bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Report of Xanthomonas hortorum pv. hederae Causing Bacterial Leaf Spot of Hedera hibernica in Slovenia
Authors: Pirc M. , Dreo T. , Šuštaršič M. , Erjavec J. , Ravnikar M.
Published: September 2011

In October 2008, water-soaked spots, each 5 to 10 mm in diameter and surrounded by a pale green halo, were observed on leaves of a single Atlantic ivy plant (Hedera hibernica Kirchn.) out of 89 plants imported from the European Union into a commercial greenhouse in Slovenia. Leaves were surface disinfected, and spots were cut and suspended in 10 mM phosphate buffered saline. From this extract, yellow-pigmented, Xanthomonas-like bacterial colonies were isolated onto nutrient agar, and two colonies (NIB Z 1310 and NIB Z 1312) were each identified as a Xanthomonas sp. based on biochemical tests (oxidase negative; positive for hydrolysis of H2S, starch, and tributyrin; and positive for acid production from sucrose). Both isolates caused a hypersensitive reaction (1) on leaves of tomato cv. Moneymaker. A repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence (REP)-PCR assay using the BOXA1R primer (3) resulted in highly similar DNA fragment banding patterns (Pearson's correlation: 95% identity) between the two isolates (NIB Z 1310 and NIB Z 1312) and the type strain of Xanthomonas hortorum pv. hederae CFBP 4925 (ICMP 453). Partial sequences of the gyrB gene (DNA gyrase, subunit B) (2) from isolates NIB Z 1310 (Accession No. JF794785; 599 bp) and NIB Z 1312 (Accession No. JF794784; 544 bp), showed identical sequences (100% identity with 100% coverage) to type strain ICMP 453 (Accession No. EU498975.1). The pathogenicity of the two isolates from H. hibernica was confirmed on three plants of H. helix ‘Evita’ (each 6 months old) for each isolate. Plants were sprayed on the abaxial and adaxial side of leaves with 10 ml of a 48-h suspension of the appropriate isolate with approximately 106 CFU/ml (1), covered individually with plastic bags for 24 h, and incubated under high relative humidity (>80%) with 16 h of daylight at 25°C by day and 20°C by night. Three positive and three negative control plants were inoculated with the type strain of X. hortorum pv. hederae CFBP 4925 and 0.01 M magnesium sulfate buffer, respectively. After 21 days, water-soaked spots with a pale green halo were observed on all plants inoculated with the bacterial strains, including the positive control plants. Colonies isolated from these lesions were identical in morphology and BOX-PCR DNA fragment banding patterns to the original isolates. Negative control plants did not develop symptoms, and colonies similar to X. hortorum pv. hederae were not isolated from these plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of X. hortorum pv. hederae on H. hibernica in greenhouse production in Slovenia. If the disease spreads, it could reduce quality and marketability of this popular ground cover plant.

References: (1) Z. Klement et al. Inoculation of Plant Tissues. In: Methods in Phytobacteriology. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1990. (2) N. Parkinson et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:264, 2009. (3) J. Versalovic et al. Methods Mol. Cell Biol. 5:25, 1994.
Efficacy and Application Strategies for Propiconazole as a New Postharvest Fungicide for Managing Sour Rot and Green Mold of Citrus Fruit
Authors: McKay A. H. , Förster H. , Adaskaveg J. E.
Published: September 2011

Few postharvest treatments are available for managing sour rot of citrus caused by Galactomyces citri-aurantii and they are generally not very effective. The demethylation-inhibiting (DMI) triazole fungicides propiconazole and cyproconazole were found to be highly effective and more efficacious than other DMIs evaluated, such as metconazole and tebuconazole, in reducing postharvest sour rot of citrus. Additional studies were conducted with propiconazole as a postharvest treatment because it has favorable toxicological characteristics for food crop registration in the United States and the registrant supports a worldwide registration. Regression and covariance analyses were performed to determine optimal time of application after inoculation and fungicide rate. In laboratory studies, decay incidence increased when propiconazole applications were delayed from 8 to 24 h (lemon) or 18 to 42 h (grapefruit) after inoculation. Effective rates of the fungicide were 64 to 512 μg/ml and were dependent on inoculum concentration of the sour rot pathogen and on the type of citrus fruit. Propiconazole was found to be compatible with sodium hypochlorite at 100 μg/ml and 1 to 3% sodium bicarbonate without loss of efficacy for decay control on lemon. The addition of hydrogen peroxide/peroxyacetic acid at 80 μg/ml slightly decreased the effectiveness of propiconazole. Heated (48°C) solutions of propiconazole did not significantly improve the efficacy compared with solutions at 22°C. In experimental packing-line studies, aqueous in-line drenches applied alone or followed by applications of the fungicide in storage or packing fruit coatings were highly effective, reducing sour rot to between 0 and 1.2% compared with 83.8% decay incidence in the control when treatments were made up to 16 h after inoculation. When the fungicide was applied in either fruit coating, decay was only reduced to 49.1 to 57.1% incidence. Tank mixtures of propiconazole with the citrus postharvest fungicides fludioxonil and azoxystrobin were highly effective in reducing green mold caused by isolates of Penicillium digitatum sensitive or moderately resistant to imazalil and sour rot. Propiconazole will be an important postharvest fungicide for managing sour rot of citrus and potentially can be integrated into current management practices to reduce postharvest crop losses caused by DMI-sensitive isolates of P. digitatum.
Template analysis of a nonlinear dynamo
Authors: Moroz Irene M.
Published: September 2011

In this paper, we extend our previous template analysis of a self-exciting Faraday disc dynamo with a linear series motor to the case of a nonlinear series motor. This introduces two additional nonlinear symmetry-breaking terms into the governing dynamo equations. We investigate the consequences for the identification of a possible template on which the unstable periodic orbits (UPOs) lie. By computing Gauss linking numbers between pairs of UPOs, we show that their values are not incompatible with those for a template for the Lorenz attractor for its classic parameter values.
Cretaceous origin and repeated tertiary diversification of the redefined butterflies
Authors: Heikkilä Maria , Kaila Lauri , Mutanen Marko , Peña Carlos , Wahlberg Niklas
Published: September 2011

Although the taxonomy of theca18 000 species of butterflies and skippers is well known, the family-level relationships are still debated. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the superfamilies Papilionoidea, Hesperioidea and Hedyloidea to date based on morphological and molecular data. We reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships using parsimony and Bayesian approaches. We estimated times and rates of diversification along lineages in order to reconstruct their evolutionary history. Our results suggest that the butterflies, as traditionally understood, are paraphyletic, with Papilionidae being the sister-group to Hesperioidea, Hedyloidea and all other butterflies. Hence, the families in the current three superfamilies should be placed in a single superfamily Papilionoidea. In addition, we find that Hedylidae is sister to Hesperiidae, and this novel relationship is supported by two morphological characters. The families diverged in the Early Cretaceous but diversified after the Cretaceous–Palaeogene event. The diversification of butterflies is characterized by a slow speciation rate in the lineage leading toBaronia brevicornis, a period of stasis by the skippers after divergence and a burst of diversification in the lineages leading to Nymphalidae, Riodinidae and Lycaenidae.
The validity and value of inclusive fitness theory
Authors: Bourke Andrew F. G.
Published: September 2011

Social evolution is a central topic in evolutionary biology, with the evolution of eusociality (societies with altruistic, non-reproductive helpers) representing a long-standing evolutionary conundrum. Recent critiques have questioned the validity of the leading theory for explaining social evolution and eusociality, namely inclusive fitness (kin selection) theory. I review recent and past literature to argue that these critiques do not succeed. Inclusive fitness theory has added fundamental insights to natural selection theory. These are the realization that selection on a gene for social behaviour depends on its effects on co-bearers, the explanation of social behaviours as unalike as altruism and selfishness using the same underlying parameters, and the explanation of within-group conflict in terms of non-coinciding inclusive fitness optima. A proposed alternative theory for eusocial evolution assumes mistakenly that workers' interests are subordinate to the queen's, contains no new elements and fails to make novel predictions. The haplodiploidy hypothesis has yet to be rigorously tested and positive relatedness within diploid eusocial societies supports inclusive fitness theory. The theory has made unique, falsifiable predictions that have been confirmed, and its evidence base is extensive and robust. Hence, inclusive fitness theory deserves to keep its position as the leading theory for social evolution.
Mutualism breakdown in breadfruit domestication
Authors: Xing Xiaoke , Koch Alexander M. , Jones A. Maxwell P. , Ragone Diane , Murch Susan , Hart Miranda M.
Published: September 2011

During the process of plant domestication, below-ground communities are rarely considered. Some studies have attempted to understand the changes in root symbionts owing to domestication, but little is known about how it influences mycorrhizal response in domesticated crops. We hypothesized that selection for above-ground traits may also result in decreased mycorrhizal abundance in roots. Breadfruit (Artocarpussp.) has a long domestication history, with a strong geographical movement of cultivars from west to east across the Melanesian and Polynesian islands. Our results clearly show a decrease in arbuscular mycorrhizas (AMs) along a domestication gradient from wild to recently derived cultivars. We showed that the vesicular and arbuscular colonization rate decreased significantly in more recently derived breadfruit cultivars. In addition, molecular analyses of breadfruit roots indicated that AM fungal species richness also responded along the domestication gradient. These results suggest that human-driven selection for plant cultivars can have unintended effects on below-ground mutualists, with potential impacts on the stress tolerance of crops and long-term food security.
Transitional forms between the three domains of life and evolutionary implications
Authors: Reynaud Emmanuel G. , Devos Damien P.
Published: September 2011

The question as to the origin and relationship between the three domains of life is lodged in a phylogenetic impasse. The dominant paradigm is to see the three domains as separated. However, the recently characterized bacterial species have suggested continuity between the three domains. Here, we review the evidence in support of this hypothesis and evaluate the implications for and against the models of the origin of the three domains of life. The existence of intermediate steps between the three domains discards the need for fusion to explain eukaryogenesis and suggests that the last universal common ancestor was complex. We propose a scenario in which the ancestor of the current bacterial Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobiae and Chlamydiae superphylum was related to the last archaeal and eukaryotic common ancestor, thus providing a way out of the phylogenetic impasse.
The chemical origins of life and its early evolution: an introduction
Authors: Lilley David M. J. , Sutherland John
Published: September 2011

Can we look at contemporary biology and couple this with chemical insight to propose some plausible mechanisms for the origin of life on the planet? In what follows, we examine some promising chemical reactions by which the building blocks for nucleic acids might have been created about a billion years after the Earth formed. This could have led to self-assembling systems that were based on an all-RNA metabolism, where RNA is both catalytic and informational. We consider the breadth of RNA enzymes presently existing in biology, and to what extent these might have covered a wider range of chemistry in the RNA world. Ultimately, the RNA world would probably have given way to protein-based life quite quickly, and the origins of peptidyl transferase activity are discussed below.
Evolutionary divergence of intrinsic and trans-regulated nucleosome positioning sequences reveals plastic rules for chromatin organization
Authors: Tsankov Alex , Yanagisawa Yoshimi , Rhind Nicholas , Regev Aviv , Rando Oliver J.
Published: September 2011

The packaging of eukaryotic genomes into nuclesomes plays critical roles in chromatin organization and gene regulation. Studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicate that nucleosome occupancy is partially encoded by intrinsic antinucleosomal DNA sequences, such as poly(A) sequences, as well as by binding sites for trans-acting factors that can evict nucleosomes, such as Reb1 and the Rsc3/30 complex. Here, we use genome-wide nucleosome occupancy maps in 13 Ascomycota fungi to discover large-scale evolutionary reprogramming of both intrinsic and trans determinants of chromatin structure. We find that poly(G)s act as intrinsic antinucleosomal sequences, comparable to the known function of poly(A)s, but that the abundance of poly(G)s has diverged greatly between species, obscuring their antinucleosomal effect in low-poly(G) species such as S. cerevisiae. We also develop a computational method that uses nucleosome occupancy maps for discovering trans-acting general regulatory factor (GRF) binding sites. Our approach reveals that the specific sequences bound by GRFs have diverged substantially across evolution, corresponding to a number of major evolutionary transitions in the repertoire of GRFs. We experimentally validate a proposed evolutionary transition from Cbf1 as a major GRF in pre-whole-genome duplication (WGD) yeasts to Reb1 in post-WGD yeasts. We further show that the mating type switch-activating protein Sap1 is a GRF in S. pombe, demonstrating the general applicability of our approach. Our results reveal that the underlying mechanisms that determine in vivo chromatin organization have diverged and that comparative genomics can help discover new determinants of chromatin organization.
Function and Evolution of a MicroRNA That Regulates a Ca2+-ATPase and Triggers the Formation of Phased Small Interfering RNAs in Tomato Reproductive Growth
Authors: Wang Ying , Itaya Asuka , Zhong Xuehua , Wu Yang , Zhang Jianfeng , van der Knaap Esther , Olmstead Richard , Qi Yijun , Ding Biao
Published: September 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate a wide variety of biological processes in most eukaryotes. We investigated the function and evolution of miR4376 in the family Solanaceae. We report that the 22-nucleotide miR4376 regulates the expression of an autoinhibited Ca2+-ATPase, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) ACA10, which plays a critical role in tomato reproductive growth. Deep phylogenetic mapping suggested (1) an evolution course of MIR4376 loci and posttranscriptional processing of pre-miR4376 as a likely limiting step for the evolution of miR4376, (2) an independent phylogenetic origin of the miR4376 target site in ACA10 homologs, and (3) alternative splicing as a possible mechanism of eliminating such a target in some ACA10 homologs. Furthermore, miR4376 triggers the formation of phased small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) from Sl ACA10 and its Solanum tuberosum homolog. Together, our data provide experimental evidence of miRNA-regulated expression of universally important Ca2+-ATPases. The miR4376-regulated expression of ACA10 itself, and possibly also the associated formation of phased siRNAs, may function as a novel layer of molecular mechanisms underlying tomato reproductive growth. Finally, our data suggest that the stochastic emergence of a miRNA-target gene combination involves multiple molecular events at the genomic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels that may vary drastically in even closely related species.
Anti‐helminth‐induced changes in the prevalence of entodiniomorphid ciliates in semi‐captive chimpanzees
Authors: Vincent Obanda , Stephen Chege , Patrick Chiyo
Published: September 2011

Ciliates are some of the most abundant gut fauna in wild chimpanzees. However, their presence in captive populations is usually low presumably due to anti‐helmintic prophylaxis or feeding on low fibre diet. We studied a semi‐captive colony of chimpanzees at the Sweetwaters Sanctuary in Kenya subject to routine prophylactic dose of albendazole to clear chimpanzees of parasitic helminths. Fresh faecal samples from known individuals were collected before and subsequently after prophylaxis. The samples were fixed in 10% formalin and examined by the sedimentation method. Troglodytella abrassarti had 42.5% prevalence whereas other ciliates had 65% prevalence. The prevalence of the T. abrassarti and other ciliates significantly declined immediately after prophylaxis and then rose slowly thereafter. Our results suggest that ciliates are susceptible to anti‐helmintic prophylaxis and that treatment may eliminate ciliates or inhibit their proliferation within the host subsequently lowering their prevalence in the population. Variation in prevalence was not influenced by the age of the host. However, a steady recovery of ciliate prevalence was lower for male compared to female hosts. Our results imply that the intervals between prophylactic regimes could be prolonged differently for males and females to increase the prevalence of ciliates in captive populations.
Barriers to collaboration on behalf of children with challenging behaviours: a large qualitative study of five constituent groups
Authors: McLean Sara
Published: September 2011

Inter‐agency collaboration is seen as an effective way to support children and families with multiple and complex needs. Children in out‐of‐home care, especially those exhibiting challenging and disruptive behaviour, often require the services of multiple agencies. Ninety‐two South Australian stakeholders experienced in supporting children in out‐of‐home care were interviewed about their experience of collaborative practice, using the specific example of supporting children with extremely challenging behaviour. Participants were teachers, foster parents, child welfare workers, child mental health professionals and residential care workers. Thematic analysis revealed several tensions inherent in such collaboration. Results are discussed in terms of their unique implications for managing challenging behaviour, and suggestions are made for improving collaborative approaches to behaviour and multi‐agency practice.
Ant body posture: gaster curling increases ant speed
Authors: AMADOR‐VARGAS SABRINA , MARTÍNEZ JUAN ANDRÉS , GIRALDO‐BELTRÁN PAOLA , GONZÁLEZ ROSA MARÍA , RIFKIN SETH , GAMARRA‐TOLEDO VICTOR
Published: September 2011

1. Body postures adopted by an animal can serve behavioural functions, homeostasis, or energy balance.

2. We investigated the function of holding the gaster curled forward under the thorax in acacia ants, Pseudomyrmex spinicola Emery, by testing whether ants adopted this posture for defence, thermoregulation, or for efficient locomotion.

3. For the defence hypothesis, we expected an increase in the proportion of ants with curled gasters after a visual threat, a vibrational disturbance of a branch, or the release of nestmate's alarm pheromones. Our data did not support these predictions.

4. For the thermoregulation hypothesis, we found a positive correlation between temperature and proportion of curled‐gaster ants. However, we did not find a reduction in the proportion of curled‐gaster ants after shading them, as predicted by this hypothesis.

5. Our data supported the locomotion hypothesis: curled‐gaster ants walked 1 cm s−1 faster than ants with the gaster held straight. Straight‐gaster ants walked with the thorax closer to the surface, a posture that likely shifts the centre of gravity closer to the surface in a manner similar to gaster curling.

6. Studying the role of the body posture in acacia ants and other insects will provide a better understanding of the kinematics of walking in challenging angles with respect to gravity.
Normalized downward continuation of potential fields within the quasi‐harmonic region
Authors: Fedi Maurizio , Florio Giovanni
Published: September 2011

Downward continuation is a useful transformation, mainly used to enhance measured gravity or magnetic field anomalies. It is known to be an unstable transformation that should be strictly used only in the harmonic region, apparently preventing any meaningful application to continuations inside the source volume. Despite these well‐known theoretical and practical limitations it has been used to recover source parameters by different methods, here referred to as normalized full gradient methods. Such methods show that downward continuation may be extended to the source volume, which is assumed to contain one‐point, isolated singularities, which is a quasi‐harmonic region. We modify the normalized full gradient method focusing our attention to the way the downward continuation is normalized. Differently from normalized full gradient methods, we study the effect of the normalization not only on the analytical signal modulus of the downward continued field but also on the downward continuation of the gravity or magnetic fields themselves. With our method, called normalized downward continuation, several statistically meaningful normalizations are considered, some of them yielding improved, more resolved depth estimations for synthetic as well as measured total‐field anomalies. From a statistical point of view, the downward continued field tends to have right‐skewed histograms at shallow depths, while becoming symmetrically distributed at greater depths. This occurs because, as the depth of continuation increases, the intrinsic error propagation of the downward continuation allows the error to dominate with respect to the source‐related signal. For non‐isolated anomalies, consistent results are also obtained but the normalizing factors must be computed within windows centred to the studied anomaly.
Interesterification of milkfat with soybean oil catalysed by Rhizopus oryzae lipase immobilised on SiO2‐PVA on packed bed reactor
Authors: Paula Ariela V. , Nunes Gisele F. M. , Santos Júlio C. , de Castro Heizir F.
Published: September 2011

The potential of the lipase from Rhizopus oryzae immobilised on SiO2‐PVA to catalyse the interesterification of the milkfat with soybean oil in a packed bed reactor running on continuous mode was evaluated. The reactor operated continuously for 35 days at 45 °C, and during 12 days, no significant decrease in the initial lipase activity was verified. Interesterification yields were in the range from 35 to 38%wt, which gave an interesterified product having 59% lower consistency in relation to non‐interesterified blend. Results showed the potential of the lipase from Rhizopus oryzae to mediate the interesterification of milkfat with soybean oil in packed bed reactor, attaining a more spreadable product under a cool temperature. The biocatalyst operational stability was assessed and an inactivation profile was found to follow the Arrhenius model, revealing values of 34 days and 0.034 day−1, for half‐life and a deactivation coefficient, respectively.
Informal risk assessment strategies in health care staff: an unrecognized source of resilience?
Authors: Arfanis Konstantinos , Smith Andrew
Published: September 2011

Rationale  Recent reports indicate that approximately 10% of in‐patients in UK hospitals are involved in an adverse event (these reports also state that 50% of these events are preventable). This is indeed a worrying finding, and indicates the need to look at how these incidents are handled or indeed, what is done to minimize their occurrence. The Department of Health, via the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) published a guide which is aimed at encouraging accurate reporting, learning from past events and changing the attitudes of key stakeholders (healthcare managers, frontline staf etc) towards risk taking and risk management.

Aims and objectives  Our aim was to compare informally‐learned and used risk assessment strategies volunteered by staff with the ‘how to do it’ guide published by the NPSA. We have compared each step of the NPSA guide with our empirical data relating to that activity.

Methods  We interviewed forty‐eight healthcare professionals (doctors from several specialties; nurses from a variety of settings; and an array of allied healthcare professionals). We used semi‐structured interviews in order to discuss participants' views on their everyday working life, working relationships and patient safety.

Results  Our results indicate that healthcare professionals develop their own unique way to approach the issue of patient safety and risk, based on their professional raining, seniority and role within the hospital. They did share the conviction that frontline and support staff need to have immediate and easy access to information about past adverse events. They see this as a powerful tool in minimizing the reoccurrence of the same errors/problems, as well as a vehicle to improve staff morale by feeling valued and having their opinion heard.

Conclusions  We believe that patient safety and welfare can benefit from the adoption of a more flexible and person‐centred approach to how risk assessments are carried out. Enriching formal guidelines such as the ‘Risk Assessment made easy’ document with successful techniques and strategies which healthcare staff have informally developed has the potential to not only improve patient safety (since it will be based on the accumulated experience and knowledge of such staff) but also foster higher levels of self esteem amongst healthcare professionals.
Experimental strength of restorations with fibre posts at different stages, with and without using a simulated ligament
Authors: PÉREZ‐GONZÁLEZ A. , GONZÁLEZ‐LLUCH C. , SANCHO‐BRU J. L. , RODRÍGUEZ‐CERVANTES P. J. , BARJAU‐ESCRIBANO A. , FORNER‐NAVARRO L.
Published: September 2011

Summary  The aim of this study was to analyse the strength and failure mode of teeth restored with fibre posts under retention and flexural‐compressive loads at different stages of the restoration and to analyse whether including a simulated ligament in the experimental setup has any effect on the strength or the failure mode. Thirty human maxillary central incisors were distributed in three different groups to be restored with simulation of different restoration stages (1: only post, 2: post and core, 3: post‐core and crown), using Rebilda fibre posts. The specimens were inserted in resin blocks and loaded by means of a universal testing machine until failure under tension (stage 1) and 50º flexion (stages 2–3). Half the specimens in each group were restored using a simulated ligament between root dentine and resin block and the other half did not use this element. Failure in stage 1 always occurred at the post‐dentine interface, with a mean failure load of 191·2 N. Failure in stage 2 was located mainly in the core or coronal dentine (mean failure load of 505·9 N). Failure in stage 3 was observed in the coronal dentine (mean failure load 397·4 N). Failure loads registered were greater than expected masticatory loads. Fracture modes were mostly reparable, thus indicating that this post is clinically valid at the different stages of restoration studied. The inclusion of the simulated ligament in the experimental system did not show a statistically significant effect on the failure load or the failure mode.
Periodic limb movements in sleep are associated with stroke and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with renal failure
Authors: LINDNER ANETT , FORNADI KATALIN , LAZAR ALPAR S. , CZIRA MARIA E. , DUNAI ANDREA , ZOLLER REZSO , VEBER ORSOLYA , SZENTKIRALYI ANDRAS , KISS ZOLTAN , TORONYI EVA , MUCSI ISTVAN , NOVAK MARTA , MOLNAR MIKLOS Z.
Published: September 2011

Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) is prevalent among dialysed patients and is associated with increased risk of mortality. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of this disease in a sample of transplanted and waiting‐list haemodialysed patients. One hundred transplanted and 50 waiting‐list patients underwent polysomnography. Moderate and severe diseases were defined as periodic limb movements in sleep index (PLMSI) higher than 15 and 25 events h−1, respectively. The 10‐year coronary heart disease risk was estimated for all patients using the Framingham Score. Moreover, the 10‐year estimated risk of stroke was calculated according to the modified version of the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile. PLMS was present in 27% of the transplanted and 42% of the waiting‐list group (P = 0.094); the proportion of severe disease was twice as high in waiting‐list versus transplanted patients (32 versus 16%, P = 0.024). Patients with severe disease had a higher 10‐year estimated risk of stroke in the transplanted group [10 (7–17) versus 5 (4–10); P = 0.002] and a higher 10‐year coronary heart disease risk in both the transplanted [18 (8–22) versus 7 (4–14); P = 0.002], and the waiting‐list groups [11 (5–18) versus 4 (1–9); P = 0.032]. In multivariable linear regression models the PLMSI was associated independently with the Framingham cardiovascular and cerebrovascular scores after adjusting for important covariables. Higher PLMSI is an independent predictor of higher cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk score in patients with chronic kidney disease. Severe PLMS is less frequent in kidney transplant recipients compared to waiting‐list dialysis patients.
Selective responses of myenteric neurons to oxidative stress and diabetic stimuli
Authors: Voukali E. , Shotton H. R. , Lincoln J.
Published: September 2011

Background  Diabetes has a differential effect on different subpopulations of myenteric neurons. Our aim was to investigate an in vitro model to examine the pathways underlying the development of nerve changes in diabetes.

Methods  The proportions of neuronal cell bodies containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and calbindin relative to the pan‐neuronal marker HuC/D were quantified in wholemount preparations of the myenteric plexus of adult rat ileum using double labeling immunohistochemistry. Preparations were maintained in culture for 24 h in the presence and absence of stimuli mimicking the diabetic environment including oxidative stress, carbonyl stress, high glucose and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Data were compared with the effect of streptozotocin‐induced diabetes in vivo.

Key Results  Only oxidative stress in vitro produced the same pattern as observed in diabetes with an increase in VIP‐, decrease in nNOS‐, and no change in calbindin‐positive neurons. Carbonyl stress and high glucose caused an increase in VIP‐containing neurons without affecting nNOS expression. In contrast, exposure to AGEs only caused a decrease in nNOS‐positive neurons. Calbindin expression was unaffected by any of the stimuli. The effects of the stimuli were prevented by the antioxidant, α‐lipoic acid, or the carbonyl scavenger, aminoguanidine.

Conclusions & Inferences  The results provide evidence that oxidative stress is the common factor in the development of neuronal changes in diabetes; however, the mechanism by which oxidative stress occurs depends on the individual subpopulation of myenteric neurons examined. The presence of calbindin appears to protect myenteric neurons against harmful stimuli.
International migration and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gagnon Anita J. , McDermott Sarah , Rigol‐Chachamovich Juliana , Bandyopadhyay Mridula , Stray‐Pedersen Babill , Stewart Donna ,   for the ROAM Collaboration
Published: September 2011

Gagnon AJ, McDermott S, Rigol‐Chachamovich J, Bandyopadhyay M, Stray‐Pedersen B, Stewart D, for the ROAM Collaboration. International migration and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 575–592.

Influxes of migrant women of childbearing age to receiving countries have made their perinatal health status a key priority for many governments. The international research collaboration Reproductive Outcomes And Migration (ROAM) reviewed published studies to assess whether migrants in countries of resettlement have a greater risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) than women in receiving countries. A systematic review of the literature from Medline, Embase, PsychInfo and CINAHL from 1990 to 2009 included studies of migrant women and GDM. Studies were excluded if there was no cross‐border movement or comparison group or if the receiving country was not the country of resettlement. Studies were assessed for quality, analysed descriptively and meta‐analysed. Twenty‐four reports (representing >120 000 migrants) met our inclusion criteria. Migrants were described primarily by geographic origin; other relevant aspects (e.g. time in country, language fluency) were rarely studied. Migrants' results for GDM were worse than those for receiving‐country women in 79% of all studies. Meta‐analyses showed that, compared with receiving‐country women, Caribbean, African, European and Northern European women were at greater risk of GDM, while North Africans and North Americans had risks similar to receiving‐country women. Although results of the 31 comparisons of Asians, East Africans or non‐Australian Oceanians were too heterogeneous to provide a single GDM risk estimate for migrant women, only one comparison was below the receiving‐country comparison group, all others presented a higher risk estimate. The majority of women migrants to resettlement countries are at greater risk for GDM than women resident in receiving countries. Research using clear, specific migrant definitions, adjusting for relevant risk factors and including other aspects of migration experiences is needed to confirm and understand these findings.
Morphological phylogeny of gall‐forming aphids of the tribe Eriosomatini (Aphididae: Eriosomatinae)
Authors: SANO MASAKAZU , AKIMOTO SHIN‐ICHI
Published: September 2011

Aphids of the tribe Eriosomatini are typically associated with the tree genera Ulmus and Zelkova as the primary host, on which they induce several types of leaf gall. To elucidate evolutionary changes in the aphid–host associations and gall morphology, phylogenetic relationships were inferred using 36 species (28 in the ingroup) and based on 52 morphological characters. Phylogenetic analysis with equal character weighting led to hundreds of most‐parsimonious trees, and the strict consensus of these was poorly resolved. However, the successive weighting of characters yielded three most‐parsimonious trees. The strict consensus of these supported the monophyly of the Eriosomatini and the monophyly of most genera. Reconstruction of the aphid–host associations on the consensus tree indicated that the ancestral Eriosomatini were associated with Zelkova and that the association with Ulmus evolved twice independently. Ancestral reconstruction suggests that galls of the leaf‐roll type are ancestral to those of the completely and incompletely closed pouch type, and that each type of pouch galls evolved independently. It is suggested that despite early diversification of the Eriosomatini on Zelkova species, Zelkova‐associated eriosomatines had become extinct or survived as relict parthenogens on the secondary host due to the elimination of Zelkova in most regions since the late Tertiary. In contrast, two large genera in the Eriosomatini, Eriosoma and Tetraneura, are associated with the largest elm section Ulmus whose elements are distributed widely in Eurasia, including boreal regions. Therefore, the available evidence suggests that the present species diversity and distribution patterns of the eriosomatines have been largely affected by the diversification and extinction of their host plants during the late Tertiary and Quaternary.
A molecular phylogeny for digger wasps in the tribe Ammophilini (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Sphecidae)
Authors: FIELD JEREMY , OHL MICHAEL , KENNEDY MARTYN
Published: September 2011

The evolution of parental care strategies in aculeate (stinging) wasps and bees has been much studied from a functional perspective, but relatively little phylogenetic information is available to place this in a rigorous historical context, especially at the species level. We used mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and two nuclear genes, the elongation factor‐1α and LW rhodopsin, to investigate the phylogeny of Sphecidae digger wasps. We focus particularly on the tribe Ammophilini, a clade of nonsocial apoid wasps that exhibit unusually diverse parental care strategies. We analysed a 2232 bp dataset for 40 ammophilines plus nine other taxa from within the remaining Sphecidae. Our Bayesian phylogeny provides strong support for the monophyly of Ammophilini and for the monophyly of all six individual ammophiline genera, except that the position of P. affinis within the genus Podalonia is only weakly supported. The monophyly of some, but not all, previously designated species groups within the genus Ammophila is supported. We discuss the implications of our results for the evolution of morphological traits used previously in ammophiline systematics.
Effects of lairage time after road transport on some blood indicators of welfare and meat quality traits in sheep
Authors: Liu H. W. , Zhong R. Z. , Zhou D. W. , Sun H. X. , Zhao C. S.
Published: September 2011

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different lairage time after 8 h road transport on some blood indicators of welfare and meat quality traits in sheep. A total of 84 Ujimqin male sheep (average body weight 27.5 kg, 6 months old) were randomly allotted to one of seven groups: one control group (untransported) and six lairage groups (8 h road transport with 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h lairage times respectively). No significant lairage time effects were observed on weight loss. Sheep in 48 h group showed lower hot carcass weight, dressing percentage and higher pH24 h than that in other groups. The total haem pigment contents in sheep meat rose and were higher in 24 and 48 h groups than that in the control group. After transport, sheep in 0, 2, 24 and 48 h groups showed higher serum creatine kinase activities, cortisol and glucose concentrations than that in control group. Sheep in lairage groups had higher serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels compared with the control sheep. Sheep in 48 h group showed significant higher packed cell volume, total protein and blood urea nitrogen than that in other groups. Compared with the control group, the white blood cell counts were higher in 0 and 48 h groups. The neutrophil counts in 24 or 48 h groups were higher than that in the control group. The opposite was true for lymphocyte counts. A 6–12 h lairage is recommended in terms of the present transported pattern.
Successful aging in individuals with schizophrenia dwelling in the community: A study on attitudes toward aging and preparing behavior for old age
Authors: Niimura Hidehito , Nemoto Takahiro , Yamazawa Ryoko , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Ryu Yonosuke , Sakuma Kei , Kashima Haruo , Mizuno Masafumi
Published: September 2011

Aim:  ‘Successful aging’ in individuals with schizophrenia has been attracting attention. We examined two forward‐looking factors of successful aging among schizophrenia patients: ‘attitude toward aging’ and ‘preparing behavior for old age’.

Methods:  Fifty‐seven middle‐aged and elderly schizophrenia patients with successful aging were identified using the Attitude toward Aging Scale, the Preparing Behavior for Old Age Scale, and assessments of their cognitive function, psychiatric symptoms, social functioning and quality of life. A multiple regression analysis was used to detect determinants of attitude toward aging/preparing behavior for old age at that time (‘present’: community dwelling). We also analyzed predictors of successful aging using demographic/clinical data assessed 3 years previously (‘past’: residential care).

Results:  The multiple regression analysis revealed that quality of life was a significant determinant: a higher quality of life was related to a more positive attitude toward aging and less active preparing behavior. The significant predictors of preparing behavior were quality of life and the length of the hospital stay: a longer hospital stay and a higher quality of life were related to less active preparing behavior.

Conclusion:  Quality of life and the length of the hospital stay significantly contributed to forward‐looking factors of successful aging. Avoiding long hospitalization periods for patients with schizophrenia may lead to more active preparing behavior, but the improvement of quality of life may not be a sufficient condition. As schizophrenia patients have an optimistic attitude and insufficient preparing behavior, support to prepare such individuals for old age is required as part of community‐based psychiatric care strategies.
Combinational dormancy in seeds of Sicyos angulatus (Cucurbitaceae, tribe Sicyeae)
Authors: QU XIAOXIA , BASKIN JERRY M. , BASKIN CAROL C.
Published: September 2011

Seeds with a water‐impermeable seed coat and a physiologically dormant embryo are classified as having combinational dormancy. Seeds of Sicyos angulatus (burcucumber) have been clearly shown to have a water‐impermeable seed coat (physical dormancy [PY]). The primary aim of the present study was to confirm (or not) that physiological dormancy (PD) is also present in seeds of S. angulatus. The highest germination of scarified fresh (38%) and 3‐month dry‐stored (36%) seeds occurred at 35/20°C. The rate (speed) of germination was faster in scarified dry‐stored seeds than in scarified fresh seeds. Removal of the seed coat, but leaving the membrane surrounding the embryo intact, increased germination of both fresh and dry‐stored seeds to > 85% at 35/20°C. Germination (80–100%) of excised embryos (both seed coat and membrane removed) occurred at 15/6, 25/15 and 35/20°C and reached 95–100% after 4 days of incubation at 25/15 and 35/20°C. Dry storage (after‐ripening) caused an increase in the germination percentage of scarified and of decoated seeds at 25/15°C and in both germination percentage and rate of excised embryos at 15/6°C. Eight weeks of cold stratification resulted in a significant increase in the germination of scarified seeds at 25/15 and 35/20°C and of decoated seeds at 15/6 and 25/15°C. Based on the results of our study and on information reported in the literature, we conclude that seeds of S. angulatus not only have PY, but also non‐deep PD, that is, combinational dormancy (PY + PD).
Prognosis and characteristics of renal cell carcinoma in hemodialysis patients: Bilateral occurrence does not influence cancer‐specific survival
Authors: Takagi Toshio , Kondo Tsunenori , Izuka Jyunpei , Kobayashi Hirohito , Tomita Eri , Hashimoto Yasunobu , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: September 2011

Objectives:  To compare characteristics and prognosis unilateral and bilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods:  Overall 246 HD patients who had undergone a radical nephrectomy for RCC were enrolled in this study. Unilateral RCC occurred in 201 patients, synchronous bilateral RCC in 15 and metachronous bilateral RCC in 30. Cancer‐specific survival (CSS) was accessed by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results:  Five‐year CSS was not significantly different between the two groups (unilateral, 90%; bilateral, 90%; P = 0.9509). In total 17 of the 201 patients (8.5%) with unilateral occurrence and four of the 45 patients (8.9%) with bilateral occurrence died from kidney cancer during the follow‐up period. The presence of acquired cystic disease of kidney (unilateral, 73%; bilateral 91%; P = 0.00319) and the mean duration of HD before surgery (unilateral: 157 ± 91 months, bilateral: 189 ± 83.5, P = 0.0319) were significantly different between the two groups. There were more multifocal tumors in bilateral than in unilateral occurrence (bilateral: 74%, unilateral: 30%, P < 0.0001). There were significant differences in CSS according to HD duration before surgery (5‐year CSS >180 months 82%, ≤180 months 95%; P = 0.0004), tumor grade (G1 100%, G2 90%, G3 38%; P < 0.0001), and tumor size (>4 cm 75%, ≤4 cm 98%; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:  The type of occurrence of RCC, unilateral or bilateral, in HD patients does not appear to influence CSS. Patients with a longer duration of HD have to be followed up rigorously because they tend to have poor cancer prognosis.
From pattern to purpose: how comparative studies contribute to understanding the function of adult neurogenesis
Authors: Barker Jennifer M. , Boonstra Rudy , Wojtowicz Jan Martin
Published: September 2011

The study of adult neurogenesis has had an explosion of fruitful growth. Yet numerous uncertainties and challenges persist. Our review begins with a survey of species that show evidence of adult neurogenesis. We then discuss how neurogenesis varies across brain regions and point out that regional specializations can indicate functional adaptations. Lifespan and aging are key life‐history traits. Whereas ‘adult neurogenesis’ is the common term in the literature, it does not reflect the reality of neurogenesis being primarily a ‘juvenile’ phenomenon. We discuss the sharp decline with age as a universal trait of neurogenesis with inevitable functional consequences. Finally, the main body of the review focuses on the function of neurogenesis in birds and mammals. Selected examples illustrate how our understanding of avian and mammalian neurogenesis can complement each other. It is clear that although the two phyla have some common features, the function of adult neurogenesis may not be similar between them and filling the gaps will help us understand neurogenesis as an evolutionarily conserved trait to meet particular ecological pressures.
Digby Leigh
Authors: Brown T.C.K.
Published: September 2011

Digby Leigh was a pioneer of Canadian pediatric anesthesia. He was an outstanding man – once met, never forgotten. My only contact with him was at the First Paediatric Anaesthesia Workshop at HSC in Toronto organized by Alan Conn in 1964. He chaired a panel with Jackson Rees from Liverpool and Bob Cope, a gentlemanly senior anesthetist at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street in London. The introduction was followed by ‘We are all enemies,’ a sure start for a vigorous debate. Digby Leigh was born in Jersey, grew up in British Columbia where he attended the University of British Columbia. He moved to Montreal to attend McGill University because there was no medical school in Vancouver. He graduated in 1932 and, like many others, began surgical training at Montreal Children’s before Wesley Bourne, Chief of Anaesthesia, persuaded him to change to Anaesthesia. He went to Madison, Wisconsin, and trained with one of the great pioneer teachers, Ralph Waters, for 3 years.