Hyperspectral images produce highly accurate maps at early and late phenological stages at a farm scale or medium spatial scale. However, this technology is not profitable, because of current operating costs, which are prohibitive. In studies of on‐ground weed seedling detection, accurate results can be obtained at a medium farm scale. Despite numerous efforts, a powerful and flexible classifier of soil, weeds and crops in a number of situations, remains the greatest challenge of this technology. The main limitations of remote and proximal sensing may be summarised in the following two points: (i) the time and education required for applying new technological advances and (ii) the high cost of the technology and the lack of compatibility of the machinery. Possible solutions might include: (i) offering an advisory service that provides technical support, agronomic knowledge and specific training courses, (ii) the development and implementation of uniform and cheaper standards, (iii) increased research of both high resolution satellite imagery exploring object‐based image analysis and pan‐sharpened imagery and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and (iv) enabling the development of current prototypes of robotic weeding into commercial products. The general lack of multidisciplinary research groups can be a disadvantage when comparing the economic feasibility of site‐specific weed management with conventional systems.
Transplant tourism – a dangerous journey?
Authors: Polcari Anthony J. , Hugen Cory M. , Farooq Ahmer V. , Holt David R. , Hou Susan H. , Milner John E.
Published: October 2010

Polcari AJ, Hugen CM, Farooq AV, Holt DR, Hou SH, Milner JE. Transplant tourism – a dangerous journey? Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 633–637. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract: Introduction: While the ethical aspects of transplant tourism have received much attention recently, less has been written about the medical safety of this practice. We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of patients who purchased organs internationally and presented to our center for follow‐up care.

Methods: Baseline demographic characteristics were recorded. Post‐operative outcomes including patient survival, graft survival, five‐yr graft function, and complications were assessed.

Results: Eight patients who purchased international organs for transplant were identified. The country of transplant was China (n = 3), Pakistan (n = 3), India (n = 1), and the Philippines (n = 1). All patients were born in either Asia or the Middle East and traveled to the region of their ethnicity for transplantation. The mean time to presentation was 49 d post‐operatively. The overall one‐ and two‐yr patient survival rates were 87% and 75%, respectively. One patient died of miliary tuberculosis and another ofAcinetobacter baumaniisepsis. There was one case of newly acquired hepatitis B infection. At last follow‐up, all six surviving patients had functioning grafts with a mean creatinine level of 1.26 mg/dL at five yr.

Conclusion: Although intermediate‐term graft function is acceptable, the early morbidity and mortality among transplant tourists is high. These results suggest that the associated risks may not justify the trip.
The amino acid variation of HLA‐A*02:182 in a highly conserved region is predicted to be functionally similar to HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 allele
Authors: Wurm M. , Tischer S. , Immenschuh S. , Bade‐Doeding C. , Blasczyk R. , Eiz‐Vesper B.
Published: October 2010

We here describe the identification of the novel human leukocyte antigen allele HLA‐A*02:182 which has been detected in a potential bone marrow donor. The new allele differs from the sequence of HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 only by a non‐synonymous nucleotide exchange of Guanin (G) → Cytosin (C) at position 199 in exon 3 replacing amino acid (AA) Arginine (Arg, R) by Threonine (Thr, T) in codon 157. Since the HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 allele differs from A*02:182 only at AA position 157, it is assumed that the protein structures of these alleles are highly similar. A mismatch between HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 and HLA‐A*02:182 is predicted to have a very low allogeneic potential in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Identification of a new HLA‐A*02 allele, HLA‐A*02:230, using polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Zhu F.‐M. , He Y.‐M. , Lv H.‐J. , Yan L.‐X.
Published: October 2010

Nucleotide sequence of HLA‐A*02:230 allele was different from that of HLA‐A*02:03:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at codon 139 (GCA > ACA), resulting in one amino acid change (Ala to Thr).
Association of Doberman hepatitis to canine major histocompatibility complex II
Authors: Dyggve H. , Kennedy L. J. , Meri S. , Spillmann T. , Lohi H. , Speeti M.
Published: October 2010

Doberman hepatitis (DH) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory liver disease that mainly affects female dogs. The high incidence of chronic hepatitis in Dobermans is suggestive of a genetic predisposition. DH is characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration and copper accumulation in the liver and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen expression in the hepatocytes. In dogs, the MHC is referred to as the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) system. In this study, the potential role ofDLAgenes in DH was investigated by sequence‐based typing in the exon 2 of DLA‐DRB1, ‐DQA1 and ‐DQB1. The case group comprised 37 Dobermans with subclinical or clinical DH. The control group consisted of 37 healthy Dobermans, with normal liver enzyme values and without immunosuppressive medication. The control dogs were over 10 years old to include dogs with the lowest genetic risk of DH. Our results indicate that Dobermans with homozygous DLA‐DRB1*00601/DQA1*00401/DQB1*01303 [odds ratio (OR) = 14.9, confidence limit (CL) = 3.1–71.7,P< 0.00005], especially with homozygosity for DLA‐DRB1*00601 (P< 0.0005), are susceptible to DH. The DQ heterodimer DLA‐DQA1*00901/DQB1*00101 and the allele DLA‐DRB1*01501 appear to confer protection against DH (P< 0.001). Allele and haplotype frequencies were compared using chi‐squared statistics. The disease shows a complex pattern of inheritance, but the observed DLA class II association with DH suggests a role for the immune system in the development of the disease.
Selection on signal–reward correlation: limits and opportunities to the evolution of deceit in Turnera ulmifolia L.
Authors: BENITEZ‐VIEYRA S. , ORDANO M. , FORNONI J. , BOEGE K. , DOMÍNGUEZ C. A.
Published: October 2010

Because pollinators are unable to directly assess the amount of rewards offered by flowers, they rely on the information provided by advertising floral traits. Thus, having a lower intra‐individual correlation between signal and reward (signal accuracy) than other plants in the population provides the opportunity to reduce investment in rewards and cheat pollinators. However, pollinators’ cognitive capacities can impose a limit to the evolution of this plant cheating strategy if they can punish those plants with low signal accuracy. In this study, we examined the opportunity for cheating in the perennial weed Turnera ulmifolia L. evaluating the selective value of signal accuracy, floral display and reward production in a natural population. We found that plant reproductive success was positively related to signal accuracy and floral display, but not to nectar production. The intensity of selection on floral display was more than three times higher than on signal accuracy. The pattern of selection indicated that pollinators can select for signal accuracy provided by plants and suggests that learning abilities of pollinators can limit the evolution of deceptive strategies in T. ulmifolia.
Gender difference in the association between adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and morningness–eveningness
Authors: Bae Seung‐Min , Park Jong Eun , Lee Yu Jin , Cho In Hee , Kim Jong‐Hoon , Koh Seung‐Hee , Kim Seog Ju , Cho Seong‐Jin
Published: October 2010

We aimed to investigate the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and morningness–eveningness in adulthood. Subjects without psychiatric comorbidity on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis I Disorders (n = 344) completed the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and the Adult Self‐Report Scale for ADHD. MEQ showed an independent and negative association with ADHD symptoms (P < 0.0001). In male subjects, both inattention (P < 0.0001) and hyperactivity–impulsivity were associated with MEQ (P = 0.01). In female subjects, only inattention was associated with MEQ (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that eveningness may be strongly associated with inattention of adult ADHD and that it may be associated with hyperactivity–impulsivity of adult ADHD in male subjects only.
Early amplitude integrated electroencephalography and outcome of very low birth weight infants
Authors: El‐Dib Mohamed , Massaro An N. , Glass Penny , Bulas Dorothy , Badrawi Nadia , Orabi Azza , Aly Hany
Published: October 2010

Objective:  Amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) has been used in neonates in various clinical and research applications. We hypothesized that an abnormal aEEG score could be used as a predictor of short‐term adverse outcome.

Methods:  Very low birth weight infants were enrolled in a prospective observational cohort study. Two channel 12‐hour continuous aEEG recordings were performed within 48 h of life and at 1 week of age. Recordings were classified as abnormal if they correspond to a 2 point difference in score. Short‐term adverse outcome was defined as either death or Bayley scales ≤70 at 4 months corrected age.

Results:  One hundred infants were enrolled. Their average gestational age was 27.9 ± 2.6 weeks and average birth weight was 997 ± 299 gram. Fifteen enrolled infants died, one was withdrawn, 29 lost to follow up, and 55 examined at 4 months. Those with adverse outcome had significantly increased percentages of abnormal EEG at 1 week of life (31% vs. 8%), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (27% vs. 4.5%), intubation in the delivery room (45% vs. 16%), and increased average days of mechanical ventilation (16 days vs. 4 days). Combining abnormal aEEG at 1 week of life to severe IVH on early head ultrasound increased the sensitivity of ultrasound to detect short‐term adverse outcome from 27% to 50%.

Conclusion:  aEEG is feasible in premature infants and when its data at 1 week of life are combined with early head ultrasound, sensitivity for detecting short‐term adverse outcomes was increased.
Anatomy of the ward round: the time spent in different activities
Authors: Creamer Gowan L. , Dahl Angela , Perumal Divya , Tan Grace , Koea Jonathan B.
Published: October 2010

Background:  The ward round, central to inpatient care, has not been well studied. One recent trend is for hospitals to run at capacity by placing ‘overflow’ patients into ‘outlying’ beds. Bed occupancy rates are increased and ward rounds may require visits to many wards. The present study aims to identify the time spent in different activities on general surgical ward rounds, with particular reference to the impact of outlying patients.

Methods:  For 4 days, the morning ward round was observed. Activity was timed to the second. The resulting data were analysed to compare outlying wards, acute wards and home ward patients.

Results:  Seven hours and 7 min of ward rounds were documented. One hundred ten consultations were observed. Four hours and 4 min were spent at the bedside (58%). Sixty‐six minutes were spent in transit between wards. The average times spent at the bedside and in patient discussion were similar for the different ward types. The mean average time per patient was nearly doubled for outlying patients compared with home wards (5:40 min versus 2:57 min, respectively). Although patient discussion and consultation were longer for outlying patients, most of the increased time was related to time travelling between wards (2:16 min average per patient consultation).

Conclusion:  Most of the time spent on surgical ward rounds is in patient contact. Travel time to outlying patients for morning ward rounds is more than an hour per week.
A survey of general surgery clerkships in Australian and New Zealand medical schools
Authors: Yu Tzu‐Chieh , Wheeler Benjamin Robert Logan , Hill Andrew Graham
Published: October 2010

Background:  Surgical clerkships facilitate development of knowledge and competency, but their structure and content vary. Establishment of new medical schools and raising student numbers are new challenges to the provision of standardized surgical teaching across Australasian medical schools. A survey was conducted to investigate how Australian and New Zealand medical schools structure their general surgery clerkships.

Methods:  Between April and August 2009, a 30‐item web‐based survey was electronically sent to academic and administrative staff members of 22 Australian and New Zealand medical schools.

Results:  Eighteen surveys were returned by 16 medical schools, summarizing 20 clerkships. Ten schools utilize five or more different clinical teaching sites for general surgery clerkships and these include urban and rural hospitals from both public and private health sectors. Student teaching and assessment methods are similar between clerkships and standardized across clinical sites during 10 and 16 of the clerkships, respectively. Only eight of the surveyed clerkships use centralized assessments to evaluate student learning outcomes across different clinical sites. Four clerkships do not routinely use direct observational student assessments.

Conclusions:  Australian and New Zealand medical schools commonly assign students to multiple diverse clinical sites during general surgery clerkships and they vary in their approaches to standardizing curriculum delivery and student assessment across these sites. Differences in student learning are likely to exist and deficiencies in clinical ability may go undetected. This should be a focus for future improvement.
Optimizing the operating theatre environment
Authors: Wong Shing W. , Smith Richard , Crowe Phil
Published: October 2010

The operating theatre is a complex place. There are many potential factors which can interfere with surgery and predispose to errors. Optimizing the operating theatre environment can enhance surgeon performance, which can ultimately improve patient outcomes. These factors include the physical environment (such as noise and light), human factors (such as ergonomics), and surgeon‐related factors (such as fatigue and stress). As individual factors, they may not affect surgical outcome but in combination, they may exert a significant influence. The evidence for some of these working environment factors are examined individually. Optimizing the operating environment may have a potentially more significant impact on overall surgical outcome than improving individual surgical skill.
What does leadership in surgery entail?
Authors: Patel Vanash M. , Warren Oliver , Humphris Penny , Ahmed Kamran , Ashrafian Hutan , Rao Christopher , Athanasiou Thanos , Darzi Ara
Published: October 2010

Background:  Leadership is not formally taught at any level in surgical training; there are no mandatory leadership courses or qualifications for trainees or specialists, and leadership performance is rarely evaluated within surgical appraisal or assessment programmes.

Methods:  Literature obtained from a MEDLINE search was reviewed to determine the characteristics of surgical leaders; outline an analytical framework through which these characteristics can be developed both in surgeons and surgical departments; and reflect on future challenges and recommendations for the central role of leadership in the field of surgery.

Results:  Leadership in surgery entails professionalism, technical competence, motivation, innovation, teamwork, communication skills, decision‐making, business acumen, emotional competence, resilience and effective teaching. Leadership skills can be developed through experience, observation, and education using a framework including mentoring, coaching, networking, stretch assignments, action learning and feedback.

Conclusion:  Modern surgery will need leaders with superior leadership skills that are well defined. It is vital that leadership programmes to develop leadership skills are put into practice in medical education curriculum and postgraduate surgical training. This will ensure maintenance and improvement in the quality of patient care.
Neuropeptide‐mediated calcium signaling in the suprachiasmatic nucleus network
Authors: Irwin Robert P. , Allen Charles N.
Published: October 2010

Neuroactive peptides and the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) play important roles in light‐induced modulation of gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurons that ultimately control behavioral rhythms. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are expressed rhythmically within populations of SCN neurons. Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating peptide (PACAP) is released from retinohypothalamic tract (RHT) terminals synapsing on SCN neurons. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (OFQ) receptors are functionally expressed in the SCN. We examined the role of several neuropeptides on Ca2+ signaling, simultaneously imaging multiple neurons within the SCN neural network. VIP reduced the [Ca2+]i in populations of SCN neurons during the day, but had little effect at night. Stimulation of the RHT at frequencies that simulate light input signaling evoked transient [Ca2+]i elevations that were not altered by VIP. AVP elevated the [Ca2+]i during both the day and night, PACAP produced variable responses, and OFQ induced a reduction in the [Ca2+]i similar to VIP. During the day, VIP lowered the [Ca2+]i to near nighttime levels, while AVP elevated [Ca2+]i during both the day and night, suggesting that the VIP effects on [Ca2+]i were dependent, and the AVP effects independent of the action potential firing activity state of the neuron. We hypothesize that VIP and AVP regulate, at least in part, Ca2+ homeostasis in SCN neurons and may be a major point of regulation for SCN neuronal synchronization.
A novel approach reveals temporal patterns of synaptogenesis between the isolated growth cones of Lymnaea neurons
Authors: Luk Collin C. , Schmold Nichole M. , Lee Thomas K. M. , Syed Naweed I.
Published: October 2010

All brain functions, ranging from motor behaviour to cognition, depend on precise developmental patterns of synapse formation between the growth cones of both pre‐ and postsynaptic neurons. While the molecular evidence for the presence of ‘pre‐assembled’ elements of synaptic machinery prior to physical contact is beginning to emerge, the precise timing of functional synaptogenesis between the growth cones has not yet been defined. Moreover, it is unclear whether an initial assembly of various synaptic molecules located at the extrasomal regions (e.g. growth cones) can indeed result in fully mature and consolidated synapses in the absence of somata signalling. Such evidence is difficult to obtain both in vivo and in vitro because the extrasomal sites are often challenging, if not impossible, to access for electrophysiological analysis. Here we demonstrate a novel approach to precisely define various steps underlying synapse formation between the isolated growth cones of individually identifiable pre‐ and postsynaptic neurons from the mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis. We show for the first time that isolated growth cones transformed into ‘growth balls’ have an innate propensity to develop specific and multiple synapses within minutes of physical contact. We also demonstrate that a prior ‘synaptic history’ primes the presynaptic growth ball to form synapses quicker with subsequent partners. This is the first demonstration that isolated Lymnaea growth cones have the necessary machinery to form functional synapses.
Brain mechanisms involved in predatory aggression are activated in a laboratory model of violent intra‐specific aggression
Authors: Tulogdi Aron , Toth Mate , Halasz Jozsef , Mikics Eva , Fuzesi Tamas , Haller Jozsef
Published: October 2010

Callous‐unemotional violence associated with antisocial personality disorder is often called ‘predatory’ because it involves restricted intention signaling and low emotional/physiological arousal, including decreased glucocorticoid production. This epithet may be a mere metaphor, but may also cover a structural similarity at the level of the hypothalamus where the control of affective and predatory aggression diverges. We investigated this hypothesis in a laboratory model where glucocorticoid production is chronically limited by adrenalectomy with glucocorticoid replacement (ADXr). This procedure was proposed to model important aspects of antisocial violence. Sham and ADXr rats were submitted to resident/intruder conflicts, and the resulting neuronal activation patterns were investigated by c‐Fos immunocytochemistry. In line with earlier findings, the share of attacks aimed at vulnerable targets (head, throat and belly) was dramatically increased by ADXr, while intention signaling by offensive threats was restricted. Aggressive encounters activated the mediobasal hypothalamus, a region involved in intra‐specific aggression, but sham and ADXr rats did not differ in this respect. In contrast, the activation of the lateral hypothalamus that is tightly involved in predatory aggression was markedly larger in ADXr rats; moreover, c‐Fos counts correlated positively with the share of vulnerable attacks and negatively with social signaling. Glucocorticoid deficiency increased c‐Fos activation in the central amygdala, a region also involved in predatory aggression. In addition, activation patterns in the periaqueductal gray – involved in autonomic control – also resembled those seen in predatory aggression. These findings suggest that antisocial and predatory aggression are not only similar but are controlled by overlapping neural mechanisms.