bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dia1 and IQGAP1 interact in cell migration and phagocytic cup formation
Authors: Brandt Dominique T. , Marion Sabrina , Griffiths Gareth , Watanabe Takashi , Kaibuchi Kozo , Grosse Robert
Published: July 2007

The Diaphanous-related formin Dia1 nucleates actin polymerization, thereby regulating cell shape and motility. Mechanisms that control the cellular location of Dia1 to spatially define actin polymerization are largely unknown. In this study, we identify the cytoskeletal scaffold protein IQGAP1 as a Dia1-binding protein that is necessary for its subcellular location. IQGAP1 interacts with Dia1 through a region within the Diaphanous inhibitory domain after the RhoA-mediated release of Dia1 autoinhibition. Both proteins colocalize at the front of migrating cells but also at the actin-rich phagocytic cup in macrophages. We show that IQGAP1 interaction with Dia1 is required for phagocytosis and phagocytic cup formation. Thus, we identify IQGAP1 as a novel component involved in the regulation of phagocytosis by mediating the localization of the actin filament nucleator Dia1.
BUB1 mediation of caspase-independent mitotic death determines cell fate
Authors: Niikura Yohei , Dixit Amruta , Scott Ray , Perkins Guy , Kitagawa Katsumi
Published: July 2007

The spindle checkpoint that monitors kinetochore–microtubule attachment has been implicated in tumorigenesis; however, the relation between the spindle checkpoint and cell death remains obscure. In BUB1-deficient (but not MAD2-deficient) cells, conditions that activate the spindle checkpoint (i.e., cold shock or treatment with nocodazole, paclitaxel, or 17-AAG) induced DNA fragmentation during early mitosis. This mitotic cell death was independent of caspase activation; therefore, we named it caspase-independent mitotic death (CIMD). CIMD depends on p73, a homologue of p53, but not on p53. CIMD also depends on apoptosis-inducing factor and endonuclease G, which are effectors of caspase-independent cell death. Treatment with nocodazole, paclitaxel, or 17-AAG induced CIMD in cell lines derived from colon tumors with chromosome instability, but not in cells from colon tumors with microsatellite instability. This result was due to low BUB1 expression in the former cell lines. When BUB1 is completely depleted, aneuploidy rather than CIMD occurs. These results suggest that cells prone to substantial chromosome missegregation might be eliminated via CIMD.
Molecular mechanisms of microtubule-dependent kinetochore transport toward spindle poles
Authors: Tanaka Kozo , Kitamura Etsushi , Kitamura Yoko , Tanaka Tomoyuki U.
Published: July 2007

In mitosis, kinetochores are initially captured by the lateral sides of single microtubules and are subsequently transported toward spindle poles. Mechanisms for kinetochore transport are not yet known. We present two mechanisms involved in microtubule-dependent poleward kinetochore transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. First, kinetochores slide along the microtubule lateral surface, which is mainly and probably exclusively driven by Kar3, a kinesin-14 family member that localizes at kinetochores. Second, kinetochores are tethered at the microtubule distal ends and pulled poleward as microtubules shrink (end-on pulling). Kinetochore sliding is often converted to end-on pulling, enabling more processive transport, but the opposite conversion is rare. The establishment of end-on pulling is partly hindered by Kar3, and its progression requires the Dam1 complex. We suggest that the Dam1 complexes, which probably encircle a single microtubule, can convert microtubule depolymerization into the poleward kinetochore-pulling force. Thus, microtubule-dependent poleward kinetochore transport is ensured by at least two distinct mechanisms.
A functionally specialized population of mucosal CD103+ DCs induces Foxp3+ regulatory T cells via a TGF-β– and retinoic acid–dependent mechanism
Authors: Coombes Janine L. , Siddiqui Karima R.R. , Arancibia-Cárcamo Carolina V. , Hall Jason , Sun Cheng-Ming , Belkaid Yasmine , Powrie Fiona
Published: July 2007

Foxp3+ regulatory T (T reg) cells play a key role in controlling immune pathological re actions. Many develop their regulatory activity in the thymus, but there is also evidence for development of Foxp3+ T reg cells from naive precursors in the periphery. Recent studies have shown that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β can promote T reg cell development in culture, but little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate this pathway under more physiological conditions. Here, we show that after antigen activation in the intestine, naive T cells acquire expression of Foxp3. Moreover, we identify a population of CD103+ mesenteric lymph node dendritic cells (DCs) that induce the devel opment of Foxp3+ T reg cells. Importantly, promotion of T reg cell responses by CD103+ DCs is dependent on TGF-β and the dietary metabolite, retinoic acid (RA). These results newly identify RA as a cofactor in T reg cell generation, providing a mechanism via which functionally specialized gut-associated lymphoid tissue DCs can extend the repertoire of T reg cells focused on the intestine.
All-trans retinoic acid mediates enhanced T reg cell growth, differentiation, and gut homing in the face of high levels of co-stimulation
Authors: Benson Micah J. , Pino-Lagos Karina , Rosemblatt Mario , Noelle Randolph J.
Published: July 2007

We demonstrate that all-trans retinoic acid (RA) induces FoxP3+ adaptive T regulatory cells (A-Tregs) to acquire a gut-homing phenotype (α4β7+ CC chemokine receptor 9+) and the capacity to home to the lamina propria of the small intestine. Under conditions that favor the differentiation of A-Tregs (transforming growth factor–β1 and interleukin 2) in vitro, the inclusion of RA induces nearly all activated CD4+ T cells to express FoxP3 and greatly increases the accumulation of these cells. In the absence of RA, A-Treg differentiation is abruptly impaired by proficient antigen presenting cells or through direct co-stimulation. In the presence of RA, A-Treg generation occurs even in the presence of high levels of co-stimulation, with RA attenuating co-stimulation from interfering from FoxP3 induction. The recognition that RA induces gut imprinting, together with our finding that it enhances A-Treg conversion, differentiation, and expansion, indicates that RA production in vivo may drive both the imprinting and A-Treg development in the face of overt inflammation.
Recent oppositely directed trends in solar climate forcings and the global mean surface air temperature
Authors: Lockwood Mike , Fröhlich Claus
Published: July 2007

Abstract

There is considerable evidence for solar influence on the Earth's pre-industrial climate and the Sun may well have been a factor in post-industrial climate change in the first half of the last century. Here we show that over the past 20 years, all the trends in the Sun that could have had an influence on the Earth's climate have been in the opposite direction to that required to explain the observed rise in global mean temperatures.
The cabbage aphid: a walking mustard oil bomb
Authors: Kazana Eleanna , Pope Tom W , Tibbles Laurienne , Bridges Matthew , Pickett John A , Bones Atle M , Powell Glen , Rossiter John T
Published: July 2007

The cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae, has developed a chemical defence system that exploits and mimics that of its host plants, involving sequestration of the major plant secondary metabolites (glucosinolates). Like its host plants, the aphid produces a myrosinase (β-thioglucoside glucohydrolase) to catalyse the hydrolysis of glucosinolates, yielding biologically active products. Here, we demonstrate that aphid myrosinase expression in head/thoracic muscle starts during embryonic development and protein levels continue to accumulate after the nymphs are born. However, aphids are entirely dependent on the host plant for the glucosinolate substrate, which they store in the haemolymph. Uptake of a glucosinolate (sinigrin) was investigated when aphids fed on plants or anin vitrosystem and followed a different developmental pattern in winged and wingless aphid morphs. In nymphs of the wingless aphid morph, glucosinolate level continued to increase throughout the development to the adult stage, but the quantity in nymphs of the winged form peaked before eclosion (at day 7) and subsequently declined. Winged aphids excreted significantly higher amounts of glucosinolate in the honeydew when compared with wingless aphids, suggesting regulated transport across the gut. The higher level of sinigrin in wingless aphids had a significant negative impact on survival of a ladybird predator. Larvae ofAdalia bipunctatawere unable to survive when fed adult wingless aphids from a 1% sinigrin diet, but survived successfully when fed aphids from a glucosinolate-free diet (wingless or winged), or winged aphids from 1% sinigrin. The apparent lack of an effective chemical defence system in adult winged aphids possibly reflects their energetic investment in flight as an alternative predator avoidance mechanism.
Characterization of the variable region in the 3′ non-translated region of dengue type 1 virus
Authors: Tajima Shigeru , Nukui Yoko , Takasaki Tomohiko , Kurane Ichiro
Published: July 2007

The first 84 nt in the 3′ non-translated region (3′ NTR) of dengue type 1 virus (DENV-1) exhibit lower levels of conservation than the other regions; this region is named the variable region (VR). The VR is further divided into two subregions: a 5′-terminal hypervariable region (HVR) and a 3′-terminal semi-variable region (SVR). Recent reports suggested that the VR of DENV-2 is required for efficient virus growth in mammalian cells. To investigate whether this is also true for the VR of DENV-1, deletion or replacement mutations were introduced into the VR by using recombinant DENV-1 cDNA clones. Recombinant viruses with deletion of either or both subregions exhibited reduced growth properties compared with the original virus. Mutants with incompletely reversed or unrelated sequences in the HVR demonstrated growth properties similar to those of the original virus. However, a replacement mutation in the SVR did not cause recovery of growth properties. Furthermore, the amount of viral RNA was decreased in Vero cells infected with the growth-attenuated mutant viruses. Results of reporter translation assays suggest that VR mutations may not affect the translation process of DENV-1. These data indicate that the VR is important for DENV-1 replication and is associated with the accumulation of DENV-1 RNA in mammalian cells, and that the HVR and SVR in the VR may have different roles in DENV-1 replication.
Yellow fever virus NS3 protease: peptide-inhibition studies
Authors: Löhr Kristina , Knox John E. , Phong Wai Yee , Ma Ngai Ling , Yin Zheng , Sampath Aruna , Patel Sejal J. , Wang Wei-Ling , Chan Wai-Ling , Rao K. R. Ranga , Wang Gang , Vasudevan Subhash G. , Keller Thomas H. , Lim Siew Pheng
Published: July 2007

A recombinant form of yellow fever virus (YFV) NS3 protease, linked via a nonapeptide to the minimal NS2B co-factor sequence (CF40-gly-NS3pro190), was expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to be catalytically active. It efficiently cleaved the fluorogenic tetrapeptide substrate Bz-norleucine-lysine-arginine-arginine-AMC, which was previously optimized for dengue virus NS2B/3 protease. A series of small peptidic inhibitors based on this substrate sequence readily inhibited its enzymic activity. To understand the structure–activity relationship of the inhibitors, they were docked into a homology model of the YFV NS2B/NS3 protease structure. The results revealed that the P1 and P2 positions are most important for inhibitor binding, whilst the P3 and P4 positions have much less effect. These findings indicate that the characteristics of YFV protease are very similar to those reported for dengue and West Nile virus proteases, and suggest that pan-flavivirus NS3 protease drugs may be developed for flaviviral diseases.
Identification of the domains of the influenza A virus M1 matrix protein required for NP binding, oligomerization and incorporation into virions
Authors: Noton Sarah L. , Medcalf Elizabeth , Fisher Dawn , Mullin Anne E. , Elton Debra , Digard Paul
Published: July 2007

The matrix (M1) protein of influenza A virus is a multifunctional protein that plays essential structural and functional roles in the virus life cycle. It drives virus budding and is the major protein component of the virion, where it forms an intermediate layer between the viral envelope and integral membrane proteins and the genomic ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). It also helps to control the intracellular trafficking of RNPs. These roles are mediated primarily via protein–protein interactions with viral and possibly cellular proteins. Here, the regions of M1 involved in binding the viral RNPs and in mediating homo-oligomerization are identified. In vitro, by using recombinant proteins, it was found that the middle domain of M1 was responsible for binding NP and that this interaction did not require RNA. Similarly, only M1 polypeptides containing the middle domain were able to bind to RNP–M1 complexes isolated from purified virus. When M1 self-association was examined, all three domains of the protein participated in homo-oligomerization although, again, the middle domain was dominant and self-associated efficiently in the absence of the N- and C-terminal domains. However, when the individual fragments of M1 were tagged with green fluorescent protein and expressed in virus-infected cells, microscopy of filamentous particles showed that only full-length M1 was incorporated into budding virions. It is concluded that the middle domain of M1 is primarily responsible for binding NP and self-association, but that additional interactions are required for efficient incorporation of M1 into virus particles.
Hepatitis B virus X protein differentially affects the ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation of β-catenin depending on the status of cellular p53
Authors: Jung Jin Kyu , Kwun Hyun Jin , Lee Jung-Ok , Arora Payal , Jang Kyung Lib
Published: July 2007

Abnormal accumulation of β-catenin is considered to be a strong driving force in hepatocellular carcinogenesis; however, the mechanism of β-catenin accumulation in tumours is unclear. Here, it was demonstrated that hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) differentially regulates the level of β-catenin through two ubiquitin-dependent proteasome pathways depending on p53 status. In the presence of p53, HBx downregulated β-catenin through the activation of a p53–Siah-1 proteasome pathway. For this purpose, HBx upregulated Siah-1 expression at the transcriptional level via activation of p53. In the absence of p53, however, HBx stabilized β-catenin through the inhibition of a glycogen synthase kinase-3β-dependent pathway. Interestingly, HBx variants with a Pro-101 to Ser substitution were unable to activate p53 and thus could stabilize β-catenin irrespective of p53 status. Based on these findings, a model of β-catenin regulation by HBx is proposed whereby the balance between the two opposite activities of HBx determines the overall expression level of β-catenin. Differential regulation of β-catenin by HBx depending on host (p53 status) and viral factors (HBx sequence variation) helps not only to explain the observation that cancers accumulating β-catenin also exhibit a high frequency of p53 mutations but also to understand the contradictory reports on the roles of HBx during hepatocellular carcinogenesis.
Contribution of insertions and deletions to the variability of hepatitis C virus populations
Authors: Torres-Puente Manuela , Cuevas José M. , Jiménez-Hernández Nuria , Bracho María A. , García-Robles Inmaculada , Carnicer Fernando , del Olmo Juan , Ortega Enrique , Moya Andrés , González-Candelas Fernando
Published: July 2007

Little is known about the potential effects of insertions and deletions (indels) on the evolutionary dynamics of hepatitis C virus (HCV). In fact, the consequences of indels on antiviral treatment response are a field of investigation completely unexplored. Here, an extensive sequencing project was undertaken by cloning and sequencing serum samples from 25 patients infected with HCV subtype 1a and 48 patients with subtype 1b. For 23 patients, samples obtained after treatment with alpha interferon plus ribavirin were also available. Two genome fragments containing the hypervariable regions in the envelope 2 glycoprotein and the PKR-BD domain in NS5A were sequenced, yielding almost 16 000 sequences. Our results show that insertions are quite rare, but they are often present in biologically relevant domains of the HCV genome. Moreover, their frequency distributions between different time samples reflect the quasispecies dynamics of HCV populations. Deletions seem to be subject to negative selection.
Potyvirus-induced gene silencing: the dynamic process of systemic silencing and silencing suppression
Authors: Gammelgård Elin , Mohan Maradumane , Valkonen Jari P. T.
Published: July 2007

Potato virus A (PVA; genus Potyvirus) was used for virus-induced gene silencing in a model system that included transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana (line 16c) expressing the gfp transgene for green fluorescent protein (GFP) and chimeric PVA (PVA–GFP) carrying gfp in the P1-encoding region. Infection of the 16c plants with PVA–GFP in five experiments resulted in a reproducible pattern of systemic gfp transgene silencing, despite the presence of the strong silencing-suppressor protein, HC-Pro, produced by the virus. PVA–GFP was also targeted by silencing, and virus-specific short interfering RNA accumulated from the length of the viral genome. Viral deletion mutants lacking the gfp insert appeared in systemically infected leaves and reversed silencing of the gfp transgene in limited areas. However, systemic gfp silencing continued in newly emerging leaves in the absence of the gfp-carrying virus, which implicated a systemic silencing signal that moved from lower leaves without interference by HC-Pro. Use of GFP as a visual marker revealed a novel, mosaic-like recovery phenotype in the top leaves. The leaf areas appearing red or purple under UV light (no GFP expression) contained little PVA and gfp mRNA, and corresponded to the dark-green islands observed under visible light. The surrounding green fluorescent tissues contained actively replicating viral deletion mutants that suppressed GFP silencing. Taken together, systemic progression of gene silencing and antiviral defence (RNA silencing) and circumvention of the silencing by the virus could be visualized and analysed in a novel manner.
Molecular and antigenic evolution and geographical spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in western Africa
Authors: Ducatez M. F. , Olinger C. M. , Owoade A. A. , Tarnagda Z. , Tahita M. C. , Sow A. , De Landtsheer S. , Ammerlaan W. , Ouedraogo J. B. , Osterhaus A. D. M. E. , Fouchier R. A. M. , Muller C. P.
Published: July 2007

In Africa, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus was first detected in northern Nigeria and later also in other regions of the country. Since then, seven other African countries have reported H5N1 infections. This study reports a comparison of full-length genomic sequences of H5N1 isolates from seven chicken farms in Nigeria and chicken and hooded vultures in Burkina Faso with earlier H5N1 outbreaks worldwide. In addition, the antigenicity of Nigerian H5N1 isolates was compared with earlier strains. All African strains clustered within three sublineages denominated A (south-west Nigeria, Niger), B (south-west Nigeria, Egypt, Djibouti) and C (northern Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire), with distinct nucleotide and amino acid signatures and distinct geographical distributions within Africa. Probable non-African ancestors within the west Asian/Russian/European lineage distinct from the south-east Asian lineages were identified for each sublineage. All reported human cases in Africa were caused by sublineage B. Substitution rates were calculated on the basis of sequences from 11 strains from a single farm in south-west Nigeria. As H5N1 emerged essentially at the same time in the north and south-west of Nigeria, the substitution rates confirmed that the virus probably did not spread from the north to the south, given the observed sequence diversity, but that it entered the country via three independent introductions. The strains from Burkina Faso seemed to originate from northern Nigeria. At least two of the sublineages also circulated in Europe in 2006 as seen in Germany, further suggesting that the sublineages had already emerged outside of Africa and seemed to have followed the east African/west Asian and Black Sea/Mediterranean flyways of migratory birds.
Recovery of genetically defined murine norovirus in tissue culture by using a fowlpox virus expressing T7 RNA polymerase
Authors: Chaudhry Yasmin , Skinner Michael A. , Goodfellow Ian G.
Published: July 2007

Despite the significant disease burden caused by human norovirus infection, an efficient tissue-culture system for these viruses remains elusive. Murine norovirus (MNV) is an ideal surrogate for the study of norovirus biology, as the virus replicates efficiently in tissue culture and a low-cost animal model is readily available. In this report, a reverse-genetics system for MNV is described, using a fowlpox virus (FWPV) recombinant expressing T7 RNA polymerase to recover genetically defined MNV in tissue culture for the first time. These studies demonstrated that approaches that have proved successful for other members of the family Caliciviridae failed to lead to recovery of MNV. This was due to our observation that vaccinia virus infection had a negative effect on MNV replication. In contrast, FWPV infection had no deleterious effect and allowed the recovery of infectious MNV from cells previously transfected with MNV cDNA constructs. These studies also indicated that the nature of the 3′-terminal nucleotide is critical for efficient virus recovery and that inclusion of a hepatitis delta virus ribozyme at the 3′ end can increase the efficiency with which virus is recovered. This system now allows the recovery of genetically defined noroviruses and will facilitate the analysis of the effects of genetic variation on norovirus pathogenesis.
Identification of Trichoplusia ni ascovirus 2c virion structural proteins
Authors: Cui Liwang , Cheng Xiaowen , Li Lianchao , Li Jianyong
Published: July 2007

Ascoviruses are a family of insect viruses with circular, double-stranded DNA genomes. With the sequencing of the Trichoplusia ni ascovirus 2c (TnAV-2c) genome, the virion structural proteins were identified by using tandem mass spectrometry. From at least eight protein bands visible on a Coomassie blue-stained gel of TnAV-2c virion proteins, seven bands generated protein sequences that matched predicted open reading frames (ORFs) in the genome, i.e. ORFs 2, 43, 115, 141, 142, 147 and 153. Among these ORFs, only ORF153, encoding the major capsid protein, has been characterized previously.
Adequacy of health‐related quality of life measures in children under 5 years old: systematic review
Authors: Grange Angela , Bekker Hilary , Noyes Jane , Langley Pauline
Published: July 2007

Title. Adequacy of health‐related quality of life measures in children under 5 years old: systematic review

Aim.  This paper is a report of a systematic review to assess the adequacy of measures evaluating generic health‐related quality of life outcomes in children less than 5 years old.

Background.  Evaluating generic health‐related quality of life outcomes in children is important to assess the effectiveness of interventions, nursing care and services.

Methods.  A methodological systematic review was carried out for the period 1980–2005 in accord with the UK Centre of Reviews and Dissemination guidelines on systematic reviews. We searched multiple electronic databases, hand‐searched key texts, and contacted investigators. We included all English language publications describing primary empirical research of generic health‐related quality of life, health status, functional status or wellbeing measures, with published psychometric evidence. All measures (proxy and/or self‐complete) for use in children under 5 years were included; single dimension measures were excluded.

Results.  Seventy‐six papers (70 studies) referring to 16 generic health‐related quality of life measures met our inclusion criteria. None of the 16 measures were adequate in terms of their conceptual content or psychometric criteria; quality scores were poor (0–8). No current, generic health‐related quality of life measure is both psychometrically and conceptually robust, although the Health Utilities Index has the most comprehensive psychometric data published. However, not all dimensions of health are assessed, with little evidence of reliability in children under 5 years of age.

Conclusion.  There is a need to develop empirically robust and conceptually comprehensive health‐related quality of life measures, particularly in the context of proxy‐completion measures for very young children.
Concept analysis of forgiveness with a multi‐cultural emphasis
Authors: Recine Ann Gentry , Werner Joan Stehle , Recine Louis
Published: July 2007

Title. Concept analysis of forgiveness with a multi‐cultural emphasis

Aim.  This paper is a report of a concept analysis of forgiveness.

Background.  Worldwide interest in and funding for forgiveness research has brought about a body of knowledge from many disciplines that could be clinically useful to nursing. At this time, nurse scholars are beginning to challenge one another to focus on this important area of inquiry. To date, however, most scholarship on forgiveness has been conducted in related disciplines, rather than in nursing. Conceptual and theoretical work is needed in nursing to promote knowledge development in this area.

Method.  The CINAHL, Medline and PsycInfo databases were searched for papers published between 1990 and 2007 using the keywords, forgiveness, forgive, or reconciliation in the title or abstract. The non‐linear evolutionary process of concept analysis was used to identify the concept of interest, its origins, realm, attributes and context, characteristics, and implications. Forgiveness was also explored from an international multi‐cultural perspective. An exemplar is included to illuminate the concept. A total of 34 scholarly works from a variety of disciplines were included in the analysis.

Findings.  A definition of forgiveness emerged from the analysis, as well as a multi‐cultural understanding of the concept. Three important attributes of forgiveness are that it is the relinquishing of a negative response, replacing the negative response with a benevolent response, and a process that occurs over time. Multi‐cultural attributes centre on group harmony, re‐establishing harmonious connections between people, and the morality of considering others as worthy of love and understanding.

Conclusion.  A multi‐cultural understanding of forgiveness may provide the impetus for further theory development and research in nursing, and could be used to educate nurses on beginning interventions in this area.
The influence of growth conditions on biomass, toxins and pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. orthoceras, a potential agent for broomrape biocontrol
Authors: DOR E , EVIDENTE A , AMALFITANO C , AGRELLI D , HERSHENHORN J
Published: July 2007

The influence of different combinations of illumination and shaking on the growth dynamics, pathogenicity and toxin production of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. orthoceras, a biocontrol agent of Orobanche cumana, was studied. The fastest biomass accumulation was obtained under shaking, with or without illumination, with the highest biomass obtained after 3–4 weeks of growth. The biological activity of chloroform extracts of the culture filtrate was characterised: it contained at least two main toxic metabolites that caused necrosis and wilting of various plants and led to mortality of germinating seeds of O. cernua, O. aegyptiaca, O. ramosa and O. cumana. The highest toxic activity of the chloroform extract was obtained under illumination without shaking after 3–4 weeks of growth. The two toxic metabolites were purified and identified as fusaric acid (FA) and 9,10‐dehydrofusaric acid (DFA). Both FA and DFA production began in the first week of growth, increasing gradually to their maxima after 4 weeks. The highest level of pathogenic activity of the fungus was obtained after three or more weeks of fungal growth. It can be concluded that in order to produce high levels of toxin and pathogenic activity, the fungus should be grown under illumination without shaking for 4 weeks.
Effects of after‐harvest period and environmental factors on seed dormancy of Amaranthus species
Authors: CRISTAUDO A , GRESTA F , LUCIANI F , RESTUCCIA A
Published: July 2007

The effects of seven constant temperatures (10–40°C at 5°C intervals) and seven after‐harvest periods (30–540 days after harvest) were evaluated on seed germination of nine Amaranthus species (A. albus, A. blitoides, A. cruentus, A. deflexus, A. graecizans, A. hybridus, A. lividus, A. retroflexus and A. viridis). Seeds of A. blitoides and A. viridis were also tested at alternating temperatures of 10/30°C (12/12 h thermoperiod) in continuous darkness and in an alternating 12/12 h dark/light photoperiod. With the exception of A. blitoides and A. viridis, germination increased as temperature increased from 20 to 35°C; the latter representing the optimum temperature (70–100% germination). At 10 and 15°C constant temperatures, no significant seed germination occurred in A. albus, A. deflexus, A. graecizans and A. lividus, while in A. cruentus, A. hybridus and A. retroflexus there was no germination at 10°C, but at 15°C more than 60% germination occurred. Germination was influenced strongly by after‐ripening period in A. cruentus, A. hybridus and A. retroflexus, partially in A. deflexus, and barely in A. graecizans and A. lividus. Seeds of A. blitoides and A. viridis required alternating temperatures and light to achieve high germination percentage (>90%). Primary dormancy in Amaranthus plays a fundamental role in extending germination over a longer period, so that the probability of seedling survival is maximised. The present study adds to the understanding of the environmental control and germination ecology of Amaranthus species and provides data that can contribute to predicting weed emergence dynamics.
Reuse of liver graft from a brain dead recipient
Authors: Nafidi Otmane , Letourneau Richard , Willems Bernard E , Lapointe Real W
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Background:  Brain death in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a rare occurrence after successful orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Reuse of the liver graft may be considered. We report a successful OLT using such an organ in a 62‐yr‐old man with hematochromatosis‐related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods:  Liver donor was 56‐yr‐old man with normal liver function tests. First recipient was a 26‐yr‐old woman with an acetaminophen‐induced FHF. Before OLT, she developed progressive coma without obvious cerebral edema on the cerebral CT‐scan. The transplantation proceeded as planned and was uneventful. However, patient exhibited bilateral non‐reactive mydriasis during postoperative hours and was declared brain dead. Transplanted liver was functioning adequately. Its reuse was discussed with her family and the second recipient. After informed consent, the transplanted liver and heart were harvested. First and second liver cold ischemia times were 10 h and 75 min, respectively.

Results:  Second recipient recovered uneventful and discharged 23 d after OLT. Liver function is still normal 30 months after OLT without rejection or hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence.

Conclusion:  Even after OLT, brain death remains possible in FHF. In absence of contraindications, reuse of transplanted liver allows for a rational use of already rare liver grafts.
Vegetative phase change among sweet corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids varying for reaction to common rust (Puccinia sorghi Schw.)
Authors: Chandler M. A. , Tracy W. F.
Published: July 2007

In maize, timing of vegetative phase change has been implicated in the response to certain pests and environmental stresses. Common rust is the most serious disease of sweet corn in the north central United States. Sweet corn hybrids differing for resistance to common rust were evaluated for vegetative phase change traits. There were significant differences among hybrids for all vegetative phase change traits measured, as well as resistance to common rust. Certain hybrids displayed rapid transition (within two leaves) from juvenile to adult vegetation, while others displayed prolonged transition (within four leaves). There were no significant correlations between vegetative phase change traits and common rust severity among the commercial sweet corn hybrids evaluated in this experiment.
Strong evidence for a fire blight resistance gene of Malus robusta located on linkage group 3
Authors: Peil A. , Garcia‐Libreros T. , Richter K. , Trognitz F. C. , Trognitz B. , Hanke M.‐V. , Flachowsky H.
Published: July 2007

Fire blight (FB), caused by the Gram‐negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora is a dangerous disease on pome fruit, including apple. The FB‐susceptible cultivar ‘Idared’ was crossed with the resistant wild species clone Malus × robusta 5. A segregating population of 146 progeny has been tested by artificial shoot inoculation for susceptibility to FB. Progeny were infected from 0% to 100% of the shoot length. To identify chromosomal regions or loci responsible for resistance to FB of Malus × robusta 5, a set of microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeat, SSRs) was chosen covering all linkage groups of apple. Up to eight different microsatellites were bulked to one mutliplex PCR using four different labels and a fifth label for a size standard. Fifty‐nine microsatellite markers out of 72 SSRs were polymorphic. Fifty‐four of 66 loci detected could be mapped and were useful for the detection of related resistant loci. Alleles of microsatellites Hi03d06, CH03g07 and CH03e03 originating from the resistant donor M. robusta were associated with resistance to Erwinia amylovora. Up to eighty percent of the phenotypic variation could be explained by the interval spanned by SSRs CH03g07 and CH03e03, indicating the presence of a major resistance gene. All three microsatellites are located on the distal part of linkage group 3, spanning 15 cM. The SSR marker CH03e03 can be regarded as diagnostic marker for FB resistance. Only seven progeny expressing allele b (184 bp) of CH03e03 showed blighted shoot lengths of more than 30% and only nine progeny lacking allele b showed blighted shoot lengths of <30%. By setting a threshold of 30% shoot necrosis for resistance to FB, the 146 individuals segregate into 71 susceptible and 75 resistant plants, and resistance to FB maps 9 cM away from marker CH03e03.
ACTIVATION OF PERIPHERAL CHEMORECEPTORS CAUSES POSITIVE INOTROPIC EFFECTS IN A WORKING HEART–BRAINSTEM PREPARATION OF THE RAT
Authors: Braga Valdir A , Zoccal Daniel B , Soriano Renato N , Antunes Vagner R , Paton Julian F , Machado Benedito H , Nalivaiko Eugene
Published: July 2007

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of peripheral chemoreceptor activation on myocardial contractility in an anaesthetic‐free decerebrated rat preparation.

In the decerebrated and retrogradely perfused working heart–brainstem preparation, we recorded phrenic nerve activity, left ventricular (LV) pressure (microtip Millar catheter), LV dP/dT, heart rate and aortic perfusion pressure before and after activating peripheral chemoreceptors with bolus intra‐arterial injections of KCN.

Without cardiac pacing, chemoreflex activation caused falls in heart rate (–108 ± 21 b.p.m.) and complex polyphasic changes in LV pressure and LV dP/dT. If the heart was paced, chemoreflex activation caused significant rises in LP pressure (+16 ± 3 mmHg) and LV dP/dt (+778 ± 93 mmHg/s). These positive inotropic effects were significantly and substantially attenuated by β‐adrenoceptor blockade with atenolol. In all instances, chemoreflex activation elicited potent tachypnoeic responses.

In conclusion, activation of peripheral chemoreceptors in non‐anaesthetized rats evokes a positive inotropic response that is sympathetically mediated. This observation may be relevant for the evaluation of neurally induced effects of acute hypoxia on the ventricular myocardium.
Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of ulcerative colitis in Chinese population: Experience from a single center in Hong Kong
Authors: Lok Ka‐Ho , Hung Hiu‐Gong , Ng Chi‐Ho , Kwong Kuifa Chang , Yip Wai‐Man , Lau Siu‐Fai , Li Kin‐Kong , Li Kam‐Fu , Szeto Ming‐Leung
Published: July 2007

Background and Aim:  Rising incidence and prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) had been observed in Asian countries. We conducted a study in an Asian center, aiming to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of UC in local Chinese population.

Methods:  This is a retrospective analysis of patients with diagnosis of UC in our hospital from June 1990 to December 2006. The diagnosis of UC has to satisfy the internationally accepted criteria. All patients were Chinese residents in a well‐defined catchment area. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained from medical records and patient interviews.

Results:  Seventy‐three Chinese UC patients had been managed in our hospital. The hospital‐based prevalence had risen by three times over a 10‐year period, but no definite rising incidence can be demonstrated. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.6 years and the median duration of disease is 72 months. In our patient cohort, 38.4% had ulcerative proctitis and 26% had left‐sided UC, whereas 35.6% had extensive UC at presentation. The majority presented with mild (39.7%) or moderate (30.2%) disease activity, but 27.4% presented with severe disease. Two patients (2.7%) present with fulminant disease with one of them developed toxic megacolon. Extra‐gastrointestinal manifestations occurred in 13.7%. During the follow‐up period, most patients (86.3%) were in disease remission. Four patients (5.5%) underwent colectomy, four patients (5.5%) died, and two patients (2.7%) were lost to follow up.

Conclusion:  The prevalence but not the incidence of UC is rising in Chinese population. It usually affects young patients and a substantial proportion of patients presented with severe and fulminant disease. The disease activity of most Chinese patients can be controlled with medical treatment, though a small proportion of patients need surgery or have fatal outcome.
Vaccination with a neural‐derived peptide plus administration of glutathione improves the performance of paraplegic rats
Authors: Martiñon S. , García E. , Flores N. , Gonzalez I. , Ortega T. , Buenrostro M. , Reyes R. , Fernandez‐Presas A. M. , Guizar‐Sahagún G. , Correa D. , Ibarra A.
Published: July 2007

After damage to the central nervous system (CNS) the body is protected by an adaptive immune response which is directed against myelin‐associated proteins. Active immunization with nonpathogenic derivatives of CNS‐associated peptides (DCAP) reduces the degeneration of neurons and promotes motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. In order to improve even more the neurological outcome obtained with this therapy, either a combination of DCAP immunization plus glutathione monoethyl ester (GSHE) or a double DCAP immunization were performed. GSHE is a cell‐permeant derivative of glutathione, a potent antioxidant agent that significantly inhibits lipid peroxidation after SCI. After a contusive or compressive SCI, the combination of GSHE + DCAP immunization, induced better motor recovery, a higher number of myelinated axons and better rubrospinal neuron survival than immunization alone. On the other hand, double‐DCAP immunization counteracted the protective effect of DCAP therapy. Motor recovery and neuronal survival of double‐immunized rats were similar to those observed in control animals (PBS‐treated). Further studies revealed that double immunization was not encephalitogenic but inhibited the proliferative response of T‐cells specific to the DCAP‐immunized peptide. This clonal dysfunction was probably secondary to anergy. GSHE improves the protective effect induced by DCAP immunization while double immunization, reverts it.
Holding hope and hopelessness: therapeutic engagements with the balance of hope
Authors: Flaskas Carmel
Published: July 2007

Hope and hopelessness are coexisting and powerful experiences in the human condition. The dynamics of hope and hopelessness within intimate relationships are complex, and individual and family experiences of hope and hopelessness are embedded within historical contexts and wider social processes. This article rests on a relational set of understandings about hope and hopelessness, and offers a dual exploration. It focuses first on the complexities of the patterns of hope and hopelessness within families, and then on the complexities of the therapist's relationship to hope and hopelessness and the family's experience. Orienting to the balance of hope in constellations of hope and hopelessness provides one compass point of therapeutic practice. Reflective practice enables the use of the therapist's involvement in the therapeutic relationship, and helps the therapist to witness the coexistence of hope and hopelessness in a way that nurtures hope and emotionally holds both hope and hopelessness.
The Territorial Impact of the Farmers' Early Retirement Scheme
Authors: Bika Zografia
Published: July 2007

This article considers the causal relationships between the European farmers' early retirement policy instrument and structural and social outcomes. The member states of Greece, Ireland and France have been among the main beneficiaries of this policy scheme, which encourages farmers aged between 55 and 66 to retire and transfer their land to a younger farmer, with multiple effects. The analysis in this article suggests that the accrued pension income is mostly higher than applicants' previous earnings from farming, while the policy instrument is only moderately successful in enlarging farms or encouraging new entrants, with the majority of transfers occurring between members of the same family. The farmers' early retirement scheme appears to be connected more to the regional traditions of inheritance than to farm structures per se. The impact on an unbalanced European age–farmer structure is evaluated as differing little from what would have happened anyway, with only short‐term effects reported in relation to the time scale. In summary, the scheme is subject to manipulation in terms of region‐specific circumstances and thus fulfils social objectives rather than the purpose of structural cohesion.
“The Clearing”: Conversations at the Wabash Center
Authors: Pence Nadine S.
Published: July 2007

Abstract.  The study of religion seeks to understand life and life practices, which means that it is internally suited to dynamic teaching‐learning methods such as exploration, conversation, and imaginative construction. Wabash Center hospitality enables reflective conversations about the nature of our craft, the shape of our vocation, and the direction of our discipline.
Lucinda Huffaker and the Hospitality of the Wabash Center
Authors: Placher William C.
Published: July 2007

Abstract.  As associate director and then director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, Lucinda Huffaker has been a key factor in the Center's reputation for hospitality. The Center's work presupposes that reflection on teaching improves teaching and learning, and good reflection on one's teaching requires taking risks and making oneself vulnerable. Hospitality helps create a “safe space” that encourages such risks, even in the current inhospitable academic world, where factors like competitiveness and the increasing use of adjuncts make honest reflection on teaching difficult.
Multimarker real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR for quantitative detection of melanoma‐associated antigens: a novel possible staging method
Authors: Arenberger P , Arenbergerova M , Gkalpakiotis S , Lippert J , Stribrna J , Kremen J
Published: July 2007

Background  Detection of melanoma cells in peripheral blood is a promising method for monitoring haematogenous spread of melanoma cells. It enables us to detect early metastasis and to better stratify candidates for adjuvant immunotherapy. Inconsistent data on the sensitivity and clinical relevance of this method have been reported.

Study design  We developed a multimarker real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR (RT‐PCR) for quantification of five melanoma markers: Melan‐A, gp100, MAGE‐3, MIA and tyrosinase. In this prospective study, 65 patients with resected cutaneous melanoma stage IIB–III were screened. Peripheral blood samples were collected every 3 months for the following 18 months, and circulating melanoma cells were examined and compared with clinical staging results.

Results  Eighteen patients relapsed during the trial and showed different types of melanoma progression. All these patients experienced statistically significant tumour marker elevation in the period from 0 to 9 months before the disease progression. MAGE‐3 was the most sensitive progression marker. In patients with progression, we observed three concordant positive markers in 39% of cases, two concordant positive markers in 28%, and finally one marker in 33%.

Conclusions  This report describes a multiple‐marker real‐time RT‐PCR, which is able to provide quantitative data on melanoma markers in the peripheral blood of melanoma patients. Measurement of the studied molecular markers in our hands represents a prognostic factor and a useful method for early detection of metastasis and treatment response of melanoma patients.
A multiarchitectonic approach for the definition of functionally distinct areas and domains in the monkey frontal lobe
Authors: Belmalih Abdelouahed , Borra Elena , Contini Massimo , Gerbella Marzio , Rozzi Stefano , Luppino Giuseppe
Published: July 2007

Over the last century, anatomical studies have shown that the cerebral cortex can be subdivided into structurally distinct regions, giving rise to a new branch of neuroanatomy: ‘architectonics’. Since then, architectonics has been often accused of being overly subjective, and its validity for the definition of functionally different cortical fields has been seriously questioned. Since the late 1980s, however, the problem of localization has become particularly important in functional studies of the primate motor cortex, because of evidence that (1) the primate motor cortex is made up of a mosaic of functionally specialized areas and (2) the human motor cortex shares several general organizational principles with the monkey motor cortex. Studies of the macaque agranular frontal cortex that used a multimodal cyto‐, myelo‐ and immuno‐architectonic approach have shown that architectonic borders can be reliably and consistently defined across different individuals, even at a qualitative level of analysis. The validity of this approach has been confirmed by its ability to localize functionally distinct areas precisely and to predict the existence of new functional areas. After more than a century, architectonics as a discipline goes far beyond its original aim of generating cortical maps.