bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological Effects of the Synthetic Strigolactone Analog GR24 on Root System Architecture in Arabidopsis: Another Belowground Role for Strigolactones?
Authors: Ruyter-Spira Carolien , Kohlen Wouter , Charnikhova Tatsiana , van Zeijl Arjan , van Bezouwen Laura , de Ruijter Norbert , Cardoso Catarina , Lopez-Raez Juan Antonio , Matusova Radoslava , Bours Ralph , Verstappen Francel , Bouwmeester Harro
Published: December 2010

In this study, the role of the recently identified class of phytohormones, strigolactones, in shaping root architecture was addressed. Primary root lengths of strigolactone-deficient and -insensitive Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants were shorter than those of wild-type plants. This was accompanied by a reduction in meristem cell number, which could be rescued by application of the synthetic strigolactone analog GR24 in all genotypes except in the strigolactone-insensitive mutant. Upon GR24 treatment, cells in the transition zone showed a gradual increase in cell length, resulting in a vague transition point and an increase in transition zone size. PIN1/3/7-green fluorescent protein intensities in provascular tissue of the primary root tip were decreased, whereas PIN3-green fluorescent protein intensity in the columella was not affected. During phosphate-sufficient conditions, GR24 application to the roots suppressed lateral root primordial development and lateral root forming potential, leading to a reduction in lateral root density. Moreover, auxin levels in leaf tissue were reduced. When auxin levels were increased by exogenous application of naphthylacetic acid, GR24 application had a stimulatory effect on lateral root development instead. Similarly, under phosphate-limiting conditions, endogenous strigolactones present in wild-type plants stimulated a more rapid outgrowth of lateral root primordia when compared with strigolactone-deficient mutants. These results suggest that strigolactones are able to modulate local auxin levels and that the net result of strigolactone action is dependent on the auxin status of the plant. We postulate that the tightly balanced auxin-strigolactone interaction is the basis for the mechanism of the regulation of the plants’ root-to-shoot ratio.
A Domain-Centric Analysis of Oomycete Plant Pathogen Genomes Reveals Unique Protein Organization
Authors: Seidl Michael F. , Van den Ackerveken Guido , Govers Francine , Snel Berend
Published: December 2010

Oomycetes comprise a diverse group of organisms that morphologically resemble fungi but belong to the stramenopile lineage within the supergroup of chromalveolates. Recent studies have shown that plant pathogenic oomycetes have expanded gene families that are possibly linked to their pathogenic lifestyle. We analyzed the protein domain organization of 67 eukaryotic species including four oomycete and five fungal plant pathogens. We detected 246 expanded domains in fungal and oomycete plant pathogens. The analysis of genes differentially expressed during infection revealed a significant enrichment of genes encoding expanded domains as well as signal peptides linking a substantial part of these genes to pathogenicity. Overrepresentation and clustering of domain abundance profiles revealed domains that might have important roles in host-pathogen interactions but, as yet, have not been linked to pathogenicity. The number of distinct domain combinations (bigrams) in oomycetes was significantly higher than in fungi. We identified 773 oomycete-specific bigrams, with the majority composed of domains common to eukaryotes. The analyses enabled us to link domain content to biological processes such as host-pathogen interaction, nutrient uptake, or suppression and elicitation of plant immune responses. Taken together, this study represents a comprehensive overview of the domain repertoire of fungal and oomycete plant pathogens and points to novel features like domain expansion and species-specific bigram types that could, at least partially, explain why oomycetes are such remarkable plant pathogens.
B-Function Expression in the Flower Center Underlies the Homeotic Phenotype ofLacandonia schismatica(Triuridaceae)
Authors: Álvarez-Buylla Elena R. , Ambrose Barbara A. , Flores-Sandoval Eduardo , Englund Marie , Garay-Arroyo Adriana , García-Ponce Berenice , de la Torre-Bárcena Eduardo , Espinosa-Matías Silvia , Martínez Esteban , Piñeyro-Nelson Alma , Engström Peter , Meyerowitz Elliot M.
Published: December 2010

Spontaneous homeotic transformations have been described in natural populations of both plants and animals, but little is known about the molecular-genetic mechanisms underlying these processes in plants. In the ABC model of floral organ identity in Arabidopsis thaliana, the B- and C-functions are necessary for stamen morphogenesis, and C alone is required for carpel identity. We provide ABC model-based molecular-genetic evidence that explains the unique inside-out homeotic floral organ arrangement of the monocotyledonous mycoheterotroph species Lacandonia schismatica (Triuridaceae) from Mexico. Whereas a quarter million flowering plant species bear central carpels surrounded by stamens, L.  schismatica stamens occur in the center of the flower and are surrounded by carpels. The simplest explanation for this is that the B-function is displaced toward the flower center. Our analyses of the spatio-temporal pattern of B- and C-function gene expression are consistent with this hypothesis. The hypothesis is further supported by conservation between the B-function genes of L.  schismatica and Arabidopsis, as the former are able to rescue stamens in Arabidopsis transgenic complementation lines, and Ls-AP3 and Ls-PI are able to interact with each other and with the corresponding Arabidopsis B-function proteins in yeast. Thus, relatively simple molecular modifications may underlie important morphological shifts in natural populations of extant plant taxa.
Ammonium Triggers Lateral Root Branching in Arabidopsis in an AMMONIUM TRANSPORTER1;3-Dependent Manner
Authors: Lima Joni E. , Kojima Soichi , Takahashi Hideki , von Wirén Nicolaus
Published: December 2010

Root development is strongly affected by the plant's nutritional status and the external availability of nutrients. Employing split-root systems, we show here that local ammonium supply to Arabidopsis thaliana plants increases lateral root initiation and higher-order lateral root branching, whereas the elongation of lateral roots is stimulated mainly by nitrate. Ammonium-stimulated lateral root number or density decreased after ammonium or Gln supply to a separate root fraction and did not correlate with cumulative uptake of 15N-labeled ammonium, suggesting that lateral root branching was not purely due to a nutritional effect but most likely is a response to a sensing event. Ammonium-induced lateral root branching was almost absent in a quadruple AMMONIUM TRANSPORTER (qko, the amt1;1 amt1;2 amt1;3 amt2;1 mutant) insertion line and significantly lower in the amt1;3-1 mutant than in the wild type. Reconstitution of AMT1;3 expression in the amt1;3-1 or in the qko background restored higher-order lateral root development. By contrast, AMT1;1, which shares similar transport properties with AMT1;3, did not confer significant higher-order lateral root proliferation. These results show that ammonium is complementary to nitrate in shaping lateral root development and that stimulation of lateral root branching by ammonium occurs in an AMT1;3-dependent manner.
MiR‐96 and miR‐183 detection in urine serve as potential tumor markers of urothelial carcinoma: correlation with stage and grade, and comparison with urinary cytology
Authors: Yamada Yasutoshi , Enokida Hideki , Kojima Satoko , Kawakami Kazumori , Chiyomaru Takeshi , Tatarano Shuichi , Yoshino Hirofumi , Kawahara Kazuya , Nishiyama Kenryu , Seki Naohiko , Nakagawa Masayuki
Published: December 2010

A new diagnostic marker for urothelial carcinoma (UC) is needed to avoid painful cystoscopy during the initial diagnosis and follow‐up period. However, the current urine markers are useless because of the low sensitivities and specificities for UC detection. MiR‐96 and miR‐183 were differentially upregulated microRNA in our previous microRNA screening for UC. The expression levels of miR‐96 and miR‐183 in the urine samples were significantly higher in 100 UC than in healthy controls (miR‐96, P = 0.0059; and miR‐183, P = 0.0044). The receiver‐operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated that each microRNA had good sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing UC patients from non‐UC patients (miR‐96, 71.0% and 89.2%; and miR‐183, 74.0% and 77.3%). Our cohort included 78 UC patients who had undergone urinary cytology. MiR‐96 was positively detected in 27 of 44 patients who had had a “negative” urinary cytology diagnosis. We combined the miR‐96 detection data with the urinary cytology data, and diagnosed 61 of 78 cases as UC; sensitivity rose from 43.6% to 78.2%. We found significant stepwise increases in miR‐96 and miR‐183 expression with advancing tumor grade (miR‐96, P = 0.0057; and miR‐183, P = 0.0036) and pathological stage (miR‐96, P = 0.0332; and miR‐183, P = 0.0117). The expression levels of the microRNA were significantly lower in urine collected after surgery (miR‐96, P = 0.0241; and miR‐183, P = 0.0045). In conclusion, miR‐96 and miR‐183 in urine are promising tumor markers for UC. In particular, miR‐96 may be a good diagnostic marker in combination with urinary cytology. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 522–529)
Mechanisms of leukemogenesis by MLL fusion proteins
Authors: Marschalek Rolf
Published: December 2010

Infant acute leukaemia is characterised by specific genetic rearrangements and a rapid onset of disease shortly after birth. The vast majority of these cases bear rearranged MLL alleles. However, many facets of MLL‐rearranged leukaemia are largely unknown. Basically, there exists a fundamental and evolutionary conserved relationship between the family of MLL/Trithorax proteins and the regulation of HOX gene clusters. Therefore, direct MLL fusion proteins are per se able to deregulate HOX genes, except when reciprocal MLL fusion proteins come into play. This reviews discusses (i) the current situation in MLL‐rearranged leukaemia, (ii) the molecular and genetic tools to functionally investigate the many different MLL fusions, (iii) the latency of disease development, (iv) a novel cancer mechanism that has been recently uncovered when different MLL fusion protein complexes were characterized, (v) mutated signalling pathways in MLL‐rearranged leukaemia and (vi) presents new ideas on how a given MLL fusion protein may modulate existing signalling pathways in leukaemic cells. The hypothesis is posed that the many different fusion partners of MLL are critically distinct entities for which specific inhibitors should be identified in the future.
Pancreatic iron loading in chronically transfused sickle cell disease is lower than in thalassaemia major
Authors: Noetzli Leila J. , Coates Thomas D. , Wood John C.
Published: December 2010

Iron endocrinopathy and cardiomyopathy are common in chronically transfused thalassaemia major patients, but relatively rare in chronically transfused patients with sickle cell disease. Since magnetic resonance imaging can demonstrate preclinical organ iron deposition, we hypothesized that pancreas and cardiac R2* would likewise be lower in sickle cell disease patients than thalassaemia major patients having comparable transfusional burdens. To test this hypothesis, we examined pancreatic and cardiac iron in a convenience sample of 100 chronically‐transfused sickle cell disease and 131 thalassaemia major patients. Cardiac R2* (30 ± 9·2 vs. 73 ± 53 Hz, P < 0·0001) and pancreatic R2* (52 ± 62 vs. 253 ± 224 Hz, P < 0·0001) were significantly lower in sickle cell disease than thalassaemia major. Liver iron concentration was similar in both groups (14·9 ± 9·8 vs. 12·3 ± 8·4 mg/g dry weight, P = 0·101). The observed disparity in pancreatic and cardiac iron loading between sickle cell disease and thalassaemia major patients mirrors prior observations of organ toxicity in these patients. Greater cumulative transfusional iron exposure in thalassaemia major patients partially explains these observations but our data also suggest innate differences in labile iron handling between the two diseases.
Thyroid tuberculosis – role of PCR in diagnosis of a rare entity
Authors: Gupta N. , Sharma K. , Barwad A. , Sharma M. , Rajwanshi A. , Dutta P. , Sharma A.
Published: December 2010

N. Gupta, K. Sharma, A. Barwad, M. Sharma, A. Rajwanshi, P. Dutta and A. Sharma  Thyroid tuberculosis – role of PCR in diagnosis of a rare entity

Background:  Tuberculosis is a rare cause of granulomatous thyroiditis, whose diagnosis may be difficult with routine cytopathology and staining for acid‐fast bacilli (AFB).

Study design:  Amongst 7962 cases of various thyroid lesions subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) over a period of 12 years, 34 cases (0.43%) were found to have cytological features of granulomatous inflammation with or without necrosis, which could be due to tuberculosis, granulomatous thyroiditis or other causes of granulomatous inflammation such as sarcoidosis or fungal infections. DNA was extracted from the material available on May‐Grünwald–Giemsa‐stained smears from the archival material. PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was performed for insertion sequence IS6110.

Results:  The age of the patients ranged from 32 to 58 years (median 48 years); 24 were female and 10 male. FNAC from thyroid swellings showed epithelioid granulomas with giant cells and/or necrosis. Although acid‐fast bacilli were only seen in smears in two cases, 19/34 (55.9%) showed the presence of 123 bp DNA band under ultraviolet transillumination. Five control cases were negative.

Conclusion:  Our study of archival cytological material illustrates the importance of PCR as a potentially useful tool for the detection of M. tuberculosis DNA from FNAC of thyroid lesions, which could provide an alternative for rapid diagnosis of thyroid tuberculosis in AFB‐negative cases.
Imaging the dynamics of intracellular protein translocation by photoconversion of phamret‐cybr/ROM
Authors: YANG L. , MATSUDA T. , RAVIRAJ V. , CHING Y. W. , BRAET F. , NAGAI T. , SOON L. L.
Published: December 2010

Cybr/Reduced On‐random Motile (ROM) is a scaffold protein, containing a postsynaptic density protein‐95/discs‐large/ZO‐1 (PDZ) domain, a LEU region and a PDZ domain binding region at the C‐terminus. In the immune system, Cybr/ROM was found to localize in vesicles and at the plasma membrane, through interactions with cytohesin‐1. In this investigation, we reported Cybr/ROM as occurring in vesicles, the cytoplasm and at membrane ruffles of H1299 lung cancer cells. Its localization at the ruffles was dependent on intact actin structures as indicated by latrunculin A treatment, which abrogated ruffle formation and staining of Cybr/ROM at the cells’ periphery. Transfection of truncation mutants consisting of either the PDZ or LEU domain showed that the LEU domain of ROM was localized to membrane ruffles, vesicles and the cytoplasm, whereas, the PDZ domain localized to the membrane ruffles and cytoplasm only. There was therefore, domain/molecular segregation of Cybr/ROM in different cellular compartments. Cybr/ROM was subcloned into a plasmid carrying the photoactivation‐mediated resonance energy transfer (Phamret) protein. The photoconversion experiments demonstrated the diffusion of ROM from the cytoplasm to the membrane ruffling sites and conversely from membrane ruffles to the cytoplasm. Large variances in the transport velocity of Cybr/ROM in the cytoplasm suggested that its movements were facilitated by other mechanisms in addition to diffusion.
Pharmacokinetics of oral ivabradine in healthy cats
Authors: RIESEN S. C. , NI W. , CARNES C.A. , LINDSEY K. J. , PHELPS M. A. , SCHOBER K. E.
Published: December 2010

Riesen, S. C., Ni, W., Carnes, C. A., Lindsey, K. J., Phelps, M. A., Schober, K. E. Pharmacokinetics of oral ivabradine in healthy cats.J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.34, 469–475.

A liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) analytical method for the measurement of the novel heart rate–lowering drug ivabradine and its major metabolite, S‐18982, was cross‐validated in the plasma of eight healthy cats. Plasma concentrations were then determined after single and repeated oral administration of ivabradine. Individual plasma concentrations versus time from each cat were used in compartmental analysis using the commercially available software WinNonlin. Both ivabradine and S‐18982 reached their maximum concentrations of 103.33 and 3.86 ng/mL within 1 h. Following repeated administration, areas under the plasma concentration–time curves for ivabradine and S‐18982 did not significantly increase. Two‐compartmental and one‐compartmental models with first‐order input and elimination provided the best fit to the data for ivabradine and S‐18982, respectively. Both models were combined to produce a single 4‐compartment model characterizing ivabradine and S‐18982 pharmacokinetics. The results of this study indicate that repeated oral doses of ivabradine produced plasma drug concentrations suitable for 12‐h dosing intervals in healthy cats. Furthermore, the analytical assay and combined ivabradine/S‐18982 model provide tools for further evaluation of ivabradine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in future studies in cats.
Identification of host‐plant chemical stimuli for the European grape berry mothEupoecilia ambiguella
Authors: SCHMIDT‐BÜSSER DANIELA , VON ARX MARTIN , CONNÉTABLE SOPHIE , GUERIN PATRICK M.
Published: December 2010

Olfaction is of major importance for survival and reproduction in moths. Males possess highly specific and sensitive olfactory receptor neurones to detect female sex pheromones. However, the capacity of male moths to respond to host‐plant volatiles is relatively neglected and the role that such responses could play in the sensory ecology of moths is still not fully understood. The present study aims to identify host‐plant stimuli for the European grape berry mothEupoecilia ambiguellaHb. (Tortricidae, Lepidoptera), a major pest of vine in Europe. Headspace volatiles fromVitis viniferaL. cv. Pinot Noir,Vitis viniferasubsp.sylvestrisand five other host‐plant species comprising five different families are analyzed by gas chromatography linked to electroantennogram (EAG) recording from maleE. ambiguellaantennae and by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. This procedure identifies 32 EAG‐active compounds, among them the aliphatic compounds 1‐hexanol, (Z)‐3‐hexenol, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate and 1‐octen‐3‐ol; the terpenes limonene,β‐caryophyllene and (E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene; and the aromatic compounds benzaldehyde and methyl salicylate. Male and femaleE. ambiguellashow similar EAG response amplitudes to individual chemical stimuli and also to mixtures of plant volatiles, as represented by essential oils from ten other plant species. This possibly indicates a common role for plant compounds in the sensory ecology of the two sexes ofE. ambiguella.
MtCRE1‐dependent cytokinin signaling integrates bacterial and plant cues to coordinate symbiotic nodule organogenesis in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Plet Julie , Wasson Anton , Ariel Federico , Le Signor Christine , Baker David , Mathesius Ulrike , Crespi Martin , Frugier Florian
Published: December 2010

Phytohormonal interactions are essential to regulate plant organogenesis. In response to the presence of signals from symbiotic bacteria, the Nod factors, legume roots generate a new organ: the nitrogen‐fixing nodule. Analysis of mutants in the Medicago truncatula CRE1 cytokinin receptor and of the MtRR4 cytokinin primary response gene expression pattern revealed that cytokinin acts in initial cortical cell divisions and later in the transition between meristematic and differentiation zones of the mature nodule. MtCRE1 signaling is required for activation of the downstream nodulation‐related transcription factors MtERN1, MtNSP2 and MtNIN, as well as to regulate expression and accumulation of PIN auxin efflux carriers. Whereas the MtCRE1 pathway is required to allow the inhibition of polar auxin transport in response to rhizobia, nodulation is still negatively regulated by the MtEIN2/SICKLE‐dependent ethylene pathway in cre1 mutants. Hence, MtCRE1 signaling acts as a regulatory knob, integrating positive plant and bacterial cues to control legume nodule organogenesis.
Hybrid embryos of Vicia faba develop enhanced sink strength, which is established during early development
Authors: Meitzel Tobias , Radchuk Ruslana , Nunes‐Nesi Adriano , Fernie Alisdair R. , Link Wolfgang , Weschke Winfriede , Weber Hans
Published: December 2010

Selfed and crossed seeds of two homozygous Vicia faba lines served as models for the analysis of the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying embryo heterosis. Profiles of transcripts, metabolites and seed contents of developing embryos were analysed to compare the means of reciprocally crossed and selfed seeds growing on the same mother plants. The mean weight of mature hybrid seeds was demonstrably higher, revealing mid‐parent heterosis. Hybrid embryos exhibited a prolonged early phase of development and delayed onset of storage activity. Accordingly, transcript profiling indicates stimulation of cell proliferation, an effect, which is potentially mediated by activation of auxin functions within a framework of growth‐related transcription factors. At the transcript level, activated cell proliferation increased assimilate uptake activity and thereby seed sink strength. This situation might finally lead to the increased size of the hybrid seeds. We conclude that hybrid seeds are characterised by accelerated growth during early development, which increases storage capacity and leads to higher metabolic fluxes. These needs are, at least partially, met by increased assimilate uptake capacity. The stimulated growth of hybrid seeds shifted metabolite profiles and potentially depleted available pools. Such metabolic shifts are most likely secondary effects resulting from the higher storage capacity of hybrid seeds, a heterotic feature, which is itself established very early in seed development.
Targeting the vitamin D receptor inhibits the B cell‐dependent allergic immune response
Authors: Hartmann B. , Heine G. , Babina M. , Steinmeyer A. , Zügel U. , Radbruch A. , Worm M.
Published: December 2010

To cite this article: Hartmann B, Heine G, Babina M, Steinmeyer A, Zügel U, Radbruch A, Worm M. Targeting the vitamin D receptor inhibits the B cell‐dependent allergic immune response. Allergy 2011; 66: 540–548.

Background:  1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol), the biologically active form of vitamin D, is an immunomodulatory hormone, e.g. it inhibits IgE synthesis in B cells. As its clinical application is limited by hypercalcemia, synthetic vitamin D receptor (VDR) agonists that mediate immunomodulatory activities without adverse hypercalcemic effects are of great interest. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a low‐calcemic VDR agonist on the IgE immune response in vitro and in vivo.

Methods:  Human peripheral B cells were cultured under IgE inducing conditions in the presence of VDR ligands. B cells were analyzed by quantitative RT‐PCR, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, enzyme‐linked immunospot technique, and flow cytometry. BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA)/alum followed by the therapeutic VDR agonist treatment and analyzed regarding the humoral immunoglobulin profile.

Results:  The natural VDR ligand calcitriol, but also a low‐calcemic VDR agonist, profoundly suppressed IgE production by human peripheral B cells by 63.9 ± 5.9%. The potential mechanisms involved are the reduction of the transcript for activation‐induced deaminase (AID) and the reduction of IgE immunoglobulin‐secreting cells by 68.1 ± 12.7%. By using an in vivo approach, we finally demonstrate that the humoral IgE response in a type I allergy mouse model was impaired by the VDR agonist.

Conclusion:  Our results show that targeting the VDR modulates the humoral immune response including IgE. Whether it might be useful for clinical applications has to be determined in appropriate clinical trials.
Immunohistochemical characterization of microglia in Nasu‐Hakola disease brains
Authors: Satoh Jun‐ichi , Tabunoki Hiroko , Ishida Tsuyoshi , Yagishita Saburo , Jinnai Kenji , Futamura Naonobu , Kobayashi Michio , Toyoshima Itaru , Yoshioka Toshiaki , Enomoto Katsuhiko , Arai Nobutaka , Arima Kunimasa
Published: December 2010

Nasu‐Hakola disease (NHD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by progressive presenile dementia and formation of multifocal bone cysts, caused by genetic mutations of DNAX‐activation protein 12 (DAP12) or triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2). TREM2 and DAP12 constitute a receptor/adapter signaling complex expressed on osteoclasts, dendritic cells (DC), macrophages and microglia. Previous studies using knockout mice and mouse brain cell cultures suggest that a loss‐of‐function of DAP12/TREM2 in microglia plays a central role in the neuropathological manifestation of NHD. However, there exist no immunohistochemical studies that focus attention on microglia in NHD brains. To elucidate a role of microglia in the pathogenesis of NHD, we searched NHD‐specific biomarkers and characterized their expression on microglia in NHD brains. Here, we identified allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF1, Iba1) and sialic acid binding Ig‐like lectin 1 (SIGLEC1) as putative NHD‐specific biomarkers by bioinformatics analysis of microarray data of NHD DC. We studied three NHD and eight control brains by immunohistochemistry with a panel of 16 antibodies, including those against Iba1 and SIGLEC1. We verified the absence of DAP12 expression in NHD brains and the expression of DAP12 immunoreactivity on ramified microglia in control brains. Unexpectedly, TREM2 was not expressed on microglia but expressed on a small subset of intravascular monocytes/macrophages in control and NHD brains. In the cortex of NHD brains, we identified accumulation of numerous Iba1‐positive microglia to an extent similar to control brains, while SIGLEC1 was undetectable on microglia in all the brains examined. These observations indicate that human microglia in brain tissues do not express TREM2 and DAP12‐deficient microglia are preserved in NHD brains, suggesting that the loss of DAP2/TREM2 function in microglia might not be primarily responsible for the neuropathological phenotype of NHD.
Shrub‐based plantings of woody perennial vegetation in temperate Australian agricultural landscapes: What benefits for native biodiversity?
Authors: Collard Stuart J. , Fisher Andrew M.
Published: December 2010

Summary  In the highly fragmented agricultural landscapes of temperate southern Australia, fodder shrubs are being established as part of commercial grazing enterprises to fill the summer‐autumn livestock feed gap. These woody perennial plantings have greater structural complexity than conventional grazing systems and may supplement resources for native fauna. However, to date the resources provided by these systems are poorly defined or documented. In this paper, we identify the potential environmental values of fodder shrub plantings by considering natural and planted shrub‐based systems, with a particular focus on planted saltbush in non‐saline lands. In marginal agricultural areas, shrub‐based perennial fodder crops can not only provide economic benefits through improved livestock productivity, but also contribute to reducing soil erosion and offer potential carbon sequestration opportunities. We contend that these systems may also provide resources for a range of native fauna. More information is needed on the biodiversity value of grazing systems based on perennial shrubs so that their potential to contribute to conservation in multifunctional landscapes can be fully realised and appropriate management recommendations provided.
Platelet activation in patients with the Raynaud phenomenon
Authors: Polidoro L. , Barnabei R. , Giorgini P. , Petrazzi L. , Ferri C. , Properzi G.
Published: December 2010

Background:  The Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is an exaggerated and reversible vasospasm of small arteries triggered by cold or emotional stress. Primary RP (PRP) term is used when the underlying condition is unknown. An altered regulation in vascular tone and/or release of soluble mediators from activated platelets plays a role in PRP through an increased oxidative stress. We assessed platelet activation and oxidative stress in patients with PRP by measuring platelet PAC‐1, an index of glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa receptor activation, thromboxane A2 (TXA2), an index of platelet activation and 8‐epi‐prostaglandin F2α (8‐epi‐PGF2α), a marker of endogenous in vivo peroxidation.

Methods:  Eighteen asymptomatic patients with PRP (age 41.37 ± 16.94 years; 17 women, 1 man) and 18 healthy subjects (age of 35.11 ± 13.16 years; 16 women, 2 men) were studied. PAC‐1 was analysed by flow cytometry while circulating TXB2, a stable metabolite of TXA2 and 8‐epi‐PGF2α levels were assessed by ELISA kit.

Results:  Our results show a significant platelet activation in PRP patients as indicated by increased PAC‐1 expression (65.29 ± 15.24%; P < 0.001), TXB2 (1477.83 ± 454.04 pg/mL; P= 0.003) and 8‐epi‐PGF2α circulating levels (42.50 ± 14.14 ng/mL; P < 0.001). An inverse correlation between the degree of PAC‐1 expression and TXB2 levels (r=−0.527; P= 0.02) was also found in PRP patients, suggesting that downregulation of GpIIb/IIIa receptor expression may occur during thrombocytopoiesis, as a consequence of the chronic exposure to increased TXB2 concentration.

Conclusions:  Our study for the first time shows a marked activation of GpIIb/IIIa receptor in asymptomatic patients with PRP and supports antiplatelet therapy in PRP patients.
Intracranial cause of delirium: computed tomography yield and predictive factors
Authors: Lai M. M. Y. , Wong Tin Niam D. M.
Published: December 2010

Background:  Computed tomography (CT) of the brain in delirium investigation has a low yield of identifiable causes. We sought to identify the best clinical predictors of an intracranial cause of delirium.

Methods:  We performed a case–control study of patients admitted to a delirium unit. Clinical factors of patients with positive findings on scans were compared with those without demonstrated causes. The main outcome measure was intracranial abnormalities accountable for the cause of delirium.

Results:  During 18 months, there were 300 admissions to the unit. Mean age of patients was 86.6 years. Among 200 patients who proceeded to CT scanning, only 29 demonstrated intracranial pathology accountable for the cause of delirium, with a yield of 14.5%. There were 13 patients with ischaemic stroke, seven with subdural haemorrhage and nine with intracerebral haemorrhage. In multivariate analysis, new neurological deficits (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 18.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.99–55.15), recent falls history (adjusted OR 5.58, 95% CI 1.90–16.42) and decline in conscious level (adjusted OR 4.58, 95% CI 1.33–15.79) were predictors of clinically meaningful radiological findings. Twenty‐six of the 29 patients with scans had these three predictors with a sensitivity of 89.7% (95% CI 78.6–100%).

Conclusion:  We identified a history of recent fall as a new independent predictor for clinically relevant intracranial pathology in delirious patients, besides new neurological deficits and decline in conscious state. A flow chart incorporating CT head scanning as part of delirium investigation is proposed.
Determinants of masked hypertension in hypertensive patients treated in a primary care setting
Authors: Andalib A. , Akhtari S. , Rigal R. , Curnew G. , Leclerc J.‐M. , Vaillancourt M. , Tardif J.‐C.
Published: December 2010

Background:  Recent data suggest that masked hypertension (MH) carries a cardiovascular risk similar to that of uncontrolled hypertension.

Aims:  The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of MH in patients treated for hypertension in a Canadian primary care setting.

Methods:  Office blood pressure (OBP) was measured at baseline and after 3 months of valsartan‐based therapy in 5636 hypertensive patients who had recorded their home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) for seven consecutive days at month 3 using an Omron HEM‐711 apparatus. MH was defined in nondiabetic patients as an OBP <140/90 mmHg and an HBPM ≥135/85 mmHg, and in those with diabetes as an OBP <130/80 mmHg and an HBPM ≥125/75 mmHg.

Results:  Of the 5636 patients, 1025 had diabetes. OBP was controlled at 3 months in 268 (26.1%) of them, but 167 (62.3%) had MH. OBP was controlled in 2728 (59.1%) of the 4611 patients without diabetes, and 935 (34.3%) of them had MH. Overall, 1102 patients had MH, representing 36.8% of patients with controlled OBP and 19.6% of the entire hypertensive study population. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis in nondiabetic patients with controlled OBP at 3 months revealed that older age, male sex, higher body mass index and higher office systolic blood pressure were determinants of MH.

Conclusion:  Our results indicate that one of five hypertensive patients and more than one of three with controlled OBP will have MH. MH is associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, and in nondiabetics, with male sex, older age and obesity.
Extracellular DNA is abundant and important for microcolony strength in mixed microbial biofilms
Authors: Dominiak Dominik Marek , Nielsen Jeppe Lund , Nielsen Per Halkjær
Published: December 2010

A new approach for quantification of extracellular DNA (eDNA) in mixed biofilms at microscale resolution was developed and combined with other staining techniques to assess the origin, abundance and role of eDNA in activated sludge biofilms. Most eDNA was found in close proximity to living cells in microcolonies, suggesting that most of it originated from an active secretion or alternatively, by lysis of a sub‐population of cells. When the staining was combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization for identification of the microorganisms, it was found that the eDNA content varied among the different probe‐defined species. The highest amount of eDNA was found in and around the microcolonies of denitrifiers belonging to the genera Curvibacter and Thauera, the ammonium‐oxidizing Nitrosomonas and the nitrite‐oxidizing Nitrospira. Other floc‐formers also produced eDNA, although in lower amounts. The total eDNA content in activated sludge varied from 4 to 52 mg per gram volatile suspended solids in different wastewater treatment plants. Very high local concentrations within some microcolonies were found with up to approximately 300 mg of eDNA per g of organic matter. DNase digestion of activated sludge led to general floc disintegration and disruption of the microcolonies with high eDNA content, implying that eDNA was an important structural component in activated sludge biofilms.
The effect of a peer‐mentoring strategy on student nurse stress reduction in clinical practice
Authors: Li H‐C. , Wang L. S. , Lin Y‐H. , Lee I.
Published: December 2010

LI H‐C., WANG L. S., LIN Y‐H. & LEE I. (2011) The effect of a peer‐mentoring strategy on student nurse stress reduction in clinical practice. International Nursing Review58, 203–210

Background:  That nursing students suffer high levels of stress during clinical practice is a common topic in nursing education, but there are some effective strategies for dealing with it.

Purpose:  The purpose of this study is to examine the effects that a peer mentoring program has on student nurses' stress levels during clinical practice.

Methods:  A quasi‐experimental design was conducted. Forty‐nine junior level nursing students (n = 17 in the experimental group; n = 32 in the control group) were enrolled in the same medical‐surgical nursing class. Mentors were recruited from students who had received medical‐surgical experience before entering university. A 6‐point perceived Stress Scale for the nursing students' questionnaire was used to evaluate the stress level.

Results:  Stress from ‘lack of professional knowledge and skills’ was the highest score before clinical practice in the experimental (3.78) and control (3.57) group, and also was the highest score after clinical practice in the control group (3.44). Stress from ‘assignments and workload’ was the highest score after clinical practice in experimental group (3.25). Wilcoxon matched paired signed ranks test revealed that there are no significant differences in stress scores between the two groups.

Conclusions/Implications for practice:  Study findings reveal that there are various advantages and disadvantages to implementing peer mentoring programs. The clinical teacher needs to provide suitable support and encouragement to the mentor and mentee students during this program. These results might provide information that can be used in improving clinical internship experience for the students.
Measurement of Capital Flight: Methodology and Results for Sub‐Saharan African Countries*
Authors: Ndikumana Léonce , Boyce James K.
Published: December 2010

Abstract: This paper presents the methodology for the computation of capital flight and reports new estimates of the magnitude and timing of capital flight from 33 sub‐Saharan African countries from 1970 to 2004. Our methodology calculates capital flight as the residual difference between inflows and outflows of foreign exchange recorded in the balance of payments, with corrections for the magnitude of external borrowing, trade misinvoicing, and unrecorded remittances. We find that total capital flight from these countries in this period amounted to $443 billion (in 2004 dollars). With imputed interest earnings, the accumulated stock of flight capital amounted to $640 billion. These numbers exceed these countries’ external debts, which in 2004 amounted to $193 billion, indicating that sub‐Saharan Africa is a net creditor to the rest of the world.
Banks, Microfinance Institutions and Economic Growth in the West African Economic and Monetary Union
Authors: Sodokin Koffi , Donou‐Adonsou Charles
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  This paper aims to investigate the complementary relationship between commercial banks and microfinance institutions in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) as a means to sustain economic growth. Using panel data on seven countries from 1999 to 2005 with the Feasible Generalized Least Squares and the AR(1) disturbances, the study indicates that the banking and microfinance sectors are prone to operating individually, and that banks benefit from microfinance activities. A joint effort of both sectors in facing credit allocation appears to be very significant over the single action of microfinance institutions. The study, therefore, suggests a joint or complementary approach through savings management to face the challenge of the economic growth in the Union.
The poisoned gift: ‘Fortune cookie’ genomics at UC Berkeley (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Scheper‐Hughes Nancy
Published: December 2010

In the summer of 2010 the Deans of the College of Letters and Science at University of California at Berkeley launched a risky educational experiment. They sent a letter to incoming Berkeley freshmen inviting them to submit their DNA for genetic testing. The project quickly garnered national attention and heated debate among social science and anthropology faculty. The Center for Genetics and Society and the Council for Responsible Genetics called for a halt to the Bring‐Your‐Genes to Berkeley program. After having their DNA analyzed, students would be given information about three genetic codes concerning their tolerance for alcohol, lactose (in milk), and folic acid deficiency. Why did this educational and health project become so controversial? Nancy Scheper‐Hughes unpacks the issues that led to a legislative hearing in Sacramento and to a California State Department of Public Health order to stop the DNA test results from being transmitted to Berkeley students.
The loss of innocence: The Icelandic fnancial crisis and colonial past (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Loftsdóttir Kristín
Published: December 2010

Iceland's increased involvement in global economic markets in the early 2000s came to a sudden halt in 2008, when the economic crisis hit Iceland severely. I focus on how this crisis was understood in Iceland as continuous with romantic nationalist narratives of the past. Nationalism in the early 20th century helped make sense of foreign investments in the boom period, building on a masculine image of the ‘Viking’ and specific characteristics of ‘the’ Icelanders. Icelanders’ take on Danish rule of Iceland up to the mid‐20th century continues to be relevant to understanding Icelandic identity, indicating how the colonial and imperialist period continues to haunt the present.
The Spatial Impact of Language Policies on the Marginal Bids for English Education in Hong Kong
Authors: MOK DIANA , LI LING‐HIN
Published: December 2010

In 1997 the government of Hong Kong reformed its policy on the language medium for teaching at the secondary‐school level and removed schools' right to choose their own medium. Among the 404 public and “aided” secondary schools in Hong Kong, the government allowed only 100 to use English as the medium for teaching and required the remaining 304 to use the native language, Chinese. The authors assess the spatial impact of the policy reform and estimate the bid function for English‐language schools. The results show that the 1997 policy reform shifted parental preferences from public to private education and increased the marginal bid for proximity to private English schools by 2 percent. Following the reform, homeowners were willing to pay, on average, HK $8,400 for each additional 100 metres closer to a private English school.
Revisiting the Ungovernability Debate: Regional Governance and Sprawl in the USA and UK
Authors: HAGER CAROL
Published: December 2010

This article links contemporary critiques of regional governance to the ‘crisis of the state’ in the 1970s and 1980s. Using the example of the politics of sprawl, I explain why collaborative regional planning institutions in New Jersey and the East of England have received such low marks from government participants and local populations, despite their success in completing land‐use plans. I argue that these new governance institutions inadvertently revive issues of power, accountability and democratic legitimacy stemming from the crisis of the state. British and American governments interpreted it as a crisis of ungovernability, and their subsequent reforms were aimed at freeing state and market from societal demands. Berger, Castells and Harvey argue that, for many citizens, the crisis had more to do with the impermeability of the state to non‐economic quality of life concerns. Regional planning institutions rekindle this critique by offloading policy accountability to the regional level — from above in the UK case, from below in the USA case — while leaving the underlying power of state or market intact. Moreover, the ‘post‐political’ nature of the collaborative institutions prevents competing values from being debated and resolved. The result is a reemergence of legitimation issues around land use.

Les critiques contemporaines sur la gouvernance régionale peuvent être reliées à la ‘crise de l'État’ des années 1970–1980. L'exemple de la politique d'étalement urbain permet ici d'expliquer pourquoi, bien qu'ayant réalisé leurs plans d'occupation des sols, les institutions collaboratives d'aménagement régional, dans le New Jersey comme dans l'Est de l'Angleterre, ont été si peu appréciées des acteurs gouvernementaux et des populations locales. Sans le vouloir, ces nouveaux organes de gouvernance ravivent des questions de pouvoir, de responsabilité et de légitimité démocratique qui découlent de la crise de l'État. Les gouvernements britannique et américain y ont vu une crise d'ingouvernabilité, produisant alors des réformes pour libérer l'État et le marché des revendications sociétales. Berger, Castells et Harvey avancent que, pour nombre de citoyens, la crise tenait davantage à un État hermétique aux préoccupations non économiques relevant de la qualité de la vie. Les nouvelles institutions attisent cette critique en déchargeant sur le niveau régional la responsabilité des politiques publiques (attribuée jusque‐là au niveau supérieur au Royaume‐Uni, et au niveau inférieur aux États‐Unis), sans pour autant atténuer le pouvoir sous‐jacent de l'État ou du marché. De plus, la nature ‘post‐politique’ des institutions collaboratives empêche les valeurs en concurrence d'être discutées et résolues. C'est ainsi que réapparaissent des questions de légitimité autour de l'utilisation des terrains.
Green Noise or Green Value? Measuring the Effects of Environmental Certification on Office Values
Authors: Fuerst Franz , McAllister Patrick
Published: December 2010

This study investigates the price effects of environmental certification on commercial real estate assets. It is argued that there are likely to be three main drivers of price differences between certified and noncertified buildings. These are additional occupier benefits, lower holding costs for investors and a lower risk premium. Drawing upon the CoStar database of U.S. commercial real estate assets, hedonic regression analysis is used to measure the effect of certification on both rent and price. The results suggest that, compared to buildings in the same submarkets, eco‐certified buildings have both a rental and sale price premium.
Do Tenants Capture the Benefits from the Low‐Income Housing Tax Credit Program?
Authors: Burge Gregory S.
Published: December 2010

This article compares the rent savings accrued by recipient households over the life cycle of Low‐Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects to their allocated tax credits. A simple two‐stage empirical procedure is developed and implemented for a selected medium‐sized metropolitan statistical area. Using hedonic pricing parameters estimated in the first stage, LIHTC ceiling rents are compared to predicted market rents. The findings indicate rent savings constitute a relatively small fraction of the programs costs, suggesting developers and investors may capture some of the program's benefits. As this finding characterizes only one potential source of benefits of the LIHTC program, a brief discussion of other potential benefits to low‐income households supplements the analysis.
Endovascular Revascularization of Chronic Symptomatic Vertebrobasilar Occlusion
Authors: Lin Ridwan , Aleu Aitziber , Jankowitz Brian , Kostov Dean , Kanaan Hilal , Horowitz Michael , Jovin Tudor
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Acute basilar artery occlusion is associated with a high risk of stroke, mortality, and poor outcome in survivors. Timely vessel revascularization is critical to improve the clinical outcome in this condition. A subset of patients survives acute occlusion with mild or no disability and some of these individuals develop recurrent ischemic events despite optimal medical therapy. The strategy for management of these patients is unknown.

CASE SUMMARY

We described 3 patients with chronic intracranial vertebrobasilar occlusions who presented with recurrent ischemic symptoms and progressive disability. All 3 patients were treated successfully with angioplasty and stenting. One patient experienced headache postprocedure and was found to have subarachnoid hemorrhage, which was self‐limiting without need for intervention or result in permanent neurological sequela. All 3 patients have been free of recurrent symptoms for up to 30 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Revascularization of chronic vertebrobasilar occlusions is technically feasible. Due to the high‐risk nature, it should be reserved as an option only for selected group of patients with recurrent ischemic symptoms and progressive disability despite maximal medical therapy. Further prospective study is helpful to clarify the role of this intervention.