bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serological Relationships Among the Over‐expressed Coat Proteins of Allexiviruses
Authors: Lu Y.‐W. , Chen J. , Zheng H.‐Y. , Adams M. J. , Chen J.‐P.
Published: March 2008

Coat protein genes of six members of the genusAllexivirus,Garlic viruses ‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐D, ‐Eand‐X, were over‐expressed in bacteria and used to prepare polyclonal antibodies. In western blot analysis,Garlic virus D(GarV‐D) and GarV‐E were closely related serologically and there were weaker relationships between some other pairs, particularly GarV‐E with GarV‐A, GarV‐X with GarV‐A, GarV‐X with GarV‐B and GarV‐X with GarV‐C. Sequence analysis suggested that there was no simple relationship between amino acid identity and serological properties.
Molecular Characterization of a Distinct Begomovirus Infecting Crassocephalum crepidioides in China
Authors: Dong J. H. , Zhang Z. K. , Ding M. , Fang Q. , Zhou H.
Published: March 2008

A Begomovirus isolate JH1 was obtained from Crassocephalum crepidioides showing yellow vein symptoms in Jinghong of Yunnan province, China. The complete sequence of Begomovirus DNA‐A‐like molecule of JH1 was determined to be 2745 nucleotides long. When compared with other begomoviruses, JH1 DNA‐A has the highest nucleotide sequence identity (86.4%) with that of Tobacco curly shoot virus. Comparisons of individual encoded proteins with other begomoviruses show that different parts of JH1 DNA‐A have different ancestors. The molecular data show that JH1 is a distinct Begomovirus species, for which the name Crassocephalum yellow vein virus is proposed.
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus and Tomato leaf curl Taiwan virus Invade South‐east Coast of China
Authors: Mugiira R. B. , Liu S.‐S. , Zhou X.
Published: March 2008

An epidemic outbreak of severe yellow leaf curl disease was reported in field grown tomato within Zhejiang Province of China in the autumn–winter cropping season of 2006. A molecular diagnostic survey was carried out based on comparisons of partial and complete viral DNA sequences. Comparison of partial DNA‐A sequences amplified with degenerate primers specific for begomoviruses confirmed the presence of two types of begomoviruses. The complete DNA sequences of five isolates, corresponding to the two types, were determined. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis revealed that they correspond to two previously identified begomoviruses, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus and Tomato leaf curl Taiwan virus. The satellite DNAβ molecule was not detected in these samples by either PCR or Southern blot hybridization analysis. There has been no previous report of geminivirus disease incidence in Zhejiang Province, indicating that the introduction of these two tomato infecting geminiviruses into the agro‐ecological zone of South‐eastern China is a fairly recent event. The implications for disease control are discussed.
Overwintering of Monilinia fructicola in Stone Fruit Orchards in Northern China
Authors: Zhong Y. F. , Zhang Y. W. , Chen X. Y. , Luo Y. , Guo L.Y.
Published: March 2008

Survival of Monilinia fructicola on the surface of mummified fruit and in peduncles and shoots of stone fruit trees infected by M. fructicola in the previous season was studied from 2003 to 2006 in orchards in the agricultural region of Beijing. Viable conidia of M. fructicola were consistently detected on fruit mummies from mid‐March to the end of April. During flowering (in mid‐April), studies in five peach orchards showed that 33–87% of mummified fruit bore viable conidia. The germination rate of conidia on diseased fruit was about 64% in autumn. It decreased to 24% in mid‐winter when the fruit was completely mummified, and in the following year to 2–4% in early spring. Viable M. fructicola was consistently detected in peach and nectarine shoots collected in winter and spring. In general, viable M. fructicola in peduncles was detected from mummified fruit of 11–27% branches and from asymptomatic plant tissues of 3–20% branches. Sporulation of M. fructicola was observed on peduncles in seven of eight surveys, and the percentage of branches containing viable M. fructicola in peduncles in contact with mummified fruits ranged from 18% to 40%. This study demonstrates that the tree‐borne mummified fruit and the peduncles could be the parts of trees where M. fructicola can survive the winter in orchards in suburban Beijing.
Production of Polyclonal Antibodies to the Recombinant Coat Protein of Citrus tristeza virus and their Effectiveness for Virus Detection
Authors: Iracheta‐Cárdenas M. , Sandoval‐Alejos B. D. , Román‐Calderón M. E. , Manjunath K. L. , Lee R. F. , Rocha‐Peña M. A.
Published: March 2008

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is distributed worldwide and causes the most economically important virus diseases of citrus. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or immunoprinting have become an indispensable tools for large‐scale diagnosis of CTV worldwide. Several CTV detection kits are commercially available, based on either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies developed against purified virus preparations. We have developed polyclonal antibodies to recombinant p25 CTV coat proteins (rCP) and determined their effectiveness for both trapping and as the intermediate antibody in double‐antibody sandwich indirect (DASI) ELISA. The p25 coat protein gene of three CTV isolates was amplified by RT‐PCR and further cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The rCP was injected into rabbits and goats for antibody production. Western blotting assays with the rCP CTV‐specific antibodies reacted positively with the homologous and heterologous rCP of the three CTV isolates and with the corresponding native coat protein present in crude sap extracts of CTV‐infected citrus tissue, but not with extracts from healthy tissue. The rCP antibodies from goat and rabbit reacted as both plate trapping and intermediate antibodies in DASI‐ELISA, discriminating healthy and CTV‐infected citrus, with optical density (OD405) values in the range of 0.151–2.415 for CTV‐infected samples and less than 0.100 for healthy tissue. Commercially available anti‐CTV antibodies were used as a reference. Previous reports indicate that antibodies developed to recombinant antigens, including those of CTV, may not be functional for trapping the target antigens under non‐denaturing conditions. Our results showed the feasibility of CTV antibodies developed to the rCP for use as both trapping and intermediate antibodies in DASI‐ELISA, when the recombinant antigen was fractioned with polyacrylamide electrophoresis gel and further extensively dialysed against phosphate buffer saline prior to its use as immunogen.
Potential loss of unique genetic diversity in tomato landraces by genetic colonization of modern cultivars at a non‐center of origin
Authors: San‐San‐Yi  , Jatoi S. A. , Fujimura T. , Yamanaka S. , Watanabe J. , Watanabe K. N.
Published: March 2008

We report the genetic diversity of tomato landraces from Myanmar, with reference to worldwide tomato accessions. Ten simple sequence repeat markers were screened and used to create diversity profiles of tomato germplasm. A total of 133 alleles were amplified from the germplasm investigated; alleles specific to landraces from Myanmar were also observed. Higher genetic diversity for the Myanmar landraces highlighted the broad genetic base of tomato germplasm. Principal component analysis showed that most of the Myanmar landraces were divergent from other accessions. The different approaches used to analyse landrace diversity documented the broader genetic base of germplasm from Myanmar, which is a non‐center of origin for tomato. Genetic diversity in the landraces may be attributable to diverse production systems used by different ethnic groups in Myanmar, ranging from natural hydroponics in eastern areas, to slash‐and‐burn fields in mountain areas and shifting cultivation in many parts of the country. The availability of uniform and high‐yielding cultivars/hybrids threatens the valuable landraces in Myanmar. We emphasize the need to evaluate tomato germplasm from Myanmar for different traits and sustainable use with simultaneous conservation.
Identification of low lectin mutants in soybean
Authors: George M. A. , Bhide S. V. , Thengane R. J. , Hosseini G. H. , Manjaya J. G.
Published: March 2008

Lectin is one of the known antinutritional factors that deteriorate the soybean protein quality and development of cultivars with low lectin content will help to improve nutritional quality of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. Therefore, attempts were made to induce mutations for low lectin content in the cultivar ‘MACS 450’. Soybean cultivar ‘MACS 450’ was subjected to combination treatments of γ‐rays and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) with an objective to induce variability for low lectin content. The treatments of different combinations of γ‐rays and EMS were 50 Gy + 0.2% EMS, 50 Gy + 0.4% EMS, 100 Gy + 0.2% EMS and 100 Gy + 0.4% EMS. Of the 3200 treated M1 seeds sown, 16 400 M2 plants were raised. In M2, 72 plants were identified for low lectin content [<40 × 105 haemagglutination unit (HAU)/mg] and were carried up to M5 generation. In M5 generation, lectin content in ‘MACS 450’ was 39.23 to 50.0 × 105 HAU/mg, and was compared with the nine true breeding lines identified having low lectin content, ranging from 2.3 × 105 to 27.46 × 105 HAU/mg. Three mutants were found to possess very low lectin content (ranging from 2.0 × 105 to 3.0 × 105 HAU/mg). Thus, the identified mutant lines with low lectin content will greatly improve soybean protein quality, thereby reducing financial burden on the soybean industry for processing soybean meal and also making it suitable for human consumption. All the mutants showed normal seed development, having soluble protein content similar or higher than that in the parent (32.0 mg/ml). This indicates that the change in lectin content does not have any negative impact on the plant growth and protein content.
Predicting breeding values of spring barley accessions by using the singular value decomposition of genetic similarities
Authors: Bauer A. M. , Reetz T. C. , Léon J.
Published: March 2008

As pedigree information among parental lines is often incomplete, selection response can be enhanced if a matrix containing genetic similarities is used in the mixed model equations (MME) to predict breeding values. However, a low number of molecular markers may cause this matrix to be singular. This study was conducted to determine if breeding values are still accurate when a singular value decomposition of genetic similarities was performed setting negative singular values to zero. Two‐year data for four traits of 152 spring barley accessions, which were analyzed by 23 SSR markers, were used in the prediction of breeding values. In general, similar values of Akaike Information Criteria and of overall standard error of difference and a Spearman rank correlation coefficient between breeding values ranging from 0.92 to 0.99 were obtained independent of whether the prediction was based on a singular value decomposition of genetic similarities or not. In conclusion, the singular value decomposition of genetic similarities appears to be a suitable method in the case of singular matrices.
Introgression of a quantitative trait locus for spikelets per panicle from Oryza minuta to the O. sativa cultivar Hwaseongbyeo
Authors: Linh L.‐H. , Hang N.‐T. , Jin F.‐X. , Kang K.‐H. , Lee Y.‐T. , Kwon S.‐J. , Ahn S.‐N.
Published: March 2008

A new QTL for spikelets per panicle (SPP) was detected on the long arm of chromosome 7 in an F2 population derived from a cross between the japonica cultivar Hwaseongbyeo and WH29001. WH29001, an advanced backcross line was developed by introgressing chromosomal segments from an accession of O. minuta (2n = 48, BBCC, Acc. no. 101141) into the O. sativa subsp. japonica cv. Hwaseongbyeo. The O. minuta allele increased SPP in the Hwaseongbyeo background despite the fact that O. minuta was the small panicle parent. Using F3 and F4 progenies, spp7 was validated and mapped to a 2.3 Mb region in the interval between the SSR markers RM445 and RM21615 based on the japonica genome sequence. A yield trial using F4 lines indicated that the lines carrying an O. minuta chromosome segment across the entire spp7 target region out‐yielded its sister lines containing Hwaseongbyeo chromosome in the target region and Hwaseongbyeo by 14.3% and 15.9%, respectively. Increase in SPP in WH29001 was mainly because of the increase in primary branches per panicle. The locus, spp7 is of particular interest because of its independence from undesirable height and flowering time. SSR markers tightly linked to the spp7 will facilitate cloning of the gene underlying this QTL as well as marker‐assisted selection for variation in SPP in an applied breeding program.
Performance of landraces, exotic elite populations and their crosses in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in drought and non‐drought conditions
Authors: Yadav O. P.
Published: March 2008

The crop cultivars targeted for drought prone areas need to combine drought tolerance and high yield. The present study was conducted to assess the performance of three selected pearl millet landraces, four exotic elite populations and their 12 crosses. They were evaluated for yield, yield components and a drought susceptibility index that was calculated using yield data from drought and non‐drought environments. In the non‐drought season, the exotic populations had significantly higher grain yield than landraces. However, in the severe drought season, the landraces produced significantly greater biomass, grain and stover yields than elite populations. There was a strong relation between panicle size and ability to produce panicles and delay in flowering under severe stress. The biomass and stover yield of crosses was significantly better than parental populations under both drought stress and near‐optimum conditions. The elite populations were most sensitive to drought while crosses were as drought tolerant as landraces because they combined larger panicle size of exotics and lesser delay in flowering of landraces. The results indicated that it is possible to combine drought adaptation with high yield potential through hybridization between adapted landraces and elite genetic materials.
Pulmonary cryptococcosis: Clinical, radiographical and serological markers of dissemination
Authors: HUNG Ming‐Szu , TSAI Ying‐Huang , LEE Cheng‐Hui , YANG Cheng‐Ta
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  This study aimed to identify markers of disseminated infection in patients presenting with pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Methods:  Patients diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis at a tertiary hospital between April 1998 and April 2005 were included and their clinical, radiological and pathological data analysed retrospectively.

Results:  Thirty‐one patients (14 male) were recruited into the study. Disseminated infection was seen in nine patients (29%), with the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from the blood of five patients and the cerebrospinal fluid of seven (three patients had both positive blood and cerebrospinal fluid findings). Patients with disseminated infection had a significantly higher incidence of impaired cellular immunity (immunosuppressant use, AIDS and haematological malignancy) (P = 0.015), fever (P < 0.001), interstitial abnormalities on CXR (P < 0.001), pleural effusion (P = 0.017) and death (P = 0.04) when compared with patients with localized infection. Serum cryptococcal antigen (sCRAG) was positive in 17 of the 19 patients tested at the time of diagnosis. Significantly higher sCRAG titres were noted in patients who had fever (P = 0.001), interstitial abnormalities on CXR (P = 0.004), pleural effusion (P = 0.018), disseminated disease (P = 0.003) and in those who died (P = 0.05).

Conclusions:  In pulmonary cryptococcosis patients, the presence of fever, interstitial abnormalities on CXR or pleural effusion should lead clinicians to suspect disseminated infection. High titres of sCRAG may indicate more extensive extra‐pulmonary involvement and a worse prognosis.
Pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin in bronchial epithelial lining fluid
Authors: KIKUCHI Eiki , YAMAZAKI Koichi , KIKUCHI Junko , HASEGAWA Naoki , HASHIMOTO Satoru , ISHIZAKA Akitoshi , NISHIMURA Masaharu
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  BAL is an established technique for measuring antibiotic concentrations in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the bronchiolar‐alveolar regions. However, the results may not reflect concentrations in bronchial regions. Bronchoscopic microsampling (BMS) is a technique for repeated sampling of bronchial ELF. The objective of the present study was to determine the time versus concentration profile of clarithromycin and its active metabolite, 14‐hydroxy‐clarithromycin, in bronchial ELF, as determined by BMS.

Methods:  BMS was performed at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 h after a single oral administration of 200 mg clarithromycin in five healthy volunteers. BAL was performed 3 h after administration to determine clarithromycin concentrations in alveolar ELF and alveolar macrophages (AM).

Results:  The maximum concentration (Cmax) of clarithromycin was 0.36 ± 0.07 mg/L in serum and 1.44 ± 0.49 mg/L in bronchial ELF (P < 0.01). Cmax for 14‐hydroxy‐clarithromycin was 0.34 ± 0.13 mg/L in serum and 0.68 ± 0.34 mg/L in bronchial ELF. The area under the concentration–time curve from 0 to 10 h (AUC0‐10) for clarithromycin was 2.10 ± 0.49 mg·h/L for serum and 7.37 ± 2.07 mg·h/L for bronchial ELF (P < 0.01). The concentrations of clarithromycin in alveolar ELF and AM, 3 h after oral administration, were 4.84 ± 3.39 mg/L and 10.7 ± 8.7 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusions:  A single oral dose of clarithromycin produces a significantly higher Cmax and AUC0‐10 for clarithromycin in bronchial ELF than in serum, and higher concentrations in alveolar ELF and AM than in serum. BMS might be useful for measuring the pharmacokinetic profile of clarithromycin in bronchial ELF.
Torque teno virus DNA titre elevated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with primary lung cancer
Authors: BANDO Masashi , TAKAHASHI Masaharu , OHNO Shoji , HOSONO Tatsuya , HIRONAKA Mitsugu , OKAMOTO Hiroaki , SUGIYAMA Yukihiko
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  IPF is an independent risk factor for lung cancer, but the mechanism of this association has not fully been elucidated. The role of Torque teno virus (TTV) in respiratory disease is poorly understood, although it has been shown that infection with TTV is associated with the activity and prognosis of IPF. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and titre of TTV DNA among patients with IPF and lung cancer.

Methods:  The presence of TTV DNA was determined by PCR in the sera of patients with both lung cancer and IPF (n = 22), patients with IPF only (n = 35), and patients with lung cancer only (n = 142).

Results:  TTV DNA was detectable in all patients with both IPF and lung cancer, in 94.3% of the patients with IPF only and 97.2% of the patients with lung cancer only. The TTV DNA titre in the patients with IPF and lung cancer was significantly higher than that in the patients with IPF only or lung cancer only. The percentage of TTV‐positive patients with a high TTV titre in the IPF and lung cancer group was significantly higher than that in the IPF only group.

Conclusions:  These findings are the first report on the association between TTV and the complication of lung cancer in IPF and suggest that TTV infection might be associated with the development of lung cancer in IPF.
Survival of a patient with pulmonary Cunninghamella bertholletiae infection without surgical intervention
Authors: KOYAMA Nobuyuki , NAGATA Makoto , HAGIWARA Koichi , KANAZAWA Minoru
Published: March 2008

Abstract:  Mucormycosis is an uncommon fungal infection, which generally develops in immunosuppressed hosts. In particular, pulmonary infection by Cunninghamella bertholletiae, a rare species of Mucor, is characterized by invasiveness and high mortality. Herein a case of pulmonary mucormycosis due to C. bertholletiae in a female patient with chronic renal insufficiency, secondary to microscopic polyarteritis, is reported. The patient survived after successful treatment with a cumulative dose of 1508 mg of amphotericin B, phased reduction of glucocorticoid therapy and chest tube drainage of a pneumothorax, without the necessity for surgical intervention. This case demonstrates that conservative therapy may be effective in patients for whom surgical intervention is not an option.
Continuous positive airway pressure increases inspiratory capacity of COPD patients
Authors: SOARES Silvia M.T.P. , OLIVEIRA Rosmari A.R.A. , FRANCA Suelene A. , REZENDE Silvio M. , DRAGOSAVAC Desanka , KACMAREK Robert M. , CARVALHO Carlos R.R.
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  Hyperinflation with a decrease in inspiratory capacity (IC) is a common presentation for both unstable and stable COPD patients. As CPAP can reduce inspiratory load, possibly secondary to a reduction in hyperinflation, this study examined whether CPAP would increase IC in stable COPD patients.

Methods:  Twenty‐one stable COPD patients (nine emphysema, 12 chronic bronchitis) received a trial of CPAP for 5 min at 4, 7 and 11 cmH2O. Fast and slow VC (SVC) were measured before and after each CPAP trial. In patients in whom all three CPAP levels resulted in a decreased IC, an additional trial of CPAP at 2 cmH2O was conducted. For each patient, a ‘best CPAP’ level was defined as the one associated with the greatest IC. This pressure was then applied for an additional 10 min followed by spirometry.

Results:  Following application of the ‘best CPAP’, the IC and SVC increased in 15 patients (nine emphysema, six chronic bronchitis). The mean change in IC was 159 mL (95% CI: 80–237 mL) and the mean change in SVC was 240 mL (95% CI: 97–386 mL). Among these patients, those with emphysema demonstrated a mean increase in IC of 216 mL (95% CI: 94–337 mL). Six patients (all with chronic bronchitis) did not demonstrate any improvement in IC.

Conclusions:  The best individualized CPAP can increase inspiratory capacity in patients with stable COPD, especially in those with emphysema.
Shifts in methanogen community structure and function associated with long‐term manipulation of sulfate and salinity in a hypersaline microbial mat
Authors: Smith Jason M. , Green Stefan J. , Kelley Cheryl A. , Prufert‐Bebout Leslie , Bebout Brad M.
Published: March 2008

Methanogenesis was characterized in hypersaline microbial mats from Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico both in situ and after long‐term manipulation in a greenhouse environment. Substrate addition experiments indicate methanogenesis to occur primarily through the catabolic demethylation of non‐competitive substrates, under field conditions. However, evidence for the coexistence of other metabolic guilds of methanogens was obtained during a previous manipulation of sulfate concentrations. To fully characterize methanogenesis in these mats, in the absence of competition for reducing equivalents with sulfate‐reducing microorganisms, we maintained microbial mats for longer than 1 year under conditions of lowered sulfate and salinity levels. The goal of this study was to assess whether observed differences in methane production during sulfate and salinity manipulation were accompanied by shifts in the composition of methanogen communities. Culture‐independent techniques targeting methyl coenzyme M reductase genes (mcrA) were used to assess the dynamics of methanogen assemblages. Clone libraries from mats sampled in situ or maintained at field‐like conditions in the greenhouse were exclusively composed of sequences related to methylotrophic members of the Methanosarcinales. Increases in pore water methane concentrations under conditions of low sulfate correlated with an observed increase in the abundance of putatively hydrogenotrophic mcrA, related to Methanomicrobiales. Geochemical and molecular data provide evidence of a significant shift in the metabolic pathway of methanogenesis from a methylotroph‐dominated system in high‐sulfate environments to a mixed community of methylotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens under low sulfate conditions.
Genotypic variability and persistence of Legionella pneumophila PFGE patterns in 34 cooling towers from two different areas
Authors: Sanchez Inma , Garcia‐Nuñez Marian , Ragull Sonia , Sopena Nieves , Pedro‐Botet Maria Luisa , Estere Maria , Rey‐Joly Celestino , Sabria Miquel
Published: March 2008

Genotypic variability and clonal persistence are important concepts in molecular epidemiology as they facilitate the search for the source of sporadic cases or outbreaks of legionellosis. We studied the genotypic variability and persistence of Legionella pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns over time (period > 6 months) in 34 positive cooling towers from two different areas. In area A, radius of 70 km, 52 indistinguishable PFGE patterns were differentiated among the 27 cooling towers. In 13 cooling towers we observed ≥ 2 PFGE patterns. Each cooling tower had its own indistinguishable Legionella PFGE pattern which was not shared with any other cooling tower. In area B, radius of 1 km, 10 indistinguishable PFGE patterns were obtained from the seven cooling towers. In four, we observed ≥ 2 PFGE patterns. Three of these 10 indistinguishable PFGE patterns were shared by more than one cooling tower. In 27 of 34 cooling towers the same PFGE pattern was recovered after 6 months to up to 5 years of follow‐up. The large genotypic diversity of Legionella observed in the cooling towers aids in the investigation of community outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease. However, shared patterns in small areas may confound the epidemiological investigation. The persistence of some PFGE patterns in cooling towers makes the recovery of the Legionella isolate causing the outbreak possible over time.
Genetic analyses and molecular characterization of the pathways involved in the conversion of 2‐phenylethylamine and 2‐phenylethanol into phenylacetic acid in Pseudomonas putida U
Authors: Arias Sagrario , Olivera Elías R. , Arcos Mario , Naharro Germán , Luengo José M.
Published: March 2008

In Pseudomonas putida U two different pathways (Pea, Ped) are required for the conversion of 2‐phenylethylamine and 2‐phenylethanol into phenylacetic acid. The 2‐phenylethylamine pathway (PeaABCDEFGHR) catalyses the transport of this amine, its deamination to phenylacetaldehyde by a quinohaemoprotein amine dehydrogenase and the oxidation of this compound through a reaction catalysed by a phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Another catabolic route (PedS1R1ABCS2R2DEFGHI) is needed for the uptake of 2‐phenylethanol and for its oxidation to phenylacetic acid via phenylacetaldehyde. This implies the participation of two different two‐component signal‐transducing systems, two quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases, a cytochrome c, a periplasmic binding protein, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, a pentapeptide repeat protein and an ABC efflux system. Additionally, two accessory sets of elements (PqqABCDEF and CcmABCDEFGHI) are necessary for the operation of the main pathways (Pea and Ped). PqqABCDEF is required for the biosynthesis of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a prosthetic group of certain alcohol dehydrogenases that transfers electrons to an independent cytochrome c; whereas CcmABCDEFGHI is required for cytochrome c maturation. Our data show that the degradation of phenylethylamine and phenylethanol in P. putida U is quite different from that reported in Escherichia coli, and they demonstrate that PeaABCDEFGHR and PedS1R1ABCS2R2DEFGHI are two upper routes belonging to the phenylacetyl‐CoA catabolon.
Diversity responses of rumen microbial communities to Fusarium‐contaminated feed, evaluated with rumen simulating technology
Authors: Strobel Egbert , Seeling Karen , Tebbe Christoph C.
Published: March 2008

The mycotoxin‐producing fungus Fusarium culmorum causes major feed spoilages in agricultural livestock, but effects of F. culmorum‐contaminated feed on the structural diversity of the rumen‐inhabiting microbial community are not understood. Avoiding animal experiments, this study was conducted with the rumen simulating technique (Rusitec). Small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene copy numbers of bacteria and archaea, determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), indicated no differences between contaminated and non‐contaminated digested feed, but fungal copy numbers, not attributable to F. culmorum itself, were elevated approximately fourfold in the contaminated feed, with 2.3 × 109 g−1 dry weight. Single‐strand conformation polymorphism profiles of PCR‐amplified partial SSU rRNA genes revealed a single but clear difference between contaminated and non‐contaminated feed in profiles encompassing the phylogenetic clusters of Fibrobacteriales and Clostridiales. Minor quantitative differences were also seen in profiles of archaea and fungi. Positive correlations were found between fungal rRNA gene copy numbers and the degradability of different nutrients, but there was no correlation with degradation rates of the major mycotoxin contaminant deoxynivalenol. Thus, the diversity responses of the microbial community to F. culmorum‐contaminated feed were caused by a fungus‐induced, altered feed quality rather than by direct mycotoxicity.
Exploring the molecular diversity of terrestrial nemerteans (Hoplonemertea, Monostilifera, Acteonemertidae) in a continental landmass
Authors: Mateos Eduardo , Giribet Gonzalo
Published: March 2008

We report the finding of terrestrial nemerteans of the family Acteonemertidae from the northern part of Spain. The specimens were studied using molecular data from the nuclear ribosomal 18S rRNA and the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I genes. The 18S rRNA data strongly suggest the presence of three species of terrestrial nemerteans in the Iberian Peninsula, an old landmass where terrestrial nemerteans had not previously been reported. These specimens originate from primarily undisturbed forests across a distance ofc. 1000 km. Cytochromecoxidase subunit I data also indicate the presence of multiple lineages of Iberian terrestrial nemerteans. Nonetheless, the pattern obtained from this marker is obscured most probably by deep genetic divergences. This molecular diversity, at least in some of the clades, suggests that the Iberian species are not the result of recent introductions, as proposed for other terrestrial nemerteans found in Europe. Our data also touch upon the question of a single origin of terrestriality in nemerteans, a hypothesis rejected by both data sets. Nevertheless, terrestriality seems to have had a single origin in the family Acteonemertidae.
Molecular phylogeography of Apalone spinifera (Reptilia, Trionychidae)
Authors: McGaugh Suzanne E. , Eckerman Curtis M. , Janzen Fredric J.
Published: March 2008

The molecular evaluation of morphologically based species delimitations of many herpetofauna has improved the understanding of evolutionary processes and the rigor of conservation efforts. Previous evidence for a deep lineage divide between south‐eastern + northern subspecies of the softshell turtle Apalone spinifera (A. s. aspera + A. s. hartwegi + A. s. spinifera) and western subspecies (A. s. pallida + A. s. emoryi + A. s. guadalupensis) was re‐examined with a broader sampling using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. The south‐eastern + northern clade and the western clade maintained mitochondrial reciprocal monophyly. We molecularly confirmed a geographical boundary between these two clades in Oklahoma, and developed a phylogeographical hypothesis that invokes stream capture. We evaluated whether these mitochondrial lineages represent distinct species by surveying these clades for divergence at the nuclear intron R35 and two nuclear genes, Cmos and recombination activating gene 1 (RAG‐1). The nuclear loci showed no phylogenetic resolution and only the nuclear intron exhibited significant nearest neighbour statistics. Taken together, the nuclear data suggest that taxonomic elevation of the two mitochondrial clades would be currently unjustified.
The utility of prostate‐specific antigen velocity thresholds in clinical practice: a population‐based analysis
Authors: Connolly David , Black Amanda , Murray Liam J. , Nambirajan Thiagarajan , Keane Patrick F. , Gavin Anna
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the ability of prostate‐specific antigen velocity (PSAV) to predict prostate cancer, and assess the test characteristics of several PSAV thresholds for identifying prostate cancer and high‐grade cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From a population‐based database of PSA results, men with an initial PSA level of <10.0 ng/mL, taken between I January 1994 and 31 December 2003, were identified. Those with three or more PSA tests before diagnosis, taken over ≥18 months, were included. Men were followed for a diagnosis of prostate cancer or histologically confirmed benign disease until 31 December 2003.

RESULTS

In all, 24 709 men were included, with 716 (2.9%) diagnosed with prostate cancer and 1488 (6.0%) with benign histology. The mean (10.38 vs 0.43 ng/mL/year) and median (1.47 vs 0.03 ng/mL/year) PSAV were considerably higher in men with prostate cancer than in those with no cancer (P < 0.001). There was no PSAV threshold that could reliably identify prostate cancer or high‐grade cancers without requiring many men to proceed to prostate biopsy.

CONCLUSION

In this population, PSAV had additional value over one PSA value in identifying men with prostate cancer. Many men with prostate cancer might have a ‘normal’ (<0.75 ng/mL/year) PSAV. As with total PSA level, there was no PSAV threshold that could reliably predict prostate cancer, but rather a continuum of risk of cancer associated with PSAV level.
Progression after radical prostatectomy for men in their thirties compared to older men
Authors: Loeb Stacy , Hernandez David J. , Mangold Leslie A. , Humphreys Elizabeth B. , Agro Marilyn , Walsh Patrick C. , Partin Alan W. , Han Misop
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE

To assess the biochemical outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP) specifically for men aged 30–39 years, as previous studies suggest that prostate cancer in young men might be more aggressive.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From a large (15 899) database of RPs (1975–2007) we identified 42 men aged 30–39, 893 aged 40–49, 4085 aged 50–59, 3766 aged 60–69, and 182 men aged ≥70 years old. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were compared between men aged 30–39 years and older men.

RESULTS

Among the men in their thirties, 81% had organ‐confined disease in the RP specimen, vs 62% of men aged ≥40 years. At a mean follow‐up of 5 years, there was biochemical progression in 4.8% of men in their thirties and 16.1% of men age ≥40 years (P = 0.055). The corresponding 5‐year biochemical progression‐free survival estimates were 95% for men in their thirties and 83% for men aged ≥40 years (P = 0.045). On multivariate analysis, increasing age was a significant independent predictor of biochemical progression.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to earlier reports, in the present study men in their thirties did not have more aggressive disease. Instead, they had more favourable pathological features and progression‐free survival rates than their older counterparts. After controlling for other prognostic variables on multivariate analysis, being in the fourth decade was independently associated with a lower risk of biochemical progression. These results suggest that early aggressive treatment for these patients with a long life‐expectancy is associated with favourable long‐term biochemical outcomes.
Cardiovascular risk factor management is poorer in diabetic patients with undiagnosed peripheral arterial disease than in those with known coronary heart disease or cerebrovascular disease. Results of a nationwide study in tertiary diabetes centres
Authors: González‐Clemente J.‐M. , Piniés J. A. , Calle‐Pascual A. , Saavedra Á. , Sánchez C. , Bellido D. , Martín‐Folgueras T. , Moraga I. , Recasens A. , Girbés J. , Sánchez‐Zamorano M.‐Á. , Mauricio D. ,   on behalf of the PADiD Study Group
Published: March 2008

Aims  To assess whether patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and unrecognized peripheral arterial disease (PAD), detected by the ankle–brachial index (ABI), have poorer cardiovascular risk factor management (CVRFs) and receive fewer medications than patients previously diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) or cerebrovascular disease (CVD).

Methods  In 31 diabetes centres throughout Spain, 1303 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were screened for PAD using the ABI. Patient history of CHD and CVD and treatment and control of CVRFs were recorded.

Results  Forty‐one patients had an ABI > 1.30 and were excluded, leaving 1262 patients (age 65.3 ± 7.7 years) for the study. Of those screened, 790 patients had a normal ABI (ABI > 0.9) and no known history of CHD or CVD (no CHD/CVD/PAD group), 194 had unrecognized PAD (ABI ≤ 0.9) with no known history of CHD or CVD (undiagnosed PAD group) and 278 had a known history of CHD and/or CVD (CHD/CVD group). The undiagnosed PAD group had higher low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (2.9 ± 0.83 vs. 2.4 ± 0.84 mmol/l; P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (150 ± 20 vs. 145 ± 21 mmHg; P < 0.001) compared with the CHD/CVD group. They were less likely to take statins (56.9 vs. 71.6%; P < 0.001), anti‐hypertensive agents (75.9 vs. 90.1%, P = 0.001), and anti‐platelet agents (aspirin, 28.7 vs. 57.2%; P < 0.001; clopidogrel, 5.6 vs. 20.9%; P < 0.001) and more likely to smoke (21.0 vs. 9.2%; P < 0.001). Higher LDL in the undiagnosed PAD group was associated with the underutilization of statins.

Conclusions  Measurement of ABI detected a significant number of patients with PAD, who did not have CHD or CVD, but whose CVRFs were under treated and poorly controlled compared with subjects with CHD and/or CVD.
Vertebrate dispersal syndromes along the Atlantic forest: broad‐scale patterns and macroecological correlates
Authors: Almeida‐Neto Mário , Campassi Flávia , Galetti Mauro , Jordano Pedro , Oliveira‐Filho Ary
Published: March 2008

Aim  To assess the geographical variation in the relative importance of vertebrates, and more specifically of birds and mammals, as seed dispersal agents in forest communities, and to evaluate the influence of geographical and climatic factors on the observed trends.

Location  One hundred and thirty‐five forest communities in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

Methods  We collected data on dispersal modes for 2292 woody species. By combining species × site with species × trait matrices, we obtained the percentages of endozoochory, ornithochory, mastozoochory and the mean fruit diameter for the local forest communities. We used Spearman's correlation to assess bivariate relationships between variables. Subsequently, we performed paired t‐tests to verify if variations in frequency of dispersal modes and mean fruit diameter were influenced by altitude or temperature. Then, we applied multiple linear regressions to evaluate the effect of geographical and climatic variables on variation in the relative frequency of dispersal modes and mean fruit diameter across communities.

Results  We found no consistent latitudinal or longitudinal trend in the percentage of vertebrate‐dispersed species, neither bird‐ nor mammal‐dispersed species along the Atlantic forest. Endozoochory was affected chiefly by annual mean rainfall, increasing towards moister sites. Forest communities located at higher altitudes had a higher percentage of bird‐dispersed species. Even when sites with identical values of annual mean temperature were compared, altitude had a positive effect on ornithochory. Conversely, we found a higher percentage of mammal‐dispersed species in warmer forests, even when locations at the same altitudinal belts were contrasted. Fruit diameter was clearly related to altitude, decreasing towards higher elevations.

Main conclusions  This is the first analysis of a large data set on dispersal syndromes in tropical forest communities. Our findings support the hypotheses that: (1) geographical variation in the relative number of fleshy fruit species is mainly driven by moisture conditions and is relatively independent of geographical location, and (2) broad‐scale trends in fruit size correspond to geographical variation in the relative importance of mammals and birds as seed dispersal agents at the community level.
Interlinking showy traits: co‐engineering of scent and colour biosynthesis in flowers
Authors: Zvi Michal Moyal Ben , Negre‐Zakharov Florence , Masci Tania , Ovadis Marianna , Shklarman Elena , Ben‐Meir Hagit , Tzfira Tzvi , Dudareva Natalia , Vainstein Alexander
Published: March 2008

The phenylpropanoid pathway gives rise to metabolites that determine floral colour and fragrance. These metabolites are one of the main means used by plants to attract pollinators, thereby ensuring plant survival. A lack of knowledge about factors regulating scent production has prevented the successful enhancement of volatile phenylpropanoid production in flowers. In this study, the Production of Anthocyanin Pigment1 (Pap1) Myb transcription factor from Arabidopsis thaliana, known to regulate the production of non‐volatile phenylpropanoids, including anthocyanins, was stably introduced into Petunia hybrida. In addition to an increase in pigmentation, Pap1‐transgenic petunia flowers demonstrated an increase of up to tenfold in the production of volatile phenylpropanoid/benzenoid compounds. The dramatic increase in volatile production corresponded to the native nocturnal rhythms of volatile production in petunia. The application of phenylalanine to Pap1‐transgenic flowers led to an increase in the otherwise negligible levels of volatiles emitted during the day to nocturnal levels. On the basis of gene expression profiling and the levels of pathway intermediates, it is proposed that both increased metabolic flux and transcriptional activation of scent and colour genes underlie the enhancement of petunia flower colour and scent production by Pap1. The co‐ordinated regulation of metabolic steps within or between pathways involved in vital plant functions, as shown here for two showy traits determining plant–pollinator interactions, provides a clear advantage for plant survival. The use of a regulatory factor that activates scent production creates a new biotechnological strategy for the metabolic architecture of fragrance, leading to the creation of novel genetic variability for breeding purposes.
Firm Efficiency in a Transitional Economy: Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Tran Thi Bich , Grafton R. Quentin , Kompas Tom
Published: March 2008

The paper examines efficiency performance of the non‐state small and medium manufacturing industries in a transitional and developing economy. Using firm level data in Vietnam from 1996 and 2001, cross‐sectional models are estimated using the stochastic frontier method. The results show a considerable variation in efficiency levels among firms and that a greater use of family labor and a metropolitan location are associated with improvement in technical efficiency. The results indicate few benefits from direct government financial and non‐financial assistance to businesses.
International Capital Mobility in the Short Run and the Long Run: A Daily Data Study for Japan, Singapore and Taiwan*
Authors: Hsing Han‐Min
Published: March 2008

Using daily data from between 1993 and 2003, covered interest differential and cointegration tests are applied to examine short‐run and long‐run international capital mobility for Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, and, for comparison purposes, the UK. Despite the high short‐run mobility in Japan (Singapore and Taiwan), being slightly (significantly) lower than in the UK, perfect long‐run mobility exists in all three Asian economies, especially when the Asian currency crisis is excluded. Different short‐run and long‐run mobility implies the existence of a response lag in the financial market. As expected, although the impulse response reaches the significant long‐run equilibrium level shortly after the shock in the UK, lagged responses appear in the three Asian economies, particularly in Singapore and Taiwan.
Ten Years of New Labour: Workplace Learning, Social Partnership and Union Revitalization in Britain
Authors: McIlroy John
Published: March 2008

The establishment of a role in workplace learning has been perceived as one of the achievements of trade unions under New Labour. This article analyses the part the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has played in public policy since 1997. It examines its attempts to influence government and develop social partnership and statutory backing for vocational training. It assesses its degree of success and considers whether the TUC's role is best characterized in terms of social partnership or as a rediscovery of the unions' public administration function. It reviews the literature which suggests that involvement in learning stimulates union revitalization. The article concludes that the TUC has failed to attain significant influence over public policy. Rather it has delivered policy determined by government with priority accorded to employer predilections. A public administration role focused on the Union Learning Fund has provided the TUC with a new, secondary function, which provides some compensation for the failure of its primary agenda. Nonetheless, on the evidence, involvement in workplace learning appears an implausible path to union revitalization.
OPTIMALITY AND STATE PRICING IN CONSTRAINED FINANCIAL MARKETS WITH RECURSIVE UTILITY UNDER CONTINUOUS AND DISCONTINUOUS INFORMATION
Authors: Schroder Mark , Skiadas Costis
Published: March 2008

We study marginal pricing and optimality conditions for an agent maximizing generalized recursive utility in a financial market with information generated by Brownian motion and marked point processes. The setting allows for convex trading constraints, non‐tradable income, and non‐linear wealth dynamics. We show that the FBSDE system of the general optimality conditions reduces to a single BSDE under translation or scale invariance assumptions, and we identify tractable applications based on quadratic BSDEs. An appendix relates the main optimality conditions to duality.
A COUNTEREXAMPLE CONCERNING THE VARIANCE‐OPTIMAL MARTINGALE MEASURE
Authors: Černý Aleš , Kallsen Jan
Published: March 2008

The present note addresses an open question concerning a sufficient characterization of the variance‐optimal martingale measure. Denote by S the discounted price process of an asset and suppose that Q★ is an equivalent martingale measure whose density is a multiple of 1 −ϕ·ST for some S‐integrable process ϕ. We show that Q★ does not necessarily coincide with the variance‐optimal martingale measure, not even if ϕ·S is a uniformly integrable Q★‐martingale.
OPTIMAL NUMERAIRES FOR RISK MEASURES
Authors: Filipović Damir
Published: March 2008

Can the usage of a risky numeraire with a greater than risk free expected return reduce the capital requirements in a solvency test? I will show that this is not the case. In fact, under a reasonable technical condition, there exists no optimal numeraire which yields smaller capital requirements than any other numeraire.
Debt and corporate governance in emerging economies Evidence from India1
Authors: Sarkar Jayati , Sarkar Subrata
Published: March 2008

We analyze the role of debt in corporate governance with respect to a large emerging economy, India, where debt has been an important source of external finance. Using cross‐sectional data on listed manufacturing firms we estimate, simultaneously, the relation between Tobin's Q and leverage for three years, 1996, 2000 and 2003. Our analysis indicates that while in the early years of institutional change, debt did not have any disciplinary effect on either standalone or group affiliated firms, the disciplinary effect appeared in the later years as institutions became more market oriented. We also find limited evidence of debt being used as an expropriation mechanism in group firms that are more vulnerable to such expropriation. In general, our results highlight the role of ownership structures and institutions in debt governance.