bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repressing the Expression of the SUCROSE NONFERMENTING-1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE Gene in Pea Embryo Causes Pleiotropic Defects of Maturation Similar to an Abscisic Acid-Insensitive Phenotype
Authors: Radchuk Ruslana , Radchuk Volodymyr , Weschke Winfriede , Borisjuk Ljudmilla , Weber Hans
Published: December 2005

The classic role of SUCROSE NONFERMENTING-1 (Snf1)-like kinases in eukaryotes is to adapt metabolism to environmental conditions such as nutrition, energy, and stress. During pea (Pisum sativum) seed maturation, developmental programs of growing embryos are adjusted to changing physiological and metabolic conditions. To understand regulation of the switch from cell proliferation to differentiation, SUCROSE NONFERMENTING-1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE (SnRK1) was antisense repressed in pea seeds. Transgenic seeds show maturation defects, reduced conversion of sucrose into storage products, lower globulin content, frequently altered cotyledon surface, shape, and symmetry, as well as occasional precocious germination. Gene expression analysis of embryos using macroarrays of 5,548 seed-specific genes revealed 183 differentially expressed genes in two clusters, either delayed down-regulated or delayed up-regulated during transition. Delayed down-regulated genes are related to mitotic activity, gibberellic acid/brassinosteroid synthesis, stress response, and Ca2+ signal transduction. This specifies a developmentally younger status and conditional stress. Higher gene expression related to respiration/gluconeogenesis/fermentation is consistent with a role of SnRK1 in repressing energy-consuming processes in maturing cotyledons under low oxygen/energy availability. Delayed up-regulated genes are mainly related to storage protein synthesis and stress tolerance. Most of the phenotype resembles abscisic acid (ABA) insensitivity and may be explained by reduced Abi-3 expression. This may cause a reduction in ABA functions and/or a disconnection between metabolic and ABA signals, suggesting that SnRK1 is a mediator of ABA functions during pea seed maturation. SnRK1 repression also impairs gene expression associated with differentiation, independent from ABA functions, like regulation and signaling of developmental events, chromatin reorganization, cell wall synthesis, biosynthetic activity of plastids, and regulated proteolysis.
Distinct Roles of the First Introns on the Expression of Arabidopsis Profilin Gene Family Members
Authors: Jeong Young-Min , Mun Jeong-Hwan , Lee Ilha , Woo Je Chang , Hong Choo Bong , Kim Sang-Gu
Published: December 2005

Profilin is a small actin-binding protein that regulates cellular dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), five profilins were identified. The vegetative class profilins, PRF1, PRF2, and PRF3, are expressed in vegetative organs. The reproductive class profilins, PRF4 and PRF5, are mainly expressed in pollen. In this study, we examined the role of the first intron in the expression of the Arabidopsis profilin gene family using transgenic plants and a transient expression system. In transgenic plants, we examined PRF2 and PRF5, which represent vegetative and reproductive profilins. The expression of the PRF2 promoter fused with the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was observed in the vascular bundles, but transgenic plants carrying the PRF2 promoter-GUS with its first intron showed constitutive expression throughout the vegetative tissues. However, the first intron of PRF5 had little effect on the reporter gene expression pattern. Transgenic plants containing PRF5 promoter-GUS fusion with or without its first intron showed reproductive tissue-specific expression. To further investigate the different roles of the first two introns on gene expression, the first introns were exchanged between PRF2 and PRF5. The first intron of PRF5 had no apparent effect on the expression pattern of the PRF2 promoter. But, unlike the intron of PRF5, the first intron of PRF2 greatly affected the reproductive tissue-specific expression of the PRF5 promoter, confirming a different role for these introns. The results of a transient expression assay indicated that the first intron of PRF1 and PRF2 enhances gene expression, whereas PRF4 and PRF5 do not. These results suggest that the first introns of profilin genes are functionally distinctive and the first introns are required for the strong and constitutive gene expression of PRF1 and PRF2 in vegetative tissues.
Overexpression of RAN1 in Rice and Arabidopsis Alters Primordial Meristem, Mitotic Progress, and Sensitivity to Auxin
Authors: Wang Xin , Xu Yunyuan , Han Ye , Bao Shilai , Du Jizhou , Yuan Ming , Xu Zhihong , Chong Kang
Published: December 2005

Ran is an evolutionarily conserved eukaryotic GTPase. We previously identified a cDNA of TaRAN1, a novel Ran GTPase homologous gene in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and demonstrated that TaRAN1 is associated with regulation of genome integrity and cell division in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) systems. However, much less is known about the function of RAN in plant development. To analyze the possible biological roles of Ran GTPase, we overexpressed TaRAN1 in transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa). TaRAN1 overexpression increased the proportion of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, which resulted in an elevated mitotic index and prolonged life cycle. Furthermore, it led to increased primordial tissue, reduced number of lateral roots, and stimulated hypersensitivity to exogenous auxin. The results suggest that Ran protein was involved in the regulation of mitotic progress, either in the shoot apical meristem or the root meristem zone in plants, where auxin signaling is involved. This article determines the function of RAN in plant development mediated by the cell cycle and its novel role in meristem initiation mediated by auxin signaling.
An ll-Diaminopimelate Aminotransferase Defines a Novel Variant of the Lysine Biosynthesis Pathway in Plants
Authors: Hudson André O. , Singh Bijay K. , Leustek Thomas , Gilvarg Charles
Published: December 2005

Although lysine (Lys) biosynthesis in plants is known to occur by way of a pathway that utilizes diaminopimelic acid (DAP) as a central intermediate, the available evidence suggests that none of the known DAP-pathway variants found in nature occur in plants. A new Lys biosynthesis pathway has been identified in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that utilizes a novel transaminase that specifically catalyzes the interconversion of tetrahydrodipicolinate and ll-diaminopimelate, a reaction requiring three enzymes in the DAP-pathway variant found in Escherichia coli. The ll-DAP aminotransferase encoded by locus At4g33680 was able to complement the dapD and dapE mutants of E. coli. This result, in conjunction with the kinetic properties and substrate specificity of the enzyme, indicated that ll-DAP aminotransferase functions in the Lys biosynthetic direction under in vivo conditions. Orthologs of At4g33680 were identified in all the cyanobacterial species whose genomes have been sequenced. The Synechocystis sp. ortholog encoded by locus sll0480 showed the same functional properties as At4g33680. These results demonstrate that the Lys biosynthesis pathway in plants and cyanobacteria is distinct from the pathways that have so far been defined in microorganisms.
The Arabidopsis Group 1 LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT Protein ATEM6 Is Required for Normal Seed Development
Authors: Manfre Alicia J. , Lanni Lea M. , Marcotte William R.
Published: December 2005

As part of the embryo maturation process, orthodox seeds undergo a developmentally regulated dehydration period. The LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT (LEA) genes encode a large and diverse family of proteins expressed during this time. Many hypothesize that LEA proteins act by mitigating water loss and maintaining cellular stability within the desiccated seed, although the mechanisms of their actions remain largely unknown. The model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) contains two genes belonging to the group 1 LEA family, ATEM1 and ATEM6, and knockout mutations in these genes are being sought as a means to better understand group 1 LEA protein function during embryo maturation. We have identified a T-DNA insertion allele of the ATEM6 gene in which the T-DNA is present just downstream of the protein coding region. While this gene is transcriptionally active and encodes a wild-type protein, there is no detectable ATEM6 protein in mature seeds. Mutant seeds display premature seed dehydration and maturation at the distal end of siliques, demonstrating that this protein is required for normal seed development. We propose that one function for group 1 LEA proteins in seed development is to buffer the water loss that occurs during embryo maturation and that loss of ATEM6 expression results in the mutant phenotype.
Different Domains Control the Localization and Mobility of LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN1 inArabidopsisNuclei
Authors: Zemach Assaf , Li Yan , Ben-Meir Hagit , Oliva Moran , Mosquna Assaf , Kiss Vladimir , Avivi Yigal , Ohad Nir , Grafi Gideon
Published: December 2005

Plants possess a single gene for the structurally related HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN1 (HP1), termed LIKE-HP1 (LHP1). We investigated the subnuclear localization, binding properties, and dynamics of LHP1 proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana cells. Transient expression assays showed that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) LHP1 fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP; Sl LHP1-GFP) and Arabidopsis LHP1 (At LHP1-GFP) localized to heterochromatic chromocenters and showed punctuated distribution within the nucleus; tomato but not Arabidopsis LHP1 was also localized within the nucleolus. Mutations of aromatic cage residues that recognize methyl K9 of histone H3 abolished their punctuated distribution and localization to chromocenters. Sl LHP1-GFP plants displayed cell type–dependent subnuclear localization. The diverse localization pattern of tomato LHP1 did not require the chromo shadow domain (CSD), whereas the chromodomain alone was insufficient for localization to chromocenters; a nucleolar localization signal was identified within the hinge region. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching showed that Sl LHP1 is a highly mobile protein whose localization and retention are controlled by distinct domains; retention at the nucleolus and chromocenters is conferred by the CSD. Our results imply that LHP1 recruitment to chromatin is mediated, at least in part, through interaction with methyl K9 and that LHP1 controls different nuclear processes via transient binding to its nuclear sites.
TheArabidopsis vitamin E pathway gene5-1Mutant Reveals a Critical Role for Phytol Kinase in Seed Tocopherol Biosynthesis
Authors: Valentin Henry E. , Lincoln Kim , Moshiri Farhad , Jensen Pamela K. , Qi Qungang , Venkatesh Tyamagondlu V. , Karunanandaa Balasulojini , Baszis Susan R. , Norris Susan R. , Savidge Beth , Gruys Kenneth J. , Last Robert L.
Published: December 2005

We report the identification and characterization of a low tocopherol Arabidopsis thaliana mutant, vitamin E pathway gene5-1 (vte5-1), with seed tocopherol levels reduced to 20% of the wild type. Map-based identification of the responsible mutation identified a G→A transition, resulting in the introduction of a stop codon in At5g04490, a previously unannotated gene, which we named VTE5. Complementation of the mutation with the wild-type transgene largely restored the wild-type tocopherol phenotype. A knockout mutation of the Synechocystis sp PCC 6803 VTE5 homolog slr1652 reduced Synechocystis tocopherol levels by 50% or more. Bioinformatic analysis of VTE5 and slr1652 indicated modest similarity to dolichol kinase. Analysis of extracts from Arabidopsis and Synechocystis mutants revealed increased accumulation of free phytol. Heterologous expression of these genes in Escherichia coli supplemented with free phytol and in vitro assays of recombinant protein produced phytylmonophosphate, suggesting that VTE5 and slr1652 encode phytol kinases. The phenotype of the vte5-1 mutant is consistent with the hypothesis that chlorophyll degradation-derived phytol serves as an important intermediate in seed tocopherol synthesis and forces reevaluation of the role of geranylgeranyl diphosphate reductase in tocopherol biosynthesis.
ArabidopsisCytokinin Receptor Mutants Reveal Functions in Shoot Growth, Leaf Senescence, Seed Size, Germination, Root Development, and Cytokinin Metabolism
Authors: Riefler Michael , Novak Ondrej , Strnad Miroslav , Schmülling Thomas
Published: December 2005

We used loss-of-function mutants to study three Arabidopsis thaliana sensor histidine kinases, AHK2, AHK3, and CRE1/AHK4, known to be cytokinin receptors. Mutant seeds had more rapid germination, reduced requirement for light, and decreased far-red light sensitivity, unraveling cytokinin functions in seed germination control. Triple mutant seeds were more than twice as large as wild-type seeds. Genetic analysis indicated a cytokinin-dependent endospermal and/or maternal control of embryo size. Unchanged red light sensitivity of mutant hypocotyl elongation suggests that previously reported modulation of red light signaling by A-type response regulators may not depend on cytokinin. Combined loss of AHK2 and AHK3 led to the most prominent changes during vegetative development. Leaves of ahk2 ahk3 mutants formed fewer cells, had reduced chlorophyll content, and lacked the cytokinin-dependent inhibition of dark-induced chlorophyll loss, indicating a prominent role of AHK2 and, particularly, AHK3 in the control of leaf development. ahk2 ahk3 double mutants developed a strongly enhanced root system through faster growth of the primary root and, more importantly, increased branching. This result supports a negative regulatory role for cytokinin in root growth regulation. Increased cytokinin content of receptor mutants indicates a homeostatic control of steady state cytokinin levels through signaling. Together, the analyses reveal partially redundant functions of the cytokinin receptors and prominent roles for the AHK2/AHK3 receptor combination in quantitative control of organ growth in plants, with opposite regulatory functions in roots and shoots.
Implementing Spatial Data Analysis Software Tools in R
Authors: Bivand Roger
Published: December 2005

This article reports on work in progress on the implementation of functions for spatial statistical analysis, in particular of lattice/area data in the R language environment. The underlying spatial weights matrix classes, as well as methods for deriving them from data from commonly used geographical information systems are presented, handled using other contributed R packages. Since the initial release of some functions in 2001, and the release of the spdep package in 2002, experience has been gained in the use of various functions. The topics covered are the ingestion of positional data, exploratory data analysis of positional, attribute, and neighborhood data, and hypothesis testing of autocorrelation for univariate data. It also provides information about community building in using R for analyzing spatial data.
Crime Mapping and the Crimestat Program
Authors: Levine Ned
Published: December 2005

CrimeStatis a spatial statistics program used in crime mapping. The program inputs incident or point locations and outputs statistics that can be displayed graphically in a geographic information systems (GIS) program. Among the routines are those for summary spatial description, hot spot analysis, interpolation, space–time analysis, and journey‐to‐crime modeling. Version 3.0 has a crime travel demand module for analyzing travel patterns over a metropolitan area. The program and documentation are distributed by the National Institute of Justice.
SANET: A Toolbox for Spatial Analysis on a Network
Authors: Okabe Atsuyuki , Okunuki Kei‐ichi , Shiode Shino
Published: December 2005

This article shows a geographical information systems (GIS)‐based toolbox for analyzing spatial phenomena that occur on a network (e.g., traffic accidents) or almost along a network (e.g., fast‐food stores in a downtown). The toolbox contains 13 tools: random point generation on a network, the Voronoi diagram, the K‐function and cross K‐function methods, the unconditional and conditional nearest‐neighbor distance methods, the Hull model, and preprocessing tools. The article also shows a few actual analyses carried out with these tools.
ChoroWare: A Software Toolkit for Choropleth Map Classification
Authors: Xiao Ningchuan , Armstrong Marc P.
Published: December 2005

Choropleth mapping plays an important role in exploratory spatial data analysis. Several objectives have been suggested to guide choropleth map construction. These objectives, however, often conflict and, consequently, a choropleth map that is best for one objective may not be best for others. Choosing a set of choropleth class intervals is thus a multiobjective problem. This article describes an open‐source software toolkit, called ChoroWare that is designed to help cartographers identify class intervals that are suitable for a specific application. The software uses a genetic algorithm to generate a set of nondominated solutions to the multiobjective choropleth class interval problem and uses an interactive visualization tool to display members of this classification set. Using ChoroWare, cartographers can examine trade‐offs between alternatives and find desirable choropleth classifications that meet their objectives.
The Future of Banking Regulation in Developed Countries: Lessons from and for Europe
Authors: Benink Harald , Benston George
Published: December 2005

If the bank regulatory structure in developed countries, particularly those in the EU (as well as the US), were not changed, considerable private and social costs could be incurred. We first outline the current EU regulatory framework and describe and analyze recent bank crises and failures. Based on this record and on the (beneficial for consumers) changes in EU banking regulation, on new data on bank capital/asset ratios in ten European countries, and on an analysis of market and technological changes, we conclude that the present regulatory structure is unlikely to achieve banking stability in the future. We then propose and describe a regulatory framework that can deal effectively with this situation and show how it would affect EU banks.
Stability, sensitivity, science and heurism
Authors: Grant Taran , Kluge Arnold G.
Published: December 2005

We examine recently proposed justifications of sensitivity analysis sensuWheeler (1995), here referred to as weighted‐classes sensitivity analysis (WCSA). We refute Giribet's (2003a) claim that WCSA is the strictest possible test for a given phylogenetic hypothesis. Giribet's (2003a) classification of data exploration methods as evaluating “nodal stability” or “nodal support” is arbitrary, at odds with common usage and actually obscures the relationships between the methods he examined, all of which seek to assess the sensitivity of results to variation in analytical conditions. Stability, whether statistical or taxonomic, is not a goal of phylogenetic science. Statistical stability necessarily involves trial repetition, which is impossible in ideographic sciences like phylogenetics. Taxonomic stability can be nothing more than an unintended by‐product of scientific inquiry, i.e., the repeated failure to refute a hypothesis. Schulmeister's (2003) “robust‐choice” defense of WCSA does not succeed in placing non‐arbitrary bounds on parameters, and her interpretation of this approach as simultaneously verificationist and falsificationist is logically inconsistent. WCSA is neither scientific nor heuristic and therefore does not contribute to the advancement of objective knowledge claims.

© The Willi Hennig Society 2005.
Pharmacokinetics of a new testosterone transdermal delivery system, TDS®‐testosterone in healthy males
Authors: Chik Z. , Johnston A. , Tucker A. T. , Chew S. L. , Michaels L. , Alam C. A. S.
Published: December 2005

Aims

The Transdermal Delivery System (TDS®) is a liquid formulation that can be applied to the skin via a metered pump spray to deliver drug to the systemic circulation. The aims of this study were to assess the ability of the TDS® preparation to deliver testosterone systemically, and to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of the hormone in healthy males.

Methods

An open label, comparative, randomized placebo controlled study involving three treatments and three periods with a minimum of a 1 week washout period was conducted. Twelve healthy males received 50 mg TDS®‐testosterone, TDS®‐placebo, and 50 mg of a commercially available topical testosterone preparation (Androgel®, 1% topical testosterone gel).

Results

The mean AUC(0,12 h) was higher following application of TDS®‐testosterone (61.8 ng ml−1 h), compared with Androgel® (57.7 ng ml−1 h) and TDS®‐placebo (50.7 ng ml−1 h. The mean Cmax (0,12 h) was similar for TDS®‐testosterone (6.6 ng ml−1) and Androgel® (6.5 ng ml−1) and these values were higher than those for TDS®‐placebo (5.7 ng ml−1). Analysis of variance showed that the 90% confidence intervals on the relative difference of the ratio for the AUC(0,12 h) and the Cmax (0,12 h) between TDS®‐testosterone and Androgel®, were contained within the bioequivalence limit (80, 125%) (Cmax 89.2, 112.3% and AUC 93.5, 120.5%). Serum testosterone concentrations were lower following TDS®‐Placebo and were not bioequivalent either to the gel or spray.

Conclusions

The TDS® preparation was shown to deliver testosterone systemically to humans and the concentrations of the hormone in the 12 h following TDS® administration were bioequivalent to an existing topical delivery gel.
Comparative effects of ivabradine, a selective heart rate‐lowering agent, and propranolol on systemic and cardiac haemodynamics at rest and during exercise
Authors: Joannides Robinson , Moore Nicholas , Iacob Michaela , Compagnon Patricia , Lerebours Guy , Menard Jean‐François , Thuillez Christian
Published: December 2005

Aim

To compare in humans the effects of ivabradine and propranolol on cardiac and systemic haemodynamics at rest, during tilt and exercise.

Methods

Nine healthy volunteers randomly received single oral doses of ivabradine (Iva, 30 mg), propranolol (Propra, 40 mg) or placebo (Plac) during a double‐blind cross‐over study. Doses were selected to be equipotent in heart rate (HR) reduction. HR, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), cardiac index (CI, bioimpedance), rate pressure product (RPP), plasma epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE), were measured at rest at baseline, before and after two tilt and exercise tests, started 2 and 5 h after drug intake. Heart rate variability (low to high frequency ratio LF/HF) was evaluated at rest and at 5th minute of tilt.

Results

At rest, HR and RPP decreased similarly with Iva and Propra (both P < 0.01). During tilt, HR increased less with Iva than Propra (P < 0.01), LF/HF decreased after Iva (P < 0.03), SBP and mean blood pressure decreased after Propra (both P < 0.01), RPP decreased similarly after Iva and Propra (both P < 0.01) and CI decreased to a greater exent with Propra than with Iva or Plac (both P < 0.04). During exercise, Iva and Propra similarly decreased HR (both P < 0.01) and RPP (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that for a similar decrease in HR at rest and during sympathetic stimulation, acute administration of ivabradine, a selective heart rate‐lowering agent, decreased myocardial oxygen demand to the same extent as a reference β‐blocker, propranolol, but without evidence of depressant effect on cardiac function.
Enantioselective disposition of rabeprazole in relation to CYP2C19 genotypes
Authors: Miura Masatomo , Kagaya Hideaki , Tada Hitoshi , Uno Tsukasa , Yasui‐Furukori Norio , Tateishi Tomonori , Suzuki Toshio
Published: December 2005

Aim

Rabeprazole is metabolized to some extent by CYP2C19. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the pharmacokinetics of each rabeprazole enantiomer in three different CYP2C19 genotype groups.

Methods

Twenty‐four healthy subjects, of whom each each were homozygous extensive metabolizers (homEMs), heterozygous extensive metabolizers (hetEMs) and poor metabolizers (PMs) for CYP2C19, participated in our study. After a single oral dose of 20 mg of racemic rabeprazole, the plasma concentrations of the rabeprazole enantiomers were measured over the course of 24 h.

Results

The area under the plasma concentration–time curves (AUC) of (R)‐rabeprazole in homEMs, hetEMs and PMs were 1.8‐, 2.2‐ and 2.4‐fold, respectively, greater than those of (S)‐rabeprazole; the relative AUC ratios of (R)‐ and (S)‐rabeprazole in homEMs, hetEMs and PMs were 1 : 1.1 : 2.1 and 1 : 0.9 : 1.5, respectively. The mean maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) of (R)‐rabeprazole in homEMs, hetEMs and PMs were 1.7‐, 1.9‐ and 1.8‐fold higher, respectively, than those of the corresponding (S)‐enantiomer (P < 0.05). There was no difference between homEMs and PMs in the elimination half‐life of (S)‐rabeprazole, whereas the elimination half‐life of (R)‐rabeprazole was significantly longer in PMs than in homEMs [1.7 h (1.4, 2.0) (mean (95% confidence interval)]vs. 0.8 h (0.6, 1.0), respectively, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

(R)‐Rabeprazole disposition was influenced to a greater degree by CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms than was that of (S)‐rabeprazole. The effect of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on the stereoselective disposition of rabeprazole was less than those of lansoprazole and omeprazole.
Histamine increases sickle erythrocyte adherence to endothelium
Authors: Wagner Matthew C. , Eckman James R. , Wick Timothy M.
Published: December 2005

Complications of sickle cell anaemia include vascular occlusion triggered by the adherence of sickle erythrocytes to endothelium in the postcapillary venules. Adherence can be promoted by inflammatory mediators that induce endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression and arrest flowing erythrocytes. The present study characterised the effect of histamine stimulation on the kinetics of sickle cell adherence to large vessel and microvascular endothelium under physiological flow. Increased sickle cell adherence was observed within minutes of endothelial activation by histamine and reached a maximum value within 30 min. At steady state, sickle cell adherence to histamine‐stimulated endothelium was 47 ± 4 adherent cells/mm2, 2·6‐fold higher than sickle cell adherence to unstimulated endothelial cells. Histamine‐induced sickle cell adherence occurred rapidly and transiently. Studies using histamine receptor agonists and antagonists suggest that histamine‐induced sickle cell adhesion depends on simultaneous stimulation of the H2and H4histamine receptors and endothelial P‐selectin expression. These data show that histamine release may promote sickle cell adherence and vaso‐occlusion.In vivohistamine release should be studied to determine its role in sickle complications and whether blocking of specific histamine receptors may prevent clinical complications or adverse effects from histamine release stimulated by opiate analgesic treatment.
In vitroresponses of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to whole-cell, particulate and soluble extracts ofLeishmaniapromastigotes
Authors: Telino E , De Luca P M , Matos D C S , Azeredo-Coutinho R B , Meirelles M N , Conceição-Silva F , Schubach A , Mendonça S C F
Published: December 2005

Whole-cell and soluble extracts of Leishmania promastigotes have both been used as skin test antigens and have also been tested as vaccine candidates. However, the differences in antigenicity between soluble and particulate Leishmania fractions are not known. We evaluated in vitro responses of PBMC from 30 American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) patients and seven noninfected donors to different antigen preparations from Leishmania promastigotes, namely Leishmania amazonensis and L. braziliensis whole-cell extracts, as well as soluble and particulate fractions of L. amazonensis. All Leishmania antigen preparations stimulated significantly higher proliferation and interferon (IFN)-γ production (but not interleukin (IL)-10 production) in PBMC from the leishmaniasis patients than in cells from the control subjects. The L. braziliensis whole-cell extract stimulated significantly higher cell proliferation and IFN-γ production than the L. amazonensis whole-cell extract in the group of patients but not in the control group. This result can be explained by the fact that the patients were infected with L. braziliensis. Again in the group of patients, the PBMC proliferative responses as well as the levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 stimulated by L. amazonensis whole-cell extract were significantly greater than those elicited by the L. amazonensis soluble fraction but were not significantly different from those elicited by the L. amazonensis particulate fraction. We found a higher antigenicity of the particulate fraction as compared to the soluble fraction, what suggests that the antigens present in the particulate fraction account for most of the antigenicity of whole-cell Leishmania promastigote antigen extracts.
Alveolar macrophage function is altered in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Pouniotis D S , Plebanski M , Apostolopoulos V , McDonald C F
Published: December 2005

The alveolar macrophage (AM) is believed to be of central importance in the immune response against infection and tumour. We examined patients with lung cancer in order to evaluate the immuno-stimulatory potential of AM in lung cancer. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were obtained from patients with adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell undifferentiated lung carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and control subjects. AM were isolated and phagocytic function, flow cytometry and cytokine analysis were assessed. AM from patients with small and squamous cell carcinoma had impaired uptake in vitro of 40 nm fluorescent polystyrene beads. AM from patients with small, squamous and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma showed impaired uptake of 1000 nm fluorescent polystyrene beads. Secreted levels of TNF-α and IL-1 from AM of patients with small, squamous, and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma were decreased compared to controls. Secreted AM IL-6 levels were decreased in small and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. AM from adenocarcinoma patients showed similar levels of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1 and TNF-α compared to controls. Phenotypic analysis demonstrated that patients with small cell carcinoma were the only group that showed a decrease in MHC class II surface expression. Surface expression of ICAM-1 and CD83 was decreased on AM from patients with large, squamous and small cell carcinoma compared to controls but not adenocarcinoma. Mannose receptor levels were only decreased on AM from patients with squamous and small cell carcinoma but not adenocarcinoma and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. We conclude that there are type-specific alterations in uptake ability, cytokine secretion and phenotype of AM from lung cancer patients, which may result in an inability to stimulate anti-tumour immunity. The observed differences between lung cancer subgroups may explain previously reported inconsistencies in descriptions of AM characteristics in lung cancer.
The effect of inoculation temperature on the reaction of potato cultivars to Synchytrium endobioticum
Authors: Browning I.A. , Darling M.
Published: December 2005

The reactions of potato cultivars to inoculation with germinating winter spores of Synchytriuum endobioticum at 10, 15 and 20°C were compared. The classification of wart reactions for cultivars at the Resistant Grade 1/Resistant Grade 2 (RG1/RG2) and RG2/susceptible borderlines was found to depend on the inoculation temperature. For RG2 cultivars, there was a clear increase in the proportion of more resistant reactions with increase in inoculation temperature. The borderline cultivars ‘Teena’ and ‘Alhamra’ reacted as RG2 when inoculated at 10°C and as RG1 when inoculated at higher temperatures. However the inoculation temperature is unlikely to influence the outcome of tests on cultivars that produce a higher percentage of RG2 reactions. An inoculation temperature of 10–15°C more readily identified cultivars that are slightly susceptible. The slightly susceptible cultivars ‘Apache’, ‘Morven’ and ‘Hassia’ reacted as susceptible at 10 and 15°C and as RG2 at 20°C. However, cultivars known to produce wart tissue, including the very slightly susceptible ‘Altena’, were found readily to produce susceptible reactions when inoculated at all the temperatures tested.
Viruses of vegetable crops in Albania
Authors: Finetti‐Sialer M. , Mërkuri J. , Tauro G. , Myrta A. , Gallitelli D.
Published: December 2005

Field surveys were carried out in the main vegetable‐growing areas of Western and Central Albania to evaluate the sanitary status of open‐field and protected cultivations of capsicum, tomato, potato, watermelon, cucumber, courgette, aubergine, lettuce, cabbage, chicory, leek and celery. The following viruses were detected: Alfalfa mosaic alfamovirus (AMV), Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), Potato Y potyvirus (PVY), Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) and Watermelon mosaic potyvirus 2 (WMV‐2). The virus found most frequently was CMV and all the isolates identified were of subgroup IA. AMV was also detected in several areas and all isolates were of subgroup II, suggesting a French origin. Finally, at the time of this survey, TSWV infections appeared to be moderately relevant and absent in protected crops. This is the first documented record of AMV, CMV, PVY, TSWV and WMV‐2 in Albania. No infection by Tomato yellow leaf curl begomovirus (TYLCV) or Zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV) was detected during this survey.
Global warming and positive fitness response in mountain populations of common lizards Lacerta vivipara
Authors: CHAMAILLÉ‐JAMMES SIMON , MASSOT MANUEL , ARAGÓN PEDRO , CLOBERT JEAN
Published: December 2005

Recent global warming threatens many species and has already caused population‐ and species‐level extinctions. In particular, high risks of extinction are expected for isolated populations of species with low dispersal abilities. These predictions rely on widely used ‘climatic envelope’ models, while individual responses, the ultimate driver of a species response to climate change, have been most often neglected. Here, we report on some changes in life‐history traits of a dispersal‐limited reptile species (a poorly studied taxa) living in isolated populations. Using long‐term data on common lizards collected in southern France, we show that individual body size dramatically increased in all the four populations studied over the past 18 years. This increase in body size in all age classes appeared related to a concomitant increase in temperature experienced during the first month of life (August). Daily maximum temperature in August increased by 2.2°C and yearling snout‐vent‐length increased by about 28%. As a result, adult female body size increased markedly, and, as fecundity is strongly dependent on female body size, clutch size and total reproductive output also increased. For one population where capture–recapture data were available, adult survival was positively related to May temperature. All fitness components investigated therefore responded positively to the increase in temperature, such that it might be concluded that the common lizard has been advantaged by the shift in temperature. We contrast these short‐term results with the long‐term habitat‐based prediction that these populations located close to mountain tops on the southern margin of the species range should be unable to cope with the alteration of their habitat. To achieve a better prediction of a species persistence, one will probably need to combine both habitat and individual‐based approaches.
Diagnostic difficulties in inflammatory bowel disease pathology
Authors: Yantiss R K , Odze R D
Published: December 2005

This review summarizes some of the common diagnostic problems encountered by pathologists when evaluating patients with chronic colitis and in whom inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is either suspected or within the differential diagnosis. Both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) show characteristic, but non‐specific, pathological features that may overlap and result in a diagnosis of ‘indeterminate colitis’ (IC). However, other reasons why pathologists may entertain a diagnosis of IC include failure to recognize or accept certain ‘hardcore’ histological features as indicative of CD, an attempt to classify cases of chronic colitis based on mucosal biopsy material or in the absence of adequate clinical and radiographic information, and the presence of other disease processes that mask, or mimic, IBD. In addition, some cases of UC may show unusual CD‐like features, such as discontinuous or patchy disease, ileal inflammation, extracolonic inflammation, granulomatous inflammation in response to ruptured crypts, aphthous ulcers, or transmural inflammation. Furthermore, other forms of colitis, such as microscopic colitis, diverticulitis and diversion colitis may, on occasion, also show IBD‐like changes. The clinical and pathological features that aid in the distinction between these entities, and others, are covered in detail in this review.
Diagnosis and quantification of bone marrow fibrosis are significantly biased by the pre‐staining processing of bone marrow biopsies
Authors: Buesche G , Georgii A , Kreipe H‐H
Published: December 2005

Aims:  Marrow fibrosis (MF) is an unfavourable, often lethal complication of haematological neoplasms. Although biopsy technique and staining procedure are standardized, the prestaining processing of bone marrow biopsies (BMBs) varies markedly without any existing data on its significance for the diagnosis of MF.

Methods and results:  In this study on 712 BMBs from 296 patients with chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIMF), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), or healthy bone marrow, MF was a characteristic complication of CML and CIMF. However, diagnosis and quantification of MF and detection of its prognostic significance were significantly biased by fixation, decalcification, embedding, marrow tissue shrinkage during biopsy processing and the thickness of marrow sections (P < 0.000005). The relevance of these influences was explained by their effect on the marrow volume to which the fibre content was related, whereas the stainability of fibres was not affected. Semiquantitative grading of fibrosis and measurements of fibre density could not be adjusted to various methods of processing of bone marrow biopsies (P < 0.003).

Conclusions:  Evaluations of MF and its prognostic significance should consider the bias due to the prestaining processing of BMBs and the necessity of an adjustment to the thickness of tissue sections and the degree of marrow tissue shrinkage.
Wound healing after paranasal sinus surgery: neutrophilic inflammation influences the outcome
Authors: Watelet J B , Demetter P , Claeys C , Van Cauwenberge P , Cuvelier C , Bachert C
Published: December 2005

Aims : After failure of medical treatment, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) remains the best treatment for chronic sinusitis (CS) and nasal polyposis (NP). The precise mechanisms involved in wound healing after sinus surgery remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore systematically the different histomorphological processes and cell populations involved in the wound repair of the paranasal mucosa.

Methods and results : Biopsy specimens from patients operated on for CS and NP were collected 1, 2 and 6 months after surgery and compared with baseline and control specimens. A pathologist blinded to biopsy status evaluated the haematoxylin/eosin‐stained sections for oedema, fibrosis and inflammatory reaction, and the immunohistochemical preparations for epithelial replication, myofibroblasts, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils. Samples from NP showed significantly more oedema than those from CS. At baseline, oedema showed a significant correlation with macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils, while fibrosis was inversely correlated with neutrophils. During healing, after a short increase at month 1, oedema decreased. Fibrosis and myofibroblasts showed an inverse relationship. Finally, during the postoperative period, both macrophages and neutrophils were increased when compared with controls.

Conclusions : The severity of the neutrophilic inflammation appears to influence the formation of fibrosis during wound repair after sinus surgery.
Melatonin hormone profile in infertile males
Authors: Awad Hosni , Halawa Fawzy , Mostafa Taymour , Atta Hazem
Published: December 2005

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. There is much controversy about its relationship to the male reproductive process. In this study, seminal plasma as well as the serum melatonin levels were studied in different infertile male groups and were correlated with their semen parameters and hormonal levels. One hundred twenty male cases subdivided into six equal groups were consecutively included; fertile normozoospermic men, oligoasthenozoospermia (OA), OA with leucocytospermia, OA with varicocele, non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) with high serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and NOA with normal FSH. Semen analysis, estimation of melatonin, FSH, testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL) hormone was carried out. Mean level of serum melatonin was higher than its corresponding seminal concentrations in all investigated groups with a positive correlation between their levels (r = 0.532, p = 0.01). Serum and seminal plasma melatonin levels in all infertile groups were reduced significantly compared with their levels in the fertile group. The lowest concentrations were in OA with leucocytospermia group. Melatonin in both serum and semen demonstrated significant correlation with sperm motility (r = 607, 0.623 respectively, p = 0.01). Serum melatonin correlated positively with serum PRL (r = 0.611, p = 0.01). It may be concluded that melatonin may be involved in the modulation of reproductive neuroendocrine axis in male infertility. Also, low levels of melatonin in semen were observed in infertile groups having reduced sperm motility, leucocytospermia, varicocele and NOA.
How to test different density‐dependent fecundity hypotheses in an increasing or stable population
Authors: FERRER MIGUEL , NEWTON IAN , CASADO EVA
Published: December 2005

We report on a simulation study of increasing and stable populations working under two different hypotheses of density dependence of fecundity: the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis (HHH) and the individual adjustment hypothesis (IAH). Our aim is to find critical differences between the two regulatory hypotheses in natural populations.

Populations under HHH show a strong negative relationship between fecundity and the coefficient of variation of fecundity. We also found a strong negative relationship between fecundity and skewness, demonstrating that, as fecundity decreases, the form of the distribution of brood sizes changes, being more left‐skewed due to more territories failing to produce any offspring.

This strong relationship was found only in the simulations of populations under HHH; whether increasing or stable, and under different ratios of good : poor territories and different population sizes. In contrast, no relationship between mean fecundity and skewness was found among simulations under IAH.

Populations under IAH also showed a significant relationship between mean fecundity and the coefficient of variation of fecundity, but with a lower slope than in populations under HHH.

In conclusion, skewness was found to be an adequate critical test that showed significant and strong relationships with mean fecundity only in populations under HHH, whether increasing or stable. This test is useful for species with a discrete distribution of offspring with a small number of integer categories, including most of the bird and mammal species.
An experimental test of the effects of food resources and hydraulic refuge on patch colonization by stream macroinvertebrates during spates
Authors: NEGISHI JUNJIRO N. , RICHARDSON JOHN S.
Published: December 2005

The passive or active movement of organisms between habitat patches plays important roles in achieving ecosystem resilience to disturbance and long‐term control of population levels. However, causal mechanisms of disturbance‐induced movements of mobile biota across heterogeneous habitat patches at a relatively short time‐scale are little understood.

We experimentally tested the effects of food resource values on macroinvertebrate colonization of hydraulic refugia from spates in a second‐order creek. Experimental cages were colonized by macroinvertebrates with combinations of resource types (natural or polyester leaves), and extent of exposure to stream flow (exposed to or sheltered from current); one half of each set was collected before and after a spate. This experiment was repeated over three spates of varying magnitude and seasonal contexts.

Pre‐spate colonization was consistently greater for the cages with natural leaves relative to artificial leaves regardless of the extent of flow exposure. Two autumn spates with relatively low and stable antecedent flow conditions caused large movements of organic matter and macroinvertebrates across the stream, showing community‐level accumulations into hydraulically sheltered patches independent of food treatment. The smallest spate with high and variable antecedent flows during winter resulted in negligible responses, which we interpret to be a result of depletion of easily transportable organic matter and organisms.

Two detritivorous taxa, the mayfly Paraleptophlebia spp. and stonefly Despaxia augusta (Banks) were the most responsive to autumn spates, and had disproportionately higher colonization rates of cages when provided with natural leaves during the largest autumn spate. Preferential settlement in food‐enriched hydraulic refugia was attributable to taxon‐specific mobility related to efficient acquisition of detritus resource, whose availability varies spatially and temporally.

Our findings suggest (1) detritivorous macroinvertebrate colonization of hydraulic refugia can be influenced by hydraulic controls as well as food resource value, and (2) pre‐spate environmental conditions in terms of resource distribution and availability may pre‐condition organisms’ susceptibility to spates and also affect refugium usage, at least in food‐limited, detritus‐based stream systems.