bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Report of Pepino mosaic virus Infecting Greenhouse Cherry Tomatoes in Greece
Authors: Efthimiou K. E. , Gatsios A. P. , Aretakis K. C. , Papayiannis L. C. , Katis N. I.
Published: November 2010

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) (genus Potexvirus, family Flexiviridae) is a mechanically transmitted virus that has emerged as a significant problem of greenhouse tomato crops in Europe and around the world during the past 10 years (1). In spring of 2010, mosaic symptoms were observed on leaves of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme) greenhouse crops (hybrids Shiren, Tomito, and Rubino top) in the areas of Drymos and Vonitsa, located at Aitoloakarnania Prefecture, in Greece. A total of 63 tomato samples (55 from symptomatic and 8 from asymptomatic plants) were collected from 11 greenhouses where disease incidence ranged from 10 to 20%. All samples were tested by double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA using polyclonal antibodies from BIOREBA, AG (Reinach, Switzerland) for the presence of PepMV, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV). Leaf tissue from PepMV-, CMV-, and ToMV-infected samples and virus-free tomato plants were included in all tests as positive and negative controls, respectively. Results showed that 53 symptomatic samples collected from all greenhouses were infected with PepMV and two were co-infected with PepMV and CMV. Total RNA was extracted from all infected plants with a commercially available kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and amplified by conventional and real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, using previously reported protocols (2). Positive and negative controls were also included in each assay. The 200-bp amplified PCR fragments of Triple Gene Block 3 (TGB3) obtained from five infected samples were purified and both strands were sequenced. Sequencing data were analyzed, deposited in the GenBank, and compared with other reported sequences. In addition, leaf tissue from five samples infected with only PepMV was used for mechanical inoculation of four plants of Nicotiana glutinosa, N. benthamiana, and tomato (L. esculentum FA 179 hybrid) plants. As negative controls, two plants from each species were used. Sequencing analysis showed that all five PepMV sequences were identical (GenBank Accession Nos. FR686904 to FR686908) and possessed 100% identity PepMVstrain CH2 (DQ000985). Inoculation results showed that the virus was successfully transmitted to N. benthamiana and tomato plants which developed mosaic symptoms, and tested positive by DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR. N. glutinosa plants did not develop any symptoms and were found to be free of PepMV when tested by DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PepMV in Greece. Further studies on the disease prevalence and incidence and its economic impact on tomato production are required. PepMV is currently under quarantine status in the EU and therefore new protective measures should be recommended to prevent the spread of PepMV to other regions of Greece.

References: (1) I. M. Hanssen and B. P. H. J. Thomma. Mol. Plant Pathol. 11:179, 2010. (2) K. S. Ling et al. J. Virol. Methods 144:65, 2007.
Genetic Diversity and a PCR-Based Method for Xanthomonas axonopodis Detection in Passion Fruit
Authors: Munhoz C. F. , Weiss B. , Hanai L. R. , Zucchi M. I. , Fungaro M. H. P. , Oliveira A. L. M. , Monteiro-Vitorello C. B. , Vieira M. L. C.
Published: November 2010

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae causes bacterial spot in passion fruit. It attacks the purple and yellow passion fruit as well as the sweet passion fruit. The diversity of 87 isolates of pv. passiflorae collected from across 22 fruit orchards in Brazil was evaluated using molecular profiles and statistical procedures, including an unweighted pair-group method with arithmetical averages-based dendrogram, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), and an assigning test that provides information on genetic structure at the population level. Isolates from another eight pathovars were included in the molecular analyses and all were shown to have a distinct repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction profile. Amplified fragment length polymorphism technique revealed considerable diversity among isolates of pv. passiflorae, and AMOVA showed that most of the variance (49.4%) was due to differences between localities. Cluster analysis revealed that most genotypic clusters were homogeneous and that variance was associated primarily with geographic origin. The disease adversely affects fruit production and may kill infected plants. A method for rapid diagnosis of the pathogen, even before the disease symptoms become evident, has value for producers. Here, a set of primers (Xapas) was designed by exploiting a single-nucleotide polymorphism between the sequences of the intergenic 16S-23S rRNA spacer region of the pathovars. Xapas was shown to effectively detect all pv. passiflorae isolates and is recommended for disease diagnosis in passion fruit orchards.
Steroid-Induced Inflammatory Neuropathy in a Patient on Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Antagonist Therapy
Authors: Wong Siew L , Rajabally Yusuf A
Published: November 2010

We describe a patient on the tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist, adalimumab, for 2 years for rheumatoid arthitis, who developed a rapidly progressive inflammatory neuropathy shortly after starting oral steroids. Adalimumab was stopped at onset of neurologic symptoms. Electrophysiology showed demyelination, which persisted at 6 month follow-up, cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed persistent albuminocytologic dissociation, and magnetic resonance studies revealed enlarged and enhancing nerve roots. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins resulted in slow, progressive improvement. Tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists have previously been implicated in acquired demyelinating neuropathies. In this patient, we hypothesize that adalimumab may have caused an initially asymptomatic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, which became symptomatic shortly after initiation of steroid therapy. This case may raise the issue of the safety of steroids in conjunction with antitumor necrosis factor-α therapy in susceptible patients.
A model for the emergence of geopolitical division
Authors: Kuperman M. N.
Published: November 2010

In this work, we present a model based on a competitive dynamics that intends to imitate the processes leading to some characteristics of the geopolitical division. The model departs from very simple principles of geopolitical theory and geometrical considerations, but succeeds in explaining the general features related to the actual process. At the same time, we will propose an evolutionary explanation to the fact that most capitals (in Eurasia) are located far from the borders or coasts and, in many cases, close to the barycentre of the respective countries.
The constructive role of diversity in the global response of coupled neuron systems
Authors: Pérez Toni , Mirasso Claudio R. , Toral Raúl , Gunton James D.
Published: November 2010

We study the effect that the heterogeneity present among the elements of an ensemble of coupled excitable neurons has on the collective response of the system to an external signal. We consider two different interaction scenarios, one in which the neurons are diffusively coupled and another in which the neurons interact via pulse-like signals. We find that the type of interaction between the neurons has a crucial role in determining the response of the system to the external modulation. We develop a mean-field theory based on an order parameter expansion that quantitatively reproduces the numerical results in the case of diffusive coupling.
Time-asymmetric fluctuations in the atmosphere: daily mean temperatures and total-column ozone
Authors: Kiss Péter , Jánosi Imre M.
Published: November 2010

Fluctuations breaking time-reversal symmetry are common attributes of dissipative systems operating far from equilibrium. Recent developments in non-equilibrium statistical physics represent a significant step towards an understanding of how time-reversible microscopic laws can yield to inherent irreversibility on meso- or macroscopic scales. Most of the theoretical conclusions consider quantities (e.g. entropy production) that are difficult to obtain with an appropriate accuracy in real systems. Probably less-complicated measures, such as the simple step-number ratio used in this work, can also help to characterize time-asymmetric fluctuations. In the first part, we give a short summary of recent results on asymmetric daily mean temperature changes. The second part discusses total-column ozone fluctuations, where statistically significant asymmetries are also detected. A detailed correlation analysis of ozone signals and high-altitude temperature records supports the strong coupling between tropospheric dynamics and stratospheric processes on synoptic time scales.
Home range evolution and its implication in population outbreaks
Authors: Araujo S. B. L. , Viswanathan G. M. , De Aguiar M. A. M.
Published: November 2010

We investigated the phenomenon of population outbreaks in a spatial predator–prey model, and we found that pattern formation and outbreaks occur if the predators have a limited neighbourhood of interaction with the preys. The outbreaks can display a scale-invariant power-law tail, indicating self-organized criticality. We have also studied the system from an evolutionary point of view, where the predator home range is a hereditary trait subjected to mutations. We found that mutation drives the predator home range area to an optimal value where pattern formation and outbreaks are still present, but the latter are much less frequent. We developed analytical approximations using mean field and pair correlation techniques that indicate that the predation strategy is crucial for existence of this optimal home range area.
Error catastrophe for viruses infecting cells: analysis of the phase transition in terms of error classes
Authors: Alonso Julia , Fort Hugo
Published: November 2010

RNA viruses offer a very exciting arena in which to study evolution in ‘real time’ owing to both their high replication rate—many generations per day are possible—and their high mutation rate, leading to a large phenotypic variety. They can be regarded as a swarm of genetically related mutants around a dominant or master genetic sequence. This system is called a ‘viral quasi-species’. Thus, a common framework to describe RNA viral dynamics is by means of the quasi-species equation (QSE). The QSE is in fact a system of a very large number of nonlinear coupled equations. Here, we consider a simpler formulation in terms of ‘error classes’, which groups all the sequences differing from the master sequence by the same number of genomic differences into one population class. From this, based on the analogies with Bose condensation, we use thermodynamic inspired observables to analyse and characterize the ‘phase transition’ through the so-called ‘RNA virus error catastrophe’.
Modelling the dynamics of dengue real epidemics
Authors: Pinho S. T. R. , Ferreira C. P. , Esteva L. , Barreto F. R. , Morato e Silva V. C. , Teixeira M. G. L.
Published: November 2010

In this work, we use a mathematical model for dengue transmission with the aim of analysing and comparing two dengue epidemics that occurred in Salvador, Brazil, in 1995–1996 and 2002. Using real data, we obtain the force of infection,Λ, and the basic reproductive number,R0, for both epidemics. We also obtain the time evolution of the effective reproduction number,R(t), which results in a very suitable measure to compare the patterns of both epidemics. Based on the analysis of the behaviour ofR0andR(t) in relation to the adult mosquito control parameter of the model, we show that the control applied only to the adult stage of the mosquito population is not sufficient to stop dengue transmission, emphasizing the importance of applying the control to the aquatic phase of the mosquito.
Modelling hierarchical structure in functional brain networks
Authors: Gleiser Pablo M. , Spoormaker Victor I.
Published: November 2010

In this work, we focus on a complex-network approach for the study of the brain. In particular, we consider functional brain networks, where the vertices represent different anatomical regions and the links their functional connectivity. First, we build these networks using data obtained with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Then, we analyse the main characteristics of these complex networks, including degree distribution, the presence of modules and hierarchical structure. Finally, we present a network model with dynamical nodes and adaptive links. We show that the model allows for the emergence of complex networks with characteristics similar to those observed in functional brain networks.
Complex dynamics of life at different scales: from genomic to global environmental issues
Authors: Anteneodo C. , Da Luz M. G. E.
Published: November 2010

This introduction to the Theme Issue,Complex dynamics of life at different scales: from genomic to global environmental issues, gives a short overview on why the ideas and concepts in complexity and nonlinearity are relevant to the understanding of life in its different manifestations. Also, it discusses how life phenomena can be thought of as composing different scales of organization. Finally, the articles in this thematic publication are briefly commented on in terms of their relevance in helping to understand the complexity of life systems.
Personality: bridging the literatures from human psychology and behavioural ecology
Authors: Nettle Daniel , Penke Lars
Published: November 2010

The concept of personality has recently begun to attract a great deal of interest in behavioural ecology. However, there is also a large and mature literature on personality within human psychology. These two bodies of work have developed independently and at present make rather little reference to one another. The current paper has two main objectives. First, we seek to acquaint behavioural ecologists with the principal ideas and issues found in the human personality psychology literature. Second, we explore how ideas from the behavioural ecology literature might help advance research in human personality psychology. We suggest strong potential for convergence between the two literatures in the near future. Common themes of this future unified science of personality include the conception of personality traits as reaction norms, a commitment to the importance of direct measurement of behaviour, investigation of both proximate and ultimate explanations for personality variation, and a concern with the impact of personality variation on survival and reproductive success.
Personality-dependent dispersal: characterization, ontogeny and consequences for spatially structured populations
Authors: Cote J. , Clobert J. , Brodin T. , Fogarty S. , Sih A.
Published: November 2010

Dispersal is one of the most fundamental components of ecology, and affects processes as diverse as population growth, metapopulation dynamics, gene flow and adaptation. Although the act of moving from one habitat to another entails major costs to the disperser, empirical and theoretical studies suggest that these costs can be reduced by having morphological, physiological or behavioural specializations for dispersal. A few recent studies on different systems showed that individuals exhibit personality-dependent dispersal, meaning that dispersal tendency is associated with boldness, sociability or aggressiveness. Indeed, in several species, dispersers not only develop behavioural differences at the onset of dispersal, but display these behavioural characteristics through their life cycle. While personality-dependent dispersal has been demonstrated in only a few species, we believe that it is a widespread phenomenon with important ecological consequences. Here, we review the evidence for behavioural differences between dispersers and residents, to what extent they constitute personalities. We also examine how a link between personality traits and dispersal behaviours can be produced and how personality-dependent dispersal affects the dynamics of metapopulations and biological invasions. Finally, we suggest future research directions for population biologists, behavioural ecologists and conservation biologists such as how the direction and the strength of the relationship between personality traits and dispersal vary with ecological contexts.
Evolutionary genomics of animal personality
Authors: van Oers Kees , Mueller Jakob C.
Published: November 2010

Research on animal personality can be approached from both a phenotypic and a genetic perspective. While using a phenotypic approach one can measure present selection on personality traits and their combinations. However, this approach cannot reconstruct the historical trajectory that was taken by evolution. Therefore, it is essential for our understanding of the causes and consequences of personality diversity to link phenotypic variation in personality traits with polymorphisms in genomic regions that code for this trait variation. Identifying genes or genome regions that underlie personality traits will open exciting possibilities to study natural selection at the molecular level, gene–gene and gene–environment interactions, pleiotropic effects and how gene expression shapes personality phenotypes. In this paper, we will discuss how genome information revealed by already established approaches and some more recent techniques such as high-throughput sequencing of genomic regions in a large number of individuals can be used to infer micro-evolutionary processes, historical selection and finally the maintenance of personality trait variation. We will do this by reviewing recent advances in molecular genetics of animal personality, but will also use advanced human personality studies as case studies of how molecular information may be used in animal personality research in the near future.
Parasitism and the evolutionary ecology of animal personality
Authors: Barber Iain , Dingemanse Niels J.
Published: November 2010

The ecological factors responsible for the evolution of individual differences in animal personality (consistent individual differences in the same behaviour across time and contexts) are currently the subject of intense debate. A limited number of ecological factors have been investigated to date, with most attention focusing on the roles of resource competition and predation. We suggest here that parasitism may play a potentially important, but largely overlooked, role in the evolution of animal personalities. We identify two major routes by which parasites might influence the evolution of animal personality. First, because the risk of acquiring parasites can be influenced by an individual's behavioural type, local parasite regimes may impose selection on personality traits and behavioural syndromes (correlations between personality traits). Second, because parasite infections have consequences for aspects of host ‘state’, parasites might induce the evolution of individual differences in certain types of host behaviour in populations with endemic infections. Also, because infection often leads to specific changes in axes of personality, parasite infections have the potential to decouple behavioural syndromes. Host–parasite systems therefore provide researchers with valuable tools to study personality variation and behavioural syndromes from a proximate and ultimate perspective.
Risk, resources and state-dependent adaptive behavioural syndromes
Authors: Luttbeg Barney , Sih Andrew
Published: November 2010

Many animals exhibit behavioural syndromes—consistent individual differences in behaviour across two or more contexts or situations. Here, we present adaptive, state-dependent mathematical models for analysing issues about behavioural syndromes. We find that asset protection (where individuals with more ‘assets’ tend be more cautious) and starvation avoidance, two state-dependent mechanisms, can explain short-term behavioural consistency, but not long-term stable behavioural types (BTs). These negative-feedback mechanisms tend to produce convergence in state and behaviour over time. In contrast, a positive-feedback mechanism, state-dependent safety (where individuals with higher energy reserves, size, condition or vigour are better at coping with predators), can explain stable differences in personality over the long term. The relative importance of negative- and positive-feedback mechanisms in governing behavioural consistency depends on environmental conditions (predation risk and resource availability). Behavioural syndromes emerge more readily in conditions of intermediate ecological favourability (e.g. medium risk and medium resources, or high risk and resources, or low risk and resources). Under these conditions, individuals with higher initial state maintain a tendency to be bolder than individuals that start with low initial state; i.e. later BT is determined by state during an early ‘developmental window’. In contrast, when conditions are highly favourable (low risk, high resources) or highly unfavourable (high risk, low resources), individuals converge to be all relatively bold or all relatively cautious, respectively. In those circumstances, initial differences in BT are not maintained over the long term, and there is no early developmental window where initial state governs later BT. The exact range of ecological conditions favouring behavioural syndromes depends also on the strength of state-dependent safety.
Personality and the emergence of the pace-of-life syndrome concept at the population level
Authors: Réale Denis , Garant Dany , Humphries Murray M. , Bergeron Patrick , Careau Vincent , Montiglio Pierre-Olivier
Published: November 2010

The pace-of-life syndrome (POLS) hypothesis specifies that closely related species or populations experiencing different ecological conditions should differ in a suite of metabolic, hormonal and immunity traits that have coevolved with the life-history particularities related to these conditions. Surprisingly, two important dimensions of the POLS concept have been neglected: (i) despite increasing evidence for numerous connections between behavioural, physiological and life-history traits, behaviours have rarely been considered in the POLS yet; (ii) the POLS could easily be applied to the study of covariation among traits between individuals within a population. In this paper, we propose that consistent behavioural differences among individuals, or personality, covary with life history and physiological differences at the within-population, interpopulation and interspecific levels. We discuss how the POLS provides a heuristic framework in which personality studies can be integrated to address how variation in personality traits is maintained within populations.
An explanatory framework for adaptive personality differences
Authors: Wolf Max , Weissing Franz J.
Published: November 2010

We develop a conceptual framework for the understanding of animal personalities in terms of adaptive evolution. We focus on two basic questions. First, why do behavioural types exhibit limited behavioural plasticity, that is, behavioural correlations both across contexts and over time? Second, how can multiple behavioural types coexist within a single population? We emphasize differences in ‘state’ among individuals in combination with state-dependent behaviour. Some states are inherently stable and individual differences in such states can explain stable differences in suites of behaviour if it is adaptive to make behaviour in various contexts dependent on such states. Behavioural stability and cross-context correlations in behaviour are more difficult to explain if individual states are potentially more variable. In such cases stable personalities can result from state-dependent behaviour if state and behaviour mutually reinforce each other by feedback mechanisms. We discuss various evolutionary mechanisms for the maintenance of variation (in states and/or behaviour), including frequency-dependent selection, spatial variation with incomplete matching between habitat and phenotype, bet-hedging in a temporally fluctuating environment, and non-equilibrium dynamics. Although state differences are important, we also discuss how social conventions and social signalling can give rise to adaptive personality differences in the absence of state differences.
Personality in the context of social networks
Authors: Krause J. , James R. , Croft D. P.
Published: November 2010

There is great interest in environmental effects on the development and evolution of animal personality traits. An important component of an individual's environment is its social environment. However, few studies look beyond dyadic relationships and try to place the personality of individuals in the context of a social network. Social network analysis provides us with many new metrics to characterize the social fine-structure of populations and, therefore, with an opportunity to gain an understanding of the role that different personalities play in groups, communities and populations regarding information or disease transmission or in terms of cooperation and policing of social conflicts. The network position of an individual is largely a consequence of its interactive strategies. However, the network position can also shape an individual's experiences (especially in the case of juveniles) and therefore can influence the way in which it interacts with others in future. Finally, over evolutionary time, the social fine-structure of animal populations (as quantified by social network analysis) can have important consequences for the evolution of personalities—an approach that goes beyond the conventional game-theoretic analyses that assumed random mixing of individuals in populations.
Recent models for adaptive personality differences: a review
Authors: Dingemanse Niels J. , Wolf Max
Published: November 2010

In this paper we review recent models that provide adaptive explanations for animal personalities: individual differences in behaviour (or suites of correlated behaviours) that are consistent over time or contexts. We start by briefly discussing patterns of variation in behaviour that have been documented in natural populations. In the main part of the paper we discuss models for personality differences that (i) explain animal personalities as adaptive behavioural responses to differences in state, (ii) investigate how feedbacks between state and behaviour can stabilize initial differences among individuals and (iii) provide adaptive explanations for animal personalities that are not based on state differences. Throughout, we focus on two basic questions. First, what is the basic conceptual idea underlying the model? Second, what are the key assumptions and predictions of the model? We conclude by discussing empirical features of personalities that have not yet been addressed by formal modelling. While this paper is primarily intended to guide empiricists through current adaptive theory, thereby stimulating empirical tests of these models, we hope it also inspires theoreticians to address aspects of personalities that have received little attention up to now.
Sex-induced silencing defends the genome of Cryptococcus neoformans via RNAi
Authors: Wang Xuying , Hsueh Yen-Ping , Li Wenjun , Floyd Anna , Skalsky Rebecca , Heitman Joseph
Published: November 2010

Cosuppression is a silencing phenomenon triggered by the introduction of homologous DNA sequences into the genomes of organisms as diverse as plants, fungi, flies, and nematodes. Here we report sex-induced silencing (SIS), which is triggered by tandem integration of a transgene array in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. A SXI2a-URA5 transgene array was found to be post-transcriptionally silenced during sexual reproduction. More than half of the progeny that inherited the SXI2a-URA5 transgene became uracil-auxotrophic due to silencing of the URA5 gene. In vegetative mitotic growth, silencing of this transgene array occurred at an ∼250-fold lower frequency, indicating that silencing is induced during the sexual cycle. Central components of the RNAi pathway—including genes encoding Argonaute, Dicer, and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase—are all required for both meiotic and mitotic transgene silencing. URA5-derived ∼22-nucleotide (nt) small RNAs accumulated in the silenced isolates, suggesting that SIS is mediated by RNAi via sequence-specific small RNAs. Through deep sequencing of the small RNA population in C. neoformans, we also identified abundant small RNAs mapping to repetitive transposable elements, and these small RNAs were absent in rdp1 mutant strains. Furthermore, a group of retrotransposons was highly expressed during mating of rdp1 mutant strains, and an increased transposition/mutation rate was detected in their progeny, indicating that the RNAi pathway squelches transposon activity during the sexual cycle. Interestingly, Ago1, Dcr1, Dcr2, and Rdp1 are translationally induced in mating cells, and Ago1, Dcr1, and Dcr2 localize to processing bodies (P bodies), whereas Rdp1 appears to be nuclear, providing mechanistic insights into the elevated silencing efficiency during sexual reproduction. We hypothesize that the SIS RNAi pathway operates to defend the genome during sexual development.
Eph/ephrin molecules—a hub for signaling and endocytosis
Authors: Pitulescu Mara E. , Adams Ralf H.
Published: November 2010

The development, homeostasis, and regeneration of complex organ systems require extensive cell–cell communication to ensure that different cells proliferate, migrate, differentiate, assemble, and function in a coordinated and timely fashion. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands are critical regulators of cell contact-dependent signaling and patterning. Eph/ephrin binding can lead to very diverse biological readouts such as adhesion versus repulsion, or increased versus decreased motility. Accordingly, depending on cell type and context, a limited and conserved set of receptor–ligand interactions is translated into a large variety of downstream signaling processes. Recent evidence indicates that the endocytosis of Eph/ephrin molecules, together with the internalization of various associated tissue-specific effectors, might be one of the key principles responsible for such highly diverse and adaptable biological roles. Here, we summarize recent insights into Eph/ephrin signaling and endocytosis in three biological systems; i.e., the brain, intestine, and vasculature.
Crystal structure of TtgV in complex with its DNA operator reveals a general model for cooperative DNA binding of tetrameric gene regulators
Authors: Lu Duo , Fillet Sandy , Meng Cuixiang , Alguel Yilmaz , Kloppsteck Patrik , Bergeron Julien , Krell Tino , Gallegos Mari-Trini , Ramos Juan , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: November 2010

The majority of bacterial gene regulators bind as symmetric dimers to palindromic DNA operators of 12–20 base pairs (bp). Multimeric forms of proteins, including tetramers, are able to recognize longer operator sequences in a cooperative manner, although how this is achieved is not well understood due to the lack of complete structural information. Models, instead of structures, of complete tetrameric assembly on DNA exist in literature. Here we present the crystal structures of the multidrug-binding protein TtgV, a gene repressor that controls efflux pumps, alone and in complex with a 42-bp DNA operator containing two TtgV recognition sites at 2.9 Å and 3.4 Å resolution. These structures represent the first full-length functional tetrameric protein in complex with its intact DNA operator containing two continuous recognition sites. TtgV binds to its DNA operator as a highly asymmetric tetramer and induces considerable distortions in the DNA, resulting in a 60° bend. Upon binding to its operator, TtgV undergoes large conformational changes at the monomeric, dimeric, and tetrameric levels. The structures here reveal a general model for cooperative DNA binding of tetrameric gene regulators and provide a structural basis for a large body of biochemical data and a reinterpretation of previous models for tetrameric gene regulators derived from partial structural data.
Genetic effects of hatchery fish on wild populations in red sea bream Pagrus major (Perciformes, Sparidae) inferred from a partial sequence of mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Hamasaki K. , Toriya S. , Shishidou H. , Sugaya T. , Kitada S.
Published: November 2010

Variation in the mitochondrial DNA transcriptional control region sequence was investigated in wild and hatchery‐released red sea bream Pagrus major from Kagoshima Bay, where an extensive hatchery‐release programme has been conducted for >30 years. The programme has successfully augmented commercial catches in the bay (released juveniles have been produced from the captive broodstock, repeatedly used over multiple generations). Samples were also obtained from outside the bay, where limited stocking has occurred. Genetic diversity indices measured as number of haplotypes, haplotype richness, haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were lower in hatchery‐released fish than in wild fish. Genetic differences in wild fish from the bay, especially in the inner bay, compared with fish from outside the bay were detected in terms of decreased genetic diversity indices and changed haplotype frequencies. Unbiased population pair‐wise FST estimates based on an empirical Bayesian method, however, revealed low genetic differentiation between samples from the bay and its vicinity. Mixed stock identification analyses estimated the proportion of hatchery‐released fish in wild populations in the inner and central bays at 39·0 and 8·7%, respectively, although the precision of the estimates was very low because of the small genetic differentiation between populations and relatively small sample sizes. Hence, the long‐term extensive hatchery release programme has affected the genetic diversity of wild populations in the bay; however, the genetic effects were low and appeared to remain within the bay.
Child Soldiers and Iconography: Portrayals and (Mis)Representations
Authors: Denov Myriam
Published: November 2010

Over the past decade, child soldiers have inundated the popular media. Images of boys armed with AK47s appear ubiquitous, providing a cautionary tale of innocent childhood gone awry. While these representations turn commonly held assumptions of a protected and innocuous childhood on its head, what they conceal is as provocative as what they reveal. Popular news media tells us little about the children behind the guns or the complexity of their wartime and post‐war experiences. Attempting to move beyond the narrow depictions, this paper explores the realities of a cohort of child soldiers in Sierra Leone and their experiences of armed conflict. Drawing upon in‐depth interviews conducted over a two‐year period, children’s experiences defy the limiting portrayals offered by media discourse. While these children are frequently constructed through a framework of extremes (as either extreme victims, extreme perpetrators or extreme heroes), in reality, the lives of these children fall within the grey, ambiguous and paradoxical zones of each.
Potential anti‐cancer activity of N‐hydroxy‐7‐(2‐naphthylthio) heptanomide (HNHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Park Ki Cheong , Kim Seung Won , Park Ji Hyun , Song Eun Hye , Yang Jeong Won , Chung Hyun Joo , Jung Hye Jin , Suh Jin Suck , Kwon Ho Jeong , Choi Seung Hoon
Published: November 2010

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is an attractive target for cancer therapy because it plays a key role in gene expression and carcinogenesis. N‐hydroxy‐7‐(2‐naphthylthio) heptanomide (HNHA) is a novel synthetic HDAC inhibitor (HDACI) that shows better pharmacological properties than a known HDACI present in the human fibrosarcoma cell: suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Here, we investigate the anti‐cancer activity of HNHA against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. HNHA arrested the cell cycle at the G1/S phase via p21 induction, which led to profound inhibition of cancer cell growth in vitro. In addition, HNHA‐treated cells showed markedly decreased levels of VEGF and HIF‐1α than SAHA and fumagillin (FUMA) when accompanied by increased histone acetylation. HNHA significantly inhibited tumor growth in an in vivo mouse xenograft model. HNHA‐treated mice survived significantly longer than SAHA‐ and FUMA‐treated mice. Dynamic MRI showed significantly decreased blood flow in the HNHA‐treated mice, implying that HNHA inhibits tumor neovascularization. This finding was accompanied by marked reductions of proangiogenic factors and significant induction of angiogenesis inhibitors in tumor tissues. We have shown that HNHA is an effective anti‐tumor agent in breast cancer cells in vitro and in breast cancer xenografts in vivo. Collectively, these findings indicate that HNHA may be a potent anti‐cancer agent against breast cancer due to its multi‐faceted inhibition of HDAC activity, as well as anti‐angiogenesis activity. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 343–350)
Phase I trial of chemoradiotherapy with the combination of S‐1 plus cisplatin for patients with unresectable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Tahara Makoto , Minami Hironobu , Kawashima Mitsuhiko , Kawada Kenji , Mukai Hirofumi , Sakuraba Minoru , Matsuura Kazuto , Ogino Takashi , Hayashi Ryuichi , Ohtsu Atsushi
Published: November 2010

The aim of the present study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of S‐1 in combination with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with unresectable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and evaluate the difference in pharmacokinetics of S‐1 when administered as a suspension via a feeding tube or orally as a capsule. Chemotherapy consisted of administration of S‐1 twice daily on days 1–14 at escalating doses of 40, 60 and 80 mg/m2 per day, and cisplatin at 20 mg/m2 per day on days 8–11, repeated twice at a 5‐week interval. Single daily radiation of 70 Gy in 35 fractions was given concurrently starting on day 1. Two additional cycles of chemotherapy were planned after the completion of CRT. Before starting CRT, each patient received S‐1 via two different administration methods. Twenty‐two patients were enrolled. The MTD was reached with S‐1 at 80 mg/m2 per day, with two of six patients experiencing febrile neutropenia lasting more than 4 days. All four patients whose creatinine clearance was decreased to <60 mL/min after the first cycle of chemotherapy developed febrile neutropenia lasting more than 4 days. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the 5‐fluorouracil area under the curve did not significantly differ by the administration route. S‐1 at 60 mg/m2 per day for 14 days was well tolerated with concurrent CRT. Administration of S‐1 as a suspension or by whole capsule can be considered therapeutically interchangeable. Although these data are preliminary, activity was highly promising, and this approach warrants further investigation. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 419–424)
Shards of the old looking glass: restoring the significance of identity in promoting positive outcomes for looked‐after children
Authors: McMurray Isabella , Connolly Helen , Preston‐Shoot Michael , Wigley Veronica
Published: November 2010

There is a driving force within current UK child welfare policies which promotes a strengths led approach to both assessment and care planning for children in need. Social policy emphasizes the importance of tangible outcomes such as education achievement, which have been enshrined in statute. However, other developmental outcomes, such as identity, are subordinated. Notwithstanding the relevance of these more concrete indicators, this paper suggests that this focus has left a gap at theoretical, strategic and operational levels relating to more psychosocial aspects of human growth and development, such as identity. This paper seeks to redress that gap by considering identity as both a process and an outcome. Following a review of the literature on identity development, it presents an analysis of semi‐structured interviews with 13 young people and their social workers. The findings show how young people's identity is shaped by their relationships, can be a protective mechanism, and deferred or put on standby. In the concluding discussion the implications for social work practice are highlighted.
Talking out the rage: an ego‐supportive intervention for work with potentially abusive parents
Authors: Holman Warren D.
Published: November 2010

Child abuse experts agree that the single factor ultimately responsible for child maltreatment is the inability of parents to control their aggressive impulses. This paper describes a verbalizing, ego‐supportive intervention for work with potentially abusive parents. It is designed to give parents increased understanding of the experience of parenting and greater control over their angry impulses. The intervention is based on two well‐supported premises: anger towards one's children is natural and inevitable; and putting angry feelings and thoughts into words significantly diminishes the tendency to put them into action. The engagement, ego‐building and prevention benefits of the intervention are discussed.
Inter‐laboratory validation of PCR‐based protocol for detection of olive viruses
Authors: Loconsole G. , Saponari M. , Faggioli F. , Albanese G. , Bouyahia H. , Elbeaino T. , Materazzi A. , Nuzzaci M. , Prota V. , Romanazzi G. , Trisciuzzi N. , Savino V.
Published: November 2010

Sanitary selection and certification of olive cultivars require sensitive diagnostic methods and effective sanitation protocols. Although much attention has been paid in the past few years to the development of diagnostic tools for reliable virus identification, the need to define a common and standardized diagnostic protocol led to the implementation of a ring test among nine Italian diagnostic laboratories. A one‐step RT‐PCR protocol and different primer sets, targeting the most common olive viruses covered by phytosanitary rules, were tested in each laboratory, using the same batch of positive and healthy controls as well as the same amplification conditions and reaction components. The one‐step RT‐PCR, performed using several specific primer sets, was able efficiently to detect the target viruses in all laboratories. Furthermore, a one‐step RT‐PCR protocol was used successfully for the first time for detection of Tobacco necrosis virus (TNV) and Olive mild mosaic virus (OMMV). Results showed that all target viruses were not uniformly distributed in the canopy, and that at least two subsets of samples must be collected from each plant. This standardized protocol is now being used to produce nuclear stocks for 70 different Italian olive cultivars, in the framework of the national project OLVIVA, which involves 25 national research institutions.
Visual inspection of potato seedlings in routine virus diagnosis: validation of a rating method
Authors: Zahn V. , Dahle J. , Pastrik K.‐H.
Published: November 2010

Visual inspection of seed potato plants is a routine method in virus diagnosis prior to enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures. In this study, the visual rating of potato plants for virus symptoms, together with both these laboratory procedures, was subject to an accreditation by International Standard ISO/IEC 17025 in the plant protection office of Lower Saxony, Germany. The validation of the rating was applied to two samples with 100 single potato plants in each. Each sample was investigated using four ratings, each carried out by three inspectors, consecutively. Standardization was established using inspection under available daylight to assess the degree of virus symptoms. An inspection procedure is suggested which (i) takes into account the light conditions during the inspection and (ii) uses a calibration of the ratings given by the three inspectors obtained from prior inspection jointly of another sample. For each rating the number of plants showing virus symptoms was recorded and ratings were compared using standard statistical methods (mean value, standard deviation and coefficient of variation).
Trade‐off between growth and immune function: a meta‐analysis of selection experiments
Authors: van der Most Peter J. , de Jong Berber , Parmentier Henk K. , Verhulst Simon
Published: November 2010

1. Evidence suggests that developing and maintaining an effective immune system may be costly and that an organism has to make a trade‐off between immune function and other fitness‐enhancing traits. To test for a trade‐off between growth and immune function we carried out a meta‐analysis of data from lines of poultry that had been divergently selected for either growth (body mass) or an aspect of immune function. This is relevant to our understanding of the evolution of immune function, but also because the increased prevalence of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria and calls to restrict the use of antibiotics in the agricultural industry has made immune function of livestock an important theme. Has the selection of animals for rapid growth unintentionally resulted in reduced immune function?

2. The lines selected for increased growth all showed a strong and significant decrease in immune function (standard difference in means = 0·8; P < 0·001). No difference was found between the effects on cellular or humoral immunity, although there were few data on cellular immunity, and hence this deserves more study. However, in the lines selected for immune function the effect on growth was heterogeneous and overall it was close to zero.

3. Testing for publication bias revealed that the effect of selection for body mass on immune function was robust. However, there was considerable heterogeneity in both body mass and immune function data. The heterogeneity in the growth‐selected lines cannot be accounted for by gender or species: the only turkey line had an effect size between that of the two chicken lines.

4. In conclusion, we found that selection for growth does indeed compromise immune function, but selection for immune function did not consistently affect growth. This is in agreement with the supposition that the costs of growth are large relative to the costs of immune function, and on a practical level this suggests that it may be possible to breed animals for increased growth without loss of immune function.
The frequency and magnitude of non‐additive responses to multiple nutrient enrichment
Authors: Allgeier Jacob E. , Rosemond Amy D. , Layman Craig A.
Published: November 2010

1 Anthropogenic eutrophication is among the greatest threats to ecosystem functioning globally, often occurring via enrichment of both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). As such, recent attention has focused on the implications of non‐additive responses to dual nutrient enrichment and the inherent difficulty associated with predicting their combined effects.

2 We used a simple metric to quantify the frequency and magnitude of non‐additive responses to enrichment by N, P and N + P in 653 experiments conducted across multiple ecosystem types and locations.

3 Non‐additive responses were found to be common in all systems. Freshwater ecosystems and temperate latitudes tended to have frequent synergistic responses to dual nutrient enrichment, i.e. the response was greater than predicted by an additive model. Terrestrial and arctic systems were dominated by antagonistic responses (responses to N + P that were less than additive).

4 The mean of all experiments was synergistic because despite being less common, synergistic responses were generally of greater magnitude than antagonistic ones.

5 Synthesis and applications. Our study highlights the ubiquity of non‐additive effects in response to dual nutrient enrichment and further elucidates the complex ways in which ecosystems respond to human impacts. Our results suggest how alternative nutrient limitation scenarios can be used to guide approaches to conservation and management of nutrient loading to ecosystems. This review provides the first published summary of non‐additive responses by primary producers.