bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alltagsweltliche Konstruktionen von Kulturlandschaft
Authors: Micheel Monika
Published: January 2012

In recent years, we are observing a growing interest in landscape by scientists and other experts as well as by people who live in it or make use of it. For most of us, landscape is an essential part of everyday life, being regarded as our natural surroundings. In this paper, an everyday perspective has been adopted to gain insight into the way meanings are conferred to landscapes by the people who live there. A case study approach had been chosen in order to cover a range of various types of landscapes. Three selected landscapes are characterized by changes in their function, design and use at different stages. It can be assumed that perceptions and attributions of significance are particularly intense when changes touch the individual’s daily life, e.g. in the context of experiencing the loss of familiar surroundings. The importance of the subjective approach proposed here is that it focuses attention on the construction of landscape as symbolic environment rather than as nature or scenery. The aim is to deepen the understanding of the subjective construction of landscape.
Existence of solutions to an initial Dirichlet problem of evolutional \( p(x) \)-Laplace equations
Authors: Lian Songzhe , Gao Wenjie , Yuan Hongjun , Cao Chunling
Published: January 2012

The existence and uniqueness of weak solutions are studied to the initial Dirichlet problem of the equation

u_{t} = \mathrm{div}\left(|\mathrm{∇}u|^{p(x)−2}\mathrm{∇}u\right) + f(x,t,u),

with

\mathrm{\inf }\:p(x) > 2

. The problems describe the motion of generalized Newtonian fluids which were studied by some other authors in which the exponent

p

was required to satisfy a logarithmic Hölder continuity condition. The authors in this paper use a difference scheme to transform the parabolic problem to a sequence of elliptic problems and then obtain the existence of solutions with less constraint to

p(x)

. The uniqueness is also proved.
Human synaptotagmin‐II is not a high affinity receptor for botulinum neurotoxin B and G: Increased therapeutic dosage and immunogenicity
Authors: Strotmeier Jasmin , Willjes Gesche , Binz Thomas , Rummel Andreas
Published: January 2012

rSyt‐II binds to BoNT/B by pull down (View Interaction: 1, 2)
The Perils of Unearned Foreign Income: Aid, Remittances, and Government Survival
Authors: AHMED FAISAL Z.
Published: January 2012

Given their political incentives, governments in more autocratic polities can strategically channel unearned government and household income in the form of foreign aid and remittances to finance patronage, which extends their tenure in political office. I substantiate this claim with duration models of government turnover for a sample of 97 countries between 1975 and 2004. Unearned foreign income received in more autocratic countries reduces the likelihood of government turnover, regime collapse, and outbreaks of major political discontent. To allay potential concerns with endogeneity, I harness a natural experiment of oil price–driven aid and remittance flows to poor, non–oil producing Muslim autocracies. The instrumental variables results confirm the baseline finding that authoritarian governments can harness unearned foreign income to prolong their rule. Finally, I provide evidence of the underlying causal mechanisms that governments in autocracies use aid and remittances inflows to reduce their expenditures on welfare goods to fund patronage.
Multi-micronutrient-fortified biscuits decreased the prevalence of anaemia and improved iron status, whereas weekly iron supplementation only improved iron status in Vietnamese school children
Authors: Hieu Nguyen Trung , Sandalinas Fanny , de Sesmaisons Agnès , Laillou Arnaud , Tam Nguyen Phuong , Khan Nguyen Cong , Bruyeron Olivier , Wieringa Frank Tammo , Berger Jacques
Published: January 2012

In Vietnam, nutrition interventions do not target school children despite a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies. The present randomised, placebo-controlled study evaluated the impact of providing school children (n 403) with daily multiple micronutrient-fortified biscuits (FB) or a weekly Fe supplement (SUP) on anaemia and Fe deficiency. Micronutrient status was assessed by concentrations of Hb, and plasma ferritin (PF), transferrin receptor (TfR), Zn and retinol. After 6 months of intervention, children receiving FB or SUP had a significantly better Fe status when compared with the control children (C), indicated by higher PF (FB: geometric mean 36·9 (95 % CI 28·0, 55·4) μg/l; SUP: geometric mean 46·0 (95 % CI 33·0, 71·7) μg/l; C: geometric mean 34·4 (95 % CI 15·2, 51·2) μg/l; P < 0·001) and lower TfR concentrations (FB: geometric mean 5·7 (95 % CI 4·8, 6·52) mg/l; SUP: geometric mean 5·5 (95 % CI 4·9, 6·2) mg/l; C: geometric mean 5·9 (95 % CI 5·1, 7·1) mg/l; P = 0·007). Consequently, body Fe was higher in children receiving FB (mean 5·6 (sd 2·2) mg/kg body weight) and SUP (mean 6·1 (sd 2·5) mg/kg body weight) compared with the C group (mean 4·2 (sd 3·3) mg/kg body weight, P < 0·001). However, anaemia prevalence was significantly lower only in the FB group (1·0 %) compared with the C group (10·4 %, P = 0·006), with the SUP group being intermediate (7·4 %). Children receiving FB had better weight-for-height Z-scores after the intervention than children receiving the SUP (P = 0·009). Vitamin A deficiency at baseline modified the intervention effect, with higher Hb concentrations in vitamin A-deficient children receiving FB but not in those receiving the SUP. This indicates that vitamin A deficiency is implicated in the high prevalence of anaemia in Vietnamese school children, and that interventions should take other deficiencies besides Fe into account to improve Hb concentrations. Provision of biscuits fortified with multiple micronutrients is effective in reducing anaemia prevalence in school children.
Body fat and blood pressure: comparison of blood pressure measurements in Chinese children with different body fat levels
Authors: Ma Jun , Wang Zhiqiang , Dong Bin , Song Yi , Hu Peijin , Zhang Bing
Published: January 2012

Children in China are experiencing a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity, which is associated with hypertension. To compare the effect of body fat on blood pressure (BP) with that of the normal physical growth, we compared BP levels in Chinese children with different body fat levels. In the present population-based study, 13 972 children in the highest-skinfold-thickness-quartile group were individually matched to 13 972 children in the lowest-skinfold-thickness-quartile group by height and weight. Similarly, 5103 children in the highest-waist-circumference-quartile group were matched to the same number of children in the lowest-waist-circumference-quartile group. The high- and low-fat groups had similar height and weight but the high-fat group had significantly higher skinfold and waist circumference measurements. The differences in systolic BP (SBP) between the high- and low-skinfold-thickness groups were small: 0·01 (95 % CI − 0·41, 0·44) mmHg in boys and 0·20 (95 % CI − 0·15, 0·54) mmHg in girls. The differences in diastolic BP (DBP) were also small (0·39 and 0·38 mmHg for boys and girls, respectively) but were statistically significant. The differences in both SBP and DBP between the high- and low-waist-circumference groups were small but not statistically significant. For a given body size as measured by height and weight, relative body fat had little impact on BP levels in these children. Fat mass and lean mass may have a similar quantitative impact on BP in healthy-weight children.
Life begins when the sea lion is ashore: microhabitat use by a louse living on a diving mammal host
Authors: Leonardi M.S. , Crespo E.A. , Vales D.G. , Feijoo M. , Raga J.A. , Aznar F.J.
Published: January 2012

Among Anoplura, the family Echinophthiriidae includes species that infest pinnipeds and otters. Previous evidence obtained from pinnipeds infested by echinophthiriids, specifically from seals, indicates that flippers are the preferred infestation sites, while lice from fur seals select areas in the pelage. We studied habitat selection of Antarctophthirus microchir on South American sea lion pups (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800) from Patagonia, Argentina, during the austral summer of 2009. We found a clear pattern of habitat selection: eggs are laid on the dorsal surface; nymphs 1 hatch there and then migrate to the belly, where they develop into adults and copulate; and then ovigerous females return to the dorsal surface. On the one hand, nymphs 1 are characterised by their low locomotory ability; therefore, the fact that they migrate as soon as they hatch suggests a clear pressure leading to microhabitat restriction. On the other hand, the described pattern of microhabitat selection seems to respond to the physiological requirements of each stage, which vary according to the physiological process considered, e.g. oviposition, morphogenesis, hatching and development. Accordingly, it appears that A. microchir would prefer the host's ventral area for development and copulation and the dorsal area for oviposition. However, the causes of this pattern are not clear, and many factors could be involved. Considering that sea lion pups periodically soak at high tides, and that prolonged immersion and very high humidity are known to be lethal for lice eggs, selecting the dorsal area would be advantageous for oviposition because it dries much faster. Furthermore, because humidity should be retained for longer periods on the ventral surface of the pup, wetter conditions on the sea lion would prevent desiccation of the nymphs in the very arid environment where O. flavescens breeds.
EXPLORATORY AGRONOMY WITHIN PARTICIPATORY VARIETAL SELECTION: THE CASE OF PEANUT IN EAST TIMOR
Authors: WILLIAMS ROBERT , ANDERSEN REBECCA , MARCAL ARMANDINA , PEREIRA LUIS , ALMEIDA LUIS , ERSKINE WILLIAM
Published: January 2012

Within the context of participatory varietal selection of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in East Timor, this study investigated an approach to identify yield determinants in farmer-managed varietal trials in a type of exploratory agronomy. A singular increase of 47% in peanut on-farm productivity by variety Utamua over local varieties was recorded across agro-ecologies over 616 farmer-managed trials in five cropping seasons. Utamua has larger (c. 70%) seed than local, which resulted in poor germination initially. Farmers then started seed priming, and, by the last two seasons’ trials, 50% of farmers with on-farm trials seed primed. The volume of trials allied with detailed recording of agro-ecological, household and management conditions allowed the identification of factors affecting yield, such as seeding arrangement (two seeds/hill more productive than one seed/hill) and soil pH (pH 7–8.5 more productive than lower pH), using an unbalanced ANOVA design. Farmer innovations in management could be identified within varietal trials highlighting future agronomic possibilities.
A ratio ergodic theorem for Borel actions of ℤd×ℝk
Authors: HOLT ERIC
Published: January 2012

We prove a ratio ergodic theorem for free Borel actions of ℤd×ℝk on a standard Borel σ-finite measure space. The proof employs a lemma by Hochman involving coarse dimension, as well as the Besicovitch covering lemma. Due to possible singularity of the measure, we cannot use functional analytic arguments and therefore use Rudolph’s diffusion of the measure onto the orbits of the action. This diffused measure is denoted μx, and our averages are of the form (1/(μx(Bn)))∫ Bnf∘T−v(x) dμx(v). A Følner condition on the orbits of the action is shown, which is the main tool used in the proof of the ergodic theorem.
An active nitrogen cycle on Mars sufficient to support a subsurface biosphere
Authors: Boxe C.S. , Hand K.P. , Nealson K.H. , Yung Y.L. , Saiz-Lopez A.
Published: January 2012

Mars' total atmospheric nitrogen content is 0.2 mbar. One-dimensional (1D) photochemical simulations of Mars' atmosphere show that nitric acid (HNO3(g)), the most soluble nitrogen oxide, is the principal reservoir species for nitrogen in its lower atmosphere, which amounts to a steady-state value of 6×10−2kg or 4 moles, conditions of severe nitrogen deficiency. Mars could, however, support ∼1015kg of biomass (∼1 kg N m−2) from its current atmospheric nitrogen inventory. The terrestrial mass ratio of nitrogen in biomass to that in the atmosphere is ∼10−5; applying this ratio to Mars yields ∼1010kg of total biomass – also, conditions of severe nitrogen deficiency. These amounts, however, are lower limits as the maximum surface-sink of atmospheric nitrogen is 2.8 mbar (9×1015kg of N), which indicates, in contradistinction to the Klingleret al. (1989), that biological metabolism would not be inhibited in the subsurface of Mars. Within this context, we explore HNO3deposition on Mars' surface (i.e. soil and ice-covered regions) on pure water metastable thin liquid films. We show for the first time that the negative change in Gibbs free energy increases with decreasing HNO3(g) (NO3−(aq)) in metastable thin liquid films that may exist on Mars' surface. We also show that additional reaction pathways are exergonic and may proceed spontaneously, thus providing an ample source of energy for nitrogen fixation on Mars. Lastly, we explore the dissociation of HNO3(g) to form NO3−(aq) in metastable thin liquid films on the Martian surface via condensed phase simulations. These simulations show that photochemically produced fixed nitrogen species are not only released from the Martian surface to the gas-phase, but more importantly, transported to lower depths from the Martian surface in transient thin liquid films. A putative biotic layer at 10 m depth would produce HNO3and N2sinks of −54 and −5×1012molecules cm−2s−1, respectively, which is an ample supply of available nitrogen that can be efficiently transported to the subsurface. The downward transport as well as the release to the atmosphere of photochemically produced fixed nitrogen species (e.g. NO2−, NO and NO2) suggests the existence of a transient but active nitrogen cycle on Mars.
11 September 2001: the Italian writers' response
Authors: Ania Gillian
Published: January 2012

One month after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, the Corriere della Sera published an article on the possible future consequences for literature of this horrific event. Some novelists boldly declared their work would not be affected at all, while others observed that their literary visions and perspectives were already responses to life's tragic aspects. Several writers confessed to wondering, at least initially, whether literature henceforth could continue to have any real sense. A decade later, this essay examines the nature of the Italian response. It looks first at the views of those writers who expressed opinions directly to the press or in essay form, and then at a small number of novels (by Tullio Avoledo, Marisa Bulgheroni and Tiziana Rinaldi Castro) and short stories (by Andrea Piva, Andrej Longo and Andrea Canobbio) which have embraced the theme, and which have done so in ways that reinforce the sense of an underlying political and/or cultural aesthetic. Connections between twenty-first-century reactions to 9/11 and the Italian experience or memory of political terrorism and war will be explored, as well as the question of inspiration for novelists, in the particular context of catastrophe or trauma.
The Disenchantment Complex: C.G. Jung and the modern world
Authors: Giegerich Wolfgang
Published: January 2012

In his 12th year Jung had a fantasy about God shitting upon Basel cathedral. With this initiatory image of unrelenting disenchantment, the boy Jung emerged not only into personal adulthood but also into the particular form of adulthood corresponding to post-enlightenment modernity, i.e. disenchantment. However, Jung attempted first to halt the inevitable progress of the fantasy and then to neurotically disown it by a petitio principii, thus effectively invalidating the full effect of the initiatory experience. This paper explores the way in which Jung's soul fixated at the point of disenchantment, so that this ‘disenchantment complex’ became the ground of his whole psychological project, instituting a split that was to become literalized in his two homes: ‘Küsnacht’ and ‘Bollingen’.
The dis/enchantment of C.G. Jung
Authors: Saban Mark
Published: January 2012

Jung's psychology is founded upon this problem: ‘Somewhere deep in the background I always knew that I was two persons’ (Jung & Jaffé, 1977, pp. 61–62). I intend to read the disquieting tension of this problematic as haunting everything he wrote. My thesis is that Jung's perspective is both enchanted and disenchanted and, moreover, that this antinomial tension makes him and his psychology peculiarly modern. Utilising recent scholarship on the modern occult, which has placed enchantment at the centre of modernity, this paper argues for a peculiarly modern disenchanted enchantment that Jung's psychology both exemplifies and explores.
Identification of signal transduction pathways involved in the formation of platelet subpopulations upon activation
Authors: Topalov Nikolai N. , Kotova Yana N. , Vasil’ev Sergey A. , Panteleev Mikhail A.
Published: January 2012

Platelets are formed elements of blood. Upon activation, they externalize phosphatidylserine, thus accelerating membrane‐dependent reactions of blood coagulation. Activated platelets form two subpopulations, only one of which expresses phosphatidylserine. This study aimed to identify signalling pathways responsible for this segregation. Gel‐filtered platelets, intact or loaded with calcium‐sensitive dyes, were activated and labelled with annexin V and antibodies, followed by flow cytometric analysis. Calcium Green and Fura Red dyes were compared, and only the latter was able to detect calcium level differences in the platelet subpopulations. Phosphatidylserine‐positive platelets produced by thrombin had stably high intracellular calcium level; addition of convulxin increased and stabilized calcium level in the phosphatidylserine‐negative subpopulation. PAR1 agonist SFLLRN also induced calcium rise and subpopulation formation, but the resulting platelets were not coated with alpha‐granule proteins. Adenylatecyclase activator forskolin inhibited phosphatidylserine‐positive platelets formation several‐fold, while its inhibitor SQ22536 had no effect. This suggests that adenylatecyclase inactivation is necessary, but not rate‐limiting, for subpopulation segregation. Inhibition of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (U0126) and glycoprotein IIb‐IIIa (Monafram®) was without effect, whereas inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (wortmannin) and Src tyrosine kinase (PP2) decreased the procoagulant subpopulation threefold. These data identify the principal signalling pathways controlling platelet heterogeneity.
Stalled Polη at its cognate substrate initiates an alternative translesion synthesis pathway via interaction with REV1
Authors: Ito Wakana , Yokoi Masayuki , Sakayoshi Nobutaka , Sakurai Yasutaka , Akagi Jun‐ichi , Mitani Hiroshi , Hanaoka Fumio
Published: January 2012

DNA polymerase η (Polη), whose gene mutation is responsible for the inherited disorder xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XP‐V), carries out accurate and efficient translesion synthesis (TLS) across cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD). As Polη interacts with REV1, and REV1 interacts with other TLS polymerases including Polι, Polκ and Polζ, Polη may play a role in recruitment of these TLS polymerases at lesion site. But it is unclear whether UV sensitivity of XP‐V patients is caused not only by defect of Polη activity but also by dysfunction of network between Polη and other TLS polymerases. Here, we examined whether the TLS polymerase network via Polη is important for replicative bypass of CPDs and DNA damage tolerance induced by UV in mouse cells. We observed that UV sensitivity of Polη‐deficient mouse cells was moderately rescued by the expression of a catalytically inactive Polη. Moreover, this recovery of cellular UV sensitivity was mediated by the interaction between Polη and REV1. However, expression of the inactive mutant Polη was not able to suppress the incidence of UV‐induced mutation observed in Polη‐deficient cells. We propose the model that REV1 and Polκ are involved in DNA damage tolerance via Polη–REV1 interaction when Polη fails to bypass its cognate substrates.
Targeting mitochondrial transcription in fission yeast with ETB, an inhibitor of HSP60, the chaperone that binds to the mitochondrial transcription factor Mtf1
Authors: Sun Wenxia , Wang Li , Jiang Hengyi , Chen Dongrong , Murchie Alastair I.H.
Published: January 2012

Mtf1 has been characterized as a mitochondrial transcription factor and is shown to regulate mitochondrial transcription. Mtf1 has an additional function as a transcription factor for the nuclear gene srk1 in fission yeast. Hsp60 has been linked to a variety of important cellular functions such as apoptosis and the immune response. It functions mainly as a molecular chaperone that assists correct protein folding in the mitochondrion. Epolactaene tertiary butyl ester (ETB) is an inhibitor of human Hsp60 that can inhibit Hsp60 chaperone activity. In this study, we report that in fission yeast, Mtf1 binds to Hsp60 in vivo and in vitro, ETB inhibits the binding of Mtf1 and Hsp60, and inhibits mitochondrial transcription but not nuclear transcription of srk1. We propose that Hsp60 may act as a molecular chaperone that folds mitochondrial Mtf1 into a functional form and that ETB inhibits this Hsp60 chaperone activity by disrupting Mtf1 binding to Hsp60 and thus inhibits mitochondrial transcription in fission yeast.
End‐stage renal disease and African American race are independent predictors of mild liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection
Authors: Aslinia F. M. , Wasan S. K. , Mindikoglu A. L. , Adeyemo O. A. , Philosophe B. , Drachenberg C. , Howell C. D.
Published: January 2012

Summary.  Recipients of haemodialysis for end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) have a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection relative to the general US population. However, the natural course of HCV infection in patients with renal failure, including African Americans (AAs) and Caucasian Americans (CAs), is not well known. We compared the degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis in AA and CA patients with HCV infection, with and without ESRD. This was a cross‐sectional study of 156 HCV patients with ESRD (130 AAs and 26 CAs) with a liver biopsy between 1992 and 2005. The control group consisted of 138 patients (50 AAs; 88 CAs) with HCV infections and a serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dL with a liver biopsy between 1995 and 1998. Specimens were graded for inflammation and fibrosis using Knodell histological activity index. Compared to patients without renal impairment, HCV patients with renal failure were older and more likely to be AA. Patients with renal impairment had lower mean serum transaminases, a higher mean serum alkaline phosphatase levels (all P < 0.0001) and less hepatic necro‐inflammation (Knodell histological activity index ‐I, II and III; P < 0.05) and fibrosis (Knodell histological activity index ‐IV; P < 0.0001). There were no racial differences in serum liver chemistry and histology scores among patients with renal failure. In a multivariate analysis, younger age, ESRD, AA race and a lower serum alkaline phosphatase were associated with lower odds for advanced liver fibrosis. Thus, HCV patients with ESRD had a lower degree of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis compared to those without renal disease, independent of race.
Do neuro‐humoral signaling molecules participate in colorectal carcinogenesis/cancer progression?
Authors: Delbro Dick S.
Published: January 2012

Signaling molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, as released from intrinsic, or extrinsic neurons, or from local endocrine cells may serve as positive or negative growth factors, and it has been suggested that such could participate also in colorectal carcinogenesis/cancer progression. Sporadic colorectal cancer arises from an initially benign adenoma, which, in turn, develops from the stem cell compartment, located in the bottom of the crypts of the colorectal mucosa. It was recently demonstrated in rat that intrinsic denervation of the colon appeared to be protective against chemically induced carcinogenesis. Of the various GI signaling molecules, noradrenaline (NA) and substance P (SP) may be of particular importance as growth factors involved in colorectal cancer. In the current issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Graf et al. demonstrate that in benign, human colon polyps, there was a loss of innervation compared with adjacent mucosa, affecting efferent, noradrenergic, as well as sensory, SP‐ergic fibers, while there was an increase in SP‐immunoreactive non‐neuronal cells in the polyps. The results obtained could suggest that loss of mucosal innervation, due to e.g. luminal, pro‐inflammatory stimuli, could result in unbalanced pro‐tumorigenic stimulation of the stem cell region by non‐neuronal SP. The current findings may be important for the further understanding of the development of sporadic colorectal cancer.
The bias in current measures of gestational weight gain
Authors: Hutcheon Jennifer A. , Bodnar Lisa M. , Joseph K. S. , Abrams Barbara , Simhan Hyagriv N. , Platt Robert W.
Published: January 2012

Hutcheon JA, Bodnar LM, Joseph KS, Abrams B, Simhan HN, Platt RW. The bias in current measures of gestational weight gain. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 109–116.

Conventional measures of gestational weight gain (GWG), such as average rate of weight gain, are likely to be correlated with gestational duration. Such a correlation could introduce bias to epidemiological studies of GWG and adverse perinatal outcomes because many perinatal outcomes are also correlated with gestational duration. This study aimed to quantify the extent to which currently used GWG measures may bias the apparent relationship between maternal weight gain and risk of preterm birth. For each woman in a provincial perinatal database registry (British Columbia, Canada, 2000–2009), a total GWG was simulated such that it was uncorrelated with risk of preterm birth. The simulation was based on serial antenatal GWG measurements from a sample of term pregnancies. Simulated GWGs were classified using three approaches: total weight gain (kg), average rate of weight gain (kg/week) or adequacy of GWG in relation to Institute of Medicine recommendations. Their association with preterm birth ≤32 weeks was explored using logistic regression. All measures of GWG induced an apparent association between GWG and preterm birth ≤32 weeks even when, by design, none existed. Odds ratios in the lowest fifths of each GWG measure compared with the middle fifths ranged from 4.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6, 5.4] (total weight gain) to 1.6 [95% CI 1.3, 2.0] (Institute of Medicine adequacy ratio). Conventional measures of GWG introduce serious bias to the study of maternal weight gain and preterm birth. A new measure of GWG that is uncorrelated with gestational duration is needed.
Nucleolus size varies with sex, ploidy and gene dosage in insects
Authors: MONTIEL EUGENIA ELISABETH , MANRIQUE‐POYATO MARIA INMACULADA , ROCHA‐SÁNCHEZ SONIA M. , LÓPEZ‐LEÓN MARIA DOLORES , CABRERO JOSEFA , PERFECTTI FRANCISCO , CAMACHO JUAN PEDRO M.
Published: January 2012

The nucleolus constitutes a cytologically visible phenotype for ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Nucleolar size, as determined by silver staining, is a good indicator of cell proliferation rate and biosynthetic activity. Nevertheless, the relationship between rDNA content and sexual dimorphism for nucleolar size is not well documented. In the present study, the impact of sex and ploidy level on nucleolar size is investigated in three haplo/diploid and three diplo/diploid species of insect. Nucleolar sizes are found to be proportional to ploidy level in the haplo/diploid hymenopterans Trypoxylon albitarse and Nasonia vitripennis. Conversely, in the ant Messor barbarus, nucleolar sizes are larger in haploid males (winged) than diploid females (apterous). Among the diplo/diploid species, evidence for gene dosage compensation on nucleolar activity is suggested by the absence of sex differences in Drosophila simulans, a species in which rDNA is limited to the X chromosome. By contrast, in the grasshopper Stenobothrus festivus, another species with rRNA genes restricted to the X chromosome, the size of the nucleolus is significantly larger in females than in males. Additionally, in the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus, where rDNA is distributed evenly on several autosomes of males and females, the females also show larger nucleoli than males. In both grasshopper species, the magnitude of the female/male ratio for nucleolus area is very similar to the body size ratio, suggesting that body size, as well as sex, ploidy, gene dosage and physiological activity, may be an important determinant of nucleolus area.
Occurrence of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus on infected ash logs
Authors: Husson C. , Caël O. , Grandjean J. P. , Nageleisen L. M. , Marçais B.
Published: January 2012

Ash decline induced by Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus is an emerging disease that severely affects Fraxinus excelsior stands in Europe. There has been an invasive spread of the disease from east to west in Europe over the last decade. Wood discoloration on infected trunks has been reported, but few data are available on the involvement of H. pseudoalbidus in such symptoms. Transport and trade of ash logs could introduce the pathogen into disease‐free areas and therefore accelerate its dissemination. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of H. pseudoalbidus in ash logs in infested areas located in the northeast of France and to clarify the role of secondary pathogens in ash decline. The results showed that prevalence of H. pseudoalbidus on collar lesions was high in the study area. The pathogen was able to produce conidia from infected wood. Thus, export of ash logs could represent a potential risk for spreading the disease. Involvement of Armillaria spp. in the decline process was confirmed, while no Phytophthora‐induced collar lesions were found. Studying both disease prevalence and the age of callus tissues surrounding collar lesions in 60 ash stands enabled the origin of the disease in the study area to be determined.
Pathogenicity studies in avocado with three nectriaceous fungi, Calonectria ilicicola, Gliocladiopsis sp. and Ilyonectria liriodendri
Authors: Dann E. K. , Cooke A. W. , Forsberg L. I. , Pegg K. G. , Tan Y.‐P. , Shivas R. G.
Published: January 2012

Calonectria ilicicola, Gliocladiopsis sp. and Ilyonectria liriodendri were isolated from diseased roots of young avocado trees. Pathogenicity studies with seedlings of three avocado cultivars, Velvick, Hass and Reed, demonstrated that Calonectria ilicicola is a severe root rot pathogen, reducing the biomass of healthy roots, and reducing plant height over time. Calonectria ilicicola was re‐isolated from diseased roots. Ilyonectria liriodendri and Gliocladiopsis sp. were not pathogenic and plant height was increased after Gliocladiopsis sp. amendment compared to all other treatments in trials with cvs Velvick and Hass.
Tomato chlorosis virus in pepper: prevalence in commercial crops in southeastern Spain and symptomatology under experimental conditions
Authors: Fortes I. M. , Moriones E. , Navas‐Castillo J.
Published: January 2012

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), a member of the genus Crinivirus (family Closteroviridae), has been present in Spain since at least 1997, causing annual epidemics of yellowing in protected tomato crops. In 1999, sweet pepper plants exhibiting stunting and symptoms of interveinal yellowing and mild upward curling in the leaves, were found to be infected with ToCV in a greenhouse heavily infested with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci in the province of Almería, southeastern Spain. This study investigated the prevalence of ToCV in tomato and pepper crops in the major growing areas of southeastern Spain (Murcia, Almería and Málaga provinces) over a 3‐year period. In addition, an experimental system was developed for ToCV inoculation using B. tabaci as a vector, which allowed analysis of susceptibility of different pepper cultivars to the virus. The disease syndrome and yield losses induced by ToCV in pepper were also studied under experimental conditions, confirming severe yield reduction in infected plants.
Alteration of physiological parameters of Austrocedrus chilensis by the pathogen Phytophthora austrocedrae
Authors: Vélez M. L. , Silva P. V. , Troncoso O. A. , Greslebin A. G.
Published: January 2012

The effect of the pathogen Phytophthora austrocedrae on tree physiology of Austrocedrus chilensis in Patagonia was studied in a 4‐week study. In the first week, stem‐inoculated saplings showed a significant decrease in photosynthesis (A) without alteration of stomatal conductance (gs) or stem‐specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks). From the second week on, progressive decreases in A, gs and Ks were observed, concomitantly with development of significant stem lesions. Water use efficiency (WUE) increased in the second week and declined progressively from the third week. Hyphae and resinous materials were observed in tracheids and rays below lesions. Necrosis of parenchyma ray cells and blockage of tracheids torus were observed. Healthy xylem showed no resinous materials or tracheid blockage, but abundant starch in rays, which was absent in altered xylem. The culture filtrate (CF) of the pathogen was shown to induce changes in extracellular pH and conductivity, and increased necrosis in tissues of leaves and stem challenged with CF in vitro. Similar results were obtained in leaf tissues of the inoculated saplings in vivo. CF injection into xylem of saplings induced a decline in A and disturbance of leaf tissue integrity, without altering gs, WUE or Ks. The decrease of A correlated with changes in tissue integrity. A possible mechanism of A. chilensis decline induced by P. austrocedrae is discussed.
Clusters of leprosy transmission and of late diagnosis in a highly endemic area in Brazil: focus on different spatial analysis approaches
Authors: Alencar Carlos H. , Ramos Alberto N. , dos Santos Emerson S. , Richter Joachim , Heukelbach Jorg
Published: January 2012

Objective  The Brazilian National Hansen’s Disease Control Program recently identified clusters with high disease transmission. Herein, we present different spatial analytical approaches to define highly vulnerable areas in one of these clusters.

Method  The study area included 373 municipalities in the four Brazilian states Maranhão, Pará, Tocantins and Piauí. Spatial analysis was based on municipalities as the observation unit, considering the following disease indicators: (i) rate of new cases/100 000 population, (ii) rate of cases <15 years/100 000 population, (iii) new cases with grade‐2 disability/100 000 population and (iv) proportion of new cases with grade‐2 disabilities. We performed descriptive spatial analysis, local empirical Bayesian analysis and spatial scan statistic.

Results  A total of 254 (68.0%) municipalities were classified as hyperendemic (mean annual detection rates >40 cases/100 000 inhabitants). There was a concentration of municipalities with higher detection rates in Pará and in the center of Maranhão. Spatial scan statistic identified 23 likely clusters of new leprosy case detection rates, most of them localized in these two states. These clusters included only 32% of the total population, but 55.4% of new leprosy cases. We also identified 16 significant clusters for the detection rate <15 years and 11 likely clusters of new cases with grade‐2. Several clusters of new cases with grade‐2/population overlap with those of new cases detection and detection of children <15 years of age. The proportion of new cases with grade‐2 did not reveal any significant clusters.

Conclusions  Several municipality clusters for high leprosy transmission and late diagnosis were identified in an endemic area using different statistical approaches. Spatial scan statistic is adequate to validate and confirm high‐risk leprosy areas for transmission and late diagnosis, identified using descriptive spatial analysis and using local empirical Bayesian method. National and State leprosy control programs urgently need to intensify control actions in these highly vulnerable municipalities.
The diagnostic yield of CT‐guided percutaneous lung biopsy in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Hsu Joe L. , Kuschner Ware G. , Paik Jane , Bower Natalie , Vazquez Guillamet Maria C. , Kothary Nishita
Published: January 2012

Hsu JL, Kuschner WG, Paik J, Bower N, Guillamet MCV, Kothary N. The diagnostic yield of CT‐guided percutaneous lung biopsy in solid organ transplant recipients.

Abstract:  Background:  Despite the widespread use of computed tomography (CT)‐guided percutaneous lung biopsy (PLB) in immunocompetent patients, the diagnostic yield and safety in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the test performance of CT‐PLB in SOT recipients.

Methods:  We performed a 10‐yr single‐center, retrospective analysis among heart, lung, kidney, and liver transplant recipients. We included all adult patients who underwent a PLB of a parenchymal lung nodule following their transplantation.

Results:  Within the study period, 1754 SOTs were performed, of which 45 biopsies met study criteria. Overall, the incidence of PLB in SOT was 3%. PLB established a diagnosis in 24 of 45 cases. The yield of PLB was better for combined biopsy technique (fine‐needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB]) and core biopsy than for FNAB alone (odds ratio [OR]: 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 15.6), and for lesions that were malignant (OR: 10.0, 95% CI: 1.8, 75.4) or caused by an invasive fungal infection (OR: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.1, 27.9). Complications occurred in 13% (6/45) of patients.

Conclusion:  CT‐guided PLB is a safe modality that provides a moderate yield for diagnosing pulmonary nodules of malignant or fungal etiology in SOT recipients.
Effects of Bois noir on carbon assimilation, transpiration, stomatal conductance of leaves and yield of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cv. Chardonnay
Authors: Endeshaw Solomon T. , Murolo Sergio , Romanazzi Gianfranco , Neri Davide
Published: January 2012

Bois noir (BN) is one of the main phytoplasma diseases of grapevine (Vitis vinifera). It is widespread, and can cause severe losses in European vineyards. The infective agent colonizes phloem elements and induces visible symptoms of leaf yellowing or reddening after a relatively long incubation period. As the most sensitive cultivars to BN, Chardonnay plants were grouped as healthy or symptomatic in spring, based on the records from the previous year. Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence were measured weekly from July to September in healthy plants, and in symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves from symptomatic plants. The midday relative water content (mRWC) was measured once per month. The detection of phytoplasma DNA by nested‐polymerase chain reaction revealed BN infection in symptomatic leaf samples at the end of September. A significant decrease in pigment content and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) of these symptomatic leaves was detected from July to September, although in the asymptomatic leaves of the symptomatic plants the net photosynthesis (Pn) decrease was not significant. In the leaves from the healthy plants, Pn and transpiration were relatively stable. Of note, in July, an initially healthy plant showed a strong Pn reduction that was followed by visible leaf yellowing symptoms only in August. The phytoplasma infection also stimulated significant reductions in mRWC of the symptomatic leaves, with a final large decrease in yield.
BCL‐2 Family of Proteins and Mammary Cellular Fate
Authors: Colitti M.
Published: January 2012

This review focuses on the pro‐apoptotic and anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family members involved in apoptosis, which is the predominant process controlling cell remodelling during post‐lactational mammary gland involution. The members of the Bcl‐2 protein family, whose expression levels are under the control of lactogenic hormones, internally control this mechanism also during lactation. They can physically interact with each other, sometimes in an antagonistic manner. Mammary glands undergo repeated cycles of structural development, functional differentiation and regression, therefore provide a unique model for investigating this family of proteins that regulate the fate of the secretory cells and consequently milk yield. The involvement of Bcl‐2 family members is reviewed in mammary tissue during morphogenesis, at different stages of lactation cycle and in comparison with dairy and laboratory animals.
Distinct mechanisms control the timing of differentiation of two myeloid populations in Xenopus ventral blood islands
Authors: Maéno Mitsugu , Komiyama Kyogo , Matsuzaki Yoko , Hosoya Junichi , Kurihara Sayaka , Sakata Hiroyuki , Izutsu Yumi
Published: January 2012

Previous study has suggested that distinct populations of myeloid cells exist in the anterior ventral blood islands (aVBI) and posterior ventral blood islands (pVBI) in Xenopus neurula embryo. However, details for differentiation programs of these two populations have not been elucidated. In the present study, we examined the role of Wnt, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor signals in the regulation of myeloid cell differentiation in the dorsal marginal zone and ventral marginal zone explants that are the sources of myeloid cells in the aVBI and pVBI. We found that regulation of Wnt activity is essential for the differentiation of myeloid cells in the aVBI but is not required for the differentiation of myeloid cells in the pVBI. Endogenous activity of the VEGF signal is necessary for differentiation of myeloid cells in the pVBI but is not involved in the differentiation of myeloid cells in the aVBI. Overall results reveal that distinct mechanisms are involved in the myeloid, erythroid and endothelial cell differentiation in the aVBI and pVBI.
Total phenolic, size‐fractionated phenolics and fucoxanthin content of tropical Sargassaceae (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) from the South Pacific Ocean: Spatial and specific variability
Authors: Lann Klervi Le , Ferret Claire , VanMee Elise , Spagnol Charlène , Lhuillery Marie , Payri Claude , Stiger‐Pouvreau Valérie
Published: January 2012

This innovative study investigates 18 Turbinaria and Sargassum brown seaweed samples from three archipelagos of the South West Pacific Ocean. The phenolic content of crude and size‐fractionated extracts was determined by the Folin‐Ciocalteu method; fucoxanthin was measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Although the phenolic content proved to be low for the species of both genera tested, the levels in the species of Turbinaria were higher than those of Sargassum tested, except in the Fiji islands where both species produced similar contents. These investigations also highlighted variations of total phenolic content with spatial, reef morphology and depth. A large number of small phenolic compounds (<2000 Da) were observed irrespective of the genus analyzed. Nevertheless, the composition of the phenolic pool varied in relation with the genus, the archipelago from which the material was collected, geomorphological features and the depth of each collection field site. A similar observation was for fucoxanthin content and in general, the measured constituents of the Turbinaria were less than those of the Sargassum species. The results are discussed in terms of inter‐ and intra‐specific variability. Variations in both phenolic and fucoxanthin content were noted in tropical members of the Sargassaceae; such differences could be a result of specific chemical defense mechanisms adopted by members of each genus.
Unique distribution of epiphytic Neosiphonia harveyi (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) along sargassacean hosts
Authors: Yamamoto Keigo , Yoshikawa Shinya , Ohki Kaori , Kamiya Mitsunobu
Published: January 2012

Although epiphytism is generally heaviest on older portions of the host thallus and both variation and abundance of epiphytes decrease with proximity to meristematic apices, Neosiphonia harveyi (Bailey) Kim, Choi, Guiry and Saunders was frequently found on upper parts of sargassacean hosts. This study compared density, thallus length and fertility of epiphytic N. harveyi among different regions of Sargassum patens C. Agardh thalli to reveal a unique distribution pattern of this epiphyte. The majority of epiphytic N. harveyi was observed on the upper part of host thalli and was seldom seen near the basal part. Over a 3‐month period, mean epiphyte density was greater on host apices while thallus length and fertility were greater on subapical portions of host thalli, suggesting the colonization by this epiphyte near the apical part of the host. Distribution patterns of this epiphyte were similar among S. patens growing at different depths. Apical portions of S. patens appear to be more suitable substrata for N. harveyi settlement and colonization compared with other portions of the host thallus, regardless of depth.
Timing of injury in utero causing respiratory inhibition after crying
Authors: Minowa Hideki , Bando Yuka , Yasuhara Hajime , Ebisu Reiko , Ohgitani Ayako
Published: January 2012

Background:  The aim of this study was to clarify the timing of injuries in utero that cause respiratory inhibition after crying (RIAC). We evaluated infants with cranial ultrasound abnormalities diagnosed during hospitalization.

Methods:  We retrospectively examined the medical records of preterm infants who were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit at Nara Prefectural Hospital in Nara, Japan from January 2006 through December 2010. Inclusion criterion was gestational age less than 34 weeks. We evaluated the perinatal factors and cranial ultrasound abnormalities associated with RIAC, feeding hypoxemia, and prolonged apnea. We also evaluated the timing of appearance of cranial ultrasound abnormalities.

Results:  A total of 125 infants were examined. Mean gestational age was 30.6 ± 2.4 weeks and mean birthweight was 1465 ± 454 g. The numbers of infants who showed RIAC, feeding hypoxemia, and prolonged apnea were 44, 48, and 63, respectively. Among 91 infants who showed cranial ultrasound abnormalities, 67 had increased echogenicity in the ganglionic eminence (GE). There was a significant correlation between increased echogenicity and RIAC (P < 0.001). Of the infants who showed increased echogenicity in the GE, 19 had this finding during the course of hospitalization. In these 19 infants, however, gestational age of those with RIAC was less than 31 weeks.

Conclusion:  We speculate that the timing of intrauterine injury resulting in RIAC in infants is less than 31 gestational weeks.