bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Variable Parboiling on Crystallinity of Rice Samples
Authors: Manful J. T. , Grimm C. C. , Gayin J. , Coker R. D.
Published: March 2008

Rice parboiled at various combinations of soaking temperature and steaming time were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Generally, gelatinization enthalpy decreased as the soaking temperature increased from 30°C to 50°C and 70°C to 90°C, and gelatinization enthalpy decreased as steaming times increased from 4 and 8 min to 12 min. As expected, a distinctive A‐pattern was observed in the XRD of raw rice. The most severely parboiled laboratory sample (90°C for 12 min), showed no discernable change toward the V‐pattern. Crystallinity decreased from the raw rice (24.6%) with increased cooking temperature.
Effects of Added Minerals on Pasting of Partial Waxy Wheat Flour and Starch and on Noodle Making Properties
Authors: Gujral H. S. , Park S. J. , Baik B.‐K
Published: March 2008

Mineral content, as determined and expressed by ash content, serves as an index of wheat flour quality for flour millers and food manufacturers who prefer flour of low mineral content, even though the significance of mineral content on the functional properties of wheat flour is not well understood. We explored whether minerals have any influence on the functional properties of wheat flour and product quality of white salted noodles. Ash, obtained by incinerating wheat bran, was incorporated into two hard white spring wheat flours and their starches to raise the total ash content to 1, 1.5, or 2%. Pasting properties were determined using a rapid visco analyzer (RVA). Addition of ash increased the peak viscosity of the flours in both water and buffer solution but did not affect the peak viscosity of starch. Wheat flours with added ash showed lower pasting temperature by approximately 10°C in buffer solution. Mineral extracts (15.3% ash) isolated from wheat bran, when added to increase the ash content of wheat flour and starch to 2%, increased the peak viscosity and lowered the pasting temperature of flour by 13.2–16.3% but did not affect the pasting properties of the isolated starch. The mineral premix also increased peak viscosity of wheat flour but not in starch. Added ash increased noodle thickness and lowered water retention of cooked noodles while it exhibited no significant effect on cooked noodle texture as determined using a texture analyzer.
Total Phenolics and Antioxidant Potential in Plasma and Urine of Humans After Consumption of Wheat Bran
Authors: Price Ruth K. , Welch Robert W. , Lee‐Manion Alison M. , Bradbury Ian , Strain J. J.
Published: March 2008

The protective effects of whole grain cereals against heart disease and certain cancers may be due, at least partly, to the antioxidant effects of phenolics concentrated in the bran. However, it is unclear to what extent these phenolics are absorbed, and whether these phenolics exert significant physiological antioxidant effects. Thus, this study aimed to compare total phenolics (TP) and antioxidant potential (AOP) in the plasma and urine of humans following consumption of a single meal of unprocessed wheat bran or a refined cereal (ground white rice). Using a randomized cross‐over design, 17 adults consumed ≈93 g of wheat bran or ground rice after an overnight fast. Baseline and postmeal plasma and urine samples were analyzed for TP (Folin‐Ciocalteu method) and AOP (FRAP method). Compared with ground rice, wheat bran gave significantly (P < 0.05) higher plasma TP at 1 hr, and significantly (P < 0.001) higher plasma AOP from 0.5 to 3 hr. Furthermore, compared with ground rice, wheat bran led to consistently higher TP and AOP in urine, and these differences were significant (P < 0.05) at 2 hr. Comparisons with data from a range of other phenolic‐rich foods indicated that wheat bran phenolics are relatively well absorbed and may enhance antioxidant status.
Fragmentation of Waxy Rice Starch Granules by Enzymatic Hydrolysis
Authors: Kim Jong‐Yea , Park Dong‐June , Lim Seung‐Taik
Published: March 2008

Small starch particles were prepared by hydrolyzing waxy rice starch using α‐amylase and then ultrasonicating in ethanol. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that a mild hydrolysis for 3 hr increased the melting enthalpy of the starch, which might indicate that the hydrolysis was selective in the amorphous regions. Later, at 6–24 hr, the hydrolysis rate was reduced, with gradual decreases in DSC melting enthalpy, indicating that the crystalline regions were eroded simultaneously. X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed the same trend as the DSC results. Average diameter of starch granules or particles was decreased dramatically in both volume‐ and number‐based measurements (5.94→1.64 μm, and 0.45→0.18 μm, respectively) during the early stage of rapid hydrolysis (up to 3 hr). Native waxy rice starch exhibited a particle size distribution with a major peak at 5.6 μm. After hydrolysis for 3 hr, the volume distribution of starch granules changed to two major size peaks at 0.5 and 3.6 μm. The starch fragment of 0.5 μm was assumed to consist of crystalline blocklets. With excessive hydrolysis (24 hr) or ultrasonication, however, starch particle diameter was increased, indicating that the particles might be swollen or aggregated into clusters.
Dry‐Milling and Fractionation of Transgenic Maize Seed Tissues with Green Fluorescent Protein as a Tissue Marker
Authors: Shepherd C. T. , Vignaux N. , Peterson J. M. , Scott M. P. , Johnson L. A.
Published: March 2008

The efficiency of fractionating cereal grains (e.g., dry corn milling) can be evaluated and monitored by quantifying the proportions of seed tissues in each of the recovered fractions. The quantities of individual tissues are typically estimated using indirect methods such as quantifying fiber or ash to indicate pericarp and tip cap contents, and oil to indicate germ content. More direct and reliable methods are possible with tissue‐specific markers. We used two transgenic maize lines, one containing the fluorescent protein green fluorescent protein (GFP) variant S65T expressed in endosperm, and the other containing GFP expressed in germ to determine the fate of each tissue in the dry‐milling fractionation process. The two lines were dry‐milled to produce three fractions (bran‐, endosperm‐, and germ‐rich fractions) and GFP fluorescence was quantified in each fraction to estimate the tissue composition. Using a simplified laboratory dry‐milling procedure and our GFP‐containing grain, we determined that the endosperm‐rich fraction contained 4% germ tissue, the germ‐rich fraction contained 28% germ, 20% endosperm, and 52% nonendosperm and nonembryo tissues, and the bran‐rich fraction contained 44% endosperm, 13% germ, and 43% nonendosperm and nonembryo tissues. GFP‐containing grain can be used to optimize existing fractionation methods and to develop improved processing strategies.
Enhanced Lipid Stability in Whole Wheat Flour by Lipase Inactivation and Antioxidant Retention
Authors: Rose Devin J. , Ogden Lynn V. , Dunn Michael L. , Pike Oscar A.
Published: March 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of dry heat, steam, and microwave treatments in decreasing lipase activity, while retaining antioxidant activity, to stabilize whole wheat flour against lipid degradation during storage. Bran was heat‐treated in 230‐g batches using four levels (exposure times) for each of the three treatment methods. Lipase activity and antioxidant activity were quantified for all treatment combinations. None of the treatments significantly decreased antioxidant activity; the levels determined to be optimal, inasmuch as further heating did not significantly decrease lipase activity, were 25 min of dry heat, 60 sec of microwave (1000W), and 60 sec of steam. These treatments effectively decreased lipase activity by 74, 93, and 96%, respectively. Optimum treatments were evaluated for acceptance using a consumer sensory panel during a 12‐month storage period. No significant differences in acceptance were found between the control and any of the samples either at baseline or after storage. This suggests that whole wheat flour can be stabilized against lipolysis by utilizing the treatments described in this study without decreasing antioxidant activity, and that manufacturers may utilize these treatments without risking decreased consumer acceptance.
Comparison of Different Methods for Phenotyping Preharvest Sprouting in White‐Grained Wheat
Authors: Singh Rajender , Matus‐Cádiz Maria , Båga Monica , Hucl Pierre , Chibbar Ravindra N.
Published: March 2008

The objective of this study was to identify a suitable method for phenotyping preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistance in white bread wheat. Forty doubled‐haploid (DH) lines derived from a cross between two white‐grained spring wheats (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Argent (nondormant) and wheat breeding line W98616 (dormant) were evaluated for germination frequency, Falling Number (FN), and α‐amylase activity in dry and water‐imbibed seeds and spikes. The α‐amylase activity in dry seeds or spikes did not differ significantly between parent lines or lines of the DH population. Wetting of seeds or spikes for two days caused a five‐ to sevenfold increase in α‐amylase activity but only in Argent and the nondormant subgroup (49–100% germination) of the DH lines. A positive association (r = 0.60***) was detected between germination frequency and α‐amylase activity in imbibed seeds and spikes. Germination frequency could not be correlated to FN or α‐amylase activity in dry‐harvested seeds. FN showed a strong correlation (r = –0.83***) to α‐amylase activity in the dry‐harvested seeds but could not be correlated to α‐amylase activity in the imbibed seeds. The germination test was the most reliable method for measuring PHS resistance because seed dormancy provides potential resistance to PHS, whereas high α‐amylase activity may occur in grains without causing PHS.
Relationships Between Some Structures and Functionalities of Starches from Wheat Cultivars Grown in East China
Authors: Hou Han‐Xue , Dong Hai‐Zhou , Zhang Hui , Song Xiao‐Qing
Published: March 2008

Starches separated from 30 wheat cultivars grown in East China were studied for granule size, amylose content, degree of crystallinity, thermal, pasting, and gel textural properties. Average granule size and amylose content of wheat starches were 15.08–20.8 μm and 29.43–34.19%, respectively. The degree of crystallinity and enthalpy of gelatinization of samples was 29.54–42.12% and 5.2–9.95 J/g, respectively. The gelatinization temperature and pasting temperature were 59.45–62.2°C and 75.40–83.95°C, respectively. There was a wide range of gel hardness values (208.5–426 g). Various significant correlations between functionality and structural parameters were observed. Highly positive correlations were found between the gelatinization temperatures. Gelatinization peak temperature was significantly correlated to hardness of starch gels (r = –0.374, P < 0.05). Significant correlations were observed between amylose content and breakdown viscosity (r = –0.483, P < 0.01), hardness (r = 0.373, P < 0.05), and cohesiveness (r = 0.378, P < 0.05). Many significant correlations between the various pasting parameters were observed. The average granule size was positively correlated to peak viscosity, trough viscosity, and final viscosity (r = 0.369, 0.381, and 0.398, respectively, P < 0.05).
Effect of Variation in Amylose Content and Puroindoline Composition on Bread Quality in a Hard Spring Wheat Population
Authors: Martin J. M. , Sherman J. D. , Lanning S. P. , Talbert L. E. , Giroux M. J.
Published: March 2008

Milling and breadbaking quality of hard‐textured wheat may be influenced by alternative alleles at the Wx loci controlling percent amylose in the endosperm, and the puroindoline (pin) loci controlling grain hardness. For this experiment, we developed recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from a cross between Choteau spring wheat cultivar and experimental line MTHW9904. Choteau has the PinB‐D1b mutation conferring grain hardness and the Wx‐B1a allele at the Wx‐B1 locus conferring wild‐type amylose content. MTHW9904 has the PinA‐D1b allele conferring grain hardness and the Wx‐B1b allele conferring lower amylose content, causing a partial waxy phenotype. RIL with the PinB‐D1b mutation (n = 49) had significantly softer kernels, higher break flour yield, and higher loaf volume than lines with the PinA‐D1b mutation (n = 38). Lines with partial waxy phenotype due to Wx‐B1b (n = 43) had significantly lower kernel weight, lower amylose content, and higher flour swelling power than lines with wild‐type starch due to Wx‐B1a (n = 51). These results provide additional evidence for the positive effect of PinB‐D1b on bread quality in hard wheats, while genotype at Wx‐B1 was generally neutral for bread quality in this population. Interactions between the Pin and Wx loci were minimal.
Fbxw7 acts as a critical fail-safe against premature loss of hematopoietic stem cells and development of T-ALL
Authors: Matsuoka Sahoko , Oike Yuichi , Onoyama Ichiro , Iwama Atsushi , Arai Fumio , Takubo Keiyo , Mashimo Yoichi , Oguro Hideyuki , Nitta Eriko , Ito Keisuke , Miyamoto Kana , Yoshiwara Hiroki , Hosokawa Kentaro , Nakamura Yuka , Gomei Yumiko , Iwasaki Hiroko , Hayashi Yasuhide , Matsuzaki Yumi , Nakayama Keiko , Ikeda Yasuo , Hata Akira , Chiba Shigeru , Nakayama Keiichi I. , Suda Toshio
Published: March 2008

Common molecular machineries between hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance and leukemia prevention have been highlighted. The tumor suppressor Fbxw7 (F-box and WD-40 domain protein 7), a subunit of an SCF-type ubiquitin ligase complex, induces the degradation of positive regulators of the cell cycle. We demonstrate that inactivation of Fbxw7 in hematopoietic cells causes premature depletion of HSCs due to active cell cycling and p53-dependent apoptosis. Interestingly, Fbxw7 deletion also confers a selective advantage to cells with suppressed p53 function, eventually leading to development of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Thus, Fbxw7 functions as a fail-safe mechanism against both premature HSC loss and leukemogenesis.
Elucidating the Germination Transcriptional Program Using Small Molecules
Authors: Bassel George W. , Fung Pauline , Chow Tsz-fung Freeman , Foong Justin A. , Provart Nicholas J. , Cutler Sean R.
Published: March 2008

The transition from seed to seedling is mediated by germination, a complex process that starts with imbibition and completes with radicle emergence. To gain insight into the transcriptional program mediating germination, previous studies have compared the transcript profiles of dry, dormant, and germinating after-ripened Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seeds. While informative, these approaches did not distinguish the transcriptional responses due to imbibition, shifts in metabolism, or breaking of dormancy from those triggered by the initiation of germination. In this study, three mechanistically distinct small molecules that inhibit Arabidopsis seed germination (methotrexate, 2, 4-dinitrophenol, and cycloheximide) were identified using a small-molecule screen and used to probe the germination transcriptome. Germination-responsive transcripts were defined as those with significantly altered transcript abundance across all inhibitory treatments with respect to control germinating seeds, using data from ATH1 microarrays. This analysis identified numerous germination regulators as germination responsive, including the DELLA proteins GAI, RGA, and RGL3, the abscisic acid-insensitive proteins ABI4, ABI5, ABI8, and FRY1, and the gibberellin receptor GID1A. To help visualize these and other publicly available seed microarray data, we designed a seed mRNA expression browser using the electronic Fluorescent Pictograph platform. An overall decrease in gene expression and a 5-fold greater number of transcripts identified as statistically down-regulated in drug-inhibited seeds point to a role for mRNA degradation or turnover during seed germination. The genes identified in our study as responsive to germination define potential uncharacterized regulators of this process and provide a refined transcriptional signature for germinating Arabidopsis seeds.
The Ionic Environment Controls the Contribution of the Barley HvHAK1 Transporter to Potassium Acquisition
Authors: Fulgenzi Fabiana R. , Peralta María Luisa , Mangano Silvina , Danna Cristian H. , Vallejo Augusto J. , Puigdomenech Pere , Santa-María Guillermo E.
Published: March 2008

The control of potassium (K+) acquisition is a critical requirement for plant growth. Although HAK1 (high affinity K+ 1) transporters provide a pathway for K+ acquisition, the effect exerted by the ionic environment on their contribution to K+ capture remains essentially unknown. Here, the influence of the ionic environment on the accumulation of transcripts coding for the barley (Hordeum vulgare) HvHAK1 transporter as well as on HvHAK1-mediated K+ capture has been examined. In situ mRNA hybridization studies show that HvHAK1 expression occurs in most root cells, being augmented at the outermost cell layers. Accumulation of HvHAK1 transcripts is enhanced by K+ deprivation and transiently by exposure to high salt concentrations. In addition, studies on the accumulation of transcripts coding for HvHAK1 and its close homolog HvHAK1b revealed the presence of two K+-responsive pathways, one repressed and the other insensitive to ammonium. Experiments with Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) HvHAK1-expressing transgenic plants showed that K+ deprivation enhances the capture of K+ mediated by HvHAK1. A detailed study with HvHAK1-expressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells also revealed an increase of K+ uptake after K+ starvation. This increase did not occur in cells grown at high Na+ concentrations but took place for cells grown in the presence of NH4  +. 3,3′-Dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide accumulation measurements indicate that the increased capture of K+ in HvHAK1-expressing yeast cells cannot be explained only by changes in the membrane potential. It is shown that the yeast protein phosphatase PPZ1 as well as the halotolerance HAL4/HAL5 kinases negatively regulate the HvHAK1-mediated K+ transport.
Genotype, Age, Tissue, and Environment Regulate the Structural Outcome of Glucosinolate Activation
Authors: Wentzell Adam M. , Kliebenstein Daniel J.
Published: March 2008

Glucosinolates are the inert storage form of a two-part phytochemical defense system in which the enzyme myrosinase generates an unstable intermediate that rapidly rearranges into the biologically active product. This rearrangement step generates simple nitriles, epithionitriles, or isothiocyanates, depending on the structure of the parent glucosinolate and the presence of proteins that promote specific structural outcomes. Glucosinolate accumulation and myrosinase activity differ by plant age and tissue type and respond to environmental stimuli such as planting density and herbivory; however, the influence of these factors on the structural outcome of the rearrangement step remains unknown. We show that the structural outcome of glucosinolate activation is controlled by interactions among plant age, planting density, and natural genetic variation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) rosette leaves using six well-studied accessions. We identified a similarly complex interaction between tissue type and the natural genetic variation present within these accessions. This raises questions about the relative importance of these novel levels of regulation in the evolution of plant defense. Using mutants in the structural specifier and glucosinolate activation genes identified previously in Arabidopsis rosette leaves, we demonstrate the requirement for additional myrosinases and structural specifiers controlling these processes in the roots and seedlings. Finally, we present evidence for a novel EPITHIOSPECIFIER PROTEIN-independent, simple nitrile-specifying activity that promotes the formation of simple nitriles but not epithionitriles from all glucosinolates tested.
Low-Temperature and Daylength Cues Are Integrated to Regulate FLOWERING LOCUS T in Barley
Authors: Hemming Megan N. , Peacock W. James , Dennis Elizabeth S. , Trevaskis Ben
Published: March 2008

Interactions between flowering time genes were examined in a doubled haploid barley (Hordeum vulgare) population segregating for H. vulgare VERNALIZATION1 (HvVRN1), HvVRN2, and PHOTOPERIOD1 (PPD-H1). A deletion allele of HvVRN2 was associated with rapid inflorescence initiation and early flowering, but only in lines with an active allele of PPD-H1. In these lines, the floral promoter FLOWERING LOCUS T (HvFT1) was expressed at high levels without vernalization, and this preceded induction of HvVRN1. Lines with the deletion allele of HvVRN2 and the inactive ppd-H1 allele did not undergo rapid inflorescence initiation and were late flowering. These data suggest that HvVRN2 counteracts PPD-H1 to prevent flowering prior to vernalization. An allele of HvVRN1 that is expressed at high basal levels (HvVRN1-1) was associated with rapid inflorescence initiation regardless of HvVRN2 or PPD-H1 genotype. HvFT1 was expressed without vernalization in lines with the HvVRN1-1 allele and HvFT1 transcript levels were highest in lines with the active PPD-H1 allele; this correlated with rapid apex development postinflorescence initiation. Thus, expression of HvVRN1 promotes inflorescence initiation and up-regulates HvFT1. Analysis of HvVRN1 expression in different genetic backgrounds postvernalization showed that HvVRN2, HvFT1, and PPD-H1 are unlikely to play a role in low-temperature induction of HvVRN1. In a vernalization responsive barley, HvFT1 is not induced by low temperatures alone, but can be induced by long days following prolonged low-temperature treatment. We conclude that low-temperature and daylength flowering-response pathways are integrated to control expression of HvFT1 in barley, and that this might occur through regulation of HvVRN2 activity.
Mild Reductions in Mitochondrial Citrate Synthase Activity Result in a Compromised Nitrate Assimilation and Reduced Leaf Pigmentation But Have No Effect on Photosynthetic Performance or Growth
Authors: Sienkiewicz-Porzucek Agata , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Sulpice Ronan , Lisec Jan , Centeno Danilo C. , Carillo Petronia , Leisse Andrea , Urbanczyk-Wochniak Ewa , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: March 2008

Transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants, expressing a fragment of the mitochondrial citrate synthase gene in the antisense orientation and exhibiting mild reductions in the total cellular activity of this enzyme, displayed essentially no visible phenotypic alteration from the wild type. A more detailed physiological characterization, however, revealed that although these plants were characterized by relatively few changes in photosynthetic parameters they displayed a decreased relative flux through the tricarboxylic acid cycle and an increased rate of respiration. Furthermore, biochemical analyses revealed that the transformants exhibited considerably altered metabolism, being characterized by slight decreases in the levels of organic acids of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, photosynthetic pigments, and in a single line in protein content but increases in the levels of nitrate, several amino acids, and starch. We additionally determined the maximal catalytic activities of a wide range of enzymes of primary metabolism, performed targeted quantitative PCR analysis on all three isoforms of citrate synthase, and conducted a broader transcript profiling using the TOM1 microarray. Results from these studies confirmed that if the lines were somewhat impaired in nitrate assimilation, they were not severely affected by this, suggesting the presence of strategies by which metabolism is reprogrammed to compensate for this deficiency. The results are discussed in the context of carbon-nitrogen interaction and interorganellar coordination of metabolism.
Phylogeny and speciation of the eastern Asian cyprinid genus Sarcocheilichthys
Authors: Zhang L. , Tang Q. Y. , Liu H. Z.
Published: March 2008

The genus Sarcocheilichthys is a group of small cyprinid fishes comprising 10 species/sub‐species widely distributed in East Asia, which represents a valuable model for understanding the speciation of freshwater fishes in East Asia. In the present study, the molecular phylogenetic relationship of the genus Sarcocheilichthys was investigated using a 1140 bp section of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Two different tree‐building methods, maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian methods, yielded trees with almost the same topology, yielding high bootstrap values or posterior probabilities. The results showed that the genus Sarcocheilichthys consists of two large clades, clades I and II. Clade I contains Sarcocheilichthys lacustris, Sarcocheilichthys sinensis and Sarcocheilichthys parvus, with S. parvus at a basal position. In clade II, Sarcocheilichthys variegatus microoculus is at a basal position; samples of the widespread species, Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis, form a large subclade containing another valid species Sarcocheilichthys czerskii. Sarcocheilichthys kiangsiensis is retained at an intermediate position. Since S. czerskii is a valid species in the S. nigripinnis clade, remaining samples of S. nigripinnis form a paraphyly. This speciation process is attributed to geographical isolation and special environmental conditions experienced by S. czerskii and stable environments experienced by the other S. nigripinnis populations. This type of speciation process was suggested to be very common. Samples of Sarcocheilichthys sinensis sinensis and Sarcocheilichthys sinensis fukiensis that did not form their own monophyletic groups suggest an early stage of speciation and support their sub‐species status. Molecular clock analysis indicates that the two major lineages of the genus Sarcocheilichthys, clades I and II diverged c. 8·89 million years ago (mya). Sarcocheilichthys v. microoculus from Japan probably diverged 4·78 mya from the Chinese group. The northern–southern clades of S. nigripinnis began to diverge c. 2·12 mya, while one lineage of S. nigripinnis evolved into a new species, S. czerski, c. 0·34 mya.
A comparative study on the developmental expression of hadh2 in amphioxus and zebrafish
Authors: Zhang Y. , Wang L. , Shao M. , Li J. , Li B. , Zhang H.
Published: March 2008

An orthologue of hadh2 (hydroxyacyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase type II) has been isolated from amphioxus. At the amino acid level, hadh2 exhibits high sequence similarity between amphioxus and vertebrates, including zebrafish. Similarities also exist in the developmental expression patterns of amphioxus and zebrafish hadh2, which may provide information on the molecular mechanisms responsible for some human disease phenotypes caused by hadh2 mutation.
Genetic structure of the killifish Aphanius fasciatus, Nardo 1827 (Teleostei, Cyprinodontidae), results of mitochondrial DNA analysis
Authors: Pappalardo A. M. , Ferrito V. , Messina A. , Guarino F. , Patarnello T. , De Pinto V. , Tigano C.
Published: March 2008

Aphanius fasciatus is a cyprinodont distributed in the salty coastal water of the central and eastern Mediterranean Sea and occasionally in internal fresh water. In this work, the authors have investigated the genetic structure of eight populations of the killifish A. fasciatus from Sardinia and Sicily. The comparison of the mtDNA control region of 237 individuals revealed a total of 49 haplotypes. Several unique haplotypes were present in each population, and no common haplotype was found among Sicilian and Sardinian populations. Almost all Sardinian populations shared a common haplotype, and indeed the four Sicilian populations examined did not share any as determined by the parsimony network analysis. The analysis of molecular variance showed that the percentage of variation among populations is much higher than within each population of A. fasciatus. The overall FST value is very high (0·78) and supports an extensive genetic structure of the populations. The observed genetic differentiations of A. fasciatus populations were discussed taking into account the palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic events that interested the Mediterranean area from Miocenic to Pleistocenic age. The results provide new insight into the knowledge of the pattern of genetic structure and of evolutionary processes occurring in this species.
Are there Atlantic salmon in the River Tambre?
Authors: Saura M. , Caballero P. , Morán P.
Published: March 2008

Genetic variability and assignment analyses demonstrate that the 60 returning adult salmon to the Tambre River in 2005 were not the product of an incipient wild population, but the result of straying from a neighbouring river.
Genotype‐specific IL8RA gene expression in bovine neutrophils in response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide challenge
Authors: Leyva‐Baca I. , Pighetti G. , Karrow N. A.
Published: March 2008

Associations between the AC150887.4:c.‐1768T>A SNP (rs41255711), which is located in the 5′ upstream region of the IL8RA gene (also known as CXCR1), and the estimated breeding values for somatic cell score in the first (P = 0.019) and second (P = 0.035) lactations were previously reported in a population of Canadian Holstein bulls. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of this SNP on the expression of IL8RA by qRT‐PCR. Neutrophils were isolated from whole blood samples from a group of cows with genotypes c.‐1768AA (n = 4), c.‐1768AT (n = 5) and c.‐1768TT (n = 5) after the cows had been challenged in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This study demonstrated that LPS‐induced expression of IL8RA in cows with the c.‐1768AA genotype was significantly greater when compared with the c.‐1768AT and c.‐1768TT genotypes (P < 0.05) before as well as after in vitro LPS challenge.
Bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (PAD) front‐line treatment of multiple myeloma: updated results after long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Popat Rakesh , Oakervee Heather E. , Hallam Simon , Curry Nicola , Odeh Liz , Foot Nicola , Esseltine Dixie‐Lee , Drake Mary , Morris Curly , Cavenagh Jamie D.
Published: March 2008

Bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (PAD) was evaluated as induction before stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients, using bortezomib 1·3 mg/m2 (PAD1, N = 21) or 1·0 mg/m2 (PAD2, N = 20). Complete/very good partial response rates with PAD1/PAD2 were 62%/42% postinduction and 81%/53% post‐transplant. Progression‐free survival (29 vs. 24 months), time to re‐treatment (36 vs. 29 months) and overall survival (1 year: 100% vs. 95%; 2 years: 95% vs. 73%) were statistically similar but favoured PAD1 versus PAD2. Toxicity was lower in PAD2; bortezomib dose reduction may help manage toxicities while retaining efficacy. PAD is highly active as front‐line induction in MM.
Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) fishing ground in relation to oceanographic conditions in the western North Pacific Ocean using remotely sensed satellite data
Authors: ZAINUDDIN MUKTI , SAITOH KATSUYA , SAITOH SEI‐ICHI
Published: March 2008

Satellite‐based oceanographic data of sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface chlorophyll‐a concentration (SSC), and sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) together with catch data were used to investigate the relationship between albacore fishing ground and oceanographic conditions and also to predict potential habitats for albacore in the western North Pacific Ocean. Empirical cumulative distribution function and high catch data analyses were used to calculate preferred ranges of the three oceanographic conditions. Results indicate that highest catch per unit efforts (CPUEs) corresponded with areas of SST 18.5–21.5°C, SSC 0.2–0.4 mg m−3, and SSHA −5.0 to 32.2 cm during the winter in the period 1998–2000. We used these ranges to generate a simple prediction map for detecting potential fishing grounds. Statistically, to predict spatial patterns of potential albacore habitats, we applied a combined generalized additive model (GAM) / generalized linear model (GLM). To build our model, we first constructed a GAM as an exploratory tool to identify the functional relationships between the environmental variables and CPUE; we then made parameters out of these relationships using the GLM to generate a robust prediction tool. The areas of highest CPUEs predicted by the models were consistent with the potential habitats on the simple prediction map and observation data, suggesting that the dynamics of ocean eddies (November 1998 and 2000) and fronts (November 1999) may account for the spatial patterns of highest albacore catch rates predicted in the study area. The results also suggest that multispectrum satellite data can provide useful information to characterize and predict potential tuna habitats.
Climatic conditions, diapause and migration in a troglophile caddisfly
Authors: SALAVERT V. , ZAMORA‐MUÑOZ C. , RUIZ‐RODRÍGUEZ M. , FERNÁNDEZ‐CORTÉS A. , SOLER J. J.
Published: March 2008

1. Factors explaining the end of diapause include environmental conditions such as daily photoperiod, temperature and humidity. However, because all these factors are almost constant inside deep caves, they would hardly affect diapause termination in many animal taxa that use such habitats in which to aestivate or hibernate (such as bats and some insects, snakes or frogs).

2. An innate biological signal, based on body reserves (mass), could determine the end of diapause in cave‐dwelling animals. Another possibility is that the diapausing animals may use as a stimulus convective air circulation, produced by a fall in temperature outside the cave to a value below that inside (i.e. temperature inversions). Here, we explored these two non‐exclusive hypotheses explaining the end of diapause and the start of migration in the caddisMesophylax aspersus. This species aestivates as an adult in caves, as a physiological adaptation to seasonal drought and stream drying.

3. The variation in body mass of individuals entering and leaving the cave was similar, suggesting no role for the ‘reserve level’ hypothesis in breaking diapause. However, the onset of a temperature inversion in autumn coincided with the breaking of diapause followed after a few days by the migration of the caddisflies.

4. We conclude that the seasonal air currents, produced by thermal inversions, could be the migration stimulus for caddisflies and many other animals that spend a period of diapause in caves.
Warming and elevated CO2 affect the relationship between seed mass, germinability and seedling growth in Austrodanthonia caespitosa, a dominant Australian grass
Authors: HOVENDEN MARK J. , WILLS KAREN E. , CHAPLIN REBECCA E. , VANDER SCHOOR JACQUELINE K. , WILLIAMS AMITY L. , OSANAI YUI , NEWTON PAUL C. D.
Published: March 2008

While the influence of elevated CO2 on the production, mass and quality of plant seeds has been well studied, the effect of warming on these characters is largely unknown; and there is practically no information on possible interactions between warming and elevated CO2, despite the importance of these characters in population maintenance and recovery. Here, we present the impacts of elevated CO2 and warming, both in isolation and combination, on seed production, mass, quality, germination success and subsequent seedling growth of Austrodanthonia caespitosa, a dominant temperate C3 grass from Australia, using seeds collected from the TasFACE experiment. Mean seed production and mass were not significantly affected by either elevated CO2 or warming, but elevated CO2 more than doubled the proportion of very light, inviable seeds (P < 0.05) and halved mean seed N concentration (P < 0.04) and N content (P < 0.03). The dependence of seed germination success on seed mass was affected by an elevated CO2× warming interaction (P < 0.004), such that maternal exposure to elevated CO2 or warming reduced germination if applied in isolation, but not when applied in combination. Maternal effects were retained when seedlings were grown in a common environment for 6 weeks, with seedlings descended from warmed plants 20% smaller (P < 0.008) with a higher root : shoot ratio (P < 0.001) than those from unwarmed plants. Given that both elevated CO2 and warming reduced seed mass, quality, germinability or seedling growth, it is likely that global change will reduce population growth or distribution of this dominant species.
Interannual variability in carbon dioxide fluxes and flux–climate relationships on grazed and ungrazed northern mixed‐grass prairie
Authors: WAYNE POLLEY H. , FRANK ALBERT B. , SANABRIA JOAQUIN , PHILLIPS REBECCA L.
Published: March 2008

The annual carbon (C) budget of grasslands is highly dynamic, dependent on grazing history and on effects of interannual variability (IAV) in climate on carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes. Variability in climatic drivers may directly affect fluxes, but also may indirectly affect fluxes by altering the response of the biota to the environment, an effect termed ‘functional change’. We measured net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) and its diurnal components, daytime ecosystem CO2 exchange (PD) and night‐time respiration (RE), on grazed and ungrazed mixed‐grass prairie in North Dakota, USA, for five growing seasons. Our primary objective was to determine how climatic anomalies influence variability in CO2 exchange. We used regression analysis to distinguish direct effects of IAV in climate on fluxes from functional change. Functional change was quantified as the improvement in regression on fitting a model in which slopes of flux–climate relationships vary among years rather than remain invariant. Functional change and direct effects of climatic variation together explained about 20% of variance in weekly means of NEE, PD, and RE. Functional change accounted for more than twice the variance in fluxes of direct effects of climatic variability. Grazing did not consistently influence the contribution of functional change to flux variability, but altered which environmental variable best explained year‐to‐year differences in flux–climate slopes, reduced IAV in seasonal means of fluxes, lessened the strength of flux–climate correlations, and increased NEE by reducing RE relatively more than PD. Most of these trends are consistent with the interpretation that grazing reduced the influence of plants on ecosystem fluxes. Because relationships between weekly values of fluxes and climatic regulators changed annually, year‐to‐year differences in the C balance of these ecosystems cannot be predicted from knowledge of IAV in climate alone.
Addressing the influence of instrument surface heat exchange on the measurements of CO2 flux from open‐path gas analyzers
Authors: BURBA GEORGE G. , McDERMITT DAYLE K. , GRELLE ACHIM , ANDERSON DANIEL J. , XU LIUKANG
Published: March 2008

There is a growing concern in the flux community that using the eddy covariance method with open‐path CO2 analyzers often leads to measurements of an apparent ecosystem CO2 uptake during off‐season periods, especially in cold climates. Such uptake has not been observed when measurements were made with closed‐path analyzers, chambers, or profile methods, suggesting it is an artifact due in some way to the use of open‐path analyzers. In this study, a series of laboratory tests and field experiments were conducted to determine the magnitude of the instrument surface heat exchange in the open path and its relationship with the measured CO2 flux. Results showed that (1) the surface of an open‐path instrument became substantially warmer than ambient due to electronics and radiation load during daytime, while at night, radiative cooling moderated temperature increases in the path; (2) high‐frequency temperature measurements inside the path were correlated with vertical wind speed producing sensible heat flux inside the instrument path exceeding the ambient heat flux by up to 14%; (3) enclosing the open‐path instrument eliminated the sensible heat flux in the path, and caused measured CO2 flux to match a closed‐path reference; (4) using sensible heat flux measured directly inside the open path in the WPL term instead of the ambient sensible heat flux also led to a match in CO2 flux between open‐path instrument and closed‐path reference; and (5) correcting previously collected open‐path CO2 flux data was possible by estimating the instrument heating effect with a semi‐empirical model using standard weather variables. Results showed that all proposed techniques led to a significant reduction in apparent CO2 uptake during off‐season periods and to a reduction of the underestimation of CO2 release in other periods. Close agreement between the open‐path measurements and closed‐path references was achieved in all cases.
Radioisotope synovectomy with rhenium186in haemophilic synovitis for elbows, ankles and shoulders
Authors: KAVAKLİ K. , AYDOGDU S. , TANER M. , DUMAN Y. , BALKAN C. , KARAPİNAR D. Y. , SAYDAM G. , CAPACİ K. , OKTAY A.
Published: March 2008

Summary. We have performed 221 radioisotope synovectomy (RS) in more than 150 children and young adults with haemophilia, age ranging 3–30 years (mean 15) in Ege Hemophilia Center, Izmir, Turkey for last 7 years. We always preferred to use Yttrium 90 (Y90) for knees; however, since 2005, we started using rhenium 186 (Re186) for medium‐sized joints with respect to safety. In this article, we have evaluated long‐term experience ranging from 6 months to 3 years (mean 18 months) with Re186for elbows (n = 35), ankles (n = 26) and shoulders (n = 2) in total of 63 RS procedures for 49 patients. Their age range was 3–30 years and mean age was 15.5. Two mCi of Re186intra‐articularly injected for treating target joints and chronical synovitis. After RS, joint bleedings were decreased for all patients. The best results were obtained for all joints in patients with grade‐II synovitis as like earlier experience with Y90. Excellent rates (no bleeding) were observed in grade‐II synovitis in 81% and 46% for elbows vs. 86% and 57% for ankles after 6 months and after 1 year follow‐up of patients, respectively. In grade‐III synovitis, excellent rates were 53% and 25% for elbows and 44% and 29% for ankles, respectively. In five joints for five patients, repeated injections were needed for better outcome. No adverse events such as radioisotope leakage, local inflamatory reactions or malignancy development were observed during and after RS. For medium‐sized joints, RS with Re186seems to be either effective or safe treatment method. Our results confirm those previously published by others on the value of Re186synoviorthesis in medium‐sized joints in haemophilia patients. After this experience, we changed our protocol and we use Re186for all medium‐sized joints for treating chronical synovitis.
Calcitonin receptor immunoreactivity associated with specific cell types in diseased radial and internal mammary arteries
Authors: Wookey P J , Zulli A , Buxton B F , Hare D L
Published: March 2008

Aims:  To determine and quantify calcitonin receptor (CTR) immunoreactivity associated with specific cell types within, and associated with, the endothelial layers, neo‐intima, media and vasa vasorum of diseased radial and internal mammary arteries.

Methods and results:  Immunohistochemistry and anti‐CTR antibodies were used to identify positive cells within remnants of diseased human radial (n = 3) and internal mammary arteries (n = 4) that remained after bypass surgery. Three cell types expressed CTR, including endothelial cells, fibroblast‐like cells within the neo‐intima, and cellular structures aligned with the smooth muscle cells of the media. Other smaller cells within the surrounding parenchyma of the vasa vasorum of diseased vessels and blood‐borne cells were also immunoreactive. Immunoquantification of CTR expression (Intensity × Proportional Area) in the endothelium (P < 0.05), neo‐intima (P < 0.02) and media (P < 0.03) established a significant statistical correlation (Students’ two‐tailed t‐test) with the ratio of intimal/media thickness.

Conclusions:  Increased immunoreactivity developed using anti‐CTR antibodies was associated with specific cell types in the endothelial layers, neo‐intima, media and vasa vasorum of diseased regions of radial and internal mammary arteries, in which there was an increased intimal/media ratio. Furthermore, CTR+, blood‐borne cells present in the vessels of diseased regions suggest recruitment into these surrounding tissues.
Flat adenoma–carcinoma sequence with high‐malignancy potential as demonstrated by CD10 and β‐catenin expression: a different pathway from the polypoid adenoma–carcinoma sequence
Authors: Koga Y , Yao T , Hirahashi M , Kumashiro Y , Ohji Y , Yamada T , Tanaka M , Tsuneyoshi M
Published: March 2008

Aims:  CD10+ colorectal carcinomas have a high risk of giving rise to liver metastasis. The aim was to examine phenotypic expression in colorectal neoplasia and to elucidate changes in such expression through the adenoma–carcinoma sequence.

Methods and results:  We examined the expression of various proteins immunohistochemically in 111 flat [non‐polypoid growth (NPG)] colorectal neoplasms, categorized into 28 low‐grade (NPG‐LGN), 44 high‐grades (NPG‐HGN) and 39 cases of invasive neoplasia (NPG‐IN), as well as in 96 polypoid [polypoid growth (PG)] neoplasms, categorized into 26 PG‐LGN, 39 PG‐HGN and 31 PG‐IN according to the Vienna classification. CD10 was more frequently expressed in NPG than in PG neoplasia. MUC2 and MUC5AC were more frequently expressed in PG than in NPG neoplasias. Nuclear β‐catenin was more frequently expressed in NPG‐LGN than in PG‐LGN. No difference in p53 expression was found between NPG and PG neoplasia.

Conclusions:  From the viewpoint of the expression of CD10 and β‐catenin, it would appear that NPG‐LGN differs significantly from PG‐LGN, thereby indicating that NPG‐LGN is a precursor of CD10+ carcinoma. It is important to ensure that NPG neoplasia is not overlooked if cases of CD10+ carcinoma are to be detected at an early stage.
Nodal T/NK‐cell lymphoma of nasal type: a clinicopathological study of six cases
Authors: Takahashi E , Asano N , Li C , Tanaka T , Shimada K , Shimada S , Yoshino T , Kojima M , Hara K , Eimoto T , Nakamura S
Published: March 2008

Aims:  To investigate the clinicopathological features of six unusual cases of nodal CD56+ and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)+ T/natural killer (NK)‐cell lymphoma, a putative nodal counterpart of nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma (nodal T/NK‐cell lymphoma of nasal type) in comparison with nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma with secondary lymph node involvement (n = 24) and peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) of cytotoxic molecule (CTM)+ and EBV+ type (n = 21).

Methods and results:  All cases of nodal T/NK‐cell lymphoma of nasal type exhibited diffuse infiltration of pleomorphic medium‐sized to large tumour cells, reminiscent of those in CTM+ EBV+ PTCL. The tumour cells had a typical phenotype of nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma: CD2+, CD3ε+, CD4−, CD5−, CD56+, T‐cell intracellular antigen‐1+, granzyme B+, perforin+ and EBV+. However, four of six cases demonstrated clonal T‐cell receptor γ‐gene rearrangement on polymerase chain reaction analysis, unlike nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma. Comparison of clinical parameters and overall survival among the three groups demonstrated only minor differences.

Conclusions:  Nodal T/NK‐cell lymphoma may occupy the grey zone between extranodal nasal‐type NK/T‐cell lymphoma and nodal CTM+ PTCL in a spectrum of NK to T‐cell lymphomas that are EBV+. The close relationship between NK/T‐cell lymphomas and cytotoxic T‐cell lymphomas was also substantiated.