bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) simulation model 2.The flowering response of two hemp cultivars to photoperiod
Authors: Lisson S. N. , Mendham N. J. , Carberry P. S.
Published: December 2005

The duration from sowing to flowering is an
important determinant of fibre yield potential in hemp, since maximum stem
yield occurs shortly after flowering. As a short-day plant, daylength has a
key influence on the timing of flowering in hemp. This paper reports on
studies into the effect of photoperiod on the thermal time duration from
sowing to flowering for 2 hemp cultivars, and develops parameters to enable
simulation of post-emergent phenology in the hemp model described in the final
paper of this series.
The hemp model divides the post-emergent period into a vegetative phase that
ends at floral initiation, aflower development phase (FDP) between flower
initiation and appearance, and a short phase between first flower appearance
and harvest maturity (male anthesis). The vegetative phase is further divided
into a temperature-dependent basic vegetative phase (BVP) and a
daylength-dependent photoperiod induced phase (PIP). For a short-day plant,
the duration of PIP is assumed to be zero degree days at daylengths below a
base or maximum optimum photoperiod (MOP). Daylengths in excess of the MOP
lead to an increase in thermal time within PIP, the duration of which is
determined by a genotype’s photoperiod sensitivity (PS).
Two hemp genotypes, Kompolti and Futura 77, were exposed to 6 different
photoperiod regimes ranging from 8 to 16 h in a growth chamber. Thermal time
durations from emergence to flower initiation and first flower formation
(harvest) were calculated from thermograph plots.
The flowering responses for the 2 cultivars were typical for a short-day
plant, with flowering occurring rapidly in daylengths less than about 14 h and
with increasing delay at longer photoperiods. With the exception of a longer
thermal time duration from flower formation to harvest maturity in the case of
Kompolti, the 2 cultivars had similar values for the key phenology parameters.
Respectively, for Futura and Kompolti: BVP was 383˚Cd and 390˚Cd,
MOP was 14 h and 13.8 h, PS was 266˚Cd/h and 252˚Cd/h, and
FDP was 76.8˚Cd and 80.2˚Cd.
Ectomycorrhization of six Acacia auriculiformis provenances from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Senegal in glasshouse conditions: effect on the plant growth and on the multiplication of plant parasitic nematodes
Authors: Duponnois R. , Founoune H. , Lesueur D. , Thioulouse J. , Neyra M.
Published: December 2005

Six provenances of
Acacia auriculformis have been tested for their
ectomycorrhizal dependency with 2 indigenous strains of
Pisolithus sp. Moreover, the endomycorrhizal and
rhizobial symbiosis, the multiplication of plant parasitic nematodes have been
quantified. The results showed significant variations in plant development
between provenances. Both the compatibility with and dependency on the
ectomycorrhizal strains were different among the provenances. Three main
genera of nematodes have been identified, in particular
S. cavenessi, which is one of the most pathogenic
nematodes of soudano-sahelian crops. Endomycorrhizal structures were sometimes
detected on the root systems. These results suggest that provenances of
A. auriculiformis that are well adapted to the
indigenous environmental conditions (pedoclimatic, soil borne pathogens) must
be selected for their mycorrhizal dependency and for their resistance to plant
parasitic nematodes. Moreover, the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis has to be
considered as an important component of the cultural system.
Glycerol uptake preserves cut juvenile foliage of Eucalyptus cinerea
Authors: Campbell S. J. , Ogle H. J. , Joyce D. C.
Published: December 2005

This is the first report of experimentation
aimed at developing a postharvest glycerol uptake treatment protocol for
juvenile-form Eucalyptus cinerea foliage. Glycerol
uptake and accumulation were monitored and the protocol was varied by adding
the surfactant nonylphenolpolyglycol ether (Agral-600) to the preservation
solution. Visual characteristics of preserved unhardened (soft or immature)
and hardened (mature) foliage were assessed. Foliage respiration rate was
monitored during treatment to establish when metabolic function ceased.
Glycerol proved a suitable preservative for E. cinerea
foliage, with 20% (v/v) solution being as effective as 30%
solution. Addition of Agral-600 did not improve uptake and, in fact, lead to
excessive drying of leaves. Hardened foliage was more suitable for treatment
than unhardened, since it retained better colour and exhibited less tip wilt.
Measurable respiration ceased within 1.5 days of commencing treatment with
glycerol. Solution uptake was markedly reduced 2 days after treatment began,
indicating failure of transpiration. Thus, metabolic functions ceased
1.5–2 days after uptake preservation commenced.
1-Methylcyclopropene treatment efficacy in preventing ethylene perception in banana fruit and grevillea and waxflower flowers
Authors: Macnish A. J. , Hofman P. J. , Joyce D. C. , Simons D. H. , Reid M. S.
Published: December 2005

Premature ripening and/or senescence and
abscission induced by exposure to ethylene are significant postharvest
problems. Banana fruit and grevillea and Geraldton waxflower flowers are among
affected commodities. Treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene gas or silver
thiosulfate liquid can be used to prevent ethylene perception and response.
Treatment of banana fruit with 10 nL 1-methylcyclopropene/L for 12 h at
20˚C afforded protection against subsequent serial treatments over 13
days of subsets with 100 L ethylene/L for 24 h at 20˚C. Protection of
Grevillea ‘Sylvia’ inflorescences was
effective only for 2 days. Thereafter, fruit and inflorescences regained
sensitivity to ethylene. In contrast, neither banana fruit nor grevillea
inflorescences treated with 10 nL 1-methylcyclopropene/L for 12 h at
2˚C were protected against ethylene. 1-Methylcyclopropene binding to
ethylene receptors was apparently not achieved at the lower temperature.
Increasing the 1-methylcyclopropene concentration to 100 nL/L, applied at
2.5˚C to banana fruit, achieved protection against ethylene. Waxflower
sprigs treated with 10 nL 1-methylcyclopropene/L for 12 h at 2 or
20˚C regained full sensitivity to ethylene after about 2 and 4 days,
respectively. In contrast, pulsing waxflower with 0.5 mmol
Ag+/L as silver thiosulfate for 12 h at 2 or
20˚C afforded protection against ethylene for the 10 days duration of the
experiment.
Ethylene levels associated with fruit and vegetables during marketing
Authors: Warton M. A. , Wills R. B. H. , Ku V. V. V.
Published: December 2005

Over 700 measures of the level of ethylene in
the atmosphere of fruit and vegetable holding areas in wholesale markets,
distribution centres, supermarket retail stores and domestic refrigerators
were taken over a 3-year period. The lowest ethylene levels were found in
supermarket stores with a mean level of 0.017–0.035 L/L in produce
receival, storage and display areas. Levels in the ambient air of wholesale
markets and distribution centres were higher at about 0.06 L/L. Domestic
refrigerators were grouped into those that contained or did not contain apples
with the ethylene level being much higher at 0.20 L/L where apples were
present and 0.029 L/L where apples were absent. Using a rating scale,
which was developed from published literature on non-climacteric produce, of
≤0.015 L/L ethylene as a low level where less than 10% of
potential postharvest life is lost and ≥0.1 L/L as a high level where
there is higher than 30% loss of postharvest life, suggests that most
produce during marketing is held in an ethylene atmosphere where
10–30% of potential postharvest life is lost.
Editorial
Authors: Burrow H M , Coffey S G
Published: December 2005

In Australia, the work being carried out on sustainability indicators has
become an industry on its own. This paper firstly provides an introduction
that reviews the literature on indicator development and use, particularly in
relation to agricultural production systems. A number of reasons for the
limited use of indicators by farmers are mentioned. Secondly, a focus group
study involving farmers from two dryland cropping areas in Queensland to
investigate sustainability indicators and sustainable farming systems is
presented. The indicators the participants identified during focus groups
included indicators that reflect (i)farming system components, (ii) the
management of these components, (iii) the management of all components and
their interrelationships at the systems level, and (iv) the external factors
that influence and interact with this systems level. Focus group analysis also
showed that the participants perceived sustainability as an on-going process
and a sustainable farming system as dynamic and emergent in nature. The
implications of these findings are discussed. Three key issues were raised (i)
the value of farmer knowledge with respect to the development of indicators
has often been ignored; (ii) there are links between indicators developed
through traditional science and those being used by farmers; and (iii)
off-farm indicators used by farmers may be very useful in policy development
at a variety of levels (e.g. catchment, regional, national, global). The focus
group method involving farmers provided a useful way to gain insights about
farmer perceptions and for farmers to learn from each other during the
research process.
Preface to 'Sodicity Issues in Agricultural Industries — Current Research and Future Directions'
Authors: Surapaneni Aravind
Published: December 2005

This paper summarises the outcomes of the International Sodicity Conference,
‘Sodicity Issues in Agricultural Industries — Current Research and Future Directions’,
held at Tatura, Victoria, 28 February–1 March 2000. In this paper we
present (i) sodicity issues generic across agricultural industries, (ii)
results of the interactive workshop, and (iii) knowledge gaps identified
specifically for individual agricultural industries by experienced
researchers. A priority ranking was given to the key issues raised within
industry groups at the interactive workshop. Knowledge gaps for major
agricultural industries were specifically listed to enable researchers and
funding bodies alike to set future directions in sodicity research.
Protein fucosylation regulates synapsin Ia/Ib expression and neuronal morphology in primary hippocampal neurons
Authors: Murrey Heather E. , Gama Cristal I. , Kalovidouris Stacey A. , Luo Wen.-I. , Driggers Edward M. , Porton Barbara , Hsieh-Wilson Linda C.
Published: December 2005

Although fucose-α(1-2)-galactose [Fucα(1-2)Gal] carbohydrates have been implicated in cognitive processes such as long-term memory, the molecular mechanisms by which these sugars influence neuronal communication are not well understood. Here, we present molecular insights into the functions of Fucα(1-2)Gal sugars, demonstrating that they play a role in the regulation of synaptic proteins and neuronal morphology. We show that synapsins Ia and Ib, synapse-specific proteins involved in neurotransmitter release and synaptogenesis, are the major Fucα(1-2)Gal glycoproteins in mature cultured neurons and the adult rat hippocampus. Fucosylation has profound effects on the expression and turnover of synapsin in cells and protects synapsin from degradation by the calcium-activated protease calpain. Our studies suggest that defucosylation of synapsin has critical consequences for neuronal growth and morphology, leading to stunted neurite outgrowth and delayed synapse formation. We also demonstrate that Fucα(1-2)Gal carbohydrates are not limited to synapsin but are found on additional glycoproteins involved in modulating neuronal architecture. Together, our studies identify important roles for Fucα(1-2)Gal sugars in the regulation of neuronal proteins and morphological changes that may underlie synaptic plasticity.
Multiple stepwise refolding of immunoglobulin domain I27 upon force quench depends on initial conditions
Authors: Li Mai Suan , Hu Chin-Kun , Klimov Dmitri K. , Thirumalai D.
Published: December 2005

Mechanical folding trajectories for polyproteins starting from initially stretched conformations generated by single-molecule atomic force microscopy experiments [Fernandez, J. M. & Li, H. (2004)
Science
303, 1674–1678] show that refolding, monitored by the end-to-end distance, occurs in distinct multiple stages. To clarify the molecular nature of folding starting from stretched conformations, we have probed the folding dynamics, upon force quench, for the single I27 domain from the muscle protein titin by using a C
α
-Go model. Upon temperature quench, collapse and folding of I27 are synchronous. In contrast, refolding from stretched initial structures not only increases the folding and collapse time scales but also decouples the two kinetic processes. The increase in the folding times is associated primarily with the stretched state to compact random coil transition. Surprisingly, force quench does not alter the nature of the refolding kinetics, but merely increases the height of the free-energy folding barrier. Force quench refolding times scale as

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\begin{equation*}{\tau}_{F}\approx {\tau}_{F}^{0}{\mathrm{exp}}(f_{q}{\Delta}x_{f}/k_{{\mathrm{B}}}T)\end{equation*}\end{document}

, where Δ

x
f

≈ 0.6 nm is the location of the average transition state along the reaction coordinate given by end-to-end distance. We predict that τ

F

and the folding mechanism can be dramatically altered by the initial and/or final values of force. The implications of our results for design and analysis of experiments are discussed.
Complementary base-pair-facilitated electron tunneling for electrically pinpointing complementary nucleobases
Authors: Ohshiro Takahito , Umezawa Yoshio
Published: December 2005

Molecular tips in scanning tunneling microscopy can directly detect intermolecular electron tunneling between sample and tip molecules and reveal the tunneling facilitation through chemical interactions that provide overlap of respective electronic wave functions, that is, hydrogen-bond, metal-coordination-bond, and charge-transfer interactions. Nucleobase molecular tips were prepared by chemical modification of underlying metal tips with thiol derivatives of adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil and the outmost single nucleobase adsorbate probes intermolecular electron tunneling to or from a sample nucleobase molecule. We found that the electron tunneling between a sample nucleobase and its complementary nucleobase molecular tip was much facilitated compared with its noncomplementary counterpart. The complementary nucleobase tip was thereby capable of electrically pinpointing each nucleobase. Chemically selective imaging using molecular tips may be coined “intermolecular tunneling microscopy” as its principle goes and is of general significance for novel molecular imaging of chemical identities at the membrane and solid surfaces.
Premature ovarian failure in androgen receptor-deficient mice
Authors: Shiina Hiroko , Matsumoto Takahiro , Sato Takashi , Igarashi Katsuhide , Miyamoto Junko , Takemasa Sayuri , Sakari Matomo , Takada Ichiro , Nakamura Takashi , Metzger Daniel , Chambon Pierre , Kanno Jun , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki , Kato Shigeaki
Published: December 2005

Premature ovarian failure (POF) syndrome, an early decline of ovarian function in women, is frequently associated with X chromosome abnormalities ranging from various Xq deletions to complete loss of one of the X chromosomes. However, the genetic locus responsible for the POF remains unknown, and no candidate gene has been identified. Using the Cre/LoxP system, we have disrupted the mouse X chromosome androgen receptor (
Ar
) gene. Female
AR
–/–
mice appeared normal but developed the POF phenotype with aberrant ovarian gene expression. Eight-week-old female
AR
–/–
mice are fertile, but they have lower follicle numbers and impaired mammary development, and they produce only half of the normal number of pups per litter. Forty-week-old
AR
–/–
mice are infertile because of complete loss of follicles. Genome-wide microarray analysis of mRNA from
AR
–/–
ovaries revealed that a number of major regulators of folliculogenesis were under transcriptional control by AR. Our findings suggest that AR function is required for normal female reproduction, particularly folliculogenesis, and that AR is a potential therapeutic target in POF syndrome.
Multiple sensors control reciprocal expression of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
regulatory RNA and virulence genes
Authors: Ventre Isabelle , Goodman Andrew L. , Vallet-Gely Isabelle , Vasseur Perrine , Soscia Chantal , Molin Søren , Bleves Sophie , Lazdunski Andrée , Lory Stephen , Filloux Alain
Published: December 2005

The opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is responsible for a wide range of acute and chronic infections. The transition to chronic infections is accompanied by physiological changes in the bacteria favoring formation of biofilm communities. Here we report the identification of LadS, a hybrid sensor kinase that controls the reciprocal expression of genes for type III secretion and biofilm-promoting polysaccharides. Domain organization of LadS and the range of LadS-controlled genes suggest that it counteracts the activities of another sensor kinase, RetS. These two pathways converge by controlling the transcription of a small regulatory RNA, RsmZ. This work identifies a previously undescribed signal transduction network in which the activities of signal-receiving sensor kinases LadS, RetS, and GacS regulate expression of virulence genes associated with acute or chronic infection by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.
Tyrosine phosphorylation acts as a molecular switch to full-scale activation of the eIF2α RNA-dependent protein kinase
Authors: Su Qiaozhu , Wang Shuo , Baltzis Dionissios , Qu Li-Ke , Wong Andrew Hoi-Tao , Koromilas Antonis E.
Published: December 2005

Phosphorylation of the α-subunit of translation eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF2) leads to the inhibition of protein synthesis in response to diverse conditions of stress. Serine/threonine RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is an eIF2α kinase family member induced by type I IFN and activated in response to dsRNA or virus infection. Herein, we demonstrate that human PKR is a dual specificity kinase phosphorylated at Y101, Y162 and Y293
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Site-specific tyrosine phosphorylation is essential for efficient dsRNA-binding, dimerization, kinase activation and eIF2α phosphorylation of PKR. Biologically, tyrosine phosphorylation of PKR mediates the antiviral and antiproliferative properties of the kinase through its ability to control translation. Our data demonstrate an important role of tyrosine phosphorylation in biochemical and biological processes caused or mediated by the activation of the eIF2α kinase PKR.
Stimulation of muscarinic receptors mimics experience-dependent plasticity in the honey bee brain
Authors: Ismail Nyla , Robinson Gene E. , Fahrbach Susan E.
Published: December 2005

Honey bees begin life working in the hive. At ≈3 weeks of age, they shift to visiting flowers to forage for pollen and nectar. Foraging is a complex task associated with enlargement of the mushroom bodies, a brain region important in insects for certain forms of learning and memory. We report here that foraging bees had a larger volume of mushroom body neuropil than did age-matched bees confined to the hive. This result indicates that direct experience of the world outside the hive causes mushroom body neuropil growth in bees. We also show that oral treatment of caged bees with pilocarpine, a muscarinic agonist, induced an increase in the volume of the neuropil similar to that seen after a week of foraging experience. Effects of pilocarpine were blocked by scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist. Our results suggest that signaling in cholinergic pathways couples experience to structural brain plasticity.
Perforin-dependent elimination of dendritic cells regulates the expansion of antigen-specific CD8+T cellsin vivo
Authors: Yang Jianping , Huck Stephanie P. , McHugh Rebecca S. , Hermans Ian F. , Ronchese Franca
Published: December 2005

The lifespan and survival of dendritic cells (DC)in vivoare potentially critical to the expansion of T cell immune responses. We have previously reported that DC loaded with specific antigen are rapidly eliminated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)in vivo, but the site, mechanism, and consequences of DC elimination were not defined. In this article we show that DC eliminationin vivooccurs in a perforin-dependent manner and does not require IFN-γ or the presence of CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells. Most importantly, failure to eliminate DC had profound consequences on the CTL immune response. Perforin-deficient mice showed a progressive increase in the numbers of antigen-specific CD8+T cells after repeated immunizations with DC. In contrast, in control mice the number of antigen-specific CD8+T cells did not notably increase with repeated immunizations. Lastly, we also show that CTL-mediated elimination of DC occurs in peripheral tissues but not in the lymph node. Our data suggest that CTL act as “gatekeepers” that control access of antigen-loaded DC into the lymph node, thereby preventing continued expansion of antigen-specific T cells.
Carbohydrate microarray for profiling the antibodies interacting with Globo H tumor antigen
Authors: Huang Cheng-Yuan , Thayer Desiree A. , Chang Aileen Y. , Best Michael D. , Hoffmann Julia , Head Steve , Wong Chi-Huey
Published: December 2005

Understanding the specificity of cell-surface carbohydrates interaction with antibodies and receptors is important for the development of new therapeutics and high-sensitivity diagnostics. This approach is, however, limited to the availability of natural and truncated sequences of the oligosaccharides and the sensitivity of the assay system. Reported here is the synthesis of the cancer antigen Globo H hexasaccharide, an epitope found on the cell surface of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers, and its truncated sequences by using the programmable one-pot synthesis strategy. The saccharides were then arrayed covalently on glass slides with different density and used for the fluorencense-based binding analysis of two monoclonal antibodies against Globo H and the serum from breast cancer patients, to define the specificity of these antibodies. It was shown that the terminal tetrasaccharide binds the monoclonal antibodies equally well as does the hexasaccharide and the fucose residue is required for effective binding. The serum binds both the defucosylated pentasaccharide and the fucosylated hexasaccharide without a significant difference, perhaps because of the polyclonal nature of the serum or the presence of diverse immune responses to different sugar epitopes at various stages. This method requires very small amounts of materials and is more effective and sensitive than the traditional ELISA method, and thus provides another platform to monitor the immune response to carbohydrate epitopes at different stages during differentiation, metastasis, or treatment.
Nutrition, hormetic stress and health
Authors: Lindsay David G.
Published: December 2005

Hormesis defines an effect where exposure to a low dose of a toxic agent results in a beneficial response. It has been described in organisms exposed to low-dose radiation, heat stress, and chemicals. The effect is characterised by a J-shaped dose–response as opposed to a linear dose–response. Confirmation of the general phenomena of hormesis has proved difficult due to the lack of appropriate methodology and the absence of well-defined mechanisms to support the experimental observations. In the nutritional field there are few reports of its existence. The clearest illustration of the effect is seen in animals that are energy restricted when there is a clear benefit in the reduction of age-related disease, and an extension of maximum lifespan. DNA microarray experiments have shown that there is a down regulation of the stress-response genes that are up regulated through the ageing process. Electrophilic phytochemicals, that have been shown to have beneficial health effects at low doses, up regulate the antioxidant–electrophile response element. This probably occurs through an alteration in the redox state of the target cells which causes activation of protein kinases, the activation of the Nrf2 transcription factor and the up regulation of the phase II enzymes, similar to responses that occur under mild chemical stress. This situation might enable organisms to adapt to stress such that the effects of a subsequent exposure to a harmful challenge are reduced. There may be a permanent alteration in cellular homeostasis, or redox state, if the low level exposure is maintained. It remains to be proven if such a situation occurs in response to chronic low-dose exposure to dietary phytochemicals such that the target cells are better able to respond to a subsequent stress challenge.
Challenges in translating scientific evidence into mandatory food fortification policy: an antipodean case study of the folate–neural tube defect relationship
Authors: Lawrence Mark
Published: December 2005

Objective

To identify challenges in translating scientific evidence of a nutrient and health relationship into mandatory food fortification policy.

Design

A case study approach was used in which available evidence associated with the folate–neural tube defect relationship was reviewed against the Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council's Policy Guideline for mandatory food fortification.

Results

Three particular challenges were identified. The first is knowing when and how to act in the face of scientific uncertainty. The second is knowing how to address the special needs of at-risk individuals without compromising the health and safety of the population as a whole. The third is to ensure that a policy is sufficiently monitored and evaluated.

Conclusions

Despite the availability of compelling evidence of a relationship between a particular nutrient and a health outcome, a definitive policy response may not be apparent. Judgement and interpretation inevitably play significant roles in influencing whether and how authorities translate scientific evidence into mandatory food fortification policy. In relation to the case study, it would be prudent to undertake a risk–benefit analysis of policy alternatives and to implement nutrition education activities to promote folic acid supplement use among the target group. Should mandatory folate fortification be implemented, comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of this policy will be essential to know that it is implemented as planned and does more good than harm. In relation to mandatory food fortification policy-making around the world, ongoing national nutrition surveys are required to complement national policy guidelines.
The impact of a national mass media campaign in The Netherlands on the prevention of weight gain
Authors: Wammes Birgitte , Breedveld Boudewijn , Looman Caspar , Brug Johannes
Published: December 2005

Objective

A 5-year nationwide mass media campaign aimed at prevention of overweight was organised from 2002 onwards. The present study evaluates the first campaign, which was aimed primarily at increasing awareness of weight gain.

Design and subjects

Data were collected by telephone interview in four independent cross-sectional surveys among non-obese Dutch adults aged 25–35 years (total n = 1949) for statistical analyses. Awareness of personal body-weight status, overweight-related risk perceptions, attitudes towards weight-gain prevention, motivation to prevent weight gain and self-reported body mass index (BMI) were measured in each survey. Campaign exposure was assessed in the post-intervention surveys. To identify intervention effects over time multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used, adjusted for secular time effects and age.

Results

After the campaign about 65% of the respondents knew about the campaign. The campaign was associated with more positive attitudes towards the prevention of weight gain (β = 0.16; P ≤ 0.01) and higher self-reported BMI (β = 0.14; P ≤ 0.01).

Conclusions

The results suggest that the first campaign reached a large proportion of the population and initiated some positive change in attitudes, but did not achieve significant improvements in other determinants of weight-gain prevention among non-obese young adults.
Cyclitol galactosides in embryos of buckwheat stem–leaf–seed explants fed D-chiro-inositol, myo-inositol or D-pinitol
Authors: Ma Janet M. , Horbowicz Marcin , Obendorf Ralph L.
Published: December 2005

Crop seeds accumulate soluble carbohydrates as part of their maturation process. In legume seeds, the major soluble carbohydrates are sucrose and its galactosides raffinose, stachyose and verbascose. In buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) seeds, the major soluble carbohydrates are sucrose and galactosides of d-chiro-inositol, named fagopyritols. This study was conducted to determine changes in soluble carbohydrate accumulation in embryos of buckwheat seeds after feeding solutions containing the free cyclitols D-chiro-inositol, myo-inositol and d-pinitol to stem–leaf–seed explants. Feeding D-chiro-inositol to explants resulted in a fourfold to fivefold increase in the accumulation of free d-chiro-inositol, fagopyritol A1 and fagopyritol B1 in embryos of mature seeds, but resulted in 30% less embryo dry weight compared to the control treatment without cyclitols. Feeding myo-inositol to buckwheat explants increased d-chiro-inositol in leaves and increased accumulation of fagopyritol A1 and fagopyritol B1 fivefold in embryos, fagopyritol A2 and fagopyritol B2 fourfold; fagopyritol A3 and fagopyritol B3 were also detected, with no reduction in accumulated embryo dry weight. Feeding d-pinitol to buckwheat explants resulted in accumulation of free d-pinitol in mature embryos, but not galactopinitols. D-Pinitol, galactopinitol A and galactopinitol B were not detected in embryos from explants fed solutions without d-pinitol. Feeding d-pinitol also resulted in reduced D-chiro-inositol accumulation by buckwheat seeds. The results indicate that myo-inositol may be the precursor to d-chiro-inositol synthesis, and fagopyritols accumulated in response to d-chiro-inositol availability in the embryo. We suggest that increasing myo-inositol in buckwheat maternal tissues may be an effective means to enhance the accumulation of D-chiro-inositol and fagopyritols in seeds, compounds that may be beneficial for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Germination of drupelets in multi-seeded drupes of the shrub Leptecophylla tameiameiae (Ericaceae) from Hawaii: a case for deep physiological dormancy broken by high temperatures
Authors: Baskin Carol C. , Baskin Jerry M. , Yoshinaga Alvin , Thompson Ken
Published: December 2005

This study addressed the difficulty of germinating drupelets (hereafter seeds) in the multi-seeded stony dispersal units (drupes) of Leptecophylla tameiameiae (Ericaceae). Embryos in fresh seeds were 77% the length of the endosperm, and seeds inside the intact drupes imbibed water. We monitored germination at 15/6, 20/10 and 25/15°C for 162 weeks, after which each drupe was cut open and ungerminated seeds counted. Drupes contained 1–6 seeds, and the total number of seeds in all treatments and controls was 1977, with 20, 29, 25, 18, 7 and <1% of them occurring in one-, two-, three-, four-, five- and six-seeded drupes, respectively. The percentage of seeds germinating in one-, two-, three-, four-, five- and six-seeded drupes was 74, 66, 65, 72, 56 and 0, respectively. Neither warm nor cold stratification for 6 or 12 weeks significantly increased germination percentages, compared to controls incubated continuously at 25/15°C for 162 weeks, where 72% of the seeds in the drupes germinated. At 25/15°C, 24–49 weeks were required for 20% of the seeds to germinate. Warm followed by cold stratification did not promote germination, and there was no widening of the temperature range for germination. Like seeds of other species known to have deep physiological dormancy (PD), those of L. tameiameiae required extended periods of time (16 to ≥162 weeks) to come out of dormancy and germinate, gibberellic acid (GA3) did not promote germination and excised embryos failed to grow. Thus, we conclude that seeds of L. tameiameiae have deep PD. However, unlike seeds of other species with deep PD, those of L. tameiameiae required an extensive period of warm rather than of cold stratification to come out of dormancy. It is suggested that a subtype a (seeds require a long period of cold stratification to come out of dormancy) and a subtype b (seeds require a long period of exposure to warm stratification to come out of dormancy) of deep PD be recognized in the Nikolaeva formula system for classifying seed dormancy.
Dangers of the One-Good Model: Böhm-Bawerk's Critique of the “Naïve Productivity Theory of Interest”
Authors: Murphy Robert P.
Published: December 2005

In the late nineteenth century, Eugen von Böhm-Bawerk's magisterial work (1881) or capital and interest provided the foundation upon which virtually all modern theories are built. In his first volume, History and Critique of Interest Theories, Böhm-Bawerk classified and (in his mind) refuted all previous explanations. Böhm-Bawerk thought a proper theory of interest must explain the apparent undervaluation of future goods For example, if a machine is expected to yield annual rents of $1,000 for ten years why does it sell now for less than $10,000? To answer this question was to provide a theory of interest, for only with such an undervaluation would it be possible for a capitalist to invest in machines, for example, and reap a flow of returns, over time greater than his initial investment.
A Note on Pareto's “Sunto”
Authors: Mclure Michael
Published: December 2005

The early literature on ordinalism and Vilfredo Pareto's incomplete development of ordinal theory, by John R. Hicks and R. G. D. Allen (1934), Oskar Lange (1934), Hicks (1939), George Stigler (1950), Paul A. Samuelson (1974) and others, referred exclusively to Pareto's more mature French language works: the Manuel d'Économie Politique (1909) or the subsequent encyclopaedia entry entitled “Économie Mathématique” (1911). The related discussion considered whether Pareto was an inconsistent ordinalist, a cardinalist, or confused.
The Slow Wallerian Degeneration Protein, WldS, Binds Directly to VCP/p97 and Partially Redistributes It within the Nucleus
Authors: Laser Heike , Conforti Laura , Morreale Giacomo , Mack Till G.M. , Heyer Molly , Haley Jane E. , Wishart Thomas M. , Beirowski Bogdan , Walker Simon A. , Haase Georg , Celik Arzu , Adalbert Robert , Wagner Diana , Grumme Daniela , Ribchester Richard R. , Plomann Markus , Coleman Michael P.
Published: December 2005

Slow Wallerian degeneration (WldS) mutant mice express a chimeric nuclear protein that protects sick or injured axons from degeneration. The C-terminal region, derived from NAD+ synthesizing enzyme Nmnat1, is reported to confer neuroprotection in vitro. However, an additional role for the N-terminal 70 amino acids (N70), derived from multiubiquitination factor Ube4b, has not been excluded. In wild-type Ube4b, N70 is part of a sequence essential for ubiquitination activity but its role is not understood. We report direct binding of N70 to valosin-containing protein (VCP; p97/Cdc48), a protein with diverse cellular roles including a pivotal role in the ubiquitin proteasome system. Interaction with WldS targets VCP to discrete intranuclear foci where ubiquitin epitopes can also accumulate. WldS lacking its N-terminal 16 amino acids (N16) neither binds nor redistributes VCP, but continues to accumulate in intranuclear foci, targeting its intrinsic NAD+ synthesis activity to these same foci. Wild-type Ube4b also requires N16 to bind VCP, despite a more C-terminal binding site in invertebrate orthologues. We conclude that N-terminal sequences of WldS protein influence the intranuclear location of both ubiquitin proteasome and NAD+ synthesis machinery and that an evolutionary recent sequence mediates binding of mammalian Ube4b to VCP.
MiGenes: a searchable interspecies database of mitochondrial proteins curated using gene ontology annotation
Authors: Basu Siddhartha , Bremer Erich , Zhou Chun , Bogenhagen Daniel F.
Published: December 2005

Motivation: There has been an explosion of interest in the role of mitochondria in programmed cell death and other fundamental pathological processes underlying the development of human diseases. Nevertheless, the inventory of mitochondrial proteins encoded in the nuclear genome remains incomplete, providing an impediment to mitochondrial research at the interface with systems biology. We created the MiGenes database to further define the scope of the mitochondrial proteome in humans and model organisms including mice, rats, flies and worms as well as budding and fission yeasts. MiGenes is intended to stimulate mitochondrial research using model organisms.

Summary: MiGenes is a large-scale relational database that is automatically updated to keep pace with advances in mitochondrial proteomics and is curated to assure that the designation of proteins as mitochondrial reflects gene ontology (GO) annotations supported by high-quality evidence codes. A set of postulates is proposed to help define which proteins are authentic components of mitochondria. MiGenes incorporates >1160 new GO annotations to human, mouse and rat protein records, 370 of which represent the first GO annotation reflecting a mitochondrial localization. MiGenes employs a flexible search interface that permits batchwise accession number searches to support high-throughput proteomic studies. A web interface is provided to permit members of the mitochondrial research community to suggest modifications in protein annotations or mitochondrial status.

Availability: MiGenes is available at

Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinfo online.

Contact:  dan@pharm.sunysb.edu
FLOSS: flexible ordered subset analysis for linkage mapping of complex traits
Authors: Browning B. L.
Published: December 2005

Summary: The FLOSS software package is a flexible framework for ordered subset analysis. FLOSS is specifically designed for use with the Merlin linkage analysis package, but FLOSS can be used with any linkage analysis software package that reports NPL Z-scores for each locus and family. When FLOSS is used with the Merlin linkage analysis package, one can use either non-parametric Z-scores or Kong and Cox linear allele sharing model LOD scores. Monte Carlo P-values are calculated using a permutation test with an efficient Besag–Clifford sequential stopping rule. FLOSS also has a flexible tool for assigning family covariate scores from Merlin input files. FLOSS includes user documentation and is written in Java for easy portability. The FLOSS source code is documented and designed to be extensible.

Availability:  

Contact:  brian_browning1@yahoo.com
Incestuous Experience Among Korean Adolescents: Prevalence, Family Problems, Perceived Family Dynamics, and Psychological Characteristics
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Sil , Kim Hun‐Soo
Published: December 2005

Abstract 
Objectives:
 The present study aimed to identify the prevalence of incest among Korean adolescents and to determine the family problems, perceived family dynamics, and psychological consequences associated with incest in South Korea. Design: A cross‐sectional study was performed, using an anonymous, self‐reporting questionnaire. Data were analyzed by percentages, Chi‐square, and t‐test statistical analyses, using SAS software program. Sample: A total of 1,672 adolescents (1,053 student adolescents and 619 delinquent adolescents) were selected using proportional stratified random sampling method in this study. Results: The results showed a 3.7% prevalence of incest in the tested Korean population. Families in which incest occurred were characterized by higher levels of problems, such as psychotic disorders, depression, criminal acts, and alcoholism among family members. Adolescent incest victims showed significantly more dysfunctional and unhealthy in terms of family dynamics and expressed significantly higher maladaptive and problematic psychological patterns than nonvictimized adolescents. Conclusions: The present findings identified some of the family problems and dysfunctional family dynamics may associate with intrafamilial child sexual abuse in Korea. Therefore, when an allegation of intrafamilial sexual abuse is made, health professionals should carry out a comprehensive assessment of their family dynamics and an evaluation of the impact of the abuse on the child and family.
Blockade of bulky lymphoma‐associated CD55 expression by RNA interference overcomes resistance to complement‐dependent cytotoxicity with rituximab
Authors: Terui Yasuhito , Sakurai Takuma , Mishima Yuko , Mishima Yuji , Sugimura Natsuhiko , Sasaoka Chino , Kojima Kiyotsugu , Yokoyama Masahiro , Mizunuma Nobuyuki , Takahashi Shunji , Ito Yoshinori , Hatake Kiyohiko
Published: December 2005

Recently, anti‐CD20 (rituximab) and anti‐Her2/neu (trastuzumab) antibodies have been developed and applied to the treatment of malignant lymphoma and breast cancer, respectively. However, bulky lymphoma is known to be resistant to rituximab therapy, and this needs to be overcome. Fresh lymphoma cells were collected from 30 patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, the expression of CD20 and CD55 was examined by flow cytometry, and complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assays were carried out. Susceptibility to CDC with rituximab was decreased in a tumor size‐dependent manner (r = –0.895, P < 0.0001), but not in a CD20‐dependent manner (r = –0.076, P = 0.6807) using clinical samples. One complement‐inhibitory protein, CD55, contributed to bulky lymphoma‐related resistance to CDC with rituximab. A decrease in susceptibility to CDC with rituximab was statistically dependent on CD55 expression (r = –0.927, P < 0.0001) and the relationship between tumor size and CD55 expression showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.921, P < 0.0001) using clinical samples. To overcome the resistance to rituximab by high expression of CD55 in bulky lymphoma masses, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed from the DNA sequence corresponding to nucleic acids 1–380 of the CD55 cDNA. Introduction of this siRNA decreased CD55 expression in the breast cancer cell line SK‐BR3 and in CD20‐positive cells of patients with recurrent lymphoma; resistance to CDC was also inhibited. This observation gives us a novel strategy to suppress bulky disease‐related resistance to monoclonal antibody treatment. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 72–79)
Comparative analysis of the bovine MHC class IIb sequence1 identifies inversion breakpoints and three unexpected genes
Authors: Childers C. P. , Newkirk H. L. , Honeycutt D. A. , Ramlachan N. , Muzney D. M. , Sodergren E. , Gibbs R. A. , Weinstock G. M. , Womack J. E. , Skow L. C.
Published: December 2005

The bovine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or BoLA is organized differently from typical mammalian MHCs in that a large portion of the class II region, called class IIb, has been transposed to a position near the centromere on bovine chromosome 23. Gene mapping indicated that the rearrangement resulted from a single inversion, but the boundaries and gene content of the inverted segment have not been fully determined. Here, we report the genomic sequence of BoLA IIb. Comparative sequence analysis with the human MHC revealed that the proximal inversion breakpoint occurred approximately 2.5 kb from the 3′ end of the glutamate‐cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit (GCLC) locus and that the distal breakpoint occurred about 2 kb from the 5′ end from a divergent class IIDRβ‐like sequence designated DSB. Gene content, order and orientation of BoLA IIb are consistent with the single inversion hypothesis when compared with the corresponding region of the human class II MHC (HLA class II). Differences with HLA include the presence of a single histone H2B gene located between the proteasome subunit, beta type, 9 (PSMB9) and DMB loci and a duplicated TAP2 with a variant splice site. BoLA IIb spans approximately 450 kb DNA, with 20 apparently intact genes and no obvious pseudogenes. The region contains 227 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and approximately 167 kb of retroviral‐related repetitive DNA. Nineteen of the 20 genes identified in silico are supported by bovine EST data indicating that the functional gene content of BoLA IIb has not been diminished because it has been transposed from the remainder of BoLA genes.
Adaptive sampling and reconnaissance surveys for geostatistical mapping of the soil
Authors: Marchant B.P. , Lark R.M.
Published: December 2005

The effort required to survey a soil variable depends upon the acceptable uncertainty of estimates and the variogram of the variable. The variogram is unknown prior to sampling, so it must be inferred from a reconnaissance survey before an efficient survey can be designed. The results of reconnaissance surveys are subject to uncertainty, which depends upon the variogram and the number and location of observations.

Here, we develop an adaptive approach for optimizing reconnaissance surveys. The observations within these reconnaissance surveys are collected in distinct phases. After each phase, a probability density function of the required sampling density of the main survey is calculated within a Bayesian framework. The number and location of observations within further phases are selected to reduce efficiently the uncertainty of the estimate of the required sampling density.

In simulation studies, the number and location of observations in Bayesian adaptive reconnaissance surveys vary according to the variogram of the property of interest. For variograms with a short range, the reconnaissance surveys are intensive with a large proportion of clustered locations. Fewer, more evenly spread locations are required for variables with a long range. Bayesian adaptive reconnaissance surveys lead to more efficient surveys than conventional approaches because the reconnaissance survey is specifically designed for the variable of interest. A hand‐held field system is implemented and tested in a survey of soil moisture content over a field.