bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic determinants of selected dietary indicators in British pre-school children
Authors: Watt Richard G , Dykes Joanna , Sheiham Aubrey
Published: June 2008

Objectives:

To assess the proportion of pre-school children meeting reference nutrient intakes (RNIs) and recommendations for daily intakes of iron, zinc, vitamins C and A, and energy from non-milk extrinsic sugars. To assess whether meeting these five dietary requirements was related to a series of socio-economic variables.

Design:

Secondary analysis of data on daily consumption of foods and drinks from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) of children aged 1.5–4.5 years based on 4-day weighed intakes.

Subjects:

One thousand six hundred and seventy-five British pre-school children aged 1.5–4.5 years in 1993.

Results:

Only 1% of children met all five RNIs/recommendations examined; 76% met only two or fewer. Very few children met the recommendations for intakes of zinc (aged over four years) and non-milk extrinsic sugars (all ages). The number of RNIs/recommendations met was related to measures of socio-economic class. Children from families in Scotland and the North of England, who had a manual head of household and whose mothers had fewest qualifications, met the least number of RNIs/recommendations.

Conclusions:

Very few pre-school children have diets that meet all the RNIs and recommendations for iron, zinc, vitamins C and A, and energy from non-milk extrinsic sugars. Dietary adequacy with respect to these five parameters is related to socio-economic factors. The findings emphasise the need for a range of public health policies that focus upon the social and economic determinants of food choice within families.
Dietary diversity score and cardiovascular risk factors in Tehranian adults
Authors: Azadbakht Leila , Mirmiran Parvin , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: June 2008

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between dietary diversity score (DDS) and cardiovascular risk factors in Tehranian adults.

Methods

In this population-based cross-sectional study, a representative sample of 581 subjects (295 males and 286 females) aged over 18 years, residents of Tehran, participated. Hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose concentration ≥ 126 mg dl−1or 2-h post challenge glucose concentration ≥ 200 mg dl−1. Hypertension was defined on the basis of the sixth report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Dietary diversity was defined according to the Diet Quality Index revised.

Results

Mean (±standard deviation) DDS was 6.15 ± 1.02. The probability of having diabetes (odds ratio (OR) among quartiles: 1.45, 1.26, 1.11 and 1.00, respectively;Pfor trend = 0.04) and hypertriglyceridaemia (OR = 1.41, 1.23, 1.05 and 1.00, respectively;Pfor trend = 0.04) decreased with increasing quartile of the diversity score for whole grains. The probability of having obesity (OR among quartiles: 1.39, 1.06, 1.03 and 1.00, respectively;Pfor trend = 0.03), hypercholesterolaemia (OR = 1.46, 1.28, 1.11 and 1.00, respectively;Pfor trend = 0.03), hypertension (OR = 1.32, 1.17, 1.13 and 1.00, respectively;Pfor trend = 0.03) and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR = 1.25, 1.12, 1.07 and 1.00, respectively;Pfor trend = 0.04) decreased with increasing quartile of the diversity score for vegetables. The probability of having hypercholesterolaemia, high LDL-C, hypertension and diabetes decreased with quartile of the DDS. But the probability of being obese increased with quartile of the DDS (Pfor trend = 0.03).

Conclusion

DDS was inversely associated with cardiovascular risk factors in this cross-sectional study. Increased diversity scores of diets, to increase the variety score for vegetables, may be emphasised in programmes attempting to bring about changes in lifestyle.
Do mothers understand healthy eating principles for low-birth-weight infants?
Authors: Morgan Jane B , Williams Peter , Foote Keith D , Marriott Lynne D
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To describe feeding patterns and mothers' perceptions of desirable feeding practices in low-birth-weight (LBW) infants after hospital discharge in England and to test for the association of inappropriate practices/perceptions with identifiable demographics.

Design

Postal questionnaires from 198 mothers of LBW infants in London, Liverpool and Winchester were analysed regarding infant demographics, mothers' demographics, infant milks used, solid feeding practices and mothers' perceptions of infant feeding practices.

Results

At birth, the median weight, independent of gestational age, was 1.80 kg (range 0.6–2.50 kg) and 37.1% of infants received breast milk exclusively; 83.7% were breast-fed at some stage, a practice favoured more by first-time mothers (90.2%) than multiparous mothers (73.4%) (P = 0.004) as well as by mothers of higher social groups (P> = 0.019). The median age of solid food introduction was 17 postnatal weeks (range 8–36 weeks); the timing correlated strongly with infant birth weight (P < 0.001). A high-fibre diet and a low-fat diet were incorrectly considered important for their infants by 67.1% and 51.6% of mothers, respectively. Regarding a high-fibre diet as important was associated with being a multiparous mother (P = 0.006), while regarding a low-fat diet as important was associated with low social group (P = 0.018). A quarter of mothers did not consider 'plenty of calories' to be important for their infants, reflecting similar attitudes in 1990 for mothers of term infants; this incorrect attitude exhibited an association with being a first-time mother (P = 0.047).

Conclusions

Infant feeding practices were very variable, showing poor concordance with national and international recommendations for term infants. In selecting foods for their infants, many mothers appeared to be applying principles more appropriate to planning a healthy diet for adults. There is an urgent need to develop and implement evidence-based guidelines for feeding LBW infants after hospital discharge, with special attention given to multiparous mothers as well as mothers from lower social groups.
The influence of age and body mass index on relative accuracy of energy intake among Japanese adults
Authors: Okubo Hitomi , Sasaki Satoshi , Hirota Naoko , Notsu Akiko , Todoriki Hidemi , Miura Ayako , Fukui Mitsuru , Date Chigusa
Published: June 2008

Objective

To examine relationships between the ratio of energy intake to basal metabolic rate (EI/BMR) and age and body mass index (BMI) among Japanese adults.

Design

Energy intake was assessed by 4-day semi-weighed diet records in each of four seasons (16 days in total). The EI/BMR ratio was calculated from reported energy intake and estimated basal metabolic rate as an indicator of reporting accuracy.

Setting

Residents in three areas in Japan, namely Osaka (urban), Nagano (rural inland) and Tottori (rural coastal).

Subjects

One hundred and eighty-three healthy Japanese men and women aged ≥30 years.

Results

The oldest age group (≥60 years) had higher EI/BMR values than the youngest age group (30–39 years) in both sexes (1.74 vs. 1.37 for men; 1.65 vs. 1.43 for women). In multiple regression analyses, age correlated positively (partial correlation coefficient, β = 0.012, P < 0.001 for men; β = 0.011, P < 0.001 for women) and BMI correlated negatively (β = −0.031, P < 0.001 for men; β = −0.025, P < 0.01 for women) with EI/BMR.

Conclusion

Age and BMI may influence the relative accuracy of energy intake among Japanese adults.
Dietary intake of vitamin B6and concentration of vitamin B6in blood samples of German vegans
Authors: Waldmann A , Dörr B , Koschizke JW , Leitzmann C , Hahn A
Published: June 2008

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the dietary vitamin B6intake and determine the vitamin B6concentration in blood samples of German vegans.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional study with 33 examination sites all over Germany.

Subjects

Ninety-three vegans (50 females) with a mean (±standard deviation (SD)) age of 43.7 ± 15.7 years who took no vitamin supplements.

Methods

Dietary intake was assed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activity coefficient (EAST-AC) was calculated as the ratio of stimulated (pyridoxal 5'-phosphate added) to unstimulated activity in blood samples that were provided after an overnight fast.

Results

Mean ± SD vitamin B6intake was 2.83 ± 0.98 mg day−1and mean ± SD protein intake was 56.6 ± 21.7 g day−1. Of the participants 4% showed vitamin B6intakes lower than daily recommended intakes for Germany, 16% showed EAST-AC > 1.85, and a further 58% showed EAST-AC of 1.5–1-85. Moderate vegans were affected to a lesser extent than strict vegans. None of the established confounders was a significant predictor of EAST-AC. In logistic regression analyses the contribution of nutriments and cereals to pyridoxine intake was the only predictor of EAST-AC classified as < 1.85 and ≥ 1.85, respectively.

Conclusions

In spite of the high total intake of vitamin B6, an adequate concentration in blood samples could not be realised for a majority of the participants. Due to the health implications of a marginal pyridoxine status, vegans should be encouraged to include foods with a high bioavailability of pyridoxine, such as beans, lentils and bananas, in the daily diet.
Associations between television viewing and consumption of commonly advertised foods among New Zealand children and young adolescents
Authors: Utter Jennifer , Scragg Robert , Schaaf David
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To explore how time spent watching television (TV) is associated with the dietary behaviours of New Zealand children and young adolescents.

Design

Secondary data analysis of a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey.

Setting

In homes or schools of New Zealand school students.

Participants

In total, 3275 children aged 5 to 14 years.

Results

The odds of being overweight or obese increased with duration of TV viewing for children and adolescents when controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status and physical activity. Children and adolescents who watched the most TV were significantly more likely to be higher consumers of foods most commonly advertised on TV: soft drinks and fruit drinks, some sweets and snacks, and some fast foods. Both children and adolescents watching two or more hours of TV a day were more than twice as likely to drink soft drinks five times a week or more (P= 0.03 andP= 0.04, respectively), eat hamburgers at least once a week (bothP= 0.02), and eat French fries at least once a week (bothP< 0.01).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that longer duration of TV watching (thus, more frequent exposure to advertising) influences the frequency of consumption of soft drinks, some sweets and snacks, and some fast foods among children and young adolescents. Efforts to curtail the amount of time children spend watching TV may result in better dietary habits and weight control for children and adolescents. Future studies examining the impact of advertising on children's diets through interventions and international comparisons of legislation would provide more definitive evidence of the role of advertising in child and adolescent obesity.
The burden of cardiovascular disease and cancer attributable to low fruit and vegetable intake in the European Union: differences between old and new Member States
Authors: Pomerleau Joceline , Lock Karen , McKee Martin
Published: June 2008

Objective

To estimate the burden of disease attributable to low fruit and vegetable intake in the 15 countries that were members of the European Union (EU) before May 2004 (EU-15) and the 10 countries that then joined it (EU-10).

Design

Data on fruit and vegetable intake, target levels of intake and estimates of relative risks, deaths and disability were combined to obtain the burden of ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke and four types of cancer (lung/bronchus/trachea, stomach, oesophagus, and colon/rectum) attributable to low fruit and vegetable consumption.

Setting

EU-15 and EU-10 Member States.

Results

The number of lives potentially saved annually from the selected outcomes if fruit and vegetable intake increased to 600 g person−1 day−1 reached 892 000 and 423 000 in the EU-15 and EU-10, respectively; total disease burden could decrease by 1.9% and 3.6%, respectively. The burden of ischaemic heart disease and stroke could be reduced by up to 17% and 10%, respectively, in the EU-15 and by 24% and 15%, respectively, in the EU-10; potential reductions for the selected cancers varied from 1% to 12% in the EU-15 and from 2% to 17% in the EU-10.

Conclusions

The potential health gain of increased fruit and vegetable intake is particularly large in the new Member States, and particularly high for cardiovascular diseases, a main cause of health divide in Europe. This stresses the need for better nutrition programmes and policies that take account of economic, social and cultural specificities.
Food variety and dietary diversity scores in children: are they good indicators of dietary adequacy?
Authors: Steyn NP , Nel JH , Nantel G , Kennedy G , Labadarios D
Published: June 2008

Objective

To assess whether a food variety score (FVS) and/or a dietary diversity score (DDS) are good indicators of nutrient adequacy of the diet of South African children.

Methods

Secondary data analyses were undertaken with nationally representative data of 1–8-year-old children (n = 2200) studied in the National Food Consumption Study in 1999. An average FVS (mean number of different food items consumed from all possible items eaten) and DDS (mean number of food groups out of nine possible groups) were calculated. A nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) is the ratio of a subject's nutrient intake to the estimated average requirement calculated using the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (2002) recommended nutrient intakes for children. The mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated as the sum of NARs for all evaluated nutrients divided by the number of nutrients evaluated, expressed as a percentage. MAR was used as a composite indicator for micronutrient adequacy. Pearson correlation coefficients between FVS, DDS and MAR were calculated and also evaluated for sensitivity and specificity, with MAR taken as the ideal standard of adequate intake. The relationships between MAR and DDS and between anthropometric Z-scores and DDS were also evaluated.

Results

The children had a mean FVS of 5.5 (standard deviation (SD) 2.5) and a mean DDS of 3.6 (SD 1.4). The mean MAR (ideal = 100%) was 50%, and was lowest (45%) in the 7–8-year-old group. The items with the highest frequency of consumption were from the cereal, roots and tuber group (99.6%), followed by the ‘other group’ (87.6%) comprising items such as tea, sugar, jam and sweets. The dairy group was consumed by 55.8%, meat group by 54.1%, fats by 38.9%, other vegetables by 30.8%, vitamin-A-rich by 23.8%, other fruit by 22%, legumes and nuts by 19.7% and eggs by 13.3%. There was a high correlation between MAR and both FVS (r = 0.726; P < 0.0001) and DDS (r = 0.657; P < 0.0001), indicating that either FVS or DDS can be used as an indicator of the micronutrient adequacy of the diet. Furthermore, MAR, DDS and FVS showed significant correlations with height-for-age and weight-for-age Z-scores, indicating a strong relationship between dietary diversity and indicators of child growth. A DDS of 4 and an FVS of 6 were shown to be the best indicators of MAR less than 50%, since they provided the best sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

Either FVS or DDS can be used as a simple and quick indicator of the micronutrient adequacy of the diet.
Nutrient profiling: comparison and critical analysis of existing systems
Authors: Azaïs-Braesco V , Goffi C , Labouze E
Published: June 2008

Background

Nutrient profiling systems aim at positioning foodstuffs relative to each other according to their contribution to a balanced diet. The accuracy and performance of methodologies are still debated. We present here a critical analysis of the structure and efficiency of the current schemes.

Methods

The literature survey detected only four systems addressing the issue on an ‘across the board’ approach and with enough detail to enable analysis. The building principles of these systems were compared and their performance was estimated via their classification of a series of 125 foodstuffs on the basis of nutritional composition. These classifications were compared with one another and with an empirical classification by expert nutritionists.

Results

All systems gave a similar overview, with fruits and vegetables ranked as the most favourable foods and fatty and sugary foods as the least favourable ones, but numerous discrepancies existed in every system, mainly related to their choice of nutrients and thresholds. The FSA scoring system seemed the most consistent approach, although it still generated some questionable rankings. Expert classification did not clearly validate any scheme, and cannot be considered as a true reference.

Conclusion

Nutrient profiling systems are confirmed to be powerful tools to translate nutritional information related to the whole diet into the level of individual foods. However, the performance of the existing schemes remains moderate. Alternative approaches, such as considering food categories or introducing more stringent validation steps by a panel of expert nutritionists, could be ways to reach more efficient and consensual tools.
Sialyltransferase ST3Gal-IV controls CXCR2-mediated firm leukocyte arrest during inflammation
Authors: Frommhold David , Ludwig Andreas , Bixel M. Gabriele , Zarbock Alexander , Babushkina Inna , Weissinger Melitta , Cauwenberghs Sandra , Ellies Lesley G. , Marth Jamey D. , Beck-Sickinger Annette G. , Sixt Michael , Lange-Sperandio Bärbel , Zernecke Alma , Brandt Ernst , Weber Christian , Vestweber Dietmar , Ley Klaus , Sperandio Markus
Published: June 2008

Recent in vitro studies have suggested a role for sialylation in chemokine receptor binding to its ligand (Bannert, N., S. Craig, M. Farzan, D. Sogah, N.V. Santo, H. Choe, and J. Sodroski. 2001. J. Exp. Med. 194:1661–1673). This prompted us to investigate chemokine-induced leukocyte adhesion in inflamed cremaster muscle venules of α2,3 sialyltransferase (ST3Gal-IV)-deficient mice. We found a marked reduction in leukocyte adhesion to inflamed microvessels upon injection of the CXCR2 ligands CXCL1 (keratinocyte-derived chemokine) or CXCL8 (interleukin 8). In addition, extravasation of ST3Gal-IV−/− neutrophils into thioglycollate-pretreated peritoneal cavities was significantly decreased. In vitro assays revealed that CXCL8 binding to isolated ST3Gal-IV−/− neutrophils was markedly impaired. Furthermore, CXCL1-mediated adhesion of ST3Gal-IV−/− leukocytes at physiological flow conditions, as well as transendothelial migration of ST3Gal-IV−/− leukocytes in response to CXCL1, was significantly reduced. In human neutrophils, enzymatic desialylation decreased binding of CXCR2 ligands to the neutrophil surface and diminished neutrophil degranulation in response to these chemokines. In addition, binding of α2,3-linked sialic acid–specific Maackia amurensis lectin II to purified CXCR2 from neuraminidase-treated CXCR2-transfected HEK293 cells was markedly impaired. Collectively, we provide substantial evidence that sialylation by ST3Gal-IV significantly contributes to CXCR2-mediated leukocyte adhesion during inflammation in vivo.
Sheepish B cells: evidence for antigen-independent antibody diversification in humans and mice
Authors: Tarlinton David
Published: June 2008

Antibody diversity is first generated by rearrangement of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes during B cell development in the bone marrow, and later by antigen-driven diversification in germinal centers (GCs). New data in humans and mice now identify specific B cell populations that may have undergone antigen-independent hypermutation outside GCs.
TheC. savignyigenetic map and its integration with the reference sequence facilitates insights into chordate genome evolution
Authors: Hill Matthew M. , Broman Karl W. , Stupka Elia , Smith William C. , Jiang Di , Sidow Arend
Published: June 2008

The urochordateCiona savignyiis an emerging model organism for the study of chordate evolution, development, and gene regulation. The extreme level of polymorphism in its population has inspired novel approaches in genome assembly, which we here continue to develop. Specifically, we present the reconstruction of all ofC. savignyi’s chromosomes via the development of a comprehensive genetic map, without a physical map intermediate. The resulting genetic map is complete, having one linkage group for each one of the 14 chromosomes. Eighty-three percent of the reference genome sequence is covered. The chromosomal reconstruction allowed us to investigate the evolution of genome structure in highly polymorphic species, by comparing the genome ofC. savignyito its divergent sister species,Ciona intestinalis. Both genomes have been extensively reshaped by intrachromosomal rearrangements. Interchromosomal changes have been extremely rare. This is in striking contrast to what has been observed in vertebrates, where interchromosomal events are commonplace. These results, when considered in light of the neutral theory, suggest fundamentally different modes of evolution of animal species with large versus small population sizes.
Effects of chronic celecoxib on testicular function in normal and lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats
Authors: Winnall Wendy R. , Muir Julie A. , Liew Seng , Hirst Jon J. , Meachem Sarah J. , Hedger Mark P.
Published: June 2008

Celecoxib (Celebrex™), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2; prostaglandin–endoperoxide synthase 2; EC 1.14.99.1), is widely used in the treatment of chronic inflammation and pain. COX‐2 is constitutively expressed in the testis, where it is responsible for prostaglandin production, so inhibition of this enzyme should have effects on testicular function. The effects of administering celecoxib (oral with feed, 0.15% w/w) for 5 weeks on normal testis function and the response to low dose (0.1 mg/kg body weight) or high dose (5.0 mg/kg) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined in adult male rats. Celecoxib caused a 60% reduction in testicular interstitial fluid (IF) prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations, accompanied by a compensatory increase in COX‐2 mRNA expression. Celecoxib increased IF volume by 30%, but had no effect on testis weight, testis morphology or serum testosterone levels. In the celecoxib‐fed rats, the dose‐dependent inhibitory effects of LPS on testis weight, IF volume and serum testosterone levels were significantly diminished. However, celecoxib had no effect on COX‐2 protein levels or LPS‐induced expression of the inflammatory mediators interleukin‐1β, tumour necrosis factor‐α or inducible nitric‐oxide synthase. A similar lack of inhibition of LPS‐induced cytokine expression by another COX‐2 inhibitor, NS‐398, was observed in vitro. These data indicate that celecoxib reduces intratesticular activity of COX‐2 (as indicated by PGE2 levels) and inhibits IF formation in the testis, but has no appreciable effect on steroidogenesis or spermatogenesis, at least in the short term. Celecoxib does not appear to alter the ability of the testis to mount an inflammatory response but opposes the deleterious effects of inflammation on IF formation and testosterone production. These results indicate significant roles for products of the COX‐2 pathway in testicular vascular control and steroidogenesis, which may have implications for men with marginal fertility taking celecoxib for extended periods, but also highlight the potential of this drug to ameliorate testicular damage caused by systemic or local inflammation.
Stabilization of membrane‐associated α‐l‐fucosidase by the human sperm equatorial segment
Authors: Venditti Jennifer J. , Bean Barry S.
Published: June 2008

Previous reports from this laboratory documented the existence of two novel isoforms of α‐l‐fucosidase in human semen and showed that membrane‐associated α‐l‐fucosidase is cryptically held within the acrosomal compartment and enriched within the sperm equatorial segment. The occurrence of these novel isoforms is provocative. Sperm proteins potentially involved in sperm–egg interactions must maintain their functional integrity as they travel through the female reproductive tract. The goal of this project was to investigate the stability of membrane‐associated α‐l‐fucosidase in human sperm. Whole seminal plasma and Percoll®purified sperm cell populations were incubated for 72 h at 37 °C, with 5% CO2 or ambient air. At various times during prolonged incubation, sperm cells were permeabilized with 0.1% Triton®X‐100 and enzyme assays using the fluorogenic substrate 4‐MU‐fuc were performed to evaluate the stability of both the seminal plasma and membrane‐associated α‐l‐fucosidase. Here, we report seminal plasma α‐l‐fucosidase activity rapidly decreased within 24 h. Conversely, α‐l‐fucosidase activity from Percoll® purified sperm cell populations persisted up to 72 h. Data from these experiments support the notions that (i) membrane‐associated α‐l‐fucosidase is stable for extended periods of time, consistent with a possible role in sperm–egg interaction and (ii) membrane domains and compartmentalization within the human sperm are key to preserving protein integrity.
Effects of dextroamphetamine, caffeine and modafinil on psychomotor vigilance test performance after 44 h of continuous wakefulness
Authors: KILLGORE WILLIAM D. S. , RUPP TRACY L. , GRUGLE NANCY L. , REICHARDT REBECCA M. , LIPIZZI ERICA L. , BALKIN THOMAS J.
Published: June 2008

Prolonged sleep loss impairs alertness, vigilance and some higher‐order cognitive and affective capacities. Some deficits can be temporarily reversed by stimulant medications including caffeine, dextroamphetamine, and modafinil. To date, only one study has directly compared the effectiveness of these three compounds and specified the doses at which all were equally effective in restoring alertness and vigilance following 64 h of wakefulness. The present study compared the effectiveness of these same three stimulants/doses following a less extreme period of sleep loss (i.e., 44 h). Fifty‐three healthy adults received a single dose of modafinil 400 mg (n = 11), dextroamphetamine 20 mg (n = 16), caffeine 600 mg (n = 12), or placebo (n = 14) after 44 h of continuous wakefulness. After 61 h of being awake, participants obtained 12 h of recovery sleep. Psychomotor vigilance was assessed bi‐hourly during waking and following recovery sleep. Relative to placebo, all three stimulants were equally effective in restoring psychomotor vigilance test speed and reducing lapses, although the duration of action was shortest for caffeine and longest for dextroamphetamine. At these doses, caffeine was associated with the highest percentage of subjectively reported side‐effects while modafinil did not differ significantly from placebo. Subsequent recovery sleep was adversely affected in the dextroamphetamine group, but none of the stimulants had deleterious effects on postrecovery performance. Decisions regarding stimulant selection should be made with consideration of how factors such as duration of action, potential side‐effects, and subsequent disruption of recovery sleep may interact with the demands of a particular operational environment.
Stereoselective biotransformation of ketamine in equine liver and lung microsomes
Authors: SCHMITZ A. , PORTIER C. J. , THORMANN W. , THEURILLAT R. , MEVISSEN M.
Published: June 2008

Stereoselectivity has to be considered for pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic features of ketamine. Stereoselective biotransformation of ketamine was investigated in equine microsomesin vitro.

Concentration curves were constructed over time, and enzyme activity was determined for different substrate concentrations using equine liver and lung microsomes. The concentrations of R/S‐ketamine and R/S‐norketamine were determined by enantioselective capillary electrophoresis. A two‐phase model based on Hill kinetics was used to analyze the biotransformation of R/S‐ketamine into R/S‐norketamine and, in a second step, into R/S‐downstream metabolites.

In liver and lung microsomes, levels of R‐ketamine exceeded those of S‐ketamine at all time points and S‐norketamine exceeded R‐norketamine at time points below the maximum concentration. In liver and lung microsomes, significant differences in the enzyme velocity (Vmax) were observed between S‐ and R‐norketamine formation and betweenVmaxof S‐norketamine formation when S‐ketamine was compared to S‐ketamine of the racemate.

Our investigations in microsomal reactionsin vitrosuggest that stereoselective ketamine biotransformation in horses occurs in the liver and the lung with a slower elimination of S‐ketamine in the presence of R‐ketamine. Scaling of thein vitroparameters to liver and lung organ clearances provided an excellent fit with previously publishedin vivodata and confirmed a lung first‐pass effect.
Female multiple mating in wild and laboratory populations of the two‐spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata
Authors: HADDRILL PENELOPE R. , SHUKER DAVID M. , AMOS WILLIAM , MAJERUS MICHAEL E. N. , MAYES SEAN
Published: June 2008

Female mating rate is an important variable for understanding the role of females in the evolution of mating systems. Polyandry influences patterns of sexual selection and has implications for sexual conflict over mating, as well as for wider issues such as patterns of gene flow and levels of genetic diversity. Despite this, remarkably few studies of insects have provided detailed estimates of polyandry in the wild. Here we combine behavioural and molecular genetic data to assess female mating frequency in wild populations of the two‐spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). We also explore patterns of sperm use in a controlled laboratory environment to examine how sperm from multiple males is used over time by females, to link mating with fertilization. We confirm that females are highly polyandrous in the wild, both in terms of population mating rates (~20% of the population found in copula at any given time) and the number of males siring offspring in a single clutch (three to four males, on average). These patterns are consistent across two study populations. Patterns of sperm use in the laboratory show that the number of mates does not exceed the number of fathers, suggesting that females have little postcopulatory influence on paternity. Instead, longer copulations result in higher paternity for males, probably due to the transfer of larger numbers of sperm in multiple spermatophores. Our results emphasize the importance of combining field and laboratory data to explore mating rates in the wild.
The history of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests in eastern South America: inferences from the genetic structure of the tree Astronium urundeuva (Anacardiaceae)
Authors: CAETANO S. , PRADO D. , PENNINGTON R. T. , BECK S. , OLIVEIRA‐FILHO A. , SPICHIGER R. , NACIRI Y.
Published: June 2008

Today, the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF) of eastern South America occur as large, well‐defined nuclei (e.g. Caatinga in the northeast) and as smaller enclaves within other vegetations (e.g. Cerrado and Chaco). In order to infer the way the present SDTF distribution was attained, the genetic structure of Astronium urundeuva, a tree confined to SDTF, was assessed using two chloroplast spacers and nine microsatellite loci. Five haplotypes were identified, whose distribution was spatially structured. The distribution of the two most common and divergent haplotypes suggested former vicariance and progressive divergence due to isolation. More recent range expansions of these two lineages subsequently occurred, leading to a secondary contact at the southern limit of the Caatinga SDTF nucleus. The multilocus‐Bayesian approach using microsatellites consistently identified three groups of populations (Northeast, Central and Southwest). Isolation by distance was found in Northeast and Southwest groups whereas admixture was detected in the Central group, located at the transition between Caatinga and Cerrado domains. All together, the results support the existence of range expansions and secondary contact in the Central group. This study provides arguments that favour the existence of a previously more continuous formation of SDTF in eastern South America.
Population transcriptomics of life‐history variation in the genusSalmo
Authors: GIGER THOMAS , EXCOFFIER LAURENT , AMSTUTZ URSULA , DAY PHILIP J. R. , CHAMPIGNEULLE ALEXIS , HANSEN MICHAEL M. , KELSO JANET , LARGIADÈR CARLO R.
Published: June 2008

In this study, we demonstrate the power of applying complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray technology to identifying candidate loci that exhibit subtle differences in expression levels associated with a complex trait in natural populations of a nonmodel organism. Using a highly replicated experimental design involving 180 cDNA microarray experiments, we measured gene‐expression levels from 1098 transcript probes in 90 individuals originating from six brown trout (Salmo trutta) and one Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population, which follow either a migratory or a sedentary life history. We identified several candidate genes associated with preparatory adaptations to different life histories in salmonids, including genes encoding for transaldolase 1, constitutive heat‐shock protein HSC70‐1 and endozepine. Some of these genes clustered into functional groups, providing insight into the physiological pathways potentially involved in the expression of life‐history related phenotypic differences. Such differences included the down‐regulation of genes involved in the respiratory system of future migratory individuals. In addition, we used linear discriminant analysis to identify a set of 12 genes that correctly classified immature individuals as migratory or sedentary with high accuracy. Using the expression levels of these 12 genes, 17 out of 18 individuals used for cross‐validation were correctly assigned to their respective life‐history phenotype. Finally, we found various candidate genes associated with physiological changes that are likely to be involved in preadaptations to seawater in anadromous populations of the genusSalmo, one of which was identified to encode for nucleophosmin 1. Our findings thus provide new molecular insights into salmonid life‐history variation, opening new perspectives in the study of this complex trait.
Transgenic salt‐tolerant sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) constitutively expressing an Arabidopsis thaliana vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter gene, AtNHX3, accumulates more soluble sugar but less salt in storage roots
Authors: LIU HUA , WANG QIUQING , YU MENGMENG , ZHANG YANYAN , WU YINGBAO , ZHANG HONGXIA
Published: June 2008

In Arabidopsis thaliana, six vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporters (AtNHX1‐6) were identified. Among them, AtNHX1, 2 and 5 are functional Na+/H+ antiporters with the most abundant expression levels in seedling shoots and roots. However, the expression of AtNHX3 in Arabidopsis can only be detected by RT‐PCR, and its physiological function still remains unclear. In this work, we demonstrate that constitutive expression of AtNHX3 in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) conferred augmented resistance to high salinity on transgenic plants. In the presence of 300 or 500 mm NaCl, transgenic plants showed very high potassium accumulation in the roots and storage roots. Furthermore, the transcripts of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS) and cell wall sucrose invertase (SI) genes were maintained in transgenic plants. The accumulation of soluble sugar in the storage roots of transgenic plants grown under high salt stress condition was also higher. Our results implicate that AtNHX3 is also a functional antiporter responsible for salt tolerance by mediating K+/H+ exchange in higher plants. The salt accumulation in leaves but not in the storage roots, and the increased yield of storage roots with enhanced constituent soluble sugar contents under salt stress condition demonstrate a great potential use of this gene in improving the quality and yield of crop plants.
Drought‐induced changes in anthesis‐silking interval are related to silk expansion: a spatio‐temporal growth analysis in maize plants subjected to soil water deficit
Authors: FUAD‐HASSAN AVAN , TARDIEU FRANÇOIS , TURC OLIVIER
Published: June 2008

The growth and emergence of maize silks has a considerable importance in yield determination under drought conditions. Spatial and temporal patterns of the rates of tissue expansion and of cell division were characterized in silks of plants subjected to different soil water potentials. In all cases, silk development consisted of four phases: (1) cell division and tissue expansion occurred together uniformly all along the silk; (2) cell division progressively ceased from tip to base, while expansion remained spatially uniform including during the phase (3) after the cessation of cell division; and (4) as the silk emerged from the husks, expansion ceased in the emerged portion, probably because of direct evaporative demand, while the relative growth rate progressively decreased in the enclosed part. The rates of tissue expansion and cell division were reduced with water deficit, resulting in delayed silk emergence. The duration of cell division was not affected, and in all cases, the end of cell division in the silk coincided with anther dehiscence. The duration of phase 3, between the end of cell division and the arrest of cell growth in silk apex, considerably increased with water deficit. It corresponded to the anthesis‐silking interval used by breeders to characterize the response of cultivars to stress.
Rhododendron catawbiense plasma membrane intrinsic proteins are aquaporins, and their over‐expression compromises constitutive freezing tolerance and cold acclimation ability of transgenic Arabidopsis plants
Authors: PENG YANHUI , ARORA RAJEEV , LI GUOWEI , WANG XIANG , FESSEHAIE ANANIA
Published: June 2008

Extracellular freezing results in cellular dehydration caused by water efflux, which is likely regulated by aquaporins (AQPs). In a seasonal cold acclimation (CA) study of Rhododendron catawbiense, two AQP cDNAs, RcPIP2;1 and RcPIP2;2, were down‐regulated as the leaf freezing tolerance (FT) increased from −7 to ∼−50 °C. We hypothesized this down‐regulation to be an adaptive component of CA process allowing cells to resist freeze‐induced dehydration. Here, we characterize full‐length cDNAs of the two Rhododendron PIPs, and demonstrate that RcPIP2s have water channel activity. Moreover, RcPIP2s were over‐expressed in Arabidopsis, and FT of transgenic plants was compared with that of wild‐type (WT) controls. Data indicated a significantly lower constitutive FT and CA ability of RcPIP2‐OXP plants (compared with WT) due, presumably, to their lower ability to resist freeze desiccation. A relatively higher dehydration rate of RcPIP2‐OXP leaves (than WT) supports this notion. Phenotypic and microscopic observations revealed bigger leaf size and mesophyll cells of RcPIP2‐OXP plants than WT. It is proposed that lower FT of transgenic plants may be associated with their leaf cells' propensity to greater mechanical stress, that is, volume strain per unit surface, during freeze–thaw‐induced contraction or expansion. Additionally, greater freeze injury in RcPIP2‐OXP plants could also be attributed to their susceptibility to potentially faster rehydration (than WT) during a thaw.
Dietary β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate supplementation influences performance differently after immunization in broiler chickens
Authors: Buyse J. , Swennen Q. , Vandemaele F. , Klasing K. C. , Niewold T. A. , Baumgartner M. , Goddeeris B. M.
Published: June 2008

Dietary addition of the leucine metabolite β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) promotes growth in various species. In addition, HMB is described to enhance immune responses which might be associated with metabolic costs. We elaborated further on the role of HMB in growth, metabolism and immunity of meat‐type chickens using the following parameters: zootechnical performance, blood chemistry and a specific immune responses after immunization with a human serum albumin (HSA)/Freund’s (in) complete adjuvant combination. The chickens received commercial feeds either unsupplemented or supplemented with 300 mg HMB/kg feed. β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate‐supplemented chickens were significantly heavier at 2 weeks of age but this difference was attenuated at later ages. Compared with their unsupplemented controls, cumulative feed conversion was significantly lower in HMB‐supplemented chickens. There were no differences in blood chemistry between both dietary treatments. After immunization, HMB significantly attenuated the acute phase protein response at day 1 of post‐immunization compared with that of their unsupplemented counterparts. After day 7 post‐immunization, body weight gain of the immuno‐challenged HMB‐supplemented chickens was significantly depressed, but their specific anti‐HSA IgG response was significantly enhanced compared with that of their immuno‐challenged unsupplemented counterparts. The underlying mechanisms and signalling pathways for these phenomena need to be elucidated. Nevertheless, we are able to conclude that HMB is beneficial for performance under normal circumstances. On the other hand, HMB stimulates the immune response after an immunological challenge, though at the cost of reduced growth.
Population Structure and Genetic Diversity within Peach latent mosaic viroid Field Isolates from Peach Showing three Symptoms
Authors: Xu W. , Hong N. , Wang G. , Fan X.
Published: June 2008

To gain insight into the molecular basis of field isolates inducing the symptoms of leaf yellowing, discolouration along leaf sides and leaf mosaic, six isolates from peach showing the three different symptoms in the field were studied by single‐strand conformation polymorphism analysis and nucleotide sequence analysis. Results revealed that each Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) isolate is composed of a population of genetically related variants (haplotypes), one being predominant with frequencies from 32% to 57%, and most of others having a low frequency of 4–5%. Each predominant haplotype was sequenced, as well as some non‐predominant haplotypes selected randomly for comparative purposes. In each isolate, sequence alignment among the predominant and non‐predominant haplotypes demonstrated that the predominant haplotype had the least variation with others among them, and its sequence was identical to the consensus sequence, which inflected that the predominant haplotype displayed a wide representative of sequence for others in a PLMVd isolate. The similarities and genetic distance between the predominant sequences from peach showing the same symptoms were higher and smaller, respectively, than that with different symptoms; they were more than 98.8% and <1%, respectively, between the predominant sequences with same symptomatic source, and were <98.5% and more than 1%, respectively, between the predominant sequences with different symptomatic source. Some particular variations were indicated for these isolates, and it revealed that the isolates with the symptom of discolouration along leaf sides on their source peach trees had a G or U in position 169 nt, and the isolates with the symptom of leaf yellowing had U and C in 115 and 116 nt, respectively, and the isolates with the symptom of leaf mosaic showed diversity at (3 nt: delete C; 5 nt: A and 54 nt: U).
A Simple Method for the Assessment of Crown Rot Disease Severity in Wheat Seedlings Inoculated with Fusarium pseudograminearum
Authors: Li Xiangmin , Liu Chunji , Chakraborty Sukumar , Manners John M. , Kazan Kemal
Published: June 2008

Crown rot caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum (teleomorph: Gibberella coronicola) is a serious disease of wheat. A simple and reliable method for assessing this disease would enhance our capacity in identifying resistance sources and developing resistant wheat cultivars. In searching for such a method, several inoculation techniques were tested. One technique, soaking 1‐ to 4‐day old seedlings in fungal spore suspension, produced consistent and severe crown rot symptoms. Glasshouse testing of several wheat genotypes using this method produced results that agreed well with previously established field ratings for crown rot disease, suggesting that this assay can be conveniently employed for screening of wheat genotypes for crown rot resistance.
Sun and landscape orientation in adult and juvenile sandhoppers Orchestoidea tuberculata (Amphipoda, Talitridae) from two beaches in south central Chile
Authors: Scapini Felicita , Dugan Jenifer
Published: June 2008

The behaviour of a talitrid amphipod, Orchestoidea tuberculata Nicolet 1849, was investigated for populations inhabiting two exposed sandy beaches in south central Chile to evaluate orientation capabilities with respect to sun azimuthal changes and landscape. The study beaches (Calfuco and La Misión) were backed by high cliffs but differed in shoreline orientation. Under test conditions of dry substrate, both populations oriented seawards using celestial cues when landscape vision was screened off and showed a higher concentration seawards when they could see the landscape suggesting additive effects of these cues. The absence of a phototactic response to the sun implies the involvement of an inner circadian clock, as the experiments were conducted at different times of the day. The distribution of juveniles was more concentrated than adults in the trials, a result in accordance with their tendency to occupy a zone located closer to the water than adults. Our results suggest that the Calfuco population was oriented to its shoreline, while animals at La Misión tended to deviate from the expected direction and their distribution was more scattered. This observed difference between the populations may be related to the higher human impact on the latter beach, which was more intensively used for recreation and periodically cleaned, removing the wrack. The comparison of results on orientation of O. tuberculata with those of different sandhopper species contributes new phylogenetic insight concerning this important adaptation. This study not only represents an extension of contemporary knowledge of behavioural adaptations of beach amphipods to coasts differing geographically and ecologically, but also analyses orientation in a southern Pacific species of talitrid amphipod for the first time.
Sandy beach ecosystems: key features, sampling issues, management challenges and climate change impacts
Authors: Schlacher Thomas A. , Schoeman Dave S. , Dugan Jenifer , Lastra Mariano , Jones Alan , Scapini Felicita , McLachlan Anton
Published: June 2008

Escalating pressures caused by the combined effects of population growth, demographic shifts, economic development and global climate change pose unprecedented threats to sandy beach ecosystems worldwide. Conservation of beaches as functional ecosystems and protection of their unique biodiversity requires management interventions that not only mitigate threats to physical properties of sandy shores, but also include ecological dimensions. Yet, beach management remains overwhelmingly focused on engineering interventions. Here we summarise the key outcomes of several workshops, held during the 2006 Sandy Beach Ecology Symposium in Vigo, Spain, that addressed issues of climate change, beach management and sampling methodology. Because efficient communication between managers and ecologists is critical, we summarise the salient features of sandy beaches as functional ecosystems in 50 ‘key statements’; these provide a succinct synopsis of the main structural and functional characteristics of these highly dynamic systems. Key outcomes of the workshops include a set of recommendations on designs and methods for sampling the benthic infaunal communities of beaches, the identification of the main ecological effects caused by direct and indirect human interventions, the predicted consequence of climate change for beach ecosystems, and priority areas for future research.