bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The misapplication of the name Croton urticoides, the reinstatement of the name Adriana tomentosa, and Allan Cunningham's book herbarium at Chelsea Physic Garden
Authors: Orchard A. E. , Gross C. L.
Published: October 2009

Adriana Gaudich. is a small genus in the Euphorbiaceae that is endemic to Australia. Recently, new combinations were made by others for Adriana on the premise that Croton urticoides A.Cunn. is an earlier name for A. tomentosa. The type was not seen, although it was suggested that it resided in Robert Heward’s book herbarium of assembled Allan Cunningham specimens held at the Chelsea Physic Garden. This mini-herbarium has not been rediscovered, but true type material has been found at the herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. An inspection of the type of C. urticoides held at Kew revealed that the material is Gynatrix pulchella (Willd.) Alef in the Malvaceae and its epithet predates that of C. urticoides by several years. We discuss the amplification of errors that have occurred for an incorrect name that has become accepted by several herbaria in Australia. This book herbarium cannot be located at present, and is presumed lost, although it is likely that type materials of most if not all Cunningham’s (1825) names still exist elsewhere. There is little or no evidence that the book herbarium at Chelsea Physic Garden contained type material of species described by Cunningham (1825) in Field’s Geographical Memoirs. Instead, it is likely that it consisted of material assembled many years later by Heward from Cunningham’s collections, to illustrate the taxa in Cunningham’s publications. The type of C. urticoides is fixed herein by lectotypification. We provide a summary of the nomenclature for the taxa under discussion.
Tug-of-war between dissimilar teams of microtubule motors regulates transport and fission of endosomes
Authors: Soppina Virupakshi , Rai Arpan Kumar , Ramaiya Avin Jayesh , Barak Pradeep , Mallik Roop
Published: October 2009

Intracellular transport is interspersed with frequent reversals in direction due to the presence of opposing kinesin and dynein motors on organelles that are carried as cargo. The cause and the mechanism of reversals are unknown, but are a key to understanding how cargos are delivered in a regulated manner to specific cellular locations. Unlike established single-motor biophysical assays, this problem requires understanding of the cooperative behavior of multiple interacting motors. Here we present measurements inside live
Dictyostelium
cells, in a cell extract and with purified motors to quantify such an ensemble function of motors. We show through precise motion analysis that reversals during endosome motion are caused by a tug-of-war between kinesin and dynein. Further, we use a combination of optical trap-based force measurements and Monte Carlo simulations to make the surprising discovery that endosome transport uses many (approximately four to eight) weak and detachment-prone dyneins in a tug-of-war against a single strong and tenacious kinesin. We elucidate how this clever choice of dissimilar motors and motor teams achieves net transport together with endosome fission, both of which are important in controlling the balance of endocytic sorting. To the best of our knowledge, this is a unique demonstration that dynein and kinesin function differently at the molecular level inside cells and of how this difference is used in a specific cellular process, namely endosome biogenesis. Our work may provide a platform to understand intracellular transport of a variety of organelles in terms of measurable quantities.
The immune response attenuates growth and nutrient storage in Drosophila by reducing insulin signaling
Authors: DiAngelo Justin R. , Bland Michelle L. , Bambina Shelly , Cherry Sara , Birnbaum Morris J.
Published: October 2009

Innate immunity is the primary and most ancient defense against infection. Although critical to survival, coordinating protection against a foreign organism is energetically costly, creating the need to reallocate substrates from nonessential functions, such as growth and nutrient storage. However, the mechanism by which infection or inflammation leads to a reduction in energy utilization by these dispensable processes is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that activation of the Toll signaling pathway selectively in the fat body, the major immune and lipid storage organ of the fruit fly,
Drosophila melanogaster
, leads to both induction of immunity and reallocation of resources. Toll signaling in the fat body suppresses insulin signaling both within these cells and non-autonomously throughout the organism, leading to a decrease in both nutrient stores and growth. These data suggest that communication between these two regulatory systems evolved as a means to divert energy in times of need from organismal growth to the acute requirement of combating infection.
TRPM1 is required for the depolarizing light response in retinal ON-bipolar cells
Authors: Morgans Catherine W. , Zhang Jianmei , Jeffrey Brett G. , Nelson Steve M. , Burke Neal S. , Duvoisin Robert M. , Brown R. Lane
Published: October 2009

The ON pathway of the visual system, which detects increases in light intensity, is established at the first retinal synapse between photoreceptors and ON-bipolar cells. Photoreceptors hyperpolarize in response to light and reduce the rate of glutamate release, which in turn causes the depolarization of ON-bipolar cells. This ON-bipolar cell response is mediated by the metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR6, which controls the activity of a depolarizing current. Despite intensive research over the past two decades, the molecular identity of the channel that generates this depolarizing current has remained elusive. Here, we present evidence indicating that TRPM1 is necessary for the depolarizing light response of ON-bipolar cells, and further that TRPM1 is a component of the channel that generates this light response. Gene expression profiling revealed that TRPM1 is highly enriched in ON-bipolar cells. In situ hybridization experiments confirmed that TRPM1 mRNA is found in cells of the retinal inner nuclear layer, and immunofluorescent confocal microscopy showed that TRPM1 is localized in the dendrites of ON-bipolar cells in both mouse and macaque retina. The electroretinogram (ERG) of TRPM1-deficient (TRPM1
−/−
) mice had a normal a-wave, but no b-wave, indicating a loss of bipolar cell response. Finally, whole-cell patch-clamp recording from ON-bipolar cells in mouse retinal slices demonstrated that genetic deletion of TRPM1 abolished chemically simulated light responses from rod bipolar cells and dramatically altered the responses of cone ON-bipolar cells. Identification of TRPM1 as a mGluR6-coupled cation channel reveals a key step in vision, expands the role of the TRP channel family in sensory perception, and presents insights into the evolution of vertebrate vision.
Poly[di(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene] is a potent adjuvant for intradermal immunization
Authors: Andrianov Alexander K. , DeCollibus Daniel P. , Gillis Helice A. , Kha Henry H. , Marin Alexander , Prausnitz Mark R. , Babiuk Lorne A. , Townsend Hugh , Mutwiri George
Published: October 2009

Intradermal immunization using microfabricated needles represents a potentially powerful technology, which can enhance immune responses and provide antigen sparing. Solid vaccine formulations, which can be coated onto microneedle patches suitable for simple administration, can also potentially offer improved shelf-life. However the approach is not fully compatible with many vaccine adjuvants including alum, the most common adjuvant used in the vaccine market globally. Here, we introduce a polyphosphazene immuno adjuvant as a biologically potent and synergistic constituent of microneedle-based intradermal immunization technology. Poly[di(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene], PCPP, functions both as a vaccine adjuvant and as a key microfabrication material. When used as part of an intradermal delivery system for hepatitis B surface antigen, PCPP demonstrates superior activity in pigs compared to intramascular administration and significant antigen sparing potential. It also accelerates the microneedle fabrication process and reduces its dependence on the use of surfactants. In this way, PCPP-coated microneedles may enable effective intradermal vaccination from an adjuvanted patch delivery system.
Regulation of NF-κB activity through lysine monomethylation of p65
Authors: Ea Chee-Kwee , Baltimore David
Published: October 2009

NF-κB is a key activator of inflammatory and immune responses with important pathological roles in cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases. Transcriptional activity of NF-κB is regulated by different posttranslational modifications. Here, we report a novel mechanism of NF-κB regulation through lysine monomethylation by SET9 methyltransferase. Set9 specifically methylates p65 at lysine 37. Both TNFα and IL-1β treatments induced methylation of p65. Methylated p65 is restricted to the nucleus and this modification regulates the promoter binding of p65. Moreover, Set9 mediated methylation of p65 is required for the expression of a subset of NF-κB target genes in response to TNFα stimulation.
Activation of the kappa opioid receptor in the dorsal raphe nucleus mediates the aversive effects of stress and reinstates drug seeking
Authors: Land Benjamin B. , Bruchas Michael R. , Schattauer Selena , Giardino William J. , Aita Megumi , Messinger Daniel , Hnasko Thomas S. , Palmiter Richard D. , Chavkin Charles
Published: October 2009

Although stress has profound effects on motivated behavior, the underlying mechanisms responsible are incompletely understood. In this study we elucidate a functional pathway in mouse brain that encodes the aversive effects of stress and mediates stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine place preference (CPP). Activation of the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system by either repeated stress or agonist produces conditioned place aversion (CPA). Because KOR inhibition of dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway has been proposed to mediate the dysphoria underlying this response, we tested dopamine-deficient mice in this study and found that KOR agonist in these mice still produced CPA. However, inactivation of serotonergic KORs by injection of the KOR antagonist norBNI into the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), blocked aversive responses to the KOR agonist U50,488 and blocked stress-induced reinstatement of CPP. KOR knockout (KO) mice did not develop CPA to U50,488; however, lentiviral re-expression of KOR in the DRN of KOR KO mice restored place aversion. In contrast, lentiviral expression in DRN of a mutated form of KOR that fails to activate p38 MAPK required for KOR-dependent aversion, did not restore place aversion. DRN serotonergic neurons project broadly throughout the brain, but the inactivation of KOR in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) coupled with viral re-expression in the DRN of KOR KO mice demonstrated that aversion was encoded by a DRN to NAc projection. These results suggest that the adverse effects of stress may converge on the serotonergic system and offers an approach to controlling stress-induced dysphoria and relapse.
Timing of eplerenone initiation and outcomes in patients with heart failure after acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular systolic dysfunction: insights from the EPHESUS trial†
Authors: Adamopoulos Chris , Ahmed Ali , Fay Renaud , Angioi Michael , Filippatos Gerasimos , Vincent John , Pitt Bertram , Zannad Faiez ,   the EPHESUS Investigators
Published: October 2009

Aims

To test the hypothesis that an earlier post‐acute myocardial infarction (AMI) eplerenone initiation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and heart failure (HF) is associated with better long‐term outcomes.

Methods and results

The 6632 patients of the EPHESUS study were randomized from day 3 to 14 after the index AMI (median = 7 days), of these 3319 were assigned to eplerenone. We analysed the differential effects of time‐to‐eplerenone initiation vs. placebo, based on the median time to initiation of treatment (<7 days—‘earlier’, ≥7days—‘later’). Effects on outcomes were evaluated over a mean 16‐month follow‐up, using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. The earlier eplerenone initiation (<7 days) reduced the risk of all‐cause mortality by 31% (P = 0.001) when compared with the ‘earlier’ placebo’ and also reduced the risks of cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization/CV mortality by 24% (P < 0.0001) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) by 34% (P < 0.0001). In contrast, later eplerenone initiation (≥7 days) had no significant effect on outcomes. Interactions between time‐to‐randomization and treatment were significant. These associations remained substantially unchanged after risk adjustment in multivariable models.

Conclusion

An earlier eplerenone administration (3–7days) post‐AMI improved outcomes in patients with LVSD and HF. This benefit was not observed when eplerenone was initiated later (≥7days).
Rationale and design of Ferinject® Assessment in patients with IRon deficiency and chronic Heart Failure (FAIR‐HF) study: a randomized, placebo‐controlled study of intravenous iron supplementation in patients with and without anaemia
Authors: Anker Stefan D. , Colet Josep Comin , Filippatos Gerasimos , Willenheimer Ronnie , Dickstein Kenneth , Drexler Helmut , Lüscher Thomas F. , Mori Claudio , von Eisenhart Rothe Barbara , Pocock Stuart , Poole‐Wilson Philip A. , Ponikowski Piotr ,   on behalf of the FAIR‐HF committees and investigators
Published: October 2009

Aims

Iron deficiency (ID) and anaemia are common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The presence of anaemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in CHF, and ID is a major reason for the development of anaemia. Preliminary studies using intravenous (i.v.) iron supplementation alone in patients with CHF and ID have shown improvements in symptom status. FAIR‐HF (ClinicalTrials.govNCT00520780) was designed to determine the effect of i.v. iron repletion therapy using ferric carboxymaltose on self‐reported patient global assessment (PGA) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) in patients with CHF and ID.

Methods and results

This is a multi‐centre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study recruiting ambulatory patients with symptomatic CHF with LVEF ≤ 40% (NYHA II) or ≤45% (NYHA III), ID [ferritin <100 ng/mL or ferritin 100–300 ng/mL when transferrin saturation (TSAT) < 20%], and haemoglobin 9.5–13.5 g/dL. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject®) 200 mg iron i.v. or saline i.v. weekly until iron repletion (correction phase), then monthly until Week 24 (maintenance phase). Primary endpoints are (i) self‐reported PGA at Week 24 and (ii) NYHA class at Week 24, adjusted for baseline NYHA class.

Conclusion

This study will provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of iron repletion with ferric carboxymaltose in CHF patients with ID with and without anaemia.
Adherence to medication according to sex and age in the CHARM programme
Authors: Granger Bradi B. , Ekman Inger , Granger Christopher B. , Ostergren Jan , Olofsson Bertil , Michelson Eric , McMurray John J.V. , Yusuf Salim , Pfeffer Marc A. , Swedberg Karl
Published: October 2009

Aims

Although many patients with heart failure have incomplete adherence to prescribed medications, predisposing factors remain unclear. This analysis investigates factors associated with adherence, with particular emphasis on age and sex.

Methods and results

A multivariable regression analysis of 7599 heart failure patients from the CHARM trial was done to evaluate factors associated with adherence. Adherence was measured as the proportion of time patients took more than 80% of study medication. The mean age was 66 years (SD 11) and 31.5% (n = 2400) were women. Women were slightly less adherent than men (87.3 vs. 89.8%, P = 0.002), even in adjusted, multivariable models (treatment, P = 0.006; placebo P = 0.004; and overall P < 0.001). However, all‐cause mortality was lower in women (21.5%) than in men (25.3%) (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.69–0.86; P < 0.001), but patients with a low adherence regardless of sex had a higher mortality. Age, severity of heart failure, number of medications, and smoking status were not associated with adherence.

Conclusion

Women, particularly those <75 years of age, were less likely to be adherent in this large sample of patients with symptomatic heart failure. Understanding factors associated with adherence may provide opportunities for intervention.
Three-dimensional resting behaviour of northern elephant seals: drifting like a falling leaf
Authors: Mitani Yoko , Andrews Russel D. , Sato Katsufumi , Kato Akiko , Naito Yasuhiko , Costa Daniel P.
Published: October 2009

During their long migrations through the Pacific, northern elephant seals,
Mirounga angustirostris
, never haul out on land and they rarely spend more than a few minutes at a time at the surface. They are almost constantly making repetitive, deep dives, raising the question of when do they rest? One type of dive, the drift dive, characterized by a time-depth profile with a phase of lower than average descent speed is believed to be a resting dive. To examine the behaviour of seals during drift dives, we measured body position and three-dimensional diving paths of six juvenile seals. We found that seals rolled over and sank on their backs during the drift phase, wobbling periodically so that they resembled a falling leaf. This enabled seals to drastically slow their descent rate, possibly so that negatively buoyant seals can rest without ending up in the abyss. This reduces the work required to return to the surface to breath, and allows them time to rest, process food or possibly sleep during the descent phase of these dives where they are probably less susceptible to predation.
Extrafloral nectar content alters foraging preferences of a predatory ant
Authors: Wilder Shawn M. , Eubanks Micky D.
Published: October 2009

We tested whether the carbohydrate and amino acid content of extrafloral nectar affected prey choice by a predatory ant. Fire ants,
Solenopsis invicta
, were provided with artificial nectar that varied in the presence of carbohydrates and amino acids and were then provided with two prey items that differed in nutritional content, female and male crickets. Colonies of fire ants provided with carbohydrate supplements consumed less of the female crickets and frequently did not consume the high-lipid ovaries of female crickets. Colonies of fire ants provided with amino acid supplements consumed less of the male crickets. While a number of studies have shown that the presence of extrafloral nectar or honeydew can affect ant foraging activity, these results suggest that the nutritional composition of extrafloral nectar is also important and can affect subsequent prey choice by predatory ants. Our results suggest that, by altering the composition of extrafloral nectar, plants could manipulate the prey preferences of ants foraging on them.
Ontogeny of long bone geometry in capuchin monkeys (Cebus albifronsandCebus apella): implications for locomotor development and life history
Authors: Young Jesse W. , Fernández David , Fleagle John G.
Published: October 2009

Studies of a diverse array of animals have found that young individuals often have robust bones for their body size (i.e. augmented cross-sectional dimensions), limiting fracture risk despite general musculoskeletal immaturity. However, previous research has focused primarily on precocial taxa (e.g. rodents, lagomorphs, bovids, goats and emu). In this study, we examined the ontogenetic scaling of humeral and femoral cross-sectional robusticity in a mixed-longitudinal sample of two slow-growing, behaviourally altricial capuchin monkeys. Results showed that, when regressed against biomechanically appropriate size variables (i.e. the product of body mass and bone length), humeral and femoral bending strengths generally scale with negative allometry, matching the scaling patterns observed in previous studies of more precocial mammals. Additionally, bone strength relative to predicted loads (e.g. ‘safety factors’) peaks at birth and rapidly decreases during postnatal growth, falling to less than 5 per cent of peak values by weaning age. We suggest that increased safety factors during early ontogeny may be an adaptation to mitigate injury from falling during initial locomotor efforts. Overall, the results presented here suggest that ontogenetic declines in relative long bone strength may represent a common pattern among mammals that is perhaps preadaptive for different purposes among different lineages.
Correction for Milla and Reich, The scaling of leaf area and mass: the cost of light interception increases with leaf size
Authors: Milla Rubén , Reich Peter B.
Published: October 2009

Correction for ‘The scaling of leaf area and mass: the cost of light interception increases with leaf size’ by Rubén Milla and Peter B. Reich (Proc. R. Soc. B
274
, 2109–2114.
(doi:
10.1098/rspb.2007.0417
)).

The following equation contains typographical errors that has no consequence for any other equation or result in the above paper.
Interspecific aggression and character displacement of competitor recognition in
Hetaerina
damselflies
Authors: Anderson Christopher N. , Grether Gregory F.
Published: October 2009

In zones of sympatry between closely related species, species recognition errors in a competitive context can cause character displacement in agonistic signals and competitor recognition functions, just as species recognition errors in a mating context can cause character displacement in mating signals and mate recognition. These two processes are difficult to distinguish because the same traits can serve as both agonistic and mating signals. One solution is to test for sympatric shifts in recognition functions. We studied competitor recognition in
Hetaerina
damselflies by challenging territory holders with live tethered conspecific and heterospecific intruders. Heterospecific intruders elicited less aggression than conspecific intruders in species pairs with dissimilar wing coloration (
H. occisa
/
H. titia
,
H. americana
/
H. titia
) but not in species pairs with similar wing coloration (
H. occisa
/
H. cruentata
,
H. americana
/
H. cruentata
). Natural variation in the area of black wing pigmentation on
H. titia
intruders correlated negatively with heterospecific aggression. To directly examine the role of wing coloration, we blackened the wings of
H. occisa
or
H. americana
intruders and measured responses of conspecific territory holders. This treatment reduced territorial aggression at multiple sites where
H. titia
is present, but not at allopatric sites. These results provide strong evidence for agonistic character displacement.
Treatment-based Markov chain models clarify mechanisms of invasion in an invaded grassland community
Authors: Nelis Lisa Castillo , Wootton J. Timothy
Published: October 2009

What are the relative roles of mechanisms underlying plant responses in grassland communities invaded by both plants and mammals? What type of community can we expect in the future given current or novel conditions? We address these questions by comparing Markov chain community models among treatments from a field experiment on invasive species on Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile. Because of seed dispersal, grazing and disturbance, we predicted that the exotic European rabbit (
Oryctolagus cuniculus
) facilitates epizoochorous exotic plants (plants with seeds that stick to the skin an animal) at the expense of native plants. To test our hypothesis, we crossed rabbit exclosure treatments with disturbance treatments, and sampled the plant community in permanent plots over 3 years. We then estimated Markov chain model transition probabilities and found significant differences among treatments. As hypothesized, this modelling revealed that exotic plants survive better in disturbed areas, while natives prefer no rabbits or disturbance. Surprisingly, rabbits negatively affect epizoochorous plants. Markov chain dynamics indicate that an overall replacement of native plants by exotic plants is underway. Using a treatment-based approach to multi-species Markov chain models allowed us to examine the changes in the importance of mechanisms in response to experimental impacts on communities.
Are fast explorers slow reactors? Linking personality type and anti-predator behaviour
Authors: Jones Katherine A. , Godin Jean-Guy J.
Published: October 2009

Response delays to predator attack may be adaptive, suggesting that latency to respond does not always reflect predator detection time, but can be a decision based on starvation–predation risk trade-offs. In birds, some anti-predator behaviours have been shown to be correlated with personality traits such as activity level and exploration. Here, we tested for a correlation between exploration behaviour and response latency time to a simulated fish predator attack in a fish species, juvenile convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata). Individual focal fish were subjected to a standardized attack by a robotic fish predator while foraging, and separately given two repeated trials of exploration of a novel environment. We found a strong positive correlation between exploration and time taken to respond to the predator model. Fish that were fast to explore the novel environment were slower to respond to the predator. Our study therefore provides some of the first experimental evidence for a link between exploration behaviour and predator-escape behaviour. We suggest that different behavioural types may differ in how they partition their attention between foraging and anti-predator vigilance.
D-Cycloserine into the BLA reverses the impairing effects of exposure to stress on the extinction of contextual fear, but not conditioned taste aversion
Authors: Akirav Irit , Segev Amir , Motanis Helen , Maroun Mouna
Published: October 2009

We investigated whether the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor partial agonist D-cycloserine (DCS, 20 μg/side) microinfused into the basolateral amygdala (BLA) would reverse stress-induced impairment of extinction in two aversive learning paradigms: contextual fear conditioning and conditioned taste aversion (CTA). We found that DCS in the BLA show differential involvement in the extinction of these two paradigms and in its modulation of stress-induced impairment of extinction. This may suggest that the dysfunctional extinction of fear and taste aversion following exposure to a stressful experience may be modulated by different mechanisms.
Transcript-Based Cloning ofRRP46, a Regulator of rRNA Processing andRGene–Independent Cell Death in Barley–Powdery Mildew Interactions
Authors: Xi Liu , Moscou Matthew J. , Meng Yan , Xu Weihui , Caldo Rico A. , Shaver Miranda , Nettleton Dan , Wise Roger P.
Published: October 2009

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays a pivotal role in plant development and defense. To investigate the interaction between PCD and R gene–mediated defense, we used the 22K Barley1 GeneChip to compare and contrast time-course expression profiles of Blumeria graminis f. sp hordei (Bgh) challenged barley (Hordeum  vulgare) cultivar C.I. 16151 (harboring the Mla6 powdery mildew resistance allele) and its fast neutron–derived Bgh-induced tip cell death1 mutant, bcd1. Mixed linear model analysis identified genes associated with the cell death phenotype as opposed to R gene–mediated resistance. One-hundred fifty genes were found at the threshold P value < 0.0001 and a false discovery rate <0.6%. Of these, 124 were constitutively overexpressed in the bcd1 mutant. Gene Ontology and rice (Oryza sativa) alignment-based annotation indicated that 68 of the 124 overexpressed genes encode ribosomal proteins. A deletion harboring six genes on chromosome 5H cosegregates with bcd1-specified cell death and is associated with misprocessing of rRNAs but segregates independent of R gene–mediated resistance. Barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing of one of the six deleted genes, RRP46 (rRNA-processing protein 46), phenocopied bcd1-mediated tip cell death. These findings suggest that RRP46, a critical component of the exosome core, mediates RNA processing and degradation involved in cell death initiation as a result of attempted penetration by Bgh during the barley–powdery mildew interaction but is independent of gene-for-gene resistance.
Lessons learned from children who have experienced homelessness: what services need to know
Authors: Moore Tim , McArthur Morag , Noble‐Carr Debbie
Published: October 2009

Children who accompany their parents or guardians during a period of homelessness make up 37% (more than one in three) of all people accessing the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) services. This paper describes an Australian qualitative study that explored the experiences of children who accompanied their families during periods of homelessness. It focuses particularly on what children and young people say they want from the services that they come in contact with; particularly specialised homelessness services such as housing support services and refuges. Key themes that emerged from the research include: the need for services to engage with children as individuals in their own right, to listen to and acknowledge their stories, to have services that meet their individual needs, to act and respond when children feel unsafe and for workers who can provide support to children to talk to parents about what is going on. Children and young people wanted workers to know that they felt their parents were doing their best to keep them safe. They focused on what their parents could do and did do rather than what they were not able to provide. They called on the human service system to do the same.
Evaluation of anti‐wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing retinol using the guideline of the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association
Authors: KAWADA Akira , KONISHI Natsuko , MOMMA Tomoyuki , OISO Naoki , KAWARA Shigeru
Published: October 2009

Retinol is known to be effective in the treatment of sallowness, wrinkling, red blotchiness and hyperpigmented spots in aging skin. In this study, we have evaluated the anti‐wrinkle effects of a new cosmetic containing retinol. An open study was performed in 30 healthy Japanese women who had wrinkles at the corners of the eyes. The tested lotion, Retin‐OX+ (RoC SA, Colombes, France), was applied on wrinkles of one side of the face for 8 weeks, and not on the other site as a control. Anti‐wrinkle effects were evaluated by two methods: (i) doctors’ observation and photos based on the guideline of the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association; and (ii) the Robo Skin Analyzer. This lotion showed marked and moderate improvement in 34% of the subjects with a significant difference as compared with the control sites (P < 0.05). Moreover, the length and area decreased in the applied site more than the control site with a significant difference (P < 0.01). All the patients completed the study without significant adverse reactions. The tested lotion was well tolerated and may be an optional preparation for the treatment of wrinkles at the corner of the eyes.
Do we have to pay more attention to vitiligo patients? Peculiar histopathological features of primary cutaneous melanoma preceded by vitiligo
Authors: ONSUN Nahide , BÜYÜKBABANI Nesimi , ÜMMETOĞLU Ömer , CEBECI Filiz
Published: October 2009

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting skin disease characterized by the loss of functioning epidermal melanocytes. Vitiligo can be associated with an autoimmune disorder. An unusual and important aspect of vitiligo is its relationship to melanoma. We present herein a 34‐year‐old man who developed regional lymph node metastases of malignant melanoma 2 years after the diagnosis of vitiligo.
When parents love and don't love their children: some children's stories
Authors: D'Cruz Heather , Stagnitti Karen
Published: October 2009

This paper discusses a small pilot study with Anglo‐Australian children aged 6 to 8 years. The children expressed through stories of what it meant for them when parents love and care for their children, and when they do not. Themes from stories of parental love and care included: relationships, shared special times, being safe and protected, and physical affection. Stories about parents who did not love or care for their children covered themes of abandonment, isolation and sadness. The study contributes an approach that can improve professional practice with children and early outcomes showing the importance of seeking children's perspectives in decision‐making about their welfare.
PIM‐1 kinase expression in adipocytic neoplasms: diagnostic and biological implications
Authors: Nga Min En , Swe Nu Nu Ma , Chen Kang Ting , Shen Liang , Lilly Michael B. , Chan Siew Pang , Salto‐Tellez Manuel , Das Kakoli
Published: October 2009

The differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumours poses a considerable challenge for pathologists, especially adipocytic tumours, as these may show considerable overlap in clinical presentation and morphological features with many other mesenchymal neoplasms. Hence, a specific and reliable marker that identifies adipocytic differentiation is much sought. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of PIM‐1 kinase in 35 samples of soft tissue tumours using tissue microarray technology and 49 full sections of adipocytic (n = 26) and non‐adipocytic tumours (n = 23). Benign and malignant adipocytic tumours showed strong expression of PIM‐1 while the non‐adipocytic tumours were either negative or showed only weak staining for the protein. In myxoid liposarcomas, PIM‐1 showed a distinct, unique vacuolar staining pattern, clearly outlining fine cytoplasmic lipid vacuoles. By contrast, non‐adipocytic myxoid tumours (myxoma, chordoma and myxoid chondrosarcoma) did not show this vacuolar pattern of PIM‐1 staining, although vacuolated cells were present on H&E. This differential expression was confirmed at a gene expression level in selected cases. Our results indicate that the expression of PIM‐1 in adipose tissue may be a useful marker of adipocytic differentiation, in particular if the staining is both of high intensity and present in a unique, vacuolar pattern.
Patterns of ant species diversity and turnover across 2000 km of Amazonian floodplain forest
Authors: Vasconcelos Heraldo L. , Vilhena José M.S. , Facure Kátia G. , Albernaz Ana L.K.M.
Published: October 2009

Aim  To determine the effect and relative importance of geographic and local environmental factors on species richness and turnover of ant assemblages in floodplain forests across the Amazon basin.

Location  Twenty‐six mature forest sites scattered along the entire extension of the Amazon River in Brazil. The study area encompassed nearly 18° of longitude and 3.5° of latitude.

Methods  Systematic collections of ants were performed at each site during the low‐water season (i.e. when forests are not inundated) using three complementary sampling methods. We used variance partitioning techniques to assess the relative effects of the spatial (latitude and longitude) and environmental (rainfall, length of the dry season and flood height) variables on ant species richness and composition.

Results  There was a twofold variation in the number of species per site, which was largely explained by inter‐site variations in rainfall seasonality and flooding intensity. In general, there were more species at sites located in the western part of the basin, where the dry season is less severe, or near the river estuary, where precipitation is also high and flooding is less intense. Ant community composition was also affected by environmental heterogeneity. For instance, some species only occurred at those sites less affected by the river’s seasonal flooding, whereas others were mostly associated with the drier or wetter regions of the basin. In addition, the turnover of species increased significantly as geographic distances increased. Nevertheless, the rate of change was small given that many species had a broad distribution across the study area.

Main conclusions  Ant distribution patterns along the floodplain forests of the Amazon appear to be controlled to a relatively large extent by the current gradient in flooding intensity and – most importantly – in precipitation. Altered rainfall regimes resulting from global warming and land‐use change thus have the potential to influence these patterns.
Effects of patch size and density on flower visitation and seed set of wild plants: a pan‐European approach
Authors: Dauber Jens , Biesmeijer Jacobus C. , Gabriel Doreen , Kunin William E. , Lamborn Ellen , Meyer Birgit , Nielsen Anders , Potts Simon G. , Roberts Stuart P. M. , Sõber Virve , Settele Josef , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Stout Jane C. , Teder Tiit , Tscheulin Thomas , Vivarelli Daniele , Petanidou Theodora
Published: October 2009

1. Habitat fragmentation can affect pollinator and plant population structure in terms of species composition, abundance, area covered and density of flowering plants. This, in turn, may affect pollinator visitation frequency, pollen deposition, seed set and plant fitness.

2. A reduction in the quantity of flower visits can be coupled with a reduction in the quality of pollination service and hence the plants’ overall reproductive success and long‐term survival. Understanding the relationship between plant population size and/or isolation and pollination limitation is of fundamental importance for plant conservation.

3. We examined flower visitation and seed set of 10 different plant species from five European countries to investigate the general effects of plant populations size and density, both within (patch level) and between populations (population level), on seed set and pollination limitation.

4. We found evidence that the effects of area and density of flowering plant assemblages were generally more pronounced at the patch level than at the population level. We also found that patch and population level together influenced flower visitation and seed set, and the latter increased with increasing patch area and density, but this effect was only apparent in small populations.

5. Synthesis. By using an extensive pan‐European data set on flower visitation and seed set we have identified a general pattern in the interplay between the attractiveness of flowering plant patches for pollinators and density dependence of flower visitation, and also a strong plant species‐specific response to habitat fragmentation effects. This can guide efforts to conserve plant–pollinator interactions, ecosystem functioning and plant fitness in fragmented habitats.
Polygynous supercolonies of the acacia‐antPseudomyrmex peperi, an inferior colony founder
Authors: KAUTZ S. , PAULS S. U. , BALLHORN D. J. , LUMBSCH H. T. , HEIL M.
Published: October 2009

In ant–plant protection mutualisms, plants provide nesting space and nutrition to defending ants. Several plant–ants are polygynous. Possessing more than one queen per colony can reduce nestmate relatedness and consequently the inclusive fitness of workers. Here, we investigated the colony structure of the obligate acacia‐antPseudomyrmex peperi, which competes for nesting space with several congeneric and sympatric species.Pseudomyrmex peperihad a lower colony founding success than its congeners and thus, appears to be competitively inferior during the early stages of colony development. Aggression assays showed thatP. peperiestablishes distinct, but highly polygynous supercolonies, which can inhabit large clusters of host trees. Analysing queens, workers, males and virgin queens from two supercolonies with eight polymorphic microsatellite markers revealed a maximum of three alleles per locus within a colony and, thus, high relatedness among nestmates. Colonies had probably been founded by one singly mated queen and supercolonies resulted from intranidal mating among colony‐derived males and daughter queens. This strategy allows colonies to grow by budding and to occupy individual plant clusters for time spans that are longer than an individual queen’s life. Ancestral states reconstruction indicated that polygyny represents the derived state within obligate acacia‐ants. We suggest that the extreme polygyny ofPseudomyrmex peperi, which is achieved by intranidal mating and thereby maintains high nestmate relatedness, might play an important role for species coexistence in a dynamic and competitive habitat.
Characteristics of prospectively measured vaginal bleeding among women trying to conceive
Authors: Mikolajczyk Rafael T. , Buck Louis Germaine M. , Cooney Maureen A. , Lynch Courtney D. , Sundaram Rajeshwari
Published: October 2009

Mikolajczyk RT, Louis GMB, Cooney MA, Lynch CD, Sundaram R. Characteristics of prospectively measured vaginal bleeding among women trying to conceive. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010; 24: 24–30.

Previous research has described variability in menstrual cycle lengths within and across women, though less attention has focused on characterising patterns of bleeding. While clinical definitions for menstrual bleeding are often given in standard textbooks, the validity of conventional definitions has not been empirically evaluated in epidemiological studies. The definition of menstrual bleeding may affect the analysis of time to pregnancy and pregnancy dating that relies upon the last menstrual period. We used daily records of vaginal bleeding from a prospective cohort study that included 74 women trying to become pregnant who reported 430 bleeding episodes. A longitudinal mixture model (PROC TRAJ) was used to classify patterns of bleeding.

Among the first 74 bleeding episodes, 15% comprised only days with spotting or light bleeding (possibly representing non‐menstrual bleeding given the length of the cycle defined by these bleeding episodes). When all 430 bleeding episodes were analysed, four distinct bleeding patterns emerged: (1) episodic bleeding comprising 1–3 days of spotting (10%), (2) bleeding lasting 3–6 days (40%), (3) bleeding lasting 6–8 days (33%), and (4) bleeding lasting 8–12 days (17%). These findings suggest that non‐menstrual bleeding may be relatively common. Considerable variation in menstrual bleeding patterns is evident, and as such is likely to impact fecundity‐related endpoints or gestational age estimates that rely upon menstrual cycle dates. The association between bleeding patterns and female fecundity awaits future research.
Unexpected cardiovascular collapse from massive air embolism during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: GOINS K. M. , MAY J. M. , HUCKLENBRUCH C. , LITTLEWOOD K. E. , GROVES D. S.
Published: October 2009

A 72 year‐old woman with cholangiocarcinoma presented for endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) for diagnostic intraductal endoscopy under GETA. During the technically difficult procedure the patient became suddenly hypoxic, hypotensive, bradycardic, and progressed to PEA code (ETCO2 5 mmHg). ACLS was initiated. Transesophageal echo demonstrated massive right heart air accumulation; abdominal X‐Ray showed air filled bile ducts. Central access was obtained, a pulmonary artery catheter floated, and 30 ml of air aspirated from the RV. Within 5 minutes pulses returned; the patient was transferred to the ICU. MRI revealed two watershed infarcts in the right frontal lobe. The patient fully recovered and returned a month later for an uneventful ERCP.
Temporal variation of heterozygosity‐based assortative mating and related benefits in a lesser kestrel population
Authors: ORTEGO J. , CALABUIG G. , BONAL R. , MUÑOZ A. , APARICIO J. M. , CORDERO P. J.
Published: October 2009

Heterozygosity as a target of mate choice has received much attention in recent years and there is growing evidence supporting its role in the evolution of mate preferences. In this study we analyse mating patterns in relation to heterozygosity in a lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) population intensively monitored over six study years (2002–2007). The magnitude of heterozygosity‐based assortative mating varied over time, being particularly patent in the last study years (2006, 2007). We have found evidence that this mating pattern entails both direct and indirect‐genetic benefits. Clutch size increased with female heterozygosity and more heterozygous males raised a higher number of fledglings particularly in those years when the strength of the heterozygosity‐based assortative mating was markedly higher. In the last study year, parent–offspring correlation of heterozygosity was stronger and higher than the expected if individuals would have randomly mated with respect to heterozygosity. Overall, our results offer empirical support to the heterozygous mate hypothesis of sexual selection but suggest that genetic diversity may act as a temporally variable target for mate choice.
Sperm competition and the evolution of the sperm hook in house mice
Authors: FIRMAN R. C. , SIMMONS L. W.
Published: October 2009

Sperm morphology varies considerably both between and within species. The sperm of many muroid rodents bear an apical hook at the proximal end of the head. The curvature of the sperm hook varies greatly across species, however the adaptive significance of the sperm hook is currently not known. In wood mice the apical hooks intertwine to form sperm ‘trains’, which exhibit faster swimming velocities than single cells. Thus, it has been suggested that if sperm ‘trains’ were advantageous in a competitive situation, then the apical sperm hook might be an evolutionary product of selection via sperm competition. A comparative study of rodent species provided support for the hypothesis, and showed that species with higher levels of sperm competition had more reflected sperm hooks. Here, we tested this hypothesis at the intraspecific level. We quantified sperm hook morphology from seven house mouse populations, and found that interpopulation variation in hook curvature was not explained by variation in sperm competition risk. Furthermore, observations of ejaculated sperm revealed that sperm groups are not a common characteristic of mouse ejaculates. We suggest that selection for sperm attachment to the oviduct epithelium, and thus better retainment of sperm fertilizing potential, may provide a more general explanation of the evolutionary relationship between sperm competition risk and the curvature of the sperm hook among rodents, and provide a phylogenetic comparison among rodent species that supports our hypothesis.
Phylogenetic determinants of potential host shifts in fungal pathogens
Authors: De VIENNE D. M. , HOOD M. E. , GIRAUD T.
Published: October 2009

Understanding what determines the host range of pathogens and the potential for host shifts is of critical importance to controlling their introductions into new environments. The phylogeny of the hosts has been shown to be important: pathogens are more likely to be infectious on hosts closely related to their host‐of‐origin because of the similar host environments that is shared by descent. The importance of pathogen phylogenies for predicting host range has never been investigated, although a pathogen should also be able to exploit a new host that its close relative can infect. We performed cross‐inoculations using a plant–fungal association and showed that both host and pathogen phylogenies were significant predictors of host range, with at least partly independent effects. Furthermore, we showed that some pathogens were better at infecting novel hosts. Our results should have implications in the context of biological invasions and emergences of new diseases due to globalization.