bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proactive treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment
Authors: Wollenberg A. , Reitamo S. , Atzori F. , Lahfa M. , Ruzicka T. , Healy E. , Giannetti A. , Bieber T. , Vyas J. , Deleuran M. ,   for the European Tacrolimus Ointment Study Group
Published: August 2010

Background:  Long‐term treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) using low dose, intermittent, topical anti‐inflammatory agents may control acute disease and prevent relapses. This 12‐month, European, multicentre, randomized study investigated whether the proactive use of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment applied twice weekly can keep AD in remission and reduce the incidence of disease exacerbations (DE).

Methods:  During the initial open‐label period, 257 adults with AD applied 0.1% tacrolimus ointment twice daily (b.i.d.) for up to 6 weeks to affected areas. When an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of ≤2 was achieved, the patient entered the disease control period (DCP) and was randomized to either proactive tacrolimus (n = 116) or vehicle ointment (n = 108) twice weekly for 12 months. Exacerbations were treated with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment b.i.d. until an IGA ≤2 was regained, then randomized treatment was restarted. The primary endpoint was the number of DEs during the DCP that required a substantial therapeutic intervention.

Results:  Proactive tacrolimus 0.1% ointment application significantly reduced the number of DEs requiring substantial therapeutic intervention (median difference 2; P < 0.001; Wilcoxon rank sum test), the percentage of DE treatment days (median difference: 15.2%; P < 0.001; Wilcoxon rank sum test) and increased the time to first DE (median 142 vs 15 days; P < 0.001; stratified log‐rank test). The adverse event profile was similar for the two treatment approaches.

Conclusion:  A 12‐month, twice weekly proactive tacrolimus ointment application was an effective treatment in most study patients which prevented, delayed and reduced the occurrence of AD exacerbations.
Safety of triflusal (antiplatelet drug) in patients with aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory diseases
Authors: Fraj J. , Valero A. , Vives R. , Pérez I. , Borja J. , Izquierdo I. , Picado C.
Published: August 2010

Background and aims: Aspirin, a cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐1 and COX‐2 inhibitor, is the antiplatelet drug of choice to prevent serious vascular events. Adverse reactions to aspirin are frequent particularly among patients with asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. COX‐1 inhibitors but not COX‐2 inhibitors precipitate asthma attacks. Triflusal is a preferential COX‐2 inhibitor antiplatelet agent that is as effective as aspirin in the prevention of serious vascular events. The aim of the study was to assess the tolerability of triflusal in patients with aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) .

Methods: We studied 26 asthma patients [11 males, aged 52 (23–75) years] who had suffered asthma episodes triggered by one or more (23% of patients) nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. Aspirin sensitivity was confirmed by either intranasal or oral aspirin challenge. All subjects underwent a single‐blind, placebo‐controlled oral challenge with three doses of triflusal separated by 1 week (first cumulative dose = 225 mg; second cumulative dose = 450 mg; third cumulative dose = 900 mg). Cutaneous, respiratory, general symptoms and lung function were monitored for 4 h in the laboratory and for 24 h at home.

Results: No clinical reactions to triflusal were observed. There were no significant changes in lung function measurements.

Conclusion: Our study appears to demonstrate that triflusal is a suitable alternative to aspirin as antiplatelet agent to prevent AERD.
Asthma, body mass, gender, and Hispanic national origin among 517 preschool children in New York City
Authors: Jacobson J. S. , Mellins R. B. , Garfinkel R. , Rundle A. G. , Perzanowski M. S. , Chew G. L. , Andrews H. F. , Goldstein I. F.
Published: August 2010

Background:  Striking differences in asthma prevalence have been reported among Hispanic adults and children living in different cities of the USA. Prevalence is highest among those of Puerto Rican and lowest among those of Mexican origin. We hypothesized that body size would mediate this association.

Methods:  Parents of children in New York City Head Start programs completed a questionnaire including demographic factors, health history, a detailed history of respiratory conditions, lifestyle, and home environment. Children’s height and weight were measured in home visits. Logistic regression was used to model the association of asthma with body mass index percentile (<85th percentile, gender/age specific vs≥85th percentile, gender/age specific), national origin, and other factors.

Results:  Of 517 children at mean age of 4.0 ± 0.6 years, 34% met the study criteria for asthma, and 43% were above the 85th percentile. Asthma was strongly associated with non‐Mexican national origin, male gender, allergy symptoms, and maternal asthma, and marginally with body size. The odds of asthma among boys of non‐Mexican origin was 5.9 times that among boys of Mexican origin [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9–12.2]; the comparable odds ratio (OR) among girls was 1.8 (95% CI: 0.9–3.6). Body mass was associated with asthma among girls [OR = 2.0 (95% CI: 1.1–3.7)], but not boys [OR = 1.4 (95% CI: 0.8–2.6)].

Conclusions:  The association of asthma with both body mass and national origin was gender‐specific among the children in our study. Ours is one of the first studies to report on pediatric asthma in different Hispanic populations in the same city, by gender.
Indacaterol provides sustained 24 h bronchodilation on once‐daily dosing in asthma: a 7‐day dose‐ranging study
Authors: LaForce C. , Alexander M. , Deckelmann R. , Fabbri L. M. , Aisanov Z. , Cameron R. , Owen R. , Higgins M.
Published: August 2010

Background:  Indacaterol is a novel, once‐daily β2‐agonist in development for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Studies were required to determine optimal dose(s) for continuing investigation.

Objective:  A dose‐ranging study was undertaken to evaluate efficacy and safety of indacaterol.

Methods:  A total of 436 patients with persistent asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroids were randomized to 7 days treatment with once‐daily indacaterol 50, 100, 200, or 400 μg via multi‐dose dry‐powder inhaler (MDDPI; Certihaler™), indacaterol 400 μg via single‐dose dry‐powder inhaler (SDDPI), or placebo. Serial 24‐h spirometry was performed on days 1 and 7. Vital signs, laboratory evaluations, and adverse events were monitored.

Results:  All doses of indacaterol increased the mean time‐standardized area under the curve of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) from 22 to 24 h postdose (P ≤ 0.001 vs placebo) on days 1 and 7, with clinically relevant treatment‐placebo differences of 240, 260, 350, 300, and 380 ml on day 1 and 230, 220, 320, 250, and 270 ml on day 7 for indacaterol 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg via MDDPI and 400 μg via SDDPI, respectively. All doses increased mean FEV1 (P < 0.05 vs placebo) from 5 min to 24 h postdose on days 1 and 7. All doses were well tolerated. Most adverse events were mild‐to‐moderate in severity: most frequently reported were respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders.

Conclusion:  Once‐daily dosing with indacaterol provided sustained 24‐h bronchodilation in patients with moderate‐to‐severe asthma, with a satisfactory overall safety profile. Indacaterol 200 μg appears the optimum dose, offering the best efficacy/safety balance.
Diagnosis and treatment of asthma in childhood: a PRACTALL consensus report
Authors: Bacharier L. B. , Boner A. , Carlsen K.‐H. , Eigenmann P. A. , Frischer T. , Götz M. , Helms P. J. , Hunt J. , Liu A. , Papadopoulos N. , Platts‐Mills T. , Pohunek P. , Simons F. E. R. , Valovirta E. , Wahn U. , Wildhaber J. ,   The European Pediatric Asthma Group
Published: August 2010

Asthma is the leading chronic disease among children in most industrialized countries. However, the evidence base on specific aspects of pediatric asthma, including therapeutic strategies, is limited and no recent international guidelines have focused exclusively on pediatric asthma. As a result, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology nominated expert teams to find a consensus to serve as a guideline for clinical practice in Europe as well as in North America. This consensus report recommends strategies that include pharmacological treatment, allergen and trigger avoidance and asthma education. The report is part of the PRACTALL initiative**, which is endorsed by both academies.
Is atopic disease a risk factor for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder? A systematic review
Authors: Schmitt J. , Buske‐Kirschbaum A. , Roessner V.
Published: August 2010

To cite this article:Schmitt J, Buske‐Kirschbaum A, Roessner V. Is atopic disease a risk factor for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder? A systematic review.Allergy2010;65: 1506–1524.

The increase in prevalence and burden of atopic diseases, i.e. eczema, rhinitis, and asthma over the past decades was paralleled by a worldwide increase in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses. We systematically reviewed epidemiologic studies investigating the relationship between atopic diseases and ADHD. Electronic literature search in PubMed and PsycINFO (until 02/2010) supplemented by handsearch yielded 20 relevant studies totaling 170 175 individuals. Relevant data were abstracted independently by two reviewers. Six studies consistently reported a positive association between eczema and ADHD with one study suggesting effect modification by sleeping problems. Twelve studies consistently found a positive association between asthma and ADHD, which, however, appeared to be at least partly explained (confounded) by concurrent or previous eczema. Rhinitis and serum‐IgE level were not related to ADHD symptomatology. We conclude that not atopic disease in general, but rather that eczema appears to be independently related to ADHD. Conclusions about temporality and whether the observed association constitutes a causal relationship are impossible, as most studies were cross‐sectional (n = 14; 70%) or case–control studies without incident exposure measurement (n = 5; 25%). Another methodological concern is that the criteria to define atopic disease and ADHD were inadequate in most studies. A failure to adjust for confounders in the majority of studies was an additional limitation so that meta‐analysis was not indicated. Future interdisciplinary high‐quality prospective research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the relationship between eczema and ADHD and to eventually establish targeted preventive and treatment strategies.
STEREOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON CYCLIC PEPTIDES V. CONFORMATIONAL ANALYSIS OF CYCLOHEXAPEPTIDES *
Authors: Ramakrishnan C. , Sarathy K. P.
Published: August 2010

A conformational study of cyclohexapeptides with alanyl and glycyl residues has been made based on stereochemical criteria and from potential energy considerations. Two types of structures have been considered (A) those having sixfold symmetry and (B) those with twofold symmetry and an internal hydrogen bond. The sixfold symmetrical structure showed minimum energy for the conformations (15°, 118°, 54°, 131°) and (12°, 112°, 104°, 91°) corresponding to (ω, τ, π, φ)for alanyl and glycyl residues respectively. Energetically more favourable hydrogen‐bonded structures are found to be possible for twofold symmetrical cyclic hexapeptides. The conformations with the parameters (111°, 24°, 352°), (110°, 120°, 290°), (110°, 240°, 210°) and (109°, 276°, 111°), (110°, 130°, 290°), (110°, 230°, 220°) corresponding to (τ1, π2φ1), (τ2, π2,φ2), (τ3, π3, φ3) have been found to have minimum energies for alanyl and glycyl compounds respectively. The present study shows that the minimum energy conformation is dependent on the potential energy function used in the case of cyclohexaalanyl. A comparison of the results with those of the two observed structures cyclohexaglycyl hemihydrate and ferrichrome A tetrahydrate shows that whereas there is good agreement with the latter, this is not quite so with the former.
SULFENYL HALIDES AS MODIFYING REAGENTS FOR POLYPEPTIDES and PROTEINS
Authors: Veronese Francesco M. , Boccä Enrico , Fontana Angelo
Published: August 2010

A new method is described for the inter‐ and intramolecular cross‐linking of the tryptophan residues in polypeptides and proteins. The reaction employed involves treatment of the tryptophan‐containing derivative with 2,4‐dinitro‐1,5‐phenyldisulfenyl chloride (DNPDS‐Cl)* in acidic media. This bifunctional sulfenyl halide reacts selectively with two molecules of tryptophan at the position of indole nucleus, leading to a cross‐linked compound. The only other amino acid affected is cysteine, which similarly can be cross‐linked through formation of mixed disulfide bonds. The reaction with the thiol function of cysteine can be reversed by reduction with mercaptans, allowing selective cross‐linking of tryptophan residues.

In order to test the effectiveness of the method, several tryptophan derivatives were cross‐linked by reaction with DNPDS‐Cl in acetic or formic acid, including short sequences of the pancreatic hormone glucagon and gastrin.

The reaction was also applied to glucagon, in which case the single tryptophan residue was reacted with the reagent and the dimer isolated after gel filtration.
THE MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF BOVINE and PORCINE SUBMAXILLARY MUCINS
Authors: Payza N. , Robert M. , Herp A.
Published: August 2010

The molecular weight of purified bovine and porcine submaxillary mucins has been investigated by several techniques. Due to the polydispersity of the material, the molecular weight of a given sample has been shown to vary within large limits according to the method used. The apparent molecular weight is also influenced by the experimental conditions such as ionic strength, speed used to reach sedimentation equilibrium, and concentration of the sample.
PEPTIDES OF NORMAL HUMAN GASTRIC JUICE
Authors: Heathcote J. G. , Washington R. J.
Published: August 2010

Normal human gastric juice has been examined for the presence of peptides. Five pooled resting samples have been found to contain a decapeptide of low chromatographic mobility. The sequential structure of this peptide was shown by analysis, and by comparison with a synthetic sample, to be

Leu‐Ala‐Ala‐Gly‐Lys‐Val‐Glu‐Asp‐Ser‐Asp

Two of the gastric juice samples also contained a peptide of slightly higher Rf value in smaller quantity. This second peptide, though not characterized completely, appeared to have the structure of a nonapeptide. The amino acid composition differed from that of the decapeptide in that leucine was absent; alanine was the N‐terminal amino acid. These peptides have not previously been reported to be present in normal human gastric juice. The authors have not observed any of these peptides in a small number of samples from pernicious anaemia patients.
THE ANTIGENIC DETERMINANTS OF SEVERAL HUMAN PLASMA PROTEINS
Authors: Bauer Klausdieter
Published: August 2010

The elucidation of the antigenic structures of human ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, plasminogen, IgG, α1‐lipoproteins, β1C/A‐, and β1E‐globulins and–in continuation of earlier experiments–also of β‐lipoproteins and of prealbumin by use of the cross‐reactions between human and animal plasmas is reported. The experiments were done employing Ouchterlony's double diffusion technique in the micro‐modification. Absorption controls confirmed these results.

The numbers of antigenic determinants with different specificities detected this way are: for ceruloplasmin: 3; for fibrinogen: 3; for plasminogen: 4; for IgG (γ‐chain only): 4; for α‐lipoproteins: 2; for β1C/A‐ and βE‐globulins: 2 each. Relations between the total number of determinants (including also determinants detectable by other methods only) and the chemical structure, especially the number of amino acid residues, are discussed in greater detail. The applicability of the technical approach to other problems of molecular immunology is described.
THE ROLE OF DISULFIDE BONDS IN THE PROTEIN STRUCTURE. CONFORMATIONAL STUDIES ON REDUCED RIBONUCLEASE and LYSOZYME
Authors: Tamburro Antonio Mario , Boccu Enrico , Cklotti Luciana
Published: August 2010

Circular dichroism spectra in different media of native, partially reduced, and fully reduced rihonuclease and lysozyme are reported and discussed with reference to the role of the disulfide linkages in maintaining the tertiary structure of the native enzymes. The results obtained indicate a large disorganization of the native molecules when all disulfide bridges are broken even if in both fully reduced proteins there appears to be some residual non‐covalent structure. However, a tendency toward the partial recovery of the native structure is shown by the reduced proteins on decreasing the temperature or in the presence of methanol.

In addition it has been found that some particular disulfide linkages are unessential for achieving the overall conformation of the molecules.
BOVINE ADRENAL GLUCOSE‐6‐PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE
Authors: Squire Phil G. , Sykes Harriet B.
Published: August 2010

We have developed a new procedure for the purification of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase from bovine adrenals. Three kg of whole adrenals are homogenized and fractionated by precipitation with ammonium sulfate, adsorption and elution from calcium phosphate gel, chromatography on cellulose phosphate, chromatography on DEAE‐Sephadex, gel filtration on Sephadex C‐J50, and crystallization from ammonium sulfate solution. The procedure requires about three weeks and the yield is 24 mg of enzyme. Approximately half of the original enzyme activity is lost by inactivation in spite of considerable effort to minimize these losses. Analysis of the final product by sedimentation velocity displays a single Gaussian peak, and the boundary spreading can be attributed almost entirely to diffusion, thus a high degree of mass homogeneity is demonstrated. The sedimentation coefficient converted to standard conditions, Szo.w is 9.47S. This is consistent with a molecular weight of 190,000. The enzyme also displays a single band when submitted to electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips. The activity of 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase disappears early in the fractionation procedure.
PROBING THE TOPOGRAPHY OF PROTEINS IN SOLUTION BY PHOTOSENSITIZED OXIDATION
Authors: Jori Giulio , Galiazzo Guido , Marchiori Fernando , Scoffone Ernesto
Published: August 2010

The possibility of mapping the topography of proteins in solution by irradiation of protein‐sensitizer complexes has been tested using some nitrophenyl derivatives of ribonuclease A as models. In the case of Ne‐41′‐dinitrophenyl‐ribonuclease A, we achieved the specific modification of methionine‐30, histidine‐12, and tyrosine‐97: the side chains of these amino acid residues appear to be located less than 5 A apart from the e.‐amino group of lysine‐41; on the other hand, histidine‐119, which is more than 5 A away, was not affected. These findings are in excellent agreement with the X‐ray model of ribonuclease A. The reliability and the high stereospecificity of this procedure was further demonstrated by irradiation of ribonuclease A, which had been labeled by the dinitropheny! chromophore at the cysteinyl residues 65 and 72: in this case, there was a preferential photo‐oxidation of two tyrosyl residues, probably tyrosine‐73 and tyrosine‐115, adjacent to the labeling groups, which appear to be projected towards the inner regions of the protein molecule. On the contrary, on irradiation of ribonuclease A, after nitration of the three exposed tyrosines, the nitrophenol chromophores, which lacked any preferred orientation, induced a simultaneous random modification of the potentially photo‐oxidizable amino acids. It appears, therefore, that this method yields quite reliable and refined information about the tertiary structure of proteins, provided that the introduced sensitizer is inserted in fixed positions within the protein matrix.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE ACIDIC POLYPEPTIDE CHAINS FROM α‐CRYSTALLIN. AMINO ACID COMPOSITION, PEPTIDE MAPPING, AND N‐TERMINUS
Authors: Leon A. E. , Gerding J. J. T. , Groot K. DE , Hoendhrs H. J. , Bloemendal H.
Published: August 2010

Carefully performed amino acid analyses of the acidic polypeptides from the bovine eye lens protein α‐crystallin were in agreement with the recently found molecular weight of about 12,000 for these chains. The proposed amino acid composition is: (Asp10, Thr3, Ser
15(14), Glu11, Pro7, Gly6, Ala4(3), Val6, Met, Ile5, Leu8, Tyr3, Phe8, Lys4, His4, Arg8, Cys, Try).

On tryptic digestion both polypeptide chains yielded a rather small number of nin‐hydrin‐positive spots on peptide maps; 15 strong and 4 very light spots for A‐l and 14 strong and 4 light spots for A‐2.

After blocking the ɛ‐amino groups of the lysine residues by trifluoro acetylation, the acidic chains, again, were submitted to tryptic digestion. Both chains, A‐l and A‐2, appeared to contain the same N‐terminus up to the first arginine residue. In connection with recent findings, its amino acid sequence is proposed to be:

acetyl‐Met‐Asp‐Ile‐Ala‐Ile‐Gln‐His‐Pro‐Try‐Phe‐Lys‐Arg.
INTERACTIONS OF HEXAMETHYLENE TETRAMINE WITH BIOPOLYMERS AND MODEL COMPOUNDS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION
Authors: Crescenz V. , Quadrifoglio F. , Cesaro A.
Published: August 2010

The thermal stability of DNA and of ribonuclease and the pH stability of ordered poly‐L‐lysine conformation in salt (or buffer) aqueous solutions and in 2‐3 M hexa‐methylene tetramine (HMT) aqueous solutions have been found to be nearly identical, respectively. We have also found that HMT induces salting‐out of acetyltetraglycine ethyl ester in water and rises the melting point of aqueous gelatin gels.

It is assumed that, despite its pronounced ability in inducing salting‐in in water of apolar molecule (1, 2) (a property shared by all common “denaturants”), HMT leaves the thermal stability of DNA and polypeptides essentially unaltered either because of a lack of direct interactions with the polyelectrolytes considered or because of unfavourable interactions with solvated peptide groups of the denaturated polypeptides.
APPLICATION OF DIFFERENTIAL ENTHALPIC ANALYSIS TO THE STUDY OF BIOPOLYMER SOLUTIONS
Authors: Crescenzi V. , Delben F.
Published: August 2010

In prosecution of earlier studies from this laboratory, a detailed investigation on the potentialities of differential enthalpic analysis (DEA) in the evaluation of enthalpies of thermal denaturation as welt as of activation energies for the denaturation processes of three different proteins in concentrated aqueous solutions has been carried out. Our results suggest that DEA may indeed be an useful tool for the evaluation of such thermal and kinetic parameters despite some difficulties encountered in quantitation mainly because of the high biopolymer concentrations necessary with the DEA apparatuses available.
DENATURATION OF TROPOMYOSIN BY GUANIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Authors: Pont Margaret J. , Woods E. F.
Published: August 2010

The denaturation of tropomyosin by guanidine hydrochloride has been studied as a function of denaturant concentration and temperature. Denaturation involves both loss of a helix, which was followed by optical rotatory dispersion, and change in molecular weight. The transition between the native and unfolded states is reversible and the optical rotation results were shown to fulfil some of the criteria for a two‐state process. When the molecule is more than half‐unfolded, subunits of molecular weight 34,000 appear in solution. However the appearance of subunits does not parallel the unfolding as determined by optical rotation, indicating that the whole process cannot be considered as a two‐state one. The molecular weight in the transition region is very dependent on temperature, with indications of a reversible equilibrium between partly unfolded monomer and subunits. The system in this region of guanidine hydrochloride concentration did not show dependence of molecular weight or optical rotation on protein concentration as might be expected for a conformation‐linked association.

Guanidine thiocyanate is a more effective denaturant than the chloride for tropomyosin whereas the carbonate and sulphate are relatively ineffective.
MOVING BOUNDARY ELECTROPHORESIS IN TRIS BUFFERS
Authors: Cobb Bryant F. , Koenig Virgil L.
Published: August 2010

The effects of various organic acids in tris (hydroxymethyV) aminomethane buffers (Tris buffers) on the moving boundary electrophoretic patterns of a bovine lens extract, bovine a‐crystallin, and bovine plasma albumin were investigated. The effects of buffer concentration and added neutral salt were studied. Resolution of components and enantiography of patterns improved as the chain length of the acid increased. Tris‐valeric acid and Tris‐isovaleric acid, 0.05 M, pH 8.6 (0°), appeared to be the best buffers for resolution of bovine lens components. Resolution of the components in the mixture was less complete as the buffer concentration increased. The concentration of the fast component decreased with increase in buffer concentration. The decrease was less in the case of polycarboxylic acids and least in the case of the aromatic acids. The addition of 0.025 M NaCl to the 0.05 M Tris buffers produced little effect upon the resolution of the components. The mobilities were lower when 0.05 M Tris‐0.025 M NaCl buffers were used than when 0.05 M Tris buffers were used, but greater than when 0.10 M Tris buffers were used. Evidence is presented for specific buffer and acid effects on the electrophoretic patterns. A quantitative method for expressing the enantiography of the electrophoretic patterns is presented.
CHROMOSOMAL NUCLEOPROTEINS:CD STUDIES ON RECONSTITUTED NUCLEOHISTONES FROM AVIAN ERYTHROCYTES
Authors: Boffa L. , Saccomani G. , Tamburro A. M. , Scatturin A. , Vidali G.
Published: August 2010

Deoxyribonucleic acid, histone fraction f‐2, and f‐5 were isolated from avian erythrocytes. The DNA‐histone complex was formed by mixing solutions of the two components at high salt molarity and gradually decreasing the salt concentration by dialysis.

The binding of histone f‐5 to DNA as revealed by optical rotatory properties does not induce changes in DNA conformation. The moderately lysine‐rich fraction f‐2 on complexing with DNA alters the CD spectrum of the nucleic acid, and the function of this fraction is tentatively proposed to be involved in the supercoiling of DNA helices.
The diversity and radiation of the largest monophyletic animal group on New Caledonia (Trichoptera: Ecnomidae:Agmina)
Authors: ESPELAND M. , JOHANSON K. A.
Published: August 2010

In area, New Caledonia is the smallest of the world’s 25 official biodiversity hotspots, but in many taxonomic groups, the island has the highest concentration of species on earth, particularly so in the freshwater insect order Trichoptera. This study aims at applying molecular data and morphology for estimating the real species diversity of the genusAgminaon New Caledonia and investigating potential effects of ultramafic rock substrate on diversification.A dated molecular phylogeny was applied to study diversity and diversification related to geological substrate using the dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis model,divaand Bayesian ancestral character reconstruction. More than 47 species (> 63%) were unknown to science. Initial radiation occurred on ultramafic substrate followed by several independent dispersal events to nonultramafic substrate. The rate of shift from ultramafic to nonultramafic substrate was significantly higher than the rate of shift in the opposite direction, indicating a possible cost associated with living on ultramafic substrate.
Genetic dissection of Rhizobium‐induced infection and nodule organogenesis in pea based on ENOD12A and ENOD5 expression analysis
Authors: Dolgikh E. A. , Leppyanen I. V. , Osipova M. A. , Savelyeva N. V. , Borisov A. Y. , Tsyganov V. E. , Geurts R. , Tikhonovich I. A.
Published: August 2010

In legumes, perception of rhizobial lipochitooligosacharide‐based molecules (Nod factors) and subsequent signal transduction triggers transcription of plant symbiosis‐specific genes (early nodulins). We present genetic dissection of Nod factor‐controlled processes in Pisum sativum using two early nodulin genes PsENOD12a and PsENOD5, that are differentially up‐regulated during symbiosis. A novel set of non‐nodulating pea mutants in fourteen loci was examined, among which seven loci are not described in Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula. Mutants defective in Pssym10, Pssym8, Pssym19, Pssym9 and Pssym7 exhibited no PsENOD12a and PsENOD5 activation in response to Nod factor‐producing rhizobia. Thus, a conserved signalling module from the LysM receptor kinase encoded by Pssym10 down to the GRAS transcription factor encoded by Pssym7 is essential for Nod factor‐induced gene expression. Of the two investigated genes, PsENOD5 was more strictly regulated; not only requiring the SYM10–SYM7 module, but also SYM35 (NIN transcription factor), SYM14, SYM16 and SYM34. Since Pssym35, Pssym14, Pssym34 and Pssym16 mutants show arrested infection and nodule formation at various stages, PsENOD5 expression seems to be essential for later symbiotic events, when rhizobia enter into plant tissues. Activation of PsENOD12a only requires components involved in early steps of signalling and can be considered as a marker of early symbiotic events preceding infection.
Life history traits of the pseudometallophyte Thlaspi caerulescens in natural populations from Northern Europe
Authors: Dechamps C. , Elvinger N. , Meerts P. , Lefèbvre C. , Escarré J. , Colling G. , Noret N.
Published: August 2010

We examined recruitment, survival, life cycle and fecundity of two metallicolous (M, on metalliferous calamine soils) and two non‐metallicolous (NM, on normal soils) populations of Thlaspi caerulescens in Belgium and Luxemburg. In each population, permanent plots were monitored over two reproductive seasons. In M populations, plots were located in two contrasting environments (grass versus grove) in order to test the influence of vegetation cover on life strategy. Our results show that the monocarpic life cycle is dominant in all populations of T. caerulescens. However the length of the pre‐reproductive period varies from several months (winter annuals) to 1 year or more (perennials), and is partly related to plant origin (M versus NM). Most plants growing in metalliferous environments were annuals, whereas NM plants were mostly perennials. These differences in life cycle were related to differences in survival during summer, which was better in NM than in M populations. Within each M population, different survival conditions and life cycles were observed according to vegetation cover. Plants growing in grass areas were mostly annuals and had a low survival rate in summer whereas grove plants were mostly perennials and survived better in summer. Our results suggest the selection of stress avoiders (shortening of life cycle) in M populations of T. caerulescens but only for individuals growing in grass areas. Summer survival seems to play a key role in selection of life strategy in T. caerulescens.
Acoustic Features of Female Chacma Baboon Barks
Authors: Fischer Julia , Hammerschmidt Kurt , Cheney Dorothy L. , Seyfarth Robert M.
Published: August 2010

We studied variation in the loud barks of free‐ranging female chacma baboons (Papio cynocephalus ursinus) with respect to context, predator type, and individuality over an 18‐month period in the Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. To examine acoustic differences in relation to these variables, we extracted a suite of acoustic parameters from digitized calls and applied discriminant function analyses. The barks constitute a graded continuum, ranging from a tonal, harmonically rich call into a call with a more noisy, harsh structure. Tonal barks are typically given when the signaler is at risk of losing contact with the group or when a mother and infant have become separated (contact barks). The harsher variants are given in response to large predators (alarm barks). However, there are also intermediate forms between the two subtypes which may occur in both situations. This finding is not due to an overlap of individuals' distinct distributions but can be replicated within individuals. Within the alarm bark category, there are significant differences between calls given in response to mammalian carnivores and those given in response to crocodiles. Again, there are intermediate variants. Both alarm call types are equally different from contact barks, indicating that the calls vary along different dimensions. Finally, there are consistent, significant differences among different individuals' calls. However, individual identity in one call type cannot directly be inferred from knowledge of the individuals' call characteristics in the other. In sum, the barks of female baboons potentially provide rich information to the recipients of these signals. The extent to which baboons discriminate between alarm and contact barks, and classify calls according to context and/or acoustic similarity will be described in a subsequent paper.
The Importance of Visual Cues for Nocturnal Species: Eagle Owl Fledglings Signal with White Mouth Feathers
Authors: Penteriani Vincenzo , Delgado Maria del Mar , Alonso‐Álvarez Carlos , Pina Nuria Viqueira , Sergio Fabrizio , Bartolommei Paola , Thompson Lindy J.
Published: August 2010

Complex begging display by bird offspring has predominantly been investigated in diurnal species, which have conspicuous gape colours or plumage features. In nocturnal species, in contrast, such visual communication has received little attention because the assumption is that they exclusively rely on vocal communication. Here, we use a field experiment to investigate whether eagle owls, Bubo bubo, communicate through visual signals at night. We artificially decreased the brightness of the white feathers surrounding fledgling eagle owls’ mouths during the post‐fledging dependence period, and investigated the effect of this treatment by comparing the condition of these birds to that of birds who received a control treatment. Several physiological parameters considered in our analyses indicate that control owlets were in better condition than owlets with brightness‐reduced mouth feathers, which suggests that they received more or better food from feeding parents who discriminated between those young. Brightness‐dependent reactions of parent owls suggest that visual signalling may be more widely employed than previously thought, and studying birds at night may reveal sophisticated strategies of animal communication.
Young Bighorn (Ovis canadensis) Males: can they Successfully Woo Females?
Authors: Whiting Jericho C. , Terry Bowyer R. , Flinders Jerran T.
Published: August 2010

Mating by young males or low male‐to‐female ratios can decrease pregnancy rates and postpone birthdates in ungulates, thereby hindering population growth. Young (2.5–3.5 yr old) male bighorn (Ovis canadensis) behave differently than older males, and age, horn size, mating behavior, and social rank help determine reproductive success. We estimated birthdates in two populations of bighorn sheep in Utah, USA, to determine if mating by young males or low male‐to‐female ratios resulted in fewer young born per female, a shift in mean timing of births, or asynchronous births. When reintroduced, the Rock Canyon population consisted of four males (two each of 2.5 yr old and 1.5 yr old) and a 1 to 7.5 ratio of males (>2 yr old) to adult females (≥3.5 yr old); the Mount Nebo population consisted of four males ≤1.5 yr old and a 0 to 12 ratio of males to adult females. For both populations, the number of young born per female did not differ between the first parturition period after reintroduction (where females were impregnated by males from their source populations) and the second period of parturition (where females were impregnated by young, reintroduced males). Mean birthdates and synchrony (SD) of births did not differ for Rock Canyon (May 12, 2001 ± 4.5 d, May 14, 2002 ± 3.2 d) or Mount Nebo (May 23, 2005 ± 8.1 d, May 22, 2006 ± 10.2 d) between the first and second years following reintroduction. Mating by young males or low male‐to‐female ratios had no demonstrable effect on the number of young born per female or timing and synchrony of births in these populations.
Infanticide and Maternal Offspring Defence in European Rabbits under Natural Breeding Conditions
Authors: Rödel Heiko G. , Starkloff Anett , Bautista Amando , Friedrich Anne‐Christin , Von Holst Dietrich
Published: August 2010

Infanticide is an important source of mortality of dependent offspring in several mammal species, whereas female conspecifics are often the perpetrators. This has led to maternal counter‐strategies, such as the defence of the nests. However, cases of infanticide are hard to detect in the field, and studies on maternal offspring defence behaviour under natural breeding conditions are scarce. We conducted such a study on the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which is usually considered to show low maternal care. The study was carried out over 5 yr on a field enclosure population. We (1) studied infanticide rates and the impact of potential determinants: the group density and age structure of the females’ rank hierarchy within the groups; we used the latter as an estimator of social group stability. We (2) studied if mothers defend their breeding burrow against approaching, potentially infanticidal females. Overall, we recorded infanticide in 5% of all litters; infanticide was the cause in 12% of cases of litter mortality. The proportion of infanticide was 7% higher in groups where same‐age females occupied successive rank positions than in groups where the females’ rank hierarchy had a more heterogeneous and linear age structure. We hypothesize that social instability in the former groups was the reason for the increased infanticide risk. Infanticide rates were not correlated with group density and did not differ among mothers with different social ranks. Infanticide occurred exclusively during the first 10 d after parturition. During this time, mothers stayed closer to their breeding burrows than shortly before parturition or during later lactation. Moreover, mothers were more aggressive against other females in proximity to their breeding burrow than in more distant areas. We suggest that the pattern of spacing behaviour and intrasexual aggression of rabbit mothers are an adaptive response to the occurrence of female infanticidal behaviour.
Spatial Association in a Highly Inbred Ungulate Population: Evidence of Fine‐Scale Kin Recognition
Authors: Cassinello Jorge , Calabuig Gustau
Published: August 2010

We present the first evidence of fine‐scale kin recognition, based on a continuous measure of relatedness, in ungulates. The spatial association between herdmates of a captive population of aoudad (Ammotragus lervia), where all the individuals are related, is analysed during resting time. Our goal was to estimate which factors influence individuals’ associations. The study population is highly inbred, although it does not show serious deleterious effects caused by consanguinity. It comprises a single captive herd, reproducing freely and in good conditions for more than 10 yr. It emerges that kin, measured as the coefficient of relationship between two given herdmates, is the main factor determining the spatial association (e.g. average distance) of male–male and female–female dyads, as more‐related individuals tend to rest closer to each other than less‐related ones. As for male–female dyads, individuals of a similar age tend to stay closer. To rule out any familiarity confounding effects, individuals’ cohabitation time in the herd was added as a random factor in the analyses. Concerning the type of dyad, mother–calf dyads are characterized by higher proximity than others, particularly during the suckling period, whereas males tend to stay closer to each other than females or male–female dyads, being also more kin‐related. Female social rank does not influence spatial association between herdmates. These results are related to group composition of the species in the wild, which are characterized by intense mother–calf bonds and all‐male groups that are probably kin‐related. It is seen that adult male–female associations are not related to kinship, but to age similarity, which is in accord with the assumption that main family groups in the wild are formed by matrilineal lines, whereas males are the dispersing sex.
Micro‐scale Systematic Sampling of Soil: Heterogeneity in Populations of Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. roseum and F. moniliforme
Authors: Rodríguez‐Molina M. C. , Tello‐Marquina J. C. , Torres‐Vila L. M. , Bielza‐Lino P.
Published: August 2010

The variability of Fusarium spp. density in soil was studied in a field located in Badajoz (south‐western Spain). The upper 40 cm of each side of a 1 m × 1 m × 1 m pit were sampled intensively, taking soil samples from points 10 cm apart. The species isolated were F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. roseum and F. moniliforme. For all four sides of the pit population densities of F. oxysporum, F. solani and F. roseum significantly decreased with increasing soil depth and for all the four layers significant differences were detected between sides of the pit. Horizontal variability also occurred on a smaller sampling scale: when a layer of a side was sampled, densities might be significantly different between points in the layer. However, no clear trend in horizontal variability was observed for any species. These findings demonstrate that Fusarium spp. populations were heterogeneously distributed in this reduced soil volume.
Systemic Resistance to Fusarium Wilt in Tomato Induced by Phytopthora cryptogea
Authors: Attitalla I. H. , Johnson P. , Brishammar S. , Quintanilla P.
Published: August 2010

Under climate chamber conditions, suppression of tomato wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) was obtained by spraying a suspension of Phytophthora cryptogea (Pc) zoospores on the green parts of two tomato cultivars, Danish Export (susceptible) and Elin F1 (moderately resistant). Direct competitive or antagonistic interaction between Pc and FOL in the soil or on the root surfaces was ruled out, but not interaction within the stems of plants. After Pc application followed by FOL inoculation, the two cultivars showed no wilt disease symptoms during the 50 days following FOL inoculation, whereas the FOL‐control plants were destroyed by wilt within about 40 days. Over a period of 7 weeks, both Pc and FOL were detected inside the stems of plants, for all treatments. Pc and FOL were also found inside the petioles of plants, except for one treatment, Pc application followed by challenge inoculation with FOL. Systemic induced resistance was assumed to be responsible for the observed elimination of disease incidence. It was concluded that, under climate chamber conditions, Pc application to the green parts of tomato plants is a viable alternative for control of disease incidence caused by FOL.
β‐1,3‐Glucanase and Chitinase Activities and the Resistance Response of Wheat to Leaf Rust
Authors: Anguelova‐Merhar V. S. , VanDer Westhuizen A. J. , Pretorius Z. A.
Published: August 2010

To investigate the role of β‐1,3‐glucanases (EC 3.2.1.39) and chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) in the resistance response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to leaf rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici), their intercellular activities were studied in resistant (Karee/Lr35) and susceptible (Karee) near‐isogenic wheat lines under conditions of infection and non‐infection. Resistance was associated with high constitutively expressed chitinase activity and induced β‐1,3‐glucanase activity. At 168 hours post‐inoculation several infection sites on Karee/Lr35 displayed necrosis, confirming a hypersensitive response, whereas similar necrotic lesions were observed only for a limited number of infection sites on Karee at that sampling stage. The possible role of chitinases and β‐1,3‐glucanases in the hypersensitive defence response of wheat to leaf rust is discussed.
Biological Control of the Grapevine Dieback Fungus Eutypa lata II: Influence of Formulation Additives and Transposon Mutagenesis on the Antagonistic Activity of Bacillus subtilis and Erwinia herbicola
Authors: Schmidt C. S. , Lorenz D. , Wolf G. A. , Jäger J.
Published: August 2010

The effect of different supplements on the antagonistic activity of Bacillus subtilis and Erwinia herbicola towards Eutypa lata in vitro and on autoclaved grape wood was investigated. Inhibition zones on grape wood agar were enlarged maximally in B. subtilis by adding peptone (0.25%) and in E. herbicola by adding glucose (0.5%) or high concentrations of peptone (1‐2%) to the medium. Nitrate and phosphate salts reduced the antagonistic activity of E. herbicola on glucose‐supplemented medium. Glucose as well as manganese ions did not enlarge inhibition zones of B. subtilis. On grape wood, peptone and methylcellulose supplements increased the antagonistic performance and cell densities of B. subtilis B1α, whereas a negative effect was exerted by calcium alginate and carob (88% galactomannane). A combination of 1% peptone and 4% methylcellulose resulted in 100% inhibition of E. lata (70% inhibition without supplements). In E. herbicola JII/E2, cells applied without supplements showed no antagonistic effect. Carob was the only supplement that led to a significant antagonistic effect of suspended cells of E. herbicola (70‐100% inhibition). One spontaneous mutant and two transposon mutants of E. herbicola JII/E4 did not inhibit E. lata on tryptic soy czapek dox agar but showed unreduced antagonistic activity on grape wood extract agar amended with glucose or peptone. On grape wood, the transposon mutants inhibited growth of E. lata completely whereas the antagonistic activity of the spontaneous mutant was significantly reduced.
PR Protein Accumulation in Seminal Roots of Barley and Wheat in Response to Fungal Infection ‐ the Importance of Cortex Senescence
Authors: Liljeroth E. , Santén K. , Bryngelsson T.
Published: August 2010

The accumulation of PR proteins in the roots of barley and wheat was investigated in response to root infection with the necrotrophic pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana. Analyses of protein extracts using both biochemical methods and immunohistological localization on tissue sections were performed. Several PR proteins, particularly PR‐1 and PR‐5, accumulated in response to infection. The pattern was similar to that observed in earlier reports after infection with, for example, Blumeria graminis and Drechslera teres. Leaf tissue from root‐inoculated plants were also analysed and it was found that isoforms of PR‐3 and PR‐5 proteins were differently expressed in leaves and roots, indicating tissue‐specific expression. Tissue differences were observed within the roots as PR‐3 proteins was constitutively expressed in the root cortex but not in the stele. PR protein accumulation in the leaves after root inoculation indicate systemic induction. Evidence was also found for systemic induction within the roots as PR proteins accumulated in root tissues that were distant from the infection point. Infection of roots close to the root tip caused a stronger accumulation of PR proteins compared with infection of older segments of seminal roots. This was particularly evident in wheat where almost no effect of inoculation of older root segments could be detected. The patterns of PR protein accumulation in seminal roots are discussed in relation to root cortical cell death, a phenomenon that has earlier been found to occur at a progressively increasing rate from the root tip and upwards.