bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Colletotrichum acutatum Gene Encoding a Putative pH-Responsive Transcription Regulator Is a Key Virulence Determinant During Fungal Pathogenesis on Citrus
Authors: You Bang-Jau , Choquer Mathias , Chung Kuang-Ren
Published: August 2007

Postbloom fruit drop of citrus and Key lime anthracnose (KLA) are caused by different pathotypes of Colletotrichum acutatum. Both pathotypes are pathogenic to citrus flowers, resulting in blossom blight and induction of young fruit abscission. Two fungal mutants defective in pathogenicity were recovered from a KLA pathotype after Agrobacterium-mediated mutagenesis. A PacCKLAP2 gene encoding a polypeptide that resembles many pH-responsive PacC/Rim101 transcription regulators in fungi was identified from one of the mutants, and functionally characterized to play a crucial role in pathogenesis to both Key lime leaves and citrus flowers. Gene disruption at the PacCKLAP2 locus created fungal mutants that were hypersensitive to alkaline pH, altered in conidium and appressorium production and germination, and concomitant with reduced virulence to both tissues. The pacCklap2 null mutants had lower alkaline phosphatase and protease activities, but increased pectolytic and lipolytic activities. The mutants initiated penetration and incited lesion formation on Key lime, indistinguishable from the wild type, when a functional copy of PacCKLAP2 was reintroduced or the leaves were wounded prior to inoculation. The null mutants were blocked at the penetration stage and, thus, failed to initiate the necrotrophic phase. The PacCKLAP2 transcript was barely detectable when the fungus was grown on medium buffered to pH 3 or 4, yet accumulated to high levels at a pH between 5 and 7. The PacCKLAP2 transcript was detected 2 days postinoculation on Key lime leaves, correlating with the time of lesion formation. We conclude that PacCKLAP2 is essential for C. acutatum pathogenesis by regulating multiple physiological and developmental processes.
Phylogenetic analysis of host–symbiont specificity and codivergence in bioluminescent symbioses
Authors: Dunlap Paul V. , Ast Jennifer C. , Kimura Seishi , Fukui Atsushi , Yoshino Tetsuo , Endo Hiromitsu
Published: August 2007

Several groups of marine fishes and squids form mutualistic bioluminescent symbioses with luminous bacteria. The dependence of the animal on its symbiont for light production, the animal's specialized anatomical adaptations for harboring bacteria and controlling light emission, and the host family bacterial species specificity characteristic of these associations suggest that bioluminescent symbioses are tightly coupled associations that might involve coevolutionary interactions. Consistent with this possibility, evidence of parallel cladogenesis has been reported for squid–bacterial associations. However, genetic adaptations in the bacteria necessary for and specific to symbiosis have not been identified, and unlike obligate endosymbiotic associations in which the bacteria are transferred vertically, bacterially bioluminescent hosts acquire their light‐organ symbionts from the environment with each new host generation. These contrasting observations led us to test the hypotheses of species specificity and codivergence in bioluminescent symbioses, using an extensive sampling of naturally formed associations. Thirty‐five species of fish in seven teleost families (Chlorophthalmidae, Macrouridae, Moridae, Trachichthyidae, Monocentridae, Acropomatidae, Leiognathidae) and their light‐organ bacteria were examined. Phylogenetic analysis of a taxonomically broad sampling of associations was based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences for the fish and on recA, gyrB and luxA sequences for bacteria isolated from the light organs of these specimens. In a fine‐scale test focused on Leiognathidae, phylogenetic analysis was based also on histone H3 subunit and 28S rRNA gene sequences for the fish and on gyrB, luxA, luxB, luxF and luxE sequences for the bacteria. Deep divergences were revealed among the fishes, and clear resolution was obtained between clades of the bacteria. In several associations, bacterial species identities contradicted strict host family bacterial species specificity. Furthermore, the fish and bacterial phylogenies exhibited no meaningful topological congruence; evolutionary divergence of host fishes was not matched by a similar pattern of diversification in the symbiotic bacteria. Re‐analysis of data reported for squids and their luminous bacteria also revealed no convincing evidence of codivergence. These results refute the hypothesis of strict host family bacterial species specificity and the hypothesis of codivergence in bioluminescent symbioses.

© The Willi Hennig Society 2007.
A conservation assessment of the freshwater crabs of southern Africa (Brachyura: Potamonautidae)
Authors: Cumberlidge Neil , Daniels Savel R.
Published: August 2007

Recent taxonomic revisions of the freshwater crabs of southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe) allow accurate depictions of their diversity, distribution patterns and conservation status. The southern African region is home to nineteen species of freshwater crabs all belonging to the genus Potamonautes (family Potamonautidae). These crabs show high levels of species endemism (84%) to the southern African region and to the country of South Africa (74%). The conservation status of each species is assessed using the IUCN (2003) Red List criteria, based on detailed compilations of the majority of known specimens. The results indicate that one species should be considered vulnerable, fifteen species least concern and three species data deficient. The results have been utilized by the IUCN for Red Lists, and may prove useful when developing a conservation strategy for southern Africa’s endemic freshwater crab fauna.
Patterns of immunoglobulin G responses to egg and peanut allergens are distinct: ovalbumin‐specific immunoglobulin responses are ubiquitous, but peanut‐specific immunoglobulin responses are up‐regulated in peanut allergy
Authors: Tay S. S. , Clark A. T. , Deighton J. , King Y. , Ewan P. W.
Published: August 2007

Background
The clinical significance of food‐specific IgG subclasses in food allergy and tolerance remains unclear. Specific IgG titres are often reported in non‐standardized units, which do not allow comparisons between studies or allergens.

Objective
To quantify, in absolute units, ovalbumin (OVA)‐ and peanut‐specific IgG levels in children with peanut or egg allergy (active or resolved) and in non‐allergic controls.

Methods
Children aged 1–15 years were recruited. Peanut allergy was diagnosed by convincing history and a 95% predictive level of specific IgE; egg allergy or resolution was confirmed by oral challenge. Serum IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 levels (μg/mL) to OVA and peanut extract were quantified by ELISA.

Results
OVA‐ and peanut‐specific IgG was detected in all subjects. In non‐allergic controls (n=18), OVA‐specific IgG levels were significantly higher than peanut‐specific IgG (median μg/mL IgG=15.9 vs. 2.2, IgG1=1.3 vs. 0.6, IgG4=7.9 vs. 0.7; P<0.01). There were no differences in OVA‐specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 between egg‐allergic (n=40), egg‐resolved (n=22) and control (n=18) subjects. In contrast, peanut‐specific IgG (median μg/mL IgG=17.0, IgG1=3.3, IgG4=5.2) were significantly higher in peanut‐allergic subjects (n=59) compared with controls and with non‐peanut‐sensitized but egg‐allergic subjects (n=26). Overall, the range of IgG4 was greater than IgG1, and IgG4 was the dominant subclass in >60% of all subjects.

Conclusion
OVA‐specific IgG levels of egg‐allergic, egg‐resolved or control groups are not distinguishable. Higher peanut‐specific IgG levels are associated with clinical allergy, but the range of IgG titres of the allergic and control groups overlapped. Hence, OVA and peanut‐specific IgG measurements do not appear to be of diagnostic value. Strong IgG responses to OVA may be a normal physiological response to a protein frequently ingested from infancy, whereas up‐regulated IgG responses in peanut allergy may be indicative of a dysregulated immune response to peanut allergens.
Sources and transport of algae and nutrients in a Californian river in a semi‐arid climate
Authors: OHTE NOBUHITO , DAHLGREN RANDY A. , SILVA STEVEN R. , KENDALL CAROL , KRATZER CHARLES R. , DOCTOR DANIEL H.
Published: August 2007

1. To elucidate factors contributing to dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion in the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel in the lower San Joaquin River, spatial and temporal changes in algae and nutrient concentrations were investigated in relation to flow regime under the semiarid climate conditions.

2. Chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) concentration and loads indicated that most algal biomass was generated by in‐stream growth in the main stem of the river. The addition of algae from tributaries and drains was small (c.15% of total chl‐a load), even though high concentrations of chl‐a were measured in some source waters.

3. Nitrate and soluble‐reactive phosphorus (SRP) were available in excess as a nutrient source for algae. Although nitrate and SRP from upstream tributaries contributed (16.9% of total nitrate load and 10.8% of total SRP load), nutrients derived from agriculture and other sources in the middle and lower river reaches were mostly responsible (20.2% for nitrate and 48.0% for SRP) for maintaining high nitrate and SRP concentrations in the main stem.

4. A reduction in nutrient discharge would attenuate the algal blooms that accelerate DO depletion in the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel. The N : P ratio, in the main stem suggests that SRP reduction would be a more viable option for algae reduction than nitrogen reduction.

5. Very high algal growth rates in the main stem suggest that reducing the algal seed source in upstream areas would also be an effective strategy.
Intellectual abilities in a large sample of children with Velo–Cardio–Facial Syndrome: an update
Authors: De Smedt B. , Devriendt K. , Fryns J.‐P. , Vogels A. , Gewillig M. , Swillen A.
Published: August 2007

Background  Learning disabilities are one of the most consistently reported features in Velo–Cardio–Facial Syndrome (VCFS). Earlier reports on IQ in children with VCFS were, however, limited by small sample sizes and ascertainment biases. The aim of the present study was therefore to replicate these earlier findings and to investigate intellectual abilities in a large sample of children with VCFS. In addition, we aimed to identify factors that may contribute to within‐syndrome variability in cognitive performance, such as the mode of inheritance of the deletion, sex, the presence of a heart defect and psychiatric morbidity.

Method  IQ data of 103 children with VCFS (56 males, 47 females) were collected. Psychiatric diagnosis was additionally recorded.

Results  Children with VCFS had a mean full‐scale IQ (FSIQ) of 73.48 (range: 50–109). There were no effects of sex, presence of a heart defect and psychiatric condition on intellectual profile. Inheritance of the deletion affected cognitive performance in VCFS, with children with familial deletions having significant lower FSIQ than children with a de novo deletion.

Conclusions  Learning disabilities are very common in children with VCFS, although marked within syndrome variability is noted. One factor contributing to this variability seems to be the mode of inheritance of the deletion.
Validation of the Mood and Anxiety Semi‐structured (MASS) Interview for patients with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Charlot L. , Deutsch C. , Hunt A. , Fletcher K. , Mcllvane W.
Published: August 2007

Background  When assessing people with intellectual disabilities (ID), using the DSM‐IV‐TR can be challenging. Frequently, significant clinical data must be obtained from interviews with key informants. A new semi‐structured interview tool was developed including behavioural descriptions of each DSM‐IV‐TR symptom criterion for a number of mood and anxiety disorders. A goal was to provide mental health clinicians with an instrument easy to use in clinical practice that would increase reliable identification of diagnostically important mood and anxiety symptoms. This is especially important given the fact that many experts believe these ‘internalizing’ clinical syndromes may often be missed in this population, because of characteristic limitations in expressive language skills.

Method  To establish validity, the Mood and Anxiety Semi‐structured (MASS) Interview‐derived diagnoses were compared with clinical DSM‐IV diagnoses derived from an extensive inpatient evaluation and classifications based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for 93 psychiatric inpatients served on a specialized unit for people with ID and major mental health disorders.

Results  Agreement with the MASS Interview was high yielding significant kappa coefficients ranging from 0.42 to 0.78.

Conclusions  The MASS Interview, a semi‐structured interview containing behavioural descriptions of DSM‐IV symptom criteria, shows promise as a potentially helpful tool in the psychiatric diagnostic evaluation of persons with ID and limited expressive language skills, in the detection of mood and anxiety disorders. The tool also yields a wide breadth of clinical information and is easy for mental health clinicians to use.
Mental health problems in children with intellectual disability: use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Authors: Kaptein S. , Jansen D. E. M. C. , Vogels A. G. C. , Reijneveld S. A.
Published: August 2007

Background  The assessment of mental health problems in children with intellectual disability (ID) mostly occurs by filling out long questionnaires that are not always validated for children without ID. The aim of this study is to assess the differences in mental health problems between children with ID and without ID, using a short questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Methods  We studied 260 children (6–12 years) selected from special education schools for trainable children (response: 57%). Parents completed the extended Dutch version of the SDQ, questions on background characteristics and on the care provided. A non‐ID control group of 707 children (response: 87%) was included to compare mental health problems.

Results  In total, 60.9% of children with ID had an elevated score on the SDQ, compared with 9.8% of children without ID. Only 45% of the children with ID and an elevated SDQ score had visited a healthcare professional for these problems in the last 6 months.

Discussion  The SDQ or an adapted version could contribute to the early identification of mental health problems in children with ID. Further research is needed to confirm the validity of the SDQ when used in a sample of children with ID.
Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of ketorolac in calves after a single intravenous and oral dose
Authors: NAGILLA R. , DESHMUKH D. D. , DURAN S. H. , RAVIS W. R.
Published: August 2007

The purpose of this study was to establish the stereospecific pharmacokinetics of ketorolac (KT) in calves following a single 2 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) and a single 8 mg/kg oral dose. Plasma concentrations were determined using a stereoselective HPLC assay. Pharmacokinetic parameters for both the stereoisomers were estimated by model‐independent methods. Following an i.v. dose, the plasma concentration profiles of the stereoisomers were similar with half‐lives of 5.9 ± 5.1 h for R‐KT and 6.0 ± 4.9 h for S‐KT. Clearance values for R‐ and S‐KT after an i.v. dose were 0.0470 ± 0.0370 and 0.0480 ± 0.0370 L/h/kg respectively. After an oral dose, the terminal half‐lives were longer than following i.v. administration with values of 14.77 ± 3.08 and 14.55 ± 2.95 h for R‐KT and S‐KT respectively. The average oral bioavailability was 86.5 ± 20.6% for R‐KT and 86.7 ± 20.3% for S‐KT. The results indicate that the stereoisomers of KT have similar pharmacokinetic profiles in calves. Although, unlike humans, bioinversion between KT stereoisomers appears minimal in calves, studies with individual isomers are needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn about this lack of KT bioinversion.
Influences of gene flow on adaptive speciation in theDubautia arborea–D. ciliolatacomplex
Authors: REMINGTON D. L. , ROBICHAUX R. H.
Published: August 2007

Mechanisms of reproductive isolation during plant speciation are often unclear because distinct species often experience high levels of gene flow and hybridization. Adaptive radiations such as the Hawaiian silversword alliance (HSA) provide unique opportunities to study the interactions of selection, gene flow and isolating mechanisms during the speciation process. We examined patterns of phenotypic and genetic differentiation inDubautia arboreaandDubautia ciliolata, two parapatric HSA taxa that show marked morphological divergence but evidence of weak molecular differentiation, in order to estimate genome‐wide differentiation and gene flow patterns. We scored 166 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers in a set of 89 plants from two populations each ofD. arboreaandD. ciliolataand phenotypicallyD. arborea‐like andD. ciliolata‐like plants from a natural hybrid zone. Analyses of population subdivision showed low levels of differentiation between the two species (FST = 0.089) and evidence that the phenotypically parental hybrid zone plants were largely of parental species rather than of hybrid origin. A Bayesian analysis of population ancestry identified a number of plants with admixedD. arboreaandD. ciliolataancestry, even in nonhybrid‐zone populations. These results suggest that genome‐wide low levels of differentiation betweenD. arboreaandD. ciliolataare in part due to gene flow, and favour models of genic speciation and collective evolution in which gene flow has different effects on selected loci vs. nonselected genomic regions. We discuss ecological and climatic factors that may have shaped patterns of differentiation in this species complex.
The evolutionary consequences of biological invasions
Authors: SUAREZ ANDREW V. , TSUTSUI NEIL D.
Published: August 2007

A major challenge of invasion biology is the development of a predictive framework that prevents new invasions. This is inherently difficult because different biological characteristics are important at the different stages of invasion: opportunity/transport, establishment and spread. Here, we draw from recent research on a variety of taxa to examine the evolutionary causes and consequences of biological invasions. The process of introduction may favour species with characteristics that promote success in highly disturbed, human‐dominated landscapes, thus exerting novel forms of selection on introduced populations. Moreover, evidence is accumulating that multiple introductions can often be critical to the successful establishment and spread of introduced species, as they may be important sources of genetic variation necessary for adaptation in new environments or may permit the introduction of novel traits. Thus, not only should the introduction of new species be prevented, but substantial effort should also be directed to preventing the secondary introduction of previously established species (and even movement of individuals among introduced populations). Modern molecular techniques can take advantage of genetic changes postintroduction to determine the source of introduced populations and their vectors of spread, and to elucidate the mechanisms of success of some invasive species. Moreover, the growing availability of genomic tools will permit the identification of underlying genetic causes of invasive success.
SmeA, a small membrane protein with multiple functions in Streptomyces sporulation including targeting of a SpoIIIE/FtsK‐like protein to cell division septa
Authors: Ausmees Nora , Wahlstedt Helene , Bagchi Sonchita , Elliot Marie A. , Buttner Mark J. , Flärdh Klas
Published: August 2007

Sporulation in aerial hyphae of Streptomyces coelicolor involves profound changes in regulation of fundamental morphogenetic and cell cycle processes to convert the filamentous and multinucleoid cells to small unigenomic spores. Here, a novel sporulation locus consisting of smeA (encoding a small putative membrane protein) and sffA (encoding a SpoIIIE/FtsK‐family protein) is characterized. Deletion of smeA‐sffA gave rise to pleiotropic effects on spore maturation, and influenced the segregation of chromosomes and placement of septa during sporulation. Both smeA and sffA were expressed specifically in apical cells of sporogenic aerial hyphae simultaneously with or slightly after Z‐ring assembly. The presence of smeA‐like genes in streptomycete chromosomes, plasmids and transposons, often paired with a gene for a SpoIIIE/FtsK‐ or Tra‐like protein, indicates that SmeA and SffA functions might be related to DNA transfer. During spore development SffA accumulated specifically at sporulation septa where it colocalized with FtsK. However, sffA did not show redundancy with ftsK, and SffA function appeared distinct from the DNA translocase activity displayed by FtsK during closure of sporulation septa. The septal localization of SffA was dependent on SmeA, suggesting that SmeA may act as an assembly factor for SffA and possibly other proteins required during spore maturation.
High phenotypic diversity in infecting but not in colonizing Staphylococcus aureus populations
Authors: Goerke Christiane , Gressinger Matthias , Endler Kathrin , Breitkopf Claudia , Wardecki Katrin , Stern Martin , Wolz Christiane , Kahl Barbara C.
Published: August 2007

Summary In hostile environments diversity within a bacterial population may be beneficial for the fitness of the microbial community as a whole. Here we analysed the population diversity of Staphylococcus aureus in infecting and colonizing situations. In the study, performed independently in two German centres, the heterogeneity of the S. aureus population was determined by quantifying the occurrence of phenotypic variants (differences in haemolysis, pigmentation, colony morphology) in primary cultures from nose, oropharyngeal and sputum specimens from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and in nose swabs from healthy S. aureus carriers. The proportion of heterogeneous samples, the number of clearly distinguishable isolates per sample and the qualitative differences between phenotypes was significantly higher in CF sputum specimens than in the other samples. The heterogeneity of the S. aureus population could be correlated with high bacterial densities in the sputum samples. In patients co‐infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lower S. aureus bacterial loads and less heterogeneity in the S. aureus population were observed. Typing of all S. aureus isolates from heterogeneous samples by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis or spa typing revealed that the bacteria were polyclonal in 30%, monoclonal with minor genetic alterations in 25% or not distinguishable in 69% of the specimens. Some specimens harboured monoclonal and polyclonal variants simultaneously. Importantly, differences in antibiotic susceptibility were detected in phenotypic S. aureus variants within a single specimen. Diversification of a S. aureus population is highly favoured during chronic CF lung infection, supporting the general hypothesis that maintenance of intrahost diversity can be of adaptive value, increasing the fitness of the bacterial community.
Physical activity and the prevention of cancer: a review of recent findings
Authors: Miles L.
Published: August 2007

Summary  A number of lifestyle characteristics have already been well established as risk factors for cancer; these include tobacco smoking, diet, alcohol consumption and obesity. More recently, attention has been drawn to the potential relationship between physical activity and cancer risk. In 2002, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published volume 6 of Handbooks of Cancer Prevention: Weight Control and Physical Activity. The IARC report concluded that regular physical activity reduces the risk of breast and colon cancers, and suggested that physical activity also possibly reduces the risk of endometrial and prostate cancers. Since 2002, seven additional reviews and 38 original reports from cohort studies have been identified. These papers cover cancers of the colon/colorectum, breast, endometrium, pancreas, prostate, lung and ovary. This review updates the evidence on physical activity and cancer risk based on these new findings.

It now appears that the decreased risk of colon cancer associated with physical activity is stronger in men than women, and also that the link between breast cancer and physical activity is stronger in post‐menopausal than pre‐menopausal women. The recent evidence also suggests that risk of cancers of the lung and endometrium, and to a lesser extent prostate, is likely to be decreased by physical activity. Yet, there is little or no suggestion that pancreatic or ovarian cancer risk is modified by physical activity. The biological plausibility of the observed associations between physical activity and cancer are supported by a variety of site‐specific and generic mechanisms which are discussed in this review.
CARDIOVASCULAR AND SURVIVAL PARADOXES IN DIALYSIS PATIENTS: Reverse Epidemiology in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Who Are Not Yet on Dialysis
Authors: Kovesdy Csaba P. , Anderson John E.
Published: August 2007

Many traditional risk factors show a seemingly paradoxical, inverse association with mortality in patients on dialysis. In spite of their larger numbers, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are not yet on dialysis are less well studied. Preliminary studies indicate that “reverse epidemiology” is also present in patients with CKD who are not yet on dialysis. Studying patients with CKD offers hope to further our understanding of this phenomenon.
CARDIOVASCULAR AND SURVIVAL PARADOXES IN DIALYSIS PATIENTS: Hypertension Is Harmful to Dialysis Patients and Should Be Controlled
Authors: Foley Robert N. , Agarwal Rajiv
Published: August 2007

Managing hypertension is among the commonest and most challenging features of end‐stage renal disease and many clinical trials have shown the benefit of treating hypertension in the general population. If associations between blood pressure levels and cardiovascular outcomes in dialysis patients mirrored those seen in general population studies, one could argue that dialysis population‐specific antihypertensive trials are unnecessary. Associations between blood pressure levels and outcomes are complex in this population. Naturally, comparisons of observational and experimental findings within intervention in patients with chronic kidney disease often show a surprising degree of disparity. In addition, the possibility of serious unmeasured co‐morbid illnesses masking the true causal relationship between blood pressure and outcomes in this population looms large. Unfortunately, therefore, observational studies appear to be highly unreliable guides to identifying the truth regarding optimal management of hypertension. It appears, then, that controlled trials, alone, can inform appropriate treatment. Of late, intervention trials of antihypertensives in dialysis patients have begun to emerge. Though mostly small, less than definitive, and heterogeneous regarding patient selection, interventions and outcomes, several suggest net benefit and none suggests net harm. As dialysis patients are at vast cardiovascular risk, these findings suggest that aggressive treatment of hypertension should be the default approach, until large clinical trials show otherwise.
Fetal genotyping for the K (Kell) and Rh C, c, and E blood groups on cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal plasma
Authors: Finning Kirstin , Martin Peter , Summers Joanna , Daniels Geoff
Published: August 2007

BACKGROUND: When a pregnant woman has an antibody with the potential to cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, it is beneficial to determine whether her fetus has the corresponding antigen to assess risk. In many countries this is now done routinely for RhD, by testing cell‐free fetal DNA in the maternal plasma. Similar tests for K, C, c, and E are reported.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction incorporating an allele‐specific primer was developed for detecting the K allele of KEL and the C, c, and E alleles of RHCE. These methods were used to test DNA isolated from plasma of pregnant women with antibodies to K, C, c, or E. Accuracy of the tests was determined by comparing results with serologic tests performed on cord red blood cells (RBCs) after delivery or by molecular genotyping on DNA obtained from fetal cells.

RESULTS: The K test incorporated an allele‐specific primer with two locked nucleic acids and a mismatch. In 70 tests, including 27 K+ fetuses, only one false‐negative and no false‐positive results were obtained. The C, c, and E tests, performed on 13, 44, and 46 samples, respectively, gave rise to no false results.

CONCLUSION: Reliable methods have been developed for predicting fetal K, C, c, and E phenotypes, by testing fetal DNA in the plasma samples of pregnant women whose RBCs lack the corresponding antigens. These methods are now being used routinely in a diagnostic service in the United Kingdom.
Expansion of human cytomegalovirus‐specific T lymphocytes from unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells with artificial antigen‐presenting cells
Authors: Paine Ananta , Oelke Mathias , Blasczyk Rainer , Eiz‐Vesper Britta
Published: August 2007

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find a simple and feasible method for ex vivo expansion of human cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐specific cytotoxic T cells from unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Unfractionated PBMNCs from three HLA‐A*0201‐CMV–seropositive donors were stimulated with CMVpp65495‐503 peptide–loaded HLA‐A*0201‐immunoglobulin fusion protein (HLA‐A2‐Ig) based artificial antigen‐presenting cells (aAPCs) on Day 1. Once a week the CMV‐specific T cells were harvested and restimulated with fresh aAPCs. T‐cell cultures were maintained for 28 days and then analyzed.

RESULTS: With aAPCs and starting with 1 × 107 freshly isolated PBMNCs that were less than 0.1 percent CMV‐specific, more than 1 × 107 T cells with a CMV‐specific frequency greater than 93 percent in all donors tested were generated. Expanded CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes were functionally active and showed antigen‐specific secretion of interferon‐γ and cytotoxic activity. No alloreactivity against unpulsed HLA‐A*0201–positive cells was detected.

CONCLUSION: Herein is reported the successful in vitro expansion of CMV‐specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells from unfractionated PBMNCs of healthy CMV‐seropositive blood donors by the use of HLA‐A2‐Ig–based aAPCs. This study demonstrates that more than 1 × 107 CMV‐specific T cells can be generated from approximately 1 × 107 unfractionated PBMNCs within 1 month under highly reproducible conditions.
Fluid dynamics in three 25‐gauge vitrectomy systems: principles for use in vitreoretinal surgery
Authors: Magalhães Octaviano , Maia Maurício , Maia André , Penha Fernando , Dib Eduardo , Farah Michel Eid , Schor Paulo
Published: August 2007

Purpose:  To compare infusion and extrusion fluid volumes with three 25‐gauge vitrectomy systems.

Methods:  The infusion and aspiration rates of 25‐gauge systems from Alcon (Fort Worth, TX, USA), Bausch & Lomb (St Louis, MO, USA), and the Dutch Ophthalmic Research Centre (DORC, Zuidland, the Netherlands) were measured in vitro using balanced saline solution with different heights (40, 60, 80, 100, 120 cm) of infusion bottle, cutter velocities (800, 1100, 1500 cuts/ min) and aspiration powers (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mmHg).

Results:  The infusion flow velocities differed among the systems (p < 0.001 for all comparisons [p‐values 0.0009−0.0001]). The aspiration rates of the Alcon and Bausch & Lomb systems were lower than that of the DORC system (p < 0.02 for all comparisons [p‐values 0.018−0.002]).

Conclusions:  Infusion and extrusion fluid rates differ among 25‐gauge vitrectomy systems. These results may help to optimize ideal aspiration and infusion parameters among 25‐gauge vitrectomy systems used to treat vitreoretinal diseases.
Quantitative evaluation of elderly skin based on digital image analysis
Authors: Tanaka Hiromasa , Nakagami Gojiro , Sanada Hiromi , Sari Yunita , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Kishi Kazuo , Konya Chizuko , Tadaka Etsuko
Published: August 2007

Background: The evaluation of the skin state when it is healthy at the time of examination, but predisposed to disease, is based solely on the subjective assessment of clinicians. This assessment may vary from moment to moment and from rater to rater.

Purpose: We focused on skin texture and aimed to develop a new method to evaluate skin integrity of the elderly using a digital skin image, by verifying the reliability of the clinical evaluation of elderly skin image by specialists to create a ‘gold standard,’ and by analyzing a digital skin image to identify the indices that explain the skin condition as evaluated by specialists.

Methods: A total of 208 skin images were collected from 34 subjects. And then we processed and analyzed images. Modified Kobayashi's method and texture analysis method were used in image analysis. Kobayashi's method included the process of density transformation, cross binarization, short straight line matching and extraction of main sulcus, and calculation of each index. Texture analysis was performed on cross‐binarized images for quantification of uniformity. On the other hand, skin textures in images were scored by six plastic surgeons, using a 10‐point Likert scale, where 1 represented ‘very bad regularity’ and 10 represented ‘very good regularity.’ The inter‐rater reliability was verified by means of the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Finally, stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to extract useful indices; where the clinical evaluation of the physicians (gold standard) was considered to be a dependent variable, and indices obtained from digital skin image analysis to be independent variables.

Results: The ICC of raters was 0.92 (95% confidence interval; 0.91–0.94) when including all raters, therefore the score of all raters was used. As a result of stepwise multiple regression, the index of interval (L), thickness (Tave), energy 0°, and entropy 45° independently explained the clinician evaluation. R2 in multiple regression equation was 0.59.

Conclusions: It is shown that quantitative evaluation using skin images and their analysis is one method of determining skin integrity in the elderly. The indices to explain the clinical evaluation of specialists were defined and these indices were obtained simply by using a skin image.
Identification of melanoma with a gas sensor array
Authors: D'Amico A. , Bono R. , Pennazza G. , Santonico M. , Mantini G. , Bernabei M. , Zarlenga M. , Roscioni C. , Martinelli E. , Paolesse R. , Di Natale C.
Published: August 2007

Background/purpose: The relationship between diseases and alterations of the airborne chemicals emitted from the body has been found in many different pathologies and in particular for various forms of cancer. Metabolism of cancer cells is greatly altered during their lifetime; then, modification of chemicals is supposed to be large around cancer tissues. Positive hints in this direction were provided, as an example, on studying the breath composition of lung cancer‐affected subjects. Besides the conventional analytical approaches, in recent years sensor arrays were also applied to these researches considering the chemical composition changes as those occurring in other applications such as for instance, those dealing with food quality measurements.

Methods: In this paper, the first application of sensor arrays to study the differentiation between melanomas and nevi, namely malignant and benign affection of melanocytary cells, respectively, is presented and discussed. The localization of lesions on the skin surface made possible the utilization of differential measurements aimed at capturing the differences between two adjacent skin regions. This approach strongly reduces the influence of skin headspace variability due to the peculiar subjective odour background and the skin odour variability. The measurement campaign involved 40 cases; 10 of these were diagnosed melanomas referred to surgical intervention. Nine of these diagnoses were further confirmed by histological examinations of the removed tissue and one was a false positive.

Results: The differences in the chemical composition of headspace were verified with a gas‐chromatographic investigation, and the classification of electronic nose data provided an estimated cross‐validated accuracy of the same order of magnitude as the currently used diagnostic instruments.

Conclusion: Electronic nose sensors have been shown to have good sensitivity towards volatile organic compounds emitted by skin lesions, and the method seems to be effective for malign lesions identification. The results presented in this paper encourage a second experimental campaign with a larger number of participants and a systematic use of gas chromatography mass spectrometer technology in order to identify some possible melanoma biomarkers.
Serial serum ferritin measurements in untreated HFE C282Y homozygotes in the Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening Study
Authors: ADAMS P. C. , REBOUSSIN D. M. , BARTON J. C. , ACTON R. T. , SPEECHLEY M. , LEIENDECKER‐FOSTER C. , MEENAN R. , PASSMORE L. , MCLAREN C. E. , MCLAREN G. D. , GORDEUK V. , DAWKINS F. , ECKFELDT J. H.
Published: August 2007

Hemochromatosis has often been associated with progressive iron overload, but the natural history of iron accumulation in untreated C282Y homozygotes has been reported infrequently. The Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study screened 101 168 primary care participants for iron overload using transferrin saturation, unbound iron‐binding capacity, Serum ferritin (SF), and HFE C282Y and H63D genotyping. SF was measured at initial screening (IS) and again when selected participants returned for a clinical examination (CE). The change in SF over the observation period (defined as ferritin rate of change) was analyzed according to age, gender, initial SF, initial SF/age, transferrin saturation, and iron removed by phlebotomy in C282Y homozygotes. Seventy‐four male and 133 female untreated C282Y homozygotes were observed over a median of 112 days (34–924 days) between IS and CE. In men, SF increased in 54% and decreased in 46%. In women, SF increased in 50% and decreased in 50%. The significant variables affecting the SF rate were initial log SF (P = 0.0027) and transferrin saturation (P < 0.0001). Male C282Y homozygotes with higher SF rates (n = 27, upper 50th percentile) had significantly greater iron removed by phlebotomy (mean 4.93 g, range 1.0–17 g) than those with lower SF rates (n = 26, lower 50th percentile) (mean 2.6 g, 0.42–7.1, P < 0.05). SF was as likely to decrease as increase in untreated C282Y homozygotes over this relatively brief observation period. Incremental increases in SF are not inevitable in untreated C282Y homozygotes.
Resale of recalled children’s products online: an examination of the world’s largest yard sale: Table 1
Authors: Brown Kirschman Keri , Smith Gary A
Published: August 2007

Objective:To examine an online auction site for the presence and sale of children’s products and toys previously recalled because of safety concerns.

Methods:Targeted items were randomly selected from US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) press releases of recalled children’s products dated 1992–2004. Auction listings from eBay were searched for the 150 targeted recalled items for 30 days. Item, seller, and buyer information were recorded from the auction listings.

Results:190 auctions contained or were suspected to contain a recalled children’s item from the target list. Most of the recalled items were listed for sale from addresses within the United States, with sellers from Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and Ireland also represented. On average, six bids were placed on each recalled item, with 70% of auctions eventuating in a sale.

Conclusions:Recalled children’s products were found to be available for sale online and were sold most of the time, presenting a risk of injury to children. Although the CPSC is charged with notifying the public of recalled items, these results suggest that potentially hazardous products are recirculating online. A multi-front initiative to decrease the presence of hazards in online auctions is needed. This initiative should include increased manufacturer efforts to improve recall return rates, a requirement by online auction sites that sellers verify non-recall status before item posting, and parental checks of government recall websites before item purchase. Investigation of parental understanding and awareness of recalls and the potential risks associated with recall announcements is needed.
Plantlet formation in black and white spruce. I. In vitro techniques
Authors: Rumary Colin , Thorpe Trevor A.
Published: August 2007

A comparative study on plantlet formation in black (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and white (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) spruce led to the development of similar in vitro systems. Buds were induced on epicotyl explants on Schenk and Hildebrandt's mineral salts containing sucrose and equimolar concentrations of benzylaminopurine and 6-(γγ-dimethylallylamino)-purine. Transfer to cytokinin-free medium allowed for secondary, shoot formation. Shoot elongation and development required a medium with reduced sucrose and containing conifer-derived charcoal. Preparation for rooting involved further culture in charcoal-free medium. For rooting, shoots were dipped in a sterilized rooting powder containing indolebutyric acid and placed in sterile vermiculite containing half-strength mineral salts, sucrose, and charcoal. Roots could also be formed under nonsterile conditions. Shoot formation had a higher optimum temperature and longer photoperiod requirements than rooting. The above sequence of manipulations can produce ca. 40 plantlets per seed within 170 days in culture.
Inbreeding in black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.): self-fertility, genetic load, and performance
Authors: Park Y. S. , Fowler D. P.
Published: August 2007

Effects of inbreeding in a natural population of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) were studied using progenies from self-, open-bag, open, and pollen-mix pollinations. Self-pollination resulted in significant reductions in seed set and early height. The numbers of embryonic lethals were estimated comparatively by using two different models. Based on full seed data, the population carried an average genetic load of five to seven embryonic lethal equivalents per zygote. The total number of lethal equivalents, acting from the time of pollination through age 6 years, ranged from about six to eight. The role of polyembryony in maintaining heterozygosity is discussed. Significant differences among female parents with respect to seed weight, percent germination, and 2- and 6-year heights indicated substantial variation owing to additive genetic and maternal effects. Relative self-fertility in the species, although generally high, varied widely among parents.
Production of ectomycorrhizae on container-grown jack pine seedlings
Authors: Danielson R. M. , Visser S. , Parkinson D.
Published: August 2007

Jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.) seedlings were grown for 20 weeks in a peat–vermiculite medium inoculated with solid carrier mycelial inoculum. The low fertilizer levels used resulted in seedling sizes below standard for outplanting but permitted mycorrhizal development by 9 of the 12 fungi tested. Greater than 90% of the short roots were infected when seedlings were inoculated with Thelephoraterrestris Ehrhart ex Fr., Laccariaproximo Boudier, Hebeloma sp., or E strain. About half the short roots were infected when Cenococcumgeophilum Fr., Pisolithustinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch, and Astraeushygrometricus (Pers.) Morgan were used. Thirty-two and 17% of the short roots were infected by Lactariusparadoxus Beardslee & Burlingham and Sphaerosporellabrunnea (Alb. & Schw. ex Fr.) Svrcek & Kubicka, respectively. Inoculation with Amphinemabyssoides (Fr.) J. Erikss., Hydnumimbricatum L. ex Fr., and Tricholomaflavovirens (Pers. ex Fr.) Lundell resulted in no infection.
The influence of vines on the growth of Liquidambarstyraciflua L. (sweetgum)
Authors: Whigham Dennis
Published: August 2007

The effect of vines on diameter growth of Liquidambarstyraciflua L. (sweetgum) in a 40-year-old abandoned field was measured by vine removal experiments. Removal of vines from the trunk, branches, and ground had a significant positive effect on growth during each of the 4 years of the study, but removal of vines from only the trunk and branches did not produce a significant increase in growth. The data suggest that vines influence forest production by competing with trees even after trces have grown tall enough to avoid direct physical suppression.
Change in photosynthesis and water relations with age and season in Abiesamabilis
Authors: Teskey R. O. , Grier C. C. , Hinckley T. M.
Published: August 2007

Seasonal changes in water relations and net photosynthesis were measured over a year in current and 1-year-old foliage of Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes, a subalpine conifer. Responses were compared with maximum rates achieved in older foliage. Current-year foliage developed slowly during the growing season. Although growth began on 22 June, highest rates of stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis did not occur until September and October. One-year-old foliage had the highest rates of net photosynthesis (12.9 mg CO2•dm−2•h−1) and stomatal conductance (3.1 mm•s−1) during the summer. Net photosynthesis decreased with needle age, but foliage as old as 7 years had rates of net photosynthesis as high as 5.0 mg CO2•dm−2•h−1. There was no evidence of photosynthetic adjustment to seasonal change in temperature. The optimum temperature for photosynthesis remained at 15 ± 1.5 °C throughout the year. No water stress was observed during the summer. Xylem water potential never decreased below −1.65 MPa and was always well above the turgor loss point. The lack of any apparent water stress, combined with photosynthetic characteristics, indicated that summer was the most important season for carbon gain. These results also suggested that a strategy for competitive success by Abiesamabilis in this cold, stressful environment is minimum dependence on the carbon gain of any individual age-class of foliage. Instead trees rely on the combined photosynthetic capacity of many years of foliage.
Sapwood area as an estimator of foliage biomass and projected leaf area for Abiesbalsamea and Picearubens
Authors: Marchand Peter J.
Published: August 2007

Sapwood conducting area was found to be highly correlated with foliage biomass and projected leaf area in both balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill) and red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.). Linear regression equations from sapwood measured at breast height (1.3 m) were as follows: for balsam fir, foliage mass = 0.138X − 1.491 (R = 0.978) and projected leaf area = 0.673X − 5.453 (R = 0.952), where X is sapwood conducting area in cm2. For red spruce, foliage mass = 0.072X − 0.410 (R = 0.914) and projected leaf area = 0.167X + 6.772 (R = 0.934). Regressions improved when sapwood area was measured at the base of the live crown. The relationship between sapwood area and foliage mass or projected area in balsam fir was very similar for trees from three sites of greatly different character, suggesting a close, species dependent, physiological relationship between crown size and the cross-sectional area of conductive xylem needed to supply water to the foliage. Thus, it appears that foliage area can be predicted from increment cores with a high degree of certainty and without concern for differences in stand condition or individual tree vigor.