bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF)‐1 and ‐2 protein and gene expression in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Sanaie Ali‐Reza , Firth James D. , Uitto Veli‐Jukka , Putnins Edward E.
Published: July 2009

The onset and progression of jreiodontal disease is associated with significant changes in the epithelial component of the attachment complex. From the early to the advanced stages of jreiodontal disease increased epithelial cell proliferation, migration and invasion into the surrounding connective tissue takes place. Concomitantly there is a significant increase in proinflammatory cytokine expression in jreiodontal tissue and quantitative and qualitative changes in the subgingival microflora, including an increase in gram‐negative microorganisms. One of the most significant virulence factors of these bacteria is lipopolysaccharide (LPS) connected to the outer membrane. Two important growth factors controlling epithelial behavior are Keratinocyte Growth Factor‐1 (KGF‐1) and ‐2 (KGF‐2). Connective tissue cells express these growth factors, but only epithelial cells respond to them. We studied the effect of proinflammatory cytokines and LPS on gingival fibroblast expression of KGF‐1 and KGF‐2 in vitro. Gingival fibroblasts were found to express KGF‐1 and ‐2 in culture but only KGF‐1 protein and gene expression was stimulated by serum, in a concentration‐dependent manner by proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1α, IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL‐6 and LPS isolated from Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli. The local increase in proinflammatory cytokine expression and the accumulation of LPS in disease sites may therefore stimulate gingival fibroblast expression of KGF‐1. We hypothesize that this local increase in KGF‐1 expression may, via a paracrine mechanism, stimulate local epithelial cell proliferation, migration and invasion during the onset and progression of jreiodontitis.
A functional antagonism between the pgc germline repressor and torso in the development of somatic cells
Authors: de las Heras José Manuel , Martinho Rui Gonçalo , Lehmann Ruth , Casanova Jordi
Published: July 2009

Segregation of the germline is a fundamental event during early development. In Drosophila, germ cells are specified at the posterior pole of the embryo by the germplasm. As zygotic expression is activated, germ cells remain transcriptionally silent owing to the polar granule component (Pgc), a small peptide present in germ cells. Somatic cells at both the embryonic ends are specified by the torso (Tor) receptor tyrosine kinase, and in tor mutants the somatic cells closer to the germ cells fail to cellularize correctly. Here, we show that extra wild‐type gene copies of pgc cause a similar cellularization phenotype, and that both excessive pgc and a lack of tor are associated with an impairment of transcription in somatic cells. Moreover, a lack of pgc partly ameliorates the cellularization defect of tor mutants, thus revealing a functional antagonism between pgc and tor in the specification of germline and somatic properties. As transcriptional quiescence is a general feature of germ cells, similar mechanisms might operate in many organisms to ‘protect’ somatic cells that adjoin germ cells from inappropriately succumbing to such quiescence.
The SCAR and WASp nucleation‐promoting factors act sequentially to mediate Drosophila myoblast fusion
Authors: Gildor Boaz , Massarwa R'ada , Shilo Ben‐Zion , Schejter Eyal D
Published: July 2009

The actin nucleation‐promoting factors SCAR/WAVE and WASp, together with associated elements, mediate the formation of muscle fibres through myoblast fusion during Drosophila embryogenesis. Our phenotypic analysis, following the disruption of these two pathways, suggests that they function in a sequential manner. Suppressor of cyclic AMP receptor (SCAR) activity is required before the formation of pores in the membranes of fusing cells, whereas Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) promotes the expansion of nascent pores and completion of the fusion process. Genetic epistasis experiments are consistent with this step‐wise temporal progression. Our observations further imply a separate, Rac‐dependent role for the SCAR complex in promoting myoblast migration. In keeping with the sequential utilization of the two systems, we observe abnormal accumulations of filamentous actin at the fusion sites when both pathways are disrupted, resembling those present when only SCAR‐complex function is impaired. This observation further suggests that actin‐filament accumulation at the fusion sites might not depend on Arp2/3 activity altogether.
Fifty years of Anderson localization
Authors: Lagendijk Ad , Tiggelen Bart van , Wiersma Diederik S.
Published: July 2009

What began as a prediction about electron diffusion has spawned a rich variety of theories and experiments on the nature of the metal–insulator transition and the behavior of waves—from electromagnetic to seismic—in complex materials.
A comprehensive picture of phloem loading strategies
Authors: Rennie Emilie A. , Turgeon Robert
Published: July 2009

Mechanisms of phloem loading in the minor veins of leaves are known for only a few species. We propose that there are a limited number of loading strategies for the primary photoassimilates, sucrose and sugar alcohols. These strategies can be predicted based on thermodynamic and anatomical considerations and identified by autoradiography of veins following uptake of
14
C-labeled compounds, analysis of leaf solute composition and concentrations, and plasmodesmatal counting. Experiments on 45 dicotyledonous species identified the predicted loading patterns. Over 50-fold differences in concentrations of sucrose and sugar alcohols in leaves were measured. The cumulative concentrations of transport compounds in leaves correlated with loading mechanisms, a previously unrecognized association. Comparisons of solute concentrations and osmotic potentials of whole leaves suggest that sucrose and sugar alcohols are more concentrated in the cytosol than in the vacuoles of mesophyll cells, thus increasing the driving force for passive loading in species that employ this strategy. Passive loading is more widespread than previously thought, especially in trees. The results indicate that plants have exploited all thermodynamically feasible and structurally compatible loading strategies and that these strategies can be identified with straightforward protocols.
Accumulation of ubiquitin conjugates in a polyglutamine disease model occurs without global ubiquitin/proteasome system impairment
Authors: Maynard Christa J. , Böttcher Claudia , Ortega Zaira , Smith Ruben , Florea Bogdan I. , Díaz-Hernández Miguel , Brundin Patrik , Overkleeft Hermen S. , Li Jia-Yi , Lucas Jose J. , Dantuma Nico P.
Published: July 2009

Aggregation-prone proteins have been suggested to overwhelm and impair the ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) in polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders, such as Huntington's disease (HD). Overexpression of an N-terminal fragment of mutant huntingtin (N-mutHtt), an aggregation-prone polyQ protein responsible for HD, obstructs the UPS in cellular models. Furthermore, based on the accumulation of polyubiquitin conjugates in brains of R6/2 mice, which express human N-mutHtt and are one of the most severe polyQ disorder models, it has been proposed that UPS dysfunction is a consistent feature of this pathology, occurring in both in vitro and in vivo models. Here, we have exploited transgenic mice that ubiquitously express a ubiquitin fusion degradation proteasome substrate to directly assess the functionality of the UPS in R6/2 mice or the slower onset R6/1 mice. Although expression of N-mutHtt caused a general inhibition of the UPS in PC12 cells, we did not observe an increase in the levels of proteasome reporter substrate in the brains of R6/2 and R6/1 mice. We show that the increase in ubiquitin conjugates in R6/2 mice can be primarily attributed to an accumulation of large ubiquitin conjugates that are different from the conjugates observed upon UPS inhibition. Together our data show that polyubiquitylated proteins accumulate in R6/2 brain despite a largely operative UPS, and suggest that neurons are able to avoid or compensate for the inhibitory effects of N-mutHtt.
Essential role of platelet-activating factor receptor in the pathogenesis of Dengue virus infection
Authors: Souza Danielle G. , Fagundes Caio T. , Sousa Lirlandia P. , Amaral Flavio A. , Souza Rafael S. , Souza Adriano L. , Kroon Erna G. , Sachs Daniela , Cunha Fernando Q. , Bukin Eugenij , Atrasheuskaya Alena , Ignatyev George , Teixeira Mauro M.
Published: July 2009

Severe dengue infection in humans causes a disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, increased levels of cytokines, increased vascular permeability, hemorrhage, and shock. Treatment is supportive. Activation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor (PAFR) on endothelial cells and leukocytes induces increase in vascular permeability, hypotension, and production of cytokines. We hypothesized that activation of PAFR could account for the major systemic manifestations of dengue infection. Inoculation of adult mice with an adapted strain of Dengue virus caused a systemic disease, with several features of the infection in humans. In PAFR−/−mice, there was decreased thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, decreased systemic levels of cytokines, and delay of lethality, when compared with WT infected mice. Treatment with UK-74,505, an orally active PAFR antagonist, prevented the above-mentioned manifestations, as well as hypotension and increased vascular permeability, and decreased lethality, even when started 5 days after virus inoculation. Similar results were obtained with a distinct PAFR antagonist, PCA-4246. Despite decreased disease manifestation, viral loads were similar (PAFR−/−) or lower (PAFR antagonist) than in WT mice. Thus, activation of PAFR plays a major role in the pathogenesis of experimental dengue infection, and its blockade prevents more severe disease manifestation after infection with no increase in systemic viral titers, suggesting that there is no interference in the ability of the murine host to deal with the infection. PAFR antagonists are disease-modifying agents in experimental dengue infection.
Pancreatic islet amyloidosis, β-cell apoptosis, and α-cell proliferation are determinants of islet remodeling in type-2 diabetic baboons
Authors: Guardado-Mendoza Rodolfo , Davalli Alberto M. , Chavez Alberto O. , Hubbard Gene B. , Dick Edward J. , Majluf-Cruz Abraham , Tene-Perez Carlos E. , Goldschmidt Lukasz , Hart John , Perego Carla , Comuzzie Anthony G. , Tejero Maria Elizabeth , Finzi Giovanna , Placidi Claudia , La Rosa Stefano , Capella Carlo , Halff Glenn , Gastaldelli Amalia , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Folli Franco
Published: July 2009

β-Cell dysfunction is an important factor in the development of hyperglycemia of type-2 diabetes mellitus, and pancreatic islet amyloidosis (IA) has been postulated to be one of the main contributors to impaired insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of IA with metabolic parameters and its effect on islets of Langerhans remodeling and relative endocrine-cell volume in baboons. We sequenced the amylin peptide, determined the fibrillogenic propensities, and evaluated pancreatic histology, clinical and biochemical characteristics, and endocrine cell proliferation and apoptosis in 150 baboons with different metabolic status. Amylin sequence in the baboon was 92% similar to humans and showed superimposable fibrillogenic propensities. IA severity correlated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (
r
= 0.662,
P
< 0.001) and HbA1c (
r
= 0.726,
P
< 0.001), as well as with free fatty acid, glucagon values, decreased homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance, and HOMA-B. IA severity was associated with a decreased relative β-cell volume, and increased relative α-cell volume and hyperglucagonemia. These results strongly support the concept that IA and β-cell apoptosis in concert with α-cell proliferation and hypertrophy are key determinants of islets of Langerhans “dysfunctional remodeling” and hyperglycemia in the baboon, a nonhuman primate model of type-2 diabetes mellitus. The most important determinants of IA were age and FPG (
R
2
= 0.519,
P
< 0.0001), and different FPG levels were sensitive and specific to predict IA severity. Finally, a predictive model for islet amyloid severity was generated with age and FPG as required variables.
Theoretical analysis of apical bonding in copper(II) chelates with amino acids
Authors: Miličević Ante , Raos Nenad
Published: July 2009

The interdependence between the side of apical coordination (H2O, >C=O, dimethyl sulfoxide and Cl−) and steric crowding at the apical positions was investigated for a set of 20 copper(II) bis complexes with naturally occurring amino acids. As a measure of steric crowding the overlapping volumes,V*, were used, calculated by the modified overlapping spheres method. It was found that the apically coordinated side of a complex is more hindered by the side-chain atoms. In addition, if both sides are apically coordinated, the apical bond is shorter at the more crowded side. The interdependence between the length of the apical bond and distortion of the coordination polyhedron was also studied. The apical bond length shows sigmoidal dependence on the magnitude of distortion, and is also dependent on the kind of distortion (square-pyramidal or tetrahedral).
Handling cell-parameter errors in crystallographic data
Authors: Haestier James
Published: July 2009

A new method is presented for handling errors on crystallographic data. In single-crystal diffraction experiments, two variance–covariance matrices are present, one for the cell parameters and the second for the refined parameters (atomic coordinates and anisotropic displacement parameters). These two matrices can be combined so that errors on derived parameters, such as bond distances, bond angles and TLS tensors, may be calculated more simply. The new method works for all space groups but there are limitations on its application to triclinic space groups. The method allows errors to be transformed between space groups.
Characterization of image plates for neutron diffraction
Authors: Wilkinson Clive , Lehmann Mogens S. , Meilleur Flora , Blakeley Matthew P. , Myles Dean A. A. , Vogelmeier Stefan , Thoms Michael , Walsh Michael , McIntyre Garry J.
Published: July 2009

A method to measure the overall gain and point-spread function of an image-plate detector system (converter, phosphor, readout electronics) online from single-crystal diffraction patterns is derived. Only with a knowledge of these quantities can one estimate without bias the true standard deviations of the observed integrated intensities of Bragg reflections measured with such a detector. The gain corrected for the point-spread function should ideally be approximately 1.0 to avoid loss of data or precision due to the upper and lower limits of digitization of the diffraction patterns. The gain and the point-spread function are derived for several configurations of the three neutron Laue image-plate diffractometers, LADI, VIVALDI and LADI-III, at the Institut Laue–Langevin. The detective quantum efficiencies (DQE) of these instruments have been measured to be 0.16 (1), 0.57 (2) and 0.46 (3), respectively. It has also been found that the DQE is effectively constant for different times of exposure, despite the fading of the photostimulated luminescent signal during that time. While the results described in this paper concern neutron detection by image plates, the method is equally valid for other integrating detectors and radiations,e.g.CCD detectors and X-rays.
Genetic risk factors of thrombosis in the antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Castro‐Marrero Jesús , Balada Eva , Vilardell‐Tarrés Miquel , Ordi‐Ros Josep
Published: July 2009

The possibility of a genetic predisposition to develop antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to produce anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant has been addressed by family studies and population studies. Various studies suggest a familial occurrence of anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant, with or without clinical evidence of APS. This familial tendency could be genetically determined. Multiple human leucocyte antigen‐DR or ‐DQ associations with antiphospholipid antibodies have been described. Genetic studies of a representative antigen, beta2‐glycoprotein‐I (β2GPI), have been carried‐out and a particular valine247/leucine polymorphism could be a genetic risk for presenting anti‐β2GPI antibodies and APS. Many other thrombosis‐related genetic factors have been investigated in APS, but no additional risk for thrombosis has been indicated in affected patients. Although the mechanisms and pathophysiology of thrombosis in APS are highly heterogeneous and multifactorial, different genes and acquired factors seem to be involved. In this review, we will focus on those genetic variants that could contribute to the development of thrombosis in APS.
Alpine biogeography of Parnassian butterflies during Quaternary climate cycles in North America
Authors: SCHOVILLE SEAN D. , RODERICK GEORGE K.
Published: July 2009

Growth of alpine glaciers during the Pleistocene had profound effects on montane landscapes in North America and the organisms now inhabiting alpine ecosystems. Biogeography of this region has often been viewed as a system of sky islands despite the fact that species richness patterns deviate from a strict island biogeographic model. One explanation is that alpine species are not in equilibrium because of late Quaternary geographic range shifts. Genetic data can provide evidence of nonequilibrium dynamics and the distributional shifts that occur during glaciation events in alpine landscapes. Using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data, we examine the evolutionary history of butterflies in the Parnassius phoebus complex. We test explicit, alternative models of the biogeographic history of Parnassius smintheus and Parnassius behrii, including an equilibrium island model, ancestral radiation and fragmentation, an expanding alpine archipelago and an alpine archipelago refuge model. Our results support the alpine archipelago refuge model, in which alpine butterflies undergo population contraction during glacial climates followed by population expansion during interglacial phases. While butterflies can disperse between distant mountain ranges during glacial periods, gene flow is rare. We find evidence of recent connectivity between California and Colorado, population expansion events following deglaciation ∼20 000 years B.P., and small population sizes during the last glacial period. An analysis of lineage splitting suggests that morphological differences in P. smintheus and P. behrii are the result of late Pleistocene divergence (∼48 000 years B.P.) with limited gene flow. Our results demonstrate that spatially complex and nonequilibrium population dynamics influence alpine diversity patterns.
Signatures of vicariance, postglacial dispersal and spawning philopatry: population genetics of the walleyeSander vitreus
Authors: STEPIEN C. A. , MURPHY D. J. , LOHNER R. N. , SEPULVEDA‐VILLET O. J. , HAPONSKI A. E.
Published: July 2009

Population genetic relationships reveal the signatures of current processes such as reproductive behaviour and migration, as well as historic events including vicariance and climate change. We analyse population structure of native walleyeSander vitreusacross North America, encompassing 10 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci, 26 spawning sites and 921 samples from watersheds across the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, upper Mississippi River, Ohio River and Mobile Bay of the Gulf Coast. Geographical patterning is assessed using phylogenetic trees, pairwiseFSTanalogues, hierarchical partitioning, Mantel regression, Bayesian assignment and Monmonier geographical networks. Results reveal congruent divergences among population groups, corresponding to historic isolation in glacial refugia, dispersal patterns and basin divisions. Broad‐scale relationships show genetic isolation with geographical distance, but reproductive groups within basins do not – with some having pronounced differences. Greatest divergence distinguishes outlying Gulf Coastal and northwest populations, the latter tracing to dispersal from the Missourian refugium to former glacial Lake Agassiz, and basin isolation ∼7000 ya. Genetic barriers in the Great Lakes separate groups in Lakes Superior, Huron’s Georgian Bay, Erie and Ontario, reflecting contributions from Mississippian and Atlantic refugia, and changes in connectivity patterns. Walleye genetic patterns thus reflect vicariance among watersheds and glacial refugia, followed by re‐colonization pathways and changing drainage connections that established modern‐day northern populations, whose separations are maintained through spawning site fidelity. Conservation management practices should preserve genetic identity and unique characters among these divergent walleye populations.
Lineage diversification in a widespread species: roles for niche divergence and conservatism in the common kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula
Authors: ALEXANDER PYRON R. , BURBRINK FRANK T.
Published: July 2009

Niche conservatism and niche divergence are both important ecological mechanisms associated with promoting allopatric speciation across geographical barriers. However, the potential for variable responses in widely distributed organisms has not been fully investigated. For allopatric sister lineages, three patterns for the interaction of ecological niche preference and geographical barriers are possible: (i) niche conservatism at a physical barrier; (ii) niche divergence at a physical barrier; and (iii) niche divergence in the absence of a physical barrier. We test for the presence of these patterns in a transcontinentally distributed snake species, the common kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula), to determine the relative frequency of niche conservatism or divergence in a single species complex inhabiting multiple distinct ecoregions. We infer the phylogeographic structure of the kingsnake using a range‐wide data set sampled for the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. We use coalescent simulation methods to test for the presence of structured lineage formation vs. fragmentation of a widespread ancestor. Finally, we use statistical techniques for creating and evaluating ecological niche models to test for conservatism of ecological niche preferences. Significant geographical structure is present in the kingsnake, for which coalescent tests indicate structured population division. Surprisingly, we find evidence for all three patterns of conservatism and divergence. This suggests that ecological niche preferences may be labile on recent phylogenetic timescales, and that lineage formation in widespread species can result from an interaction between inertial tendencies of niche conservatism and natural selection on populations in ecologically divergent habitats.
Landscape discontinuities influence gene flow and genetic structure in a large, vagile Australian mammal,Macropus fuliginosus
Authors: NEAVES LINDA E. , ZENGER KYALL R. , PRINCE ROBERT I. T. , ELDRIDGE MARK D. B. , COOPER DESMOND W.
Published: July 2009

Large vagile mammals typically exhibit little genetic structuring across their range, particularly when their habitat is essentially continuous. We investigated the population genetic structure of a large vagile Australian macropodid,Macropus fuliginosus,which is continuously distributed across most of southern Australia, using nine highly polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci. Five distinct genetic units were identified across the range, four on the mainland and one on Kangaroo Island. In addition to the predicted historic Nullarbor Plain Barrier, two unexpected mainland barriers to gene flow were identified. Both were associated with landscape discontinuities (Swan River, Flinders Ranges), which appear within the dispersal capabilities ofM. fuliginosus.Typical of large vagile mammals,M. fuliginosusdisplays high genetic diversity (with the exception of an insular population) and weak genetic structuring (within genetic units). However, the expansion ofM. fuliginosusfrom southwestern Australia during the Pleistocene has resulted in significantly reduced genetic diversity in eastern populations. No significant sex‐biased dispersal was detected, although differences in habitat, densities and climatic conditions between the eastern and western regions of the range appear to influence dispersal with the effects of isolation by distance only evident in the west. These results suggest that the biogeography of southern Australia is more complex than previously thought and reveal that seemingly minor landscape features can significantly impact genetic structuring in large vagile mammals.
Application of cryopreserved vein grafts as a conduit between the coronary vein and liver graft to reconstruct portal flow in adult living liver transplantation
Authors: Wu Tsung‐Han , Chou Hong‐Shiue , Pan Kuang‐Tse , Lee Ching‐Song , Wu Ting‐Jun , Chu Sung‐Yu , Chen Miin‐Fu , Lee Wei‐Chen
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  Adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation is an alternative to donation from a deceased individual, and can help relieve the shortage of liver donations available for adult patients in Asian countries. When transplant candidates have thrombosis and deterioration of the portal vein, living donor liver transplantation is relatively contraindicated because portal veins in the grafts are short and vein grafts may not be available to reconstruct the portal vein. From June 2003 to May 2007, 82 adult living donor liver transplantations were performed at Chang‐Gung Memorial Hospital. Three patients had portal vein thrombosis and marked fibrosis of the portal vein and cryopreserved vein grafts were used to reconstruct portal flow from the engorged coronary vein to the graft portal vein. All vein grafts are patent and all patients have normal liver function at 21–36 months after transplantation. When cryopreserved vein grafts are available, adult living donor liver transplantation can be successfully performed in patients with marked deterioration of the portal vein. The short distance from the engorged coronary vein to the graft portal vein may decrease the incidence of re‐thrombosis of the venous conduit.
Endovascular treatment of supra‐celiac aortic pseudoaneurysms following liver transplantation
Authors: Heidenhain Christoph , Werk Michael , Gebauer Bernhard , Gerlach Undine , Puhl Gero , Neuhaus Peter , Heise Michael
Published: July 2009

Heidenhain C, Werk M, Gebauer B, Gerlach U, Puhl G, Neuhaus P, Heise M. Endovascular treatment of supra‐celiac aortic pseudoaneurysms following liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01046.x © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  The development of supra‐celiac pseudoaneurysms following aorto‐hepatic reconstruction during liver transplantation represents a major and surgically challenging complication. However, the use of endovascular stent grafts for the exclusion of aortic aneurysms is now a standard procedure with low morbidity and mortality. We demonstrate the successful endovascular repair of three cases of supra‐celiac pseudoaneurysms, which developed after liver transplantation. A 40‐yr‐old woman, a 61‐yr‐old man, and a 45‐yr‐old woman underwent liver transplantation for end‐stage liver disease. Between three months and five yr after the transplantation the patients developed large supra‐celiac pseudoaneurysms leading to thrombosis of the hepatic artery and biliary complications. The stent graft implantation was uneventful, one endoleak Type I occluded spontaneously. There were no intervention‐related complications. Unfortunately, one patient died one month after the procedure due to progressive liver failure and one died after five months due to multiple organ failure. One patient is still alive and in good condition.
Procalcitonin as a prognostic factor in severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: RAMMAERT Blandine , VERDIER Nicolas , CAVESTRI Béatrice , NSEIR Saad
Published: July 2009

Background and objective:  Little is known about the value of procalcitonin in predicting mortality in patients with an exacerbation of COPD. This study evaluated the clinical and biological predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with a severe acute exacerbation of COPD.

Methods:  A prospective observational cohort study was conducted of consecutive patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. At ICU admission, data were collected on the patients' clinical condition, blood leukocyte count, C‐reactive protein and procalcitonin. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the risk factors for ICU mortality.

Results:  One hundred and sixteen patients were included in this study. Mean age was 67 years. The mean simplified acute physiology score was 43. Sixty‐five per cent of study patients had chronic respiratory insufficiency. Bacteria were cultured at levels considered significant in 36% of study patients. Logistic organ dysfunction score (hazard ratio (95% CI) = 1.19 (1.03–1.37), P = 0.013), rapidly fatal underlying disease (3.33 (1.40–7.87), P = 0.003) and procalcitonin level (1.01 (1–1.03), P = 0.018) were independently associated with increased risk for ICU mortality. Non‐invasive mechanical ventilation use before intubation was independently associated with reduced risk for ICU mortality (0.34 (0.14–0.84), P = 0.020).

Conclusions:  In patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation, logistic organ dysfunction score, rapidly fatal underlying disease and procalcitonin are independently associated with increased risk for ICU mortality. Non‐invasive mechanical ventilation use before intubation was independently associated with reduced risk for ICU mortality.
VegTrack: A structured vegetation restoration activity database
Authors: Zerger Andre , Freudenberger David , Thackway Richard , Wall Damian , Cawsey Margaret
Published: July 2009

Summary  Information about on‐ground vegetation restoration activities (e.g. fencing and revegetation) is critical if natural resource management (NRM) groups are to monitor progress towards restoration targets, assess the efficacy of their interventions and adaptively learn from different actions. However, in Australia, there are few practical guidelines for recording data, making it difficult to consistently compare actions between sites and through time. Records of primary information are particularly important given the ongoing national investment in vegetation restoration activities. With the aid of six‐case study areas in different landscapes, robust guidelines and tools were developed and incorporated into VegTrack, a methodology, which allows groups to develop their own vegetation restoration activity database. VegTrack differentiates spatial data from attribute data storing each in different databases (a GIS and a relational database management system respectively). We describe the process which enables NRM groups to develop their own database, and provide a Microsoft Access 2003 version of VegTrack to allow NRM groups to commence activity recording. To demonstrate the utility of the VegTrack method in different situations and to encourage consistency across study areas, we describe the application of the guidelines for several scenarios including riparian revegetation, corridors disrupted by roads and infill plantings.
Fast oscillations in cortical‐striatal networks switch frequency following rewarding events and stimulant drugs
Authors: Berke J. D.
Published: July 2009

Oscillations may organize communication between components of large‐scale brain networks. Although gamma‐band oscillations have been repeatedly observed in cortical‐basal ganglia circuits, their functional roles are not yet clear. Here I show that, in behaving rats, distinct frequencies of ventral striatal local field potential oscillations show coherence with different cortical inputs. The ∼50 Hz gamma oscillations that normally predominate in awake ventral striatum are coherent with piriform cortex, whereas ∼80–100 Hz high‐gamma oscillations are coherent with frontal cortex. Within striatum, entrainment to gamma rhythms is selective to fast‐spiking interneurons, with distinct fast‐spiking interneuron populations entrained to different gamma frequencies. Administration of the psychomotor stimulant amphetamine or the dopamine agonist apomorphine causes a prolonged decrease in ∼50 Hz power and increase in ∼80–100 Hz power. The same frequency switch is observed for shorter epochs spontaneously in awake, undrugged animals and is consistently provoked for < 1 s following reward receipt. Individual striatal neurons can participate in these brief high‐gamma bursts with, or without, substantial changes in firing rate. Switching between discrete oscillatory states may allow different modes of information processing during decision‐making and reinforcement‐based learning, and may also be an important systems‐level process by which stimulant drugs affect cognition and behavior.
Behavioural and neurobiological effects of colostrum ingestion in the newborn lamb associated with filial bonding
Authors: Val‐Laillet David , Meurisse Maryse , Tillet Yves , Nowak Raymond
Published: July 2009

In sheep, the onset of filial bonding relies on early intake of colostrum. The aim of our work was to describe in the newborn lamb housed with its mother the immediate post‐ingestive effects of colostrum intake, in terms of behaviour and brain activity. In Experiment 1, lambs received five nasogastric infusions of colostrum, or saline, or sham intubations during the first 6 h after birth. Mother–young interactions were recorded before and after the first, third and fifth infusions. The activity of the dam and of the young, which diminished over time in all groups, was temporarily increased in both partners just after each intubation procedure. The number of high‐pitched bleats was significantly lower in lambs that received colostrum than in the sham group, suggesting soothing or satiating properties of colostrum. In Experiment 2, newborn lambs received a single nasogastric infusion of colostrum or saline 4.5 h after birth, or were sham intubated. Neuronal activation was investigated 1.5 h later for maximum c‐Fos activity. Infusion of colostrum and saline induced different patterns of c‐Fos‐like immunoreactivity in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus as compared with the sham group. A specific oxytocinergic/vasopressinergic (OT/VSP) cell population in the paraventricular nucleus was activated following colostrum and saline infusion, but not sham intubation. Only colostrum induced the activation of the cortical amygdala and insular cortex, two structures involved in learning, associative processes, reward and emotion. We hypothesize that filial bonding may be triggered through colostrum‐rewarded learning/calming processes and that the OT/VSP system may play a role.
Diversity of urea‐degrading microorganisms in open‐ocean and estuarine planktonic communities
Authors: Collier Jackie L. , Baker Kristopher M. , Bell Sheryl L.
Published: July 2009

Urea is an important and dynamic natural component of marine nitrogen cycling and also a major contributor to anthropogenic eutrophication of coastal ecosystems, yet little is known about the identities or diversity of ureolytic marine microorganisms. Primers targeting the gene encoding urease were used to PCR‐amplify, clone and sequence 709 urease gene fragments from 31 plankton samples collected at both estuarine and open‐ocean locations. Two hundred and eighty‐six amplicons belonged to 22 distinct sequence types that were closely enough related to named organisms to be identified, and included urease sequences both from typical marine planktonic organisms and from bacteria usually associated with terrestrial habitats. The remaining 423 amplicons were not closely enough related to named organisms to be identified, and belonged to 96 distinct sequence types of which 43 types were found in two or more different samples. The distributions of unidentified urease sequence types suggested that some represented truly marine microorganisms while others reflected terrestrial inputs to low‐salinity estuarine areas. The urease primers revealed this great diversity of ureolytic organisms because they were able to amplify many previously unknown, environmentally relevant urease genes, and they will support new approaches for exploring the role of urea in marine ecosystems.
The seasonal structure of microbial communities in the Western English Channel
Authors: Gilbert Jack A. , Field Dawn , Swift Paul , Newbold Lindsay , Oliver Anna , Smyth Tim , Somerfield Paul J. , Huse Sue , Joint Ian
Published: July 2009

Very few marine microbial communities are well characterized even with the weight of research effort presently devoted to it. Only a small proportion of this effort has been aimed at investigating temporal community structure. Here we present the first report of the application of high‐throughput pyrosequencing to investigate intra‐annual bacterial community structure. Microbial diversity was determined for 12 time points at the surface of the L4 sampling site in the Western English Channel. This was performed over 11 months during 2007. A total of 182 560 sequences from the V6 hyper‐variable region of the small‐subunit ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA) were obtained; there were between 11 327 and 17 339 reads per sample. Approximately 7000 genera were identified, with one in every 25 reads being attributed to a new genus; yet this level of sampling far from exhausted the total diversity present at any one time point. The total data set contained 17 673 unique sequences. Only 93 (0.5%) were found at all time points, yet these few lineages comprised 50% of the total reads sequenced. The most abundant phylum was Proteobacteria (50% of all sequenced reads), while the SAR11 clade comprised 21% of the ubiquitous reads and ∼12% of the total sequenced reads. In contrast, 78% of all operational taxonomic units were only found at one time point and 67% were only found once, evidence of a large and transient rare assemblage. This time series shows evidence of seasonally structured community diversity. There is also evidence for seasonal succession, primarily reflecting changes among dominant taxa. These changes in structure were significantly correlated to a combination of temperature, phosphate and silicate concentrations.
Genomic analysis of multiple Roseophage SIO1 strains
Authors: Angly Florent , Youle Merry , Nosrat Bahador , Srinagesh Shailaja , Rodriguez‐Brito Beltran , McNairnie Patrick , Deyanat‐Yazdi Gordafaried , Breitbart Mya , Rohwer Forest
Published: July 2009

Roseophage SIO1 is a lytic marine phage that infects Roseobacter SIO67, a member of the Roseobacter clade of near‐shore alphaproteobacteria. Roseophage SIO1 was first isolated in 1989 and sequenced in 2000. We have re‐sequenced and re‐annotated the original isolate. Our current annotation could only assign functions to seven additional open reading frames, indicating that, despite the advances in bioinformatics tools and increased genomic resources, we are still far from being able to translate phage genomic sequences into biological functions. In 2001, we isolated four new strains of Roseophage SIO1 from California near‐shore locations. The genomes of all four were sequenced and compared against the original Roseophage SIO1 isolated in 1989. A high degree of conservation was evident across all five genomes; comparisons at the nucleotide level yielded an average 97% identity. The observed differences were clustered in protein‐encoding regions and were mostly synonymous. The one strain that was found to possess an expanded host range also showed notable changes in putative tail protein‐coding regions. Despite the possibly rapid evolution of phage and the mostly uncharacterized diversity found in viral metagenomic data sets, these findings indicate that viral genomes such as the genome of SIO1‐like Roseophages can be stably maintained over ecologically significant time and distance (i.e. over a decade and ∼50 km).
High prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in urban Latin America: the CARMELA Study
Authors: Escobedo J. , Buitrón L. V. , Velasco M. F. , Ramírez J. C. , Hernández R. , Macchia A. , Pellegrini F. , Schargrodsky H. , Boissonnet C. , Champagne B. M. ,   on behalf of the CARMELA Study Investigators
Published: July 2009

Aims  Cardiovascular risk is increased with glucose metabolism abnormalities. Prevalence data can support public health initiatives required to address this risk. The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and related risk factors in seven urban Latin American populations.

Methods  CARMELA was a cross‐sectional, population‐based study of 11 550 adults 25–64 years of age. With a multi‐stage sample design of a probabilistic nature, approximately 1600 subjects were randomly selected in each city.

Results  Overall, the prevalence of diabetes was 7.0% (95% confidence intervals 6.5–7.6%). The prevalence of individuals with diabetes or impaired fasting glucose increased with increasing age. In the oldest age category, 55–64 years of age, prevalence of diabetes ranged from 9 to 22% and prevalence of impaired fasting glucose ranged from 3 to 6%. Only 16.3% of people with prior diagnosis of diabetes and who were receiving pharmacologic treatment, were in good glycaemic control (fasting glucose < 6.1 mmol/l). The prevalence of diabetes in individuals with abdominal obesity was approximately twofold higher. Participants with hypertension, elevated serum triglycerides and increased common carotid artery intima‐media thickness were also more likely to have diabetes.

Conclusions  The prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose is high in seven major Latin American cities; intervention is needed to avoid substantial medical and socio‐economic consequences. CARMELA supports the associations of abdominal obesity, hypertension, elevated serum triglycerides and carotid intima‐media thickness with diabetes.
Hub‐and‐spoke model for a 5‐day structured patient education programme for people with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Rogers H. , Turner E. , Thompson G. , Hopkins D. , Amiel S. A.
Published: July 2009

Aims  Structured education programmes for people with Type 1 diabetes can deliver improved diabetes control (including reduced severe hypoglycaemia) and quality of life. They can be cost‐effective but are resource intensive. We tested the ability to deliver an evidence‐based 5‐day programme in diabetes centres too small to deliver the courses.

Methods  Specialist medical and nursing staff from three district general hospital diabetes services (the ‘spokes’) were trained in all aspects of the education programme, except those directly related to course delivery, by a larger centre (the ‘hub’). The hub staff delivered the 5‐day patient education courses, but all other patient education and management was managed locally. Diabetes control and quality of life were assessed at 1 year post‐course.

Results  In 63 patients with follow‐up data, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) fell by 0.42 ± 1.0% (P = 0.001), with a greater fall in those with high HbA1c at baseline, and no mean weight gain. Emergency call‐out for severe hypoglycaemia fell from 10 episodes in seven patients the year before to one episode in one patient (P = 0.03). Quality‐of‐life measures improved, with reduced negative impact of diabetes on diabetes‐related quality of life (P < 0.00004) and ‘present quality of life’ improving (P < 0.001).

Conclusions  The benefits of a 5‐day structured education programme can be provided to patients with Type 1 diabetes attending centres without the resources to provide the teaching course itself, by a ‘hub‐and‐spoke’ methodology.
Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Esposito K. , Maiorino M. I. , Di Palo C. , Giugliano D. ,   for the Campanian Postprandial Hyperglycemia Study Group
Published: July 2009

Aims  Mediterranean‐type diets reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Whether a Mediterranean‐type diet improves glycaemic control in diabetes remains unknown.

Methods  We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis in 901 outpatients with Type 2 diabetes attending diabetes clinics located in Campania County, South Italy. We explored the relation between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), measured centrally, self‐measured pre‐ and postprandial glucose levels and consumption of a Mediterranean‐type diet. Adherence to a Mediterranean‐type diet was assessed by a 9‐point scale that incorporated the salient characteristics of this diet (range of scores, 0–9, with higher scores indicating greater adherence). The study was conducted from 2001 to 2007.

Results  Diabetic patients with the highest scores (6–9) had lower body mass index and waist circumferences, a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and lower HbA1c and post‐meal glucose levels than diabetic patients with the lowest scores (0–3). In multivariate analysis, mean HbA1c and 2‐h post‐meal glucose concentrations were significantly lower in diabetic patients with high adherence to a Mediterranean‐type diet than those with low adherence [difference: HbA1c 0.9%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.5–1.2%, P < 0.001; 2‐h glucose 2.2 mmol/l, 95% CI 0.8–2.9 mmol/l, P < 0.001].

Conclusions  In Type 2 diabetes, greater adherence to a Mediterranean‐type diet is associated with lower HbA1c and postprandial glucose levels.
Randomized trial of custom orthoses and footwear on foot pain and plantar pressure in diabetic peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Burns J. , Wegener C. , Begg L. , Vicaretti M. , Fletcher J.
Published: July 2009

Aim  Custom‐made foot orthoses reduce plantar pressure, ulceration and amputation in patients with diabetes mellitus. There is limited evidence of their effect on foot pain. In a randomized, single‐blind, sham‐controlled trial, the efficacy of custom orthoses on foot pain and plantar pressure in diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease was investigated.

Methods  Sixty‐one participants were randomly assigned to either custom foot orthoses (n = 30) or sham insoles (n = 31). Both groups also received standardized walking footwear. Outcomes included foot pain and function, mean pressure, toe‐brachial index, average daily steps, disability, comfort, quality of life, adherence and adverse events. A multivariate predictive model was constructed to explore factors contributing to pain relief during the trial.

Results  At 8 weeks, 95% of participants provided follow‐up data, adherence was high and there were few adverse events. Foot pain and function scores significantly improved at 8 weeks with both custom orthoses and the sham, but there was no significant difference between groups. Custom orthoses reduced pressure significantly more than the sham. There were no significant differences between groups for toe‐brachial index, daily steps, disability, comfort or quality of life. Regression modelling identified inappropriate pre‐trial footwear as the strongest predictor of foot pain relief during the trial.

Conclusions  Custom foot orthoses significantly reduced plantar pressure compared with the sham, but there were no significant differences between groups for pain or function. The high‐quality walking footwear provided to both groups may explain this finding. Footwear should have greater emphasis as the clinical intervention.