bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role Of Cgrp In Sensitization Of Dura Mater
Authors: Messlinger K.
Published: March 2005

The mammalian dura mater encephali is richly supplied by trigeminal nerve fibers, a considerable proportion of which contains calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). As plasma levels of CGRP are increased in some forms of headaches, the question is in which way CGRP is involved in nociceptive mechanisms within the peripheral and the central trigeminovascular system.
The Effect of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) on the Cytosolic Calcium Concentration and Force in Rat Intramural Coronary Arteries
Authors: Sheykhzade M. , Nyborg N.C.B.
Published: March 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of CGRP-induced relaxation in intramural rat coronary arteries. By using FURA-2 technique, cytosolic Ca2+-concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured during contraction of the vascular smooth muscle with receptor-dependent agonist (tromboxane A2analogue U46619) and with high concentration of extracellular potassium. At a steady state of contraction, the increase in [Ca2+]iinduced by 300 nM U46619 (100״x 14 nM, n = 7) was similar to that induced by 36 mM K+(98 ״x 9 nM, n = 7). However, the active tension induced by 300 nM U46619 was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that induced by 36 mM K+. CGRP concentration-dependently (10 pM - 10 nM) reduced both the [Ca2+]iand tension of coronary arteries precontracted with either U46619 or BAY K 8644, and also of resting coronary arteries in PSS. In 36 mM K+-depolarized arteries, CGRP reduced only the tension without affecting the [Ca2+]i. In 300 nM U46619 precontracted arteries, pretreatment with 10 μM thapsigargin significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the CGRP-induced reduction in the tension (but not [Ca2+]i). In 300 nM U46619 precontracted arteries, pretreatment with either 100 nM charybdotoxin or 100 nM iberiotoxin or 10 nM felodipine significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the CGRP-induced reduction in both [Ca2+]iand the tension. In contrast, 1 μM glibenclamide did not affect the CGRP-induced responses in these coronary arteries. In resting coronary arteries, only pretreatment with the combination of 1 μM glibenclamide and 100 nM charybdotoxin attenuated the CGRP-induced decrease in the [Ca2+]iand tension, suggesting a different mechanism of action for CGRP in resting coronary arteries. We conclude that CGRP relaxes precontracted rat coronary arteries via three mechanisms: (1) a decrease in [Ca2+]iby inhibiting the Ca2+influx through membrane hyperpolarization mediated partly by activation of BKCa channels, (2) a decrease in [Ca2+]ipresumably by sequestrating cytosolic Ca2+into thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+storage sites, and (3) a decrease in the Ca2+-sensitivity of the contractile apparatus.
Mobilisation and Bioavailability of Arsenic Around Mesothermal Gold Deposits in a Semiarid Environment, Otago, New Zealand
Authors: Craw D. , Pacheco L.
Published: March 2005

Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) is the principal arsenic (As) mineral in mineralised mesothermal veins (typically 5,000 mg/kg As) in southeastern New Zealand. Groundwater in contact with arsenopyrite-bearing rocks has elevated As concentrations (up to 0.1 mg/l). The arsenopyrite decomposes slowly on oxidation in soils and historic mine workings in a cool semiarid climate. Dissolved As is predominantly As(III) in association with arsenopyrite, but this is rapidly oxidised over days to weeks to As(V) in the vadose zone. Oxidation is facilitated by particulate Fe and/or Mn oxyhydroxides, and by bacteria in surface waters. Evaporative concentration of dissolved As(V) in the vadose zone causes precipitation of scorodite (Fe(III)As(V)O4.2H2O). Adsorption of As(V) to Fe oxyhydroxides in soils and groundwater pathways lowers dissolved As concentrations. Soils over mineralised veins typically have <200 mg/kg As, as most As is removed in solution on geological time scales. Most plants on the mineralised rocks and soils do not take up As, although some inedible species can fix up to 18 mg/kg As. Hence, bioavailability of As(V) is low in this environment, despite the substantial As flux.

Similar As mobility is seen in an active gold mine processing plant and tailings. Arsenopyrite dissolves more rapidly on agitation, and mine waters can have dissolved As >200 mg/l, predominantly as As(V). This dissolved As decreases in tailings waters to near 2 mg/l, mainly as As(III) when in contact with arsenopyrite. Weak oxidation of evaporatively dried tailings causes cementation with scorodite and iron oxyhydroxides, and scorodite precipitation exerts some control on dissolved As(V) concentrations. High dissolved As in mine waters is lowered by adsorption to iron oxyhydroxides, and waters discharged from the mine site have negligible dissolved As.
Induction of Primordial Germ Cells from Pluripotent Epiblast
Authors: Ying Ying , Qi Xiaoxia , Zhao Guang-Quan
Published: March 2005

The formation of germ cells during embryogenesis bears the ultimate importance for the continuation of every species. It becomes evident that mechanisms governing germ cell fate specification are not well conserved across the animal kingdom. In most of the invertebrate and nonmammalian vertebrate species, certain maternally derived factors are key to the establishment of germ cell lineage. In contrast, mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) are induced from the pluripotent epiblast cells before and during gastrulation by the extraembryonic cell-derived signals. The molecular identity for some of these signals has recently been revealed by genetic and epiblast culture experiments. Both bone morphogenetic proteins 4 (Bmp4) and 8b (Bmp8b) are expressed in the extraembryonic ectoderm and are required for PGC formation. Furthermore, BMP4 or BMP8B alone are unable to induce PGCs from cultured epiblasts, while they can in combination, indicating they signal through separate receptor complexes. In addition, Bmp4 homozygous embryos cannot be induced to form PGCs by the synergistic action of BMP4 and BMP8B, suggesting that BMP4 proteins produced by pregastrula embryos are required for epiblast cells to maintain pluripotency. Moreover, Bmp2, a close relative of Bmp4, is expressed in visceral endoderm at the time of PGC specification, and inactivation of Bmp2 results in a reduction in PGC number, revealing a novel function of visceral endoderm in PGC generation in the mouse.
The Tao of Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Toward a Unified Theory of Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Bunting Kevin D. , Hawley Robert G.
Published: March 2005

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the best studied of the tissue-specific stem cells. By definition, HSCs have long been regarded as restricted to formation of blood cells of both the lymphoid and myeloid lineages. HSCs residing in the bone marrow microenvironment have self-renewal capacity and can repopulate the hematopoietic system of irradiated transplant recipients for the lifetime of the individual. Therefore, HSCs are extremely important targets for gene therapy applications aimed toward the treatment of inherited and acquired blood disorders. However, recent studies have suggested that a subpopulation of HSCs may have the ability to contribute to diverse cell types such as hepatocytes, myocytes, and neuronal cells, especially following induced tissue damage. Preclinical amelioration of liver disease and myocardial infarcts by HSC-enriched bone marrow cell populations raises the possibility that HSC transplants have the potential to provide therapeutic benefit for a wide variety of diseases. These surprising findings contradict the dogma that adult stem cells are developmentally restricted. Extrapolation of these findings to the clinic will be facilitated by prospective identification of the stem cells that possess this developmental plasticity. Furthermore, characterization of the signaling pathways and molecular determinants regulating the remarkable transdifferentiation capacity of these stem cells may provide insight into novel approaches for modulating frequency of differentiative potential.
Field—Based Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Hydrocarbons at Industrially Contaminated Sites
Authors: Rigou Peggy , Setford Steven John , Saini Selwayan
Published: March 2005

Examination of organic pollutants in groundwaters should also consider the source of the pollution, which is often a solid matrix such as soil, landfill waste, or sediment. This premise should be viewed alongside the growing trend towards field-based characterisation of contaminated sites for reasons of speed and cost. Field-based methods for the extraction of organic compounds from solid samples are generally cumbersome, time consuming, or inefficient. This paper describes the development of a field-based supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) system for the recovery of organic contaminants (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) from soils. A simple, compact, and robust SFE system has been constructed and was found to offer the same extraction efficiency as a well-established laboratory SFE system. Extraction optimisation was statistically evaluated using a factorial analysis procedure. Under optimised conditions, the device yielded recovery efficiencies of >70% with RSD values of 4% against the standard EPA Soxhlet method, compared with a mean recovery efficiency of 48% for a commercially available field-extraction kit. The device will next be evaluated with real samples prior to field deployment.
Quality Control Criteria for Analysis of Organic Traces in Water
Authors: Vidal José L. Martinez , Frenich Antonia Garrido , González Francisco J. Egea
Published: March 2005

The aim of this paper is the discussion of quality control (QC) criteria for environmental monitoring of organic contaminants at trace levels in water. In addition, QC criteria in the identification and confirmation of target analytes have been considered.
Monitoring of the Gasoline Oxygenate MTBE and BTEX Compounds in Groundwater in Catalonia (Northeast Spain)
Authors: Fraile J. , Niaerola J.M. , Olivella L. , Figueras M. , Ginebreda A. , Vilanova M. , Barcela D.
Published: March 2005

Headspace (HS) gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (HS-GC-FID) and purge and trap (P) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (P) were used for the determination of methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTEX) in groundwater. In this work, we present the first data on the levels of MTBE and BTEX in different groundwater wells in the area of Catalonia (northeast Spain). This monitoring campaign corresponded to 28 groundwater wells that were located near petrol service stations, oil refinery storage tanks, and/or chemical industry at different locations of Catalonia during the period of 1998/1999. The levels of MTBE detected varied between 4—300 μg/l, but two sites had MTBE levels up to 3 and 13 mg/l. In many cases, the BTEX levels were below 1 μg/l, whereas 7 sites had levels varying from 19 μg/l up to 3 mg/l. Most of them were related to leakage from underground tanks in petrol service stations, while the remaining three corresponded respectively to chemical industrial pollution of undetermined origin and to a leak from high-ground petrol tanks in petrochemical refinery factories. The aquifers involved were constituted by detritus coarse materials, sands, and conglomerates. Piezometric levels were roughly comprised between 3 and 40 m, and permeability (K) and transmissivity (T) values were estimated from field measurements.

The MTBE/BTEX ratio was also calculated and reached values up to 250. These values were expected, since if we consider that spilled oxygenated gasoline is the source of well contamination and based on solubility considerations alone, the MTBE source concentrations would be about 200 times higher than any BTEX compounds.
Strategies for Structural Genomics Target Selection
Authors: Gaasterland Teri
Published: March 2005

We have developed a protein sequence analysis pipeline that ranks proteins as targets for high throughput structure determination. The ranking is designed to maximize both the biological and informational impact of new 3D protein structures solved through the structural genomics initiative. The analysis system accepts proteins from multiple genomes as input, builds sequence families based on remote homology, identifies families with one or more solved structures, and ranks the remaining families according to criteria designed to maximize structure determination efficacy, increase the likelihood of a novel fold, and maximize the number of new protein structure models that can be built from a solved structure.
Embryonic Stem Cell Lines of Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Nakatsuji Norio , Suemori Hirofumi
Published: March 2005

Human embryonic stem (ES) cell lines have opened great potential and expectation for cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Monkey and human ES cell lines, which are very similar to each other, have been established from monkey blastocysts and surplus human blastocysts from fertility clinics.

Nonhuman primate ES cell lines provide important research tools for basic and applicative research. Firstly, they provide wider aspects of investigation of the regulative mechanisms of stem cells and cell differentiation among primate species. Secondly, their usage does not need clearance or permission from the regulative rules in many countries that are associated with the ethical aspects of human ES cells, although human and nonhuman embryos and fetuses are very similar to each other. Lastly and most importantly, they are indispensable for animal models of cell therapy to test effectiveness, safety, and immunological reaction of the allogenic transplantation in a setting similar to the treatment of human diseases.

So far, ES cell lines have been established from rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), and cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis), using blastocysts produced naturally or by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These cell lines seem to have very similar characteristics. They express alkaline phosphatase activity and stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA)-4 and, in most cases, SSEA-3. Their pluripotency was confirmed by the formation of embryoid bodies and differentiation into various cell types in culture and also by the formation of teratomas that contained many types of differentiated tissues including derivatives of three germ layers after transplantation into the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice.

The noneffectiveness of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signal makes culture of primate and human ES cell lines prone to undergo spontaneous differentiation and thus it is difficult to maintain these stem cell colonies. Also, these ES cells are more susceptible to various stresses, causing difficulty with subculturing using enzymatic treatment and cloning from single cells. However, with various improvements in culture methods, it is now possible to maintain stable colonies of monkey ES cells using a serum-free medium and subculturing with trypsin treatment. Under such conditions, cynomolgus monkey ES cell lines can be maintained in an undifferentiated state with a normal karyotype and pluripotency even after prolonged periods of culture over 1 year. Such progress should facilitate many aspects of stem cell research using both nonhuman primate and human ES cell lines.
Feeding patterns by roe deer and rabbits on pine, willow and birch in relation to spatial arrangement
Authors: Bergman M. , Iason G. R. , Hester A. J.
Published: March 2005

The location of a plant and its association with the surrounding vegetation may be a strong determinant of herbivore foraging decisions. The attractiveness of a food plant may be reduced if associated with a less preferred one (repellent–plant hypothesis) or, conversely, it may escape herbivory via association with a more preferred species (attractant–decoy hypothesis). In this study we tested the hypothesis that selection of the same food plants by two herbivore species with different body mass, i.e. roe deer and rabbits, is affected by the spatial disposition of preferred plants in relation to less preferred ones. We planted willows, birches and pines, representing food species of higher, intermediate and lower preference, respectively, in different spatial arrangements, to manipulate patch quality and accessibility to herbivores. Contrasting patches were constructed by planting willows or pines in the midst of birches and single‐species arrays of all three species, in a blocked design, replicated six times in an area occupied by both roe deer and rabbits. Preference patterns were studied by recording browsing on current years’ shoots and older plant parts. Across all trees in the experiment, we confirmed that roe deer clearly preferred willow over birch, pine was not browsed at all. There was greater herbivory by roe deer on birches occurring peripherally in an array, when the associated central species was willow or pine, as compared to birches in a single‐species birch patch. Therefore food choices by roe deer appear to be determined by both patch and individual level selection. The rabbits only showed preference at a species level and did not respond to spatial arrangement of trees. The results from this study indicate that the location and association of trees can strongly affect foraging patterns of roe deer, but not in a manner wholly consistent with the repellent–plant or the attractant–decoy hypotheses.
Interferons as pathogenic effectors in autoimmunity
Authors: Baccala Roberto , Kono Dwight H. , Theofilopoulos Argyrios N.
Published: March 2005

Summary:  Interferons (IFNs) type‐1 (IFN α/β) and type‐II (IFN‐γ) are the most pleiotropic molecules in the intricate cytokine network. This dominance arises from three crucial factors: (i) initiation of IFN‐α/β and IFN‐γ production at the inception of most innate immune responses, which primes for the ensuing adaptive immune responses, primarily through the sine qua non upregulation of major histocompatibility complex and costimulatory molecules; (ii) magnification of their production and signaling by cross‐talk between themselves, and synergistic or antagonistic effects on other cytokines; and (iii) direct or indirect initiation of transcription of hundreds of immunologically relevant genes. Considering that aberrant immune responses against self‐molecules seem to depend on the same constituents and pathways as those against exogenous antigens, it follows that IFNs are also major effectors in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Here, we review the diverse biological effects of IFNs on the immune system, discuss findings pertaining to the nature of exogenous and endogenous stimuli that might induce IFN production through the engagement of Toll‐like receptors, and summarize the detrimental and, in some instances, beneficial effects of IFNs in systemic and organ‐specific autoimmune diseases.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase‐dependent DNA damage in mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ding Xiaohui , Hiraku Yusuke , Ma Ning , Kato Takuma , Saito Kanako , Nagahama Masato , Semba Reiji , Kuribayashi Kagemasa , Kawanishi Shosuke
Published: March 2005

Increased cancer risk occurs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing long‐term chronic inflammation. To evaluate whether inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)‐dependent DNA damage plays a role in the carcinogenic process triggered by IBD, we prepared a mouse model of IBD induced by transfer of CD45RBhighCD4+ T cells lacking regulatory T cells to female severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. CD45RBhighCD4+ T cells were isolated from mouse spleen after staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐conjugated anti‐CD45RB monoclonal antibody, followed by anti‐FITC‐conjugated microbeads. This IBD mouse model showed that the bodyweight increased with aging to a lesser extent than non‐treated controls, and that the intestine was shortened. Pathological findings of this mouse model, which showed severe inflammation in colon tissues, were similar to IBD patients. Double immunofluorescence technique revealed that both 8‐nitroguanine and 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐oxodG) were formed mainly in epithelial cells of the IBD mouse model. 8‐Nitroguanine was formed in most of 8‐oxodG‐immunoreactive nuclei of epithelial cells. iNOS, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p53 protein were also expressed in the colon epithelium. These results indicate that nitrative DNA damage, as well as oxidative DNA damage, is induced in colon epithelial cells of the IBD mouse model followed by proliferation of these cells, which may contribute to colon carcinogenesis. (Cancer Sci 2005; 96: 157–163)
Human Rad9 is required for the activation of S‐phase checkpoint and the maintenance of chromosomal stability
Authors: Dang Tongyun , Bao Shideng , Wang Xiao‐Fan
Published: March 2005

In response to DNA damage or replication block, cells activate a battery of checkpoint signaling cascades to control cell cycle progression and elicit DNA repair in order to maintain genomic stability and integrity. Identified as a homolog of its fission yeast counterpart, human Rad9 was proposed to form a Rad9‐Hus1‐Rad1 protein complex to mediate checkpoint signals. However, the precise function of Rad9 in the process of checkpoint activation is not fully understood. Using the RNA interference technique, we investigated the role of Rad9 in the genotoxic stress‐induced activation of S‐phase checkpoint and the maintenance of chromosomal stability. We found that Rad9 knockdown reduced the phosphorylation of Rad17, Chk1 and Smc1 in response to DNA replication block and certain types of DNA damage. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the removal of Rad9 disrupted the foci formation of phosphorylated Chk1, but not ATR. Moreover, Rad9 knockdown resulted in radioresistant DNA synthesis and reduced cell viability under replication stress. Finally, removal of Rad9 by RNAi led to increased accumulation of spontaneous chromosomal aberrations. Taken together, these results suggest a critical and specific role of Rad9 in the activation of S‐phase checkpoint and the maintenance of chromosome stability.
Aetiology of autism: findings and questions*
Authors: Rutter M.
Published: March 2005

Background  Although there is good evidence that autism is a multifactorial disorder, an adequate understanding of the genetic and non‐genetic causes has yet to be achieved.

Methods  Empirical research findings and conceptual reviews are reviewed with respect to evidence on possible causal influences.

Results  Much the strongest evidence concerns the importance of susceptibility genes, but such genes have yet to be identified. Specific somatic conditions (such as tuberous sclerosis and the fragile X anomaly) account for a small proportion of cases. Over recent decades there has been a major rise in the rate of diagnosed autism. The main explanation for this rise is to be found in better ascertainment and a broadening of the diagnostic concept. Nevertheless, some degree of true rise cannot be firmly excluded. However, the epidemiological evidence on the main hypothesized environmental explanation, namely the measles‐mumps‐rubella vaccine, is consistently negative.

Conclusion  Progress on the elucidation of the causes of autism will be crucially dependent on the combination of epidemiology with more basic science laboratory studies.
Tracing an invasion: landbridges, refugia, and the phylogeography of the Neotropical rattlesnake (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalus durissus)
Authors: WÜSTER WOLFGANG , FERGUSON JULIA E. , QUIJADA‐MASCAREÑAS J. ADRIAN , POOK CATHARINE E. , DA GRAÇA SALOMÃO MARIA , THORPE ROGER S.
Published: March 2005

Pleistocene fragmentation of the Amazonian rainforest has been hypothesized to be a major cause of Neotropical speciation and diversity. However, the role and even the reality of Pleistocene forest refugia have attracted much scepticism. In Amazonia, previous phylogeographical studies have focused mostly on organisms found in the forests themselves, and generally found speciation events to have predated the Pleistocene. However, molecular studies of open‐formation taxa found both north and south of the Amazonian forests, probably because of vicariance resulting from expansion of the rainforests, may provide novel insights into the age of continuous forest cover across the Amazon basin. Here, we analyse three mitochondrial genes to infer the phylogeography of one such trans‐Amazonian vicariant, the Neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus), which occupies primarily seasonal formations from Mexico to Argentina, but avoids the rainforests of Central and tropical South America. The phylogeographical pattern is consistent with gradual dispersal along the Central American Isthmus, followed by more rapid dispersal into and across South America after the uplift of the Isthmus of Panamá. Low sequence divergence between populations from north and south of the Amazon rainforest is consistent with mid‐Pleistocene divergence, approximately 1.1 million years ago (Ma). This suggests that the Amazonian rainforests must have become fragmented or at least shrunk considerably during that period, lending support to the Pleistocene refugia theory as an important cause of distribution patterns, if not necessarily speciation, in Amazonian forest organisms. These results highlight the potential of nonforest species to contribute to an understanding of the history of the Amazonian rainforests themselves.
Coyote movements and social structure along a cryptic population genetic subdivision
Authors: SACKS BENJAMIN N. , MITCHELL BRIAN R. , WILLIAMS CHRISTEN L. , ERNEST HOLLY B.
Published: March 2005

A recent region‐wide study determined that the central California coyote (Canis latrans) population was genetically subdivided according to habitat bioregions, supporting the hypothesis that coyotes exhibit a dispersal bias toward their natal habitat type. Here, we further investigated this hypothesis using radio‐collared coyotes captured on a 150‐km2 study site on the border of (i.e. overlapping) two bioregions (Great Valley and Cascade Mountains). As predicted, most coyotes were assigned (based on a priori genetic criteria) to genetic clusters corresponding to one of these two bioregions. All of those assigned to the Great Valley genetic cluster were caught in (and for the most part, remained in) the Great Valley bioregion. However, contrary to expectations, the coyotes assigned to the Cascades genetic cluster occurred commonly in both bioregions. Nearly all resident individuals on the study site, regardless of the particular bioregion, were assigned to the Cascades genetic cluster, whereas a sizable fraction of nonresident (transient or dispersing) coyotes caught in the Great Valley bioregion were assigned to the Great Valley cluster. Even among resident coyotes, interrelatedness of packs was greater within than between bioregions, and packs with territories overlapping both bioregions were more closely related to those with territories completely within the Cascades bioregion than territories completely within the Great Valley bioregion. Finally, direct estimates indicated that gene flow was twice as high from the Cascades bioregion to the Great Valley bioregion than in the reverse direction. Collectively, these findings reveal the anatomy of the genetic subdivision as beginning abruptly at the bioregion boundary and ending diffusely within the Great Valley bioregion.
Clustering of related individuals in a population of the Australian lizard,Egernia frerei
Authors: FULLER S. J. , BULL C. M. , MURRAY K. , SPENCER R. J.
Published: March 2005

Stable social aggregations are rarely recorded in lizards, but have now been reported from several species in the Australian scincid genusEgernia. Most of those examples come from species using rock crevice refuges that are relatively easy to observe. But for many otherEgerniaspecies that occupy different habitats and are more secretive, it is hard to gather the observational data needed to deduce their social structure. Therefore, we used genotypes at six polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci of 229 individuals ofEgernia frerei, trapped in 22 sampling sites over 3500 ha of eucalypt forest on Fraser Island, Australia. Each sampling site contained 15 trap locations in a 100 × 50 m grid. We estimated relatedness among pairs of individuals and found that relatedness was higher within than between sites. Relatedness of females within sites was higher than relatedness of males, and was higher than relatedness between males and females. Within sites we found that juvenile lizards were highly related to other juveniles and to adults trapped at the same location, or at adjacent locations, but relatedness decreased with increasing trap separation. We interpreted the results as suggesting high natal philopatry among juvenile lizards and adult females. This result is consistent with stable family group structure previously reported in rock dwellingEgerniaspecies, and suggests that social behaviour in this genus is not habitat driven.
Population structure attributable to reproductive time: isolation by time and adaptation by time
Authors: HENDRY ANDREW P. , DAY TROY
Published: March 2005

Many populations are composed of a mixture of individuals that reproduce at different times, and these times are often heritable. Under these conditions, gene flow should be limited between early and late reproducers, even within populations having a unimodal temporal distribution of reproductive activity. This temporal restriction on gene flow might be called ‘isolation by time’ (IBT) to acknowledge its analogy with isolation by distance (IBD). IBD and IBT are not exactly equivalent, however, owing to differences between dispersal in space and dispersal in time. We review empirical studies of natural populations that provide evidence for IBT based on heritabilities of reproductive time and on molecular genetic differences associated with reproductive time. When IBT is present, variation in selection through the reproductive season may lead to adaptive temporal variation in phenotypic traits [adaptation by time (ABT)]. We introduce a novel theoretical model that shows how ABT increases as (i) selection on the trait increases; (ii) environmental influences on reproductive time decrease; (iii) the heritability of reproductive time increases; and (iv) the temporal distribution of reproductive activity becomes increasingly uniform. We then review empirical studies of natural populations that provide evidence for ABT by documenting adaptive temporal clines in phenotypic traits. The best evidence for IBT and ABT currently comes from salmonid fishes and flowering plants, but we expect that future work will show these processes are more widespread.
Gene flow and inbreeding depression inferred from fine‐scale genetic structure in an endangered heterostylous perennial,Primula sieboldii
Authors: ISHIHAMA FUMIKO , UENO SANEYOSHI , TSUMURA YOSHIHIKO , WASHITANI IZUMI
Published: March 2005

We estimated the gene dispersal distance and the magnitude of inbreeding depression from the fine‐scale genetic structure in the endangered heterostylous perennialPrimula sieboldii. We indirectly estimated the neighbourhood size (Nb) and the standard deviation of gene dispersal distance (σg) from the detected genetic structure by using 10 microsatellite markers. We also estimated the fitness reduction in mating among neighbouring individuals caused by biparental inbreeding according to the genetic structure. We found clear fine‐scale genetic structure (a significantly positive kinship coefficient within 42.3 m), and the indirect estimates of σgandNbwere 15.7 m and 50.9, respectively. These indirect estimates were similar to the direct estimates (18.4 m and 44.0). The slightly larger indirect estimate ofNbmay reflect that inbreeding depression and genetic structure or rare long‐distance dispersal that were overlooked in the direct estimate have elongated the long‐term average of gene dispersal distance.P. sieboldiiis also likely to suffer about 19% fitness reduction in progenies from mating among individuals 5 m apart. Our results suggest that biparental inbreeding and genetic structure can affect the range of gene dispersal and seed reproductive success inP. sieboldii.
Anterior sciatic nerve block – new landmarks and clinical experience
Authors: Wiegel M. , Reske A. , Hennebach R. , Schmidt F. , Elias T. , Gupta H. , Olthoff D.
Published: March 2005

Background:  Anterior sciatic nerve blocks can be complicated by several problems. Pain can be caused by bony contacts and, in obese patients, identification of the landmarks is frequently difficult.

Methods:  In a first step, 100 normal anterior‐posterior pelvic X‐rays were analyzed. The landmarks of the classical anterior approach were drawn on these X‐rays and assessed for their sufficiency. Then, in a prospective case study, 200 consecutive patients undergoing total knee replacement were investigated. These patients received femoral and sciatic nerve catheters for postoperative pain management. Using modified anatomical landmarks, sciatic nerve catheters were inserted 5 cm distal from the insertion site of the femoral nerve block perpendicularly in the midline of the lower extremity. This midline connected the insertion site of the femoral nerve catheter to the midpoint between the medial and lateral epicondyle. Correct catheter positioning was verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in six patients.

Results:  Evaluation of pelvic X‐rays showed that puncture following the classical landmarks pointed in 51% at the lesser trochanter, in 5% medial to the lesser trochanter and in 42% directly at the femur. In the latter patients, location of the sciatic nerve would have been difficult or even impossible. Using our modified anterior approach, the sciatic nerve could be blocked in 196 patients (98%). In nine patients (4.5%) blockade of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve failed. Vascular puncture happened in 10 (5%) and bony contact in 35 patients (17.5%). Median puncturing depth was 9.5 (7.5–14) cm. Correct sciatic nerve catheter positioning was verified in all patients who underwent MRI.

Conclusion:  Our landmarks for locating the sciatic nerve help to avoid bony contacts and thereby reduce pain during puncture. Our method reliably enabled catheter placement.
Quantifying relationships between root rot in a white spruce plantation and sporophores of Inonotus tomentosus
Authors: Whitney R. D. , Fleming R. A.
Published: March 2005

The relationship between the occurrence of sporophores of the root rot pathogen Inonotus tomentosus (Basidiomycota, Hymenochaetaceae) and disease symptoms was studied in a white spruce plantation (Picea glauca) in Canada over a period of 14 years. Numbers of sporophore clusters (three or more sporophores within 1 m of each other) were well correlated with numbers of infected living or dead trees (r = 0.64–0.86, p = 0.000–0.003). Infected trees may have sporophores around them before external symptoms of disease occur on the tree. As numbers of dead trees increased, the numbers of infected living trees remained constant, indicating increased infection within the stand. However, the number of sporophores varied considerably between the years. The diagnostic value of sporophores for tomentosus root rot is discussed.
Infection of Scots pine seedlings by Gremmeniella abietina during summer under different inoculum potential
Authors: Petäistö R.‐L.
Published: March 2005

The connection between natural conidia dispersal of Gremmeniella abietina (A‐type) and the disease incidence and severity in first and second year conifer seedlings of Pinus sylvestris was studied in central Finland. The seedlings where exposed to natural infection for a 3‐week period throughout the growth season, followed by a 3‐week incubation period in a growth chamber to promote symptom expression. In second year seedlings the infection periods in May–June had a similar effect as regards disease outbreak and roughly half of the successful infections occurred during these periods. However, the first year seedlings were more severely diseased after the infection period in late July/early August, although the inoculum density was lower during this time compared with the period in late June/early July. This result is consistent with earlier studies. The effect of age and growth phase of the seedlings, temperature sum and the number of conidia on the disease occurrence is discussed and compared with the results of earlier studies in which artificial inoculation was employed.
Factors involved in the regulation of plasma leptin levels in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Shimizu Toshiaki , Satoh Yayoi , Kaneko Noritsugu , Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Lee Tsubasa , Tanaka Kyoko , Iijima Megumi , Yamashiro Yuichiro
Published: March 2005

Abstract 
Objective
: The effects of changes in body mass index (BMI) and other factors on plasma leptin levels in children and adolescents with anorexia nervose (AN) were examined.

Methods
: Plasma leptin levels and BMI was measured before and after initiation of refeeding therapy every 2 weeks for 8 weeks in 12 children and adolescents with AN. The plasma levels of insulin, cortisol, insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were also measured in these subjects before and after 8 weeks of the refeeding therapy, and the results were compared with those from 12 age‐matched healthy girls.

Results
: The plasma leptin and IGF‐I levels, as well as the BMI, in the AN patients before refeeding therapy were significantly lower than both of these indices in the AN patients 8 weeks after initiation of the therapy and in the controls. The plasma leptin levels and BMI in the AN patients 8 weeks after initiation of the therapy were still significantly lower than those in the controls. Significant correlations between the plasma leptin levels and BMI were detected in the AN patients both before and 8 weeks after initiation of the refeeding therapy, as well as in the controls. The BMI showed a significant increase beginning at 2 weeks after initiation of the therapy compared with that before refeeding, but the plasma leptin levels did not significantly increase until 4 weeks after the initiation of therapy.

Conclusion
: The results suggest that plasma leptin levels reflect changes in body fat content in children and adolescents with AN, although there is a delay in the recovery of plasma leptin levels compared with those of BMI in the early period of refeeding therapy, which is probably regulated by other factors.
Serum and urine Helicobacter pylori antibody titer after intravenous γ‐globulin treatment for Kawasaki disease and its clearance
Authors: Shimizu Toshiaki , Yarita Yukiko , Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Takahashi Ken , Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Nagata Satoru , Obinata Kaoru , Yamashiro Yuichiro
Published: March 2005

Abstract 
Background
: It is not clear the effect of γ‐globulin therapy on results of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) based on serum and urine for detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibodies, although the therapy can cause false‐positive results in those assays.

Methods
: To examine the effect of intravenous γ‐globulin (IVIG) treatment on the results of ELISA based on serum and urine, levels of H. pylori IgG were measured in the serum and urine before and after IVIG therapy in 18 children with Kawasaki disease (KD) uninfected with H. pylori.

Results
: The serum and urine H. pylori IgG levels decreased time‐dependently after the IVIG therapy and there were significant differences (P < 0.01) in the levels prior to therapy and at 7 days and 1 month after the therapy. The significant difference in the H. pylori IgG levels prior to therapy and 3 months after the therapy was observed in the serum but not in the urine.

Conclusion
: The results suggest that γ‐globulin administration can cause false‐positive results in ELISA based both on serum and urine for detection of H. pylori antibodies, and that the H. pylori antibodies cleared much more quickly from the urine than from the serum.
Clinical spectrum in hospitalized children with echovirus type 13 infection
Authors: Kobayashi Ken‐Ichiro , Haruta Tsunekazu , Kubota Masaru , Akiyoshi Kyoko , Suga Tomoko , Ito Masahiro
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical spectrum of echovirus type 13 (E13) infection in hospitalized children.

Methods
: From April to August 2002, prospective viral surveillance was performed for hospitalized patients (aged 10 days to 14 years) irrespective of their presenting symptoms and severity. Medical records of laboratory‐confirmed echovirus 13 infection were reviewed.

Results
: Of the 41 patients analyzed, the median age was 3.4 years and 30% of them were less than 1 year of age. The male:female ratio was 1.6:1. The main clinical features were non‐specific febrile illness (nine patients), gastroenteritis (seven), bronchitis (seven), aseptic meningitis (16) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (two). Each age group had their representative symptoms: less than 1 year of age, non‐specific febrile illness; from 1 to 6 years of age, enterocolitis and bronchitis; more than 6 years of age, aseptic meningitis.

Conclusion
: The representative symptoms of E13 infection in hospitalized patients were variable but strongly associated with age distribution. It was of interest to note that two patients developed diopathic thrombocytopenic purpura along with the infection.
A longitudinal study of adolescent adjustment following family transitions
Authors: Ruschena Eda , Prior Margot , Sanson Ann , Smart Diana
Published: March 2005

Background:  This study examined the impact of family transitions, that is, parental separation, divorce, remarriage and death, upon the lives of Australian children and adolescents in a longitudinal study of temperament and development.

Methods:  Using longitudinal and concurrent questionnaire data, outcomes for young people experiencing transitions were compared with those of a random comparison group whose biological parents remained together.

Results:  No significant group differences were found with regard to behavioural and emotional adjustment concurrently or across time, nor on academic outcomes and social competence. Significant differences between the groups were revealed in measures of parent–teen conflict and parent–child attachment. A number of gender differences were found, with female participants displaying both greater adaptive and maladaptive behaviours. Particular dimensions of temperament, as well as the parent's overall rating of their child as easy or difficult, were found to be important predictors of adjustment status for both transitions and comparison groups.

Conclusions:  Despite some methodological limitations, this study illustrated the resilience of children experiencing family disruption across childhood and adolescence.
Aging of the innate immune response in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Zerofsky Melissa , Harel Ephat , Silverman Neal , Tatar Marc
Published: March 2005

Increased activation of the innate immune system is a common feature of aging animals, including mammals and Drosophila melanogaster. With age, D. melanogaster progressively express higher levels of many antimicrobial peptides. It is unknown, however, whether this pattern reflects age‐dependent changes in the function of the immune system itself or arises simply because aged adults have greater cumulative exposure to pathogens. Here we demonstrate that aged D. melanogaster transcribe more antimicrobial diptericin when experimentally exposed to septic bacterial infections. This strong net response in older females is the result of persistent diptericin transcription upon septic exposure, whereas young females rapidly terminate this induction. In contrast to their response to septic exposure, when exposed to killed bacteria aged females have less capacity to induce diptericin. Because this functional capacity of innate immunity declines with age, we conclude that female Drosophila undergo immune senescence. Furthermore, we show that fecundity is reduced by induction of innate immunity via the immune deficiency pathway. Consequently, maximum reproduction will occur when the immune response is tightly controlled in young females, even if this increases infection risk at later ages.
Monoclonal antibody CL5 recognizes the amino terminal domain of human phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 large subunit, gp91phox
Authors: Baniulis Danas , Burritt James B. , Taylor Ross M. , Dinauer Mary C. , Heyworth Paul G. , Parkos Charles A. , Magnusson Karl‐Eric , Jesaitis Algirdas J.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Human phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 (Cytb) is a heterodimeric integral membrane protein that serves as the electron transferase of the β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidephosphate, reduced (NADPH)‐oxidase, an enzyme complex important in the host defense function of phagocytic cells. In this study, we report the characterization of monoclonal antibody (mAb) CL5 that is specific for the large subunit, gp91phox, of the oxidase protein. This antibody recognizes gp91phox by immunoblot analysis of membrane extracts and samples of the immunopurified gp91phox/p22phox heterodimer, prepared on anti‐p22phox affinity matrices. Phage display analysis confirmed this specificity, indicating that the CL5 epitope contains the region 135‐DPYSVALSELGDR of gp91phox. The antibody was used to probe for the presence of gp91phox in membrane preparations from neutrophils of patients with nine genetically distinct forms of X‐linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). The causative mutations included missense errors as well as nonsense errors that result in premature termination of gp91phox synthesis. Analysis of the CGD samples by immunoblotting indicated that CL5 recognizes only the full‐length wild‐type and two missense mutations, consistent with the absence of stable short gp91phox peptide expression in CGD neutrophils. Interestingly, CL5 was also shown to be cross‐reactive with cytosolic and membrane‐bound gelsolin, identified by purification, mass spectrometry and immunoblot analysis. CL5 probably cross‐reacts with the sequence 771‐DPLDRAMAEL in the C‐terminus of gelsolin. We conclude that mAb CL5 is a useful probe for detection of full length and possibly truncated N‐terminal fragments of gp91phox from membranes of Cytb‐producing cells.