bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cholesterol-sensitive Modulation of Transcytosis
Authors: Leyt Julieta , Melamed-Book Naomi , Vaerman Jean-Pierre , Cohen Shulamit , Weiss Aryeh M. , Aroeti Benjamin
Published: March 2007

Cholesterol-rich membrane domains (e.g., lipid rafts) are thought to act as molecular sorting machines, capable of coordinating the organization of signal transduction pathways within limited regions of the plasma membrane and organelles. The significance of these domains in polarized postendocytic sorting is currently not understood. We show that dimeric IgA stimulates the incorporation of its receptor into cholesterol-sensitive detergent-resistant membranes confined to the basolateral surface/basolateral endosomes. A fraction of human transferrin receptor was also found in basolateral detergent-resistant membranes. Disrupting these membrane domains by cholesterol depletion (using methyl-β-cyclodextrin) before ligand-receptor internalization caused depolarization of traffic from endosomes, suggesting that cholesterol in basolateral lipid rafts plays a role in polarized sorting after endocytosis. In contrast, cholesterol depletion performed after ligand internalization stimulated cargo transcytosis. It also stimulated caveolin-1 phosphorylation on tyrosine 14 and the appearance of the activated protein in dimeric IgA-containing apical organelles. We propose that cholesterol depletion stimulates the coupling of transcytotic and caveolin-1 signaling pathways, consequently prompting the membranes to shuttle from endosomes to the plasma membrane. This process may represent a unique compensatory mechanism required to maintain cholesterol balance on the cell surface of polarized epithelia.
Protein Kinase Cα-dependent Phosphorylation of the mRNA-stabilizing Factor HuR: Implications for Posttranscriptional Regulation of Cyclooxygenase-2
Authors: Doller Anke , Huwiler Andrea , Müller Roswitha , Radeke Heinfried H. , Pfeilschifter Josef , Eberhardt Wolfgang
Published: March 2007

In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the ATP analogue adenosine-5′-O-(3-thio)triphosphate–induced nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the mRNA stabilizing factor HuR in human (h) mesangial cells (MC). Using synthetic protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors and small interfering RNA approaches, we demonstrated that knockdown of PKCα efficiently blocked the ATP-dependent nuclear HuR export to the cytoplasm. The functional importance of PKCα in HuR shuttling is highlighted by the high cytosolic HuR content detected in hMC stably overexpressing PKCα compared with mock-transfected cells. The ATP-induced recruitment of HuR to the cytoplasm is preceded by a direct interaction of PKCα with nuclear HuR and accompanied by increased Ser phosphorylation as demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Mapping of putative PKC target sites identified serines 158 and 221 as being indispensable for HuR phosphorylation by PKCα. RNA pull-down assay and RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that the HuR shuttling by ATP is accompanied by an increased HuR binding to cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA. Physiologically, the ATP-dependent increase in RNA binding is linked with an augmentation in COX-2 mRNA stability and subsequent increase in prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Regulation of HuR via PKCα-dependent phosphorylation emphasizes the importance of posttranslational modification for stimulus-dependent HuR shuttling.
TRIM5α Cytoplasmic Bodies Are Highly Dynamic Structures
Authors: Campbell Edward M. , Dodding Mark P. , Yap Melvyn W. , Wu Xiaolu , Gallois-Montbrun Sarah , Malim Michael H. , Stoye Jonathan P. , Hope Thomas J.
Published: March 2007

Tripartite motif (TRIM)5α has recently been identified as a host restriction factor that has the ability to block infection by certain retroviruses in a species-dependent manner. One interesting feature of this protein is that it is localized in distinct cytoplasmic clusters designated as cytoplasmic bodies. The potential role of these cytoplasmic bodies in TRIM5α function remains to be defined. By using fluorescent fusion proteins and live cell microscopy, we studied the localization and dynamics of TRIM5α cytoplasmic bodies. This analysis reveals that cytoplasmic bodies are highly mobile, exhibiting both short saltatory movements and unidirectional long-distance movements along the microtubule network. The morphology of the cytoplasmic bodies is also dynamic. Finally, photobleaching and photoactivation analysis reveals that the TRIM5α protein present in the cytoplasmic bodies is very dynamic, rapidly exchanging between cytoplasmic bodies and a more diffuse cytoplasmic population. Therefore, TRIM5α cytoplasmic bodies are dynamic structures more consistent with a role in function or regulation rather than protein aggregates or inclusion bodies that represent dead-end static structures.
Cyclone: java-based querying and computing with Pathway/Genome databases
Authors: Fèvre François Le , Smidtas Serge , Schächter Vincent
Published: March 2007

Summary: Cyclone aims at facilitating the use of BioCyc, a collection of Pathway/Genome Databases (PGDBs). Cyclone provides a fully extensible Java Object API to analyze and visualize these data. Cyclone can read and write PGDBs, and can write its own data in the CycloneML format. This format is automatically generated from the BioCyc ontology by Cyclone itself, ensuring continued compatibility. Cyclone objects can also be stored in a relational database CycloneDB. Queries can be written in SQL, and in an intuitive and concise object-oriented query language, Hibernate Query Language (HQL). In addition, Cyclone interfaces easily with Java software including the Eclipse IDE for HQL edition, the Jung API for graph algorithms or Cytoscape for graph visualization.

Availability: Cyclone is freely available under an open source license at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/nemo-cyclone

Contact:  cyclone@genoscope.cns.fr

Supplementary information: For download and installation instructions, tutorials, use cases and examples, see http://nemo-cyclone.sourceforge.net
uBioRSS: Tracking taxonomic literature using RSS
Authors: Leary Patrick R. , Remsen David P. , Norton Catherine N. , Patterson David J. , Sarkar Indra Neil
Published: March 2007

Summary: Web content syndication through standard formats such as RSS and ATOM has become an increasingly popular mechanism for publishers, news sources and blogs to disseminate regularly updated content. These standardized syndication formats deliver content directly to the subscriber, allowing them to locally aggregate content from a variety of sources instead of having to find the information on multiple websites. The uBioRSS application is a ‘taxonomically intelligent’ service customized for the biological sciences. It aggregates syndicated content from academic publishers and science news feeds, and then uses a taxonomic Named Entity Recognition algorithm to identify and index taxonomic names within those data streams. The resulting name index is cross-referenced to current global taxonomic datasets to provide context for browsing the publications by taxonomic group. This process, called taxonomic indexing, draws upon services developed specifically for biological sciences, collectively referred to as ‘taxonomic intelligence’. Such value-added enhancements can provide biologists with accelerated and improved access to current biological content.

Availability:  http://names.ubio.org/rss/

Contact: sarkar@mbl.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Modeling sequence–sequence interactions for drug response
Authors: Lin Min , Li Hongying , Hou Wei , Johnson Julie A. , Wu Rongling
Published: March 2007

Motivation: Genetic interactions or epistasis may play an important role in the genetic etiology of drug response. With the availability of large-scale, high-density single nucleotide polymorphism markers, a great challenge is how to associate haplotype structures and complex drug response through its underlying pharmacodynamic mechanisms.

Results: We have derived a general statistical model for detecting an interactive network of DNA sequence variants that encode pharmacodynamic processes based on the haplotype map constructed by single nucleotide polymorphisms. The model was validated by a pharmacogenetic study for two predominant beta-adrenergic receptor (βAR) subtypes expressed in the heart, β1AR and β2AR. Haplotypes from these two receptors trigger significant interaction effects on the response of heart rate to different dose levels of dobutamine. This model will have implications for pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic research and drug discovery.

Availability: A computer program written in Matlab can be downloaded from the webpage of statistical genetics group at the University of Florida.

Contact:  rwu@mail.ifas.ufl.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SherLoc: high-accuracy prediction of protein subcellular localization by integrating text and protein sequence data
Authors: Shatkay Hagit , Höglund Annette , Brady Scott , Blum Torsten , Dönnes Pierre , Kohlbacher Oliver
Published: March 2007

Motivation: Knowing the localization of a protein within the cell helps elucidate its role in biological processes, its function and its potential as a drug target. Thus, subcellular localization prediction is an active research area. Numerous localization prediction systems are described in the literature; some focus on specific localizations or organisms, while others attempt to cover a wide range of localizations.

Results: We introduce SherLoc, a new comprehensive system for predicting the localization of eukaryotic proteins. It integrates several types of sequence and text-based features. While applying the widely used support vector machines (SVMs), SherLoc’s main novelty lies in the way in which it selects its text sources and features, and integrates those with sequence-based features. We test SherLoc on previously used datasets, as well as on a new set devised specifically to test its predictive power, and show that SherLoc consistently improves on previous reported results. We also report the results of applying SherLoc to a large set of yet-unlocalized proteins.

Availability: SherLoc, along with Supplementary Information, is available at: http://www-bs.informatik.uni-tuebingen.de/Services/SherLoc/

Contact: shatkay@cs.queensu.ca

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Extending the pathway analysis framework with a test for transcriptional variance implicates novel pathway modulation during myogenic differentiation
Authors: Kemp Daniel M. , Nirmala N. R. , Szustakowski Joseph D.
Published: March 2007

Motivation: We describe an extension of the pathway-based enrichment approach for analyzing microarray data via a robust test for transcriptional variance. The use of a variance test is intended to identify additional patterns of transcriptional regulation in which many genes in a pathway are up- and down-regulated. Such patterns may be indicative of the reciprocal regulation of pathway activators and inhibitors or of the differential regulation of separate biological sub-processes and should extend the number of detectable patterns of transcriptional modulation.

Results: We validated this new statistical approach on a microarray experiment that captures the temporal transcriptional profile of muscle differentiation in mouse C2C12 cells. Comparisons of the transcriptional state of myoblasts and differentiated myotubes via a robust variance test implicated several novel pathways in muscle cell differentiation previously overlooked by a standard enrichment analysis. Specifically, pathways involved in cell structure, calcium-mediated signaling and muscle-specific signaling were identified as differentially modulated based on their increased transcriptional variance. These biologically relevant results validate this approach and demonstrate the flexible nature of pathway-based methods of data analysis.

Availability: The software is available as Supplementary Material.

Contact: joseph.szustakowski@novartis.com

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Lot More to Do: The Sensitivity of Time-Series Cross-Section Analyses to Simple Alternative Specifications
Authors: Wilson Sven E. , Butler Daniel M.
Published: March 2007

In 1995, Beck and Katz (B&K) instructed the profession on “What to do (and not to do) with time-series, cross-section data,” and almost instantly their prescriptions became the new orthodoxy for practitioners. Our assessment of the intellectual aftermath of this paper, however, does not inspire confidence in the conclusions reached during the past decade. The 195 papers we reviewed show a widespread failure to diagnose and treat common problems of time-series, cross-section (TSCS) data analysis. To show the importance of the consequences of the B&K assumptions, we replicate eight papers in prominent journals and find that simple alternative specifications often lead to drastically different conclusions. Finally, we summarize many of the statistical issues relative to TSCS data and show that there is a lot more to do with TSCS data than many researchers have apparently assumed.
Mitochondrial differentiation and biogeography of Hyla meridionalis (Anura: Hylidae): an unusual phylogeographical pattern
Authors: Recuero Ernesto , Iraola Ainhoa , Rubio Xabier , Machordom Annie , García‐París Mario
Published: March 2007

Aim  To study the patterns of genetic variation and the historical events and processes that influenced the distribution and intraspecific diversity in Hyla meridionalis Boettger, 1874.

Location  Hyla meridionalis is restricted to the western part of the Mediterranean region. In northern Africa it is present in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. In south‐western Europe it is found in the south of France, north‐western Italy and north‐eastern and south‐western Iberian Peninsula. There are also insular populations, as in the Canaries and Menorca.

Methods  Sampling included 112 individuals from 36 populations covering the range of the species. We used sequences of mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) for the phylogeographical analysis (841 bp) and COI plus a fragment including part of tRNA lysine, ATP synthase subunits 6 and 8 and part of Cytochrome Oxidase III for phylogenetic analyses (2441 bp). Phylogenetic analyses were performed with paup*4.0b10 (maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony) and MrBayes 3.0 (Bayesian analysis). Nested clade analysis was performed using tcs 1.18 and GeoDis 2.2. A dispersal‐vicariant analysis was performed with diva 1.0 to generate hypotheses about the geographical distribution of ancestors.

Results  We found little genetic diversity within samples from Morocco, south‐western Europe and the Canary Islands, with three well‐differentiated clades. One is distributed in south‐western Iberia and the High Atlas, Anti‐Atlas and Massa River in Morocco. The second is restricted to the Medium Atlas Mountains. The third one is present in northern Morocco, north‐eastern Iberia, southern France and the Canaries. These three groups are also represented in the nested clade analysis. Sequences from Tunisian specimens are highly divergent from sequences of all other populations, suggesting that the split between the two lineages is ancient. diva analysis suggests that the ancestral distribution of the different lineages was restricted to Africa, and that an explanation of current distribution of the species requires three different dispersal events.

Main conclusions  Our results support the idea of a very recent colonization of south‐western Europe and the Canary Islands from Morocco. South‐western Europe has been colonized at least twice: once from northern Morocco probably to the Mediterranean coast of France and once from the western coast of Morocco to southern Iberia. Human transport is a likely explanation for at least one of these events. Within Morocco, the pattern of diversity is consistent with a model of mountain refugia during hyperarid periods within the Pleistocene. Evaluation of the phylogenetic relationships of Tunisian haplotypes will require an approach involving the other related hylid taxa in the area.
MreB is important for cell shape but not for chromosome segregation of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Hu Bin , Yang Guohua , Zhao Weixing , Zhang Yingjiao , Zhao Jindong
Published: March 2007

MreB is a bacterial actin that plays important roles in determination of cell shape and chromosome partitioning in Escherichia coli and Caulobacter crescentus. In this study, the mreB from the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 was inactivated. Although the mreB null mutant showed a drastic change in cell shape, its growth rate, cell division and the filament length were unaltered. Thus, MreB in Anabaena maintains cell shape but is not required for chromosome partitioning. The wild type and the mutant had eight and 10 copies of chromosomes per cell respectively. We demonstrated that DNA content in two daughter cells after cell division in both strains was not always identical. The ratios of DNA content in two daughter cells had a Gaussian distribution with a standard deviation much larger than a value expected if the DNA content in two daughter cells were identical, suggesting that chromosome partitioning is a random process. The multiple copies of chromosomes in cyanobacteria are likely required for chromosome random partitioning in cell division.
Bacillus subtilis strain deficient for the protein‐tyrosine kinase PtkA exhibits impaired DNA replication
Authors: Petranovic Dina , Michelsen Ole , Zahradka Ksenija , Silva Catarina , Petranovic Mirjana , Jensen Peter Ruhdal , Mijakovic Ivan
Published: March 2007

Bacillus subtilis has recently come into the focus of research on bacterial protein‐tyrosine phosphorylation, with several proteins kinases, phosphatases and their substrates identified in this Gram‐positive model organism. B. subtilis protein‐tyrosine phosphorylation system PtkA/PtpZ was previously shown to regulate the phosphorylation state of UDP‐glucose dehydrogenases and single‐stranded DNA‐binding proteins. This promiscuity towards substrates is reminiscent of eukaryal kinases and has prompted us to investigate possible physiological effects of ptkA and ptpZ gene inactivations in this study. We were unable to identify any striking phenotypes related to control of UDP‐glucose dehydrogenases, natural competence and DNA lesion repair; however, a very strong phenotype of ΔptkA emerged with respect to DNA replication and cell cycle control, as revealed by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. B. subtilis cells lacking the kinase PtkA accumulated extra chromosome equivalents, exhibited aberrant initiation mass for DNA replication and an unusually long D period.
Basal expression rate of comK sets a ‘switching‐window’ into the K‐state of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Leisner Madeleine , Stingl Kerstin , Rädler Joachim O. , Maier Berenike
Published: March 2007

Bacillus subtilis cell population divides into a competent fraction and a non‐competent fraction in the stationary phase. The transition from the non‐competent state (with basal ComK concentration) to the K‐state (with high ComK concentration) behaves like a bistable switch. To better understand the mechanism that sets the fraction of cells that switch into the K‐state (K‐fraction), we characterized the basal comK expression in individual non‐competent cells and found a large cell‐to‐cell variation. Basal expression rate increased exponentially, reached a maximum and decreased towards zero in the stationary phase. Concomitantly, the intrinsic switching rate increased and decreased with a time lag. When switching was induced prematurely by reduction of ComK proteolysis, the K‐fraction increased strongly. Our data support a model in which the average basal level of ComK raises during late exponential phase and due to noise in basal comK expression only those cells that are on the high end of comK expression trigger the autocatalytic feedback for ComK transcription. We show that a subsequent shut‐down of basal expression rate sets a ‘time‐window’ for switching and is thus involved in determining the K‐fraction in the bimodal population.
Channel mutations in Hsp104 hexamer distinctively affect thermotolerance and prion‐specific propagation
Authors: Kurahashi Hiroshi , Nakamura Yoshikazu
Published: March 2007

The yeast prion [PSI+] represents an aggregated state of the translation termination factor Sup35 resulting in the tendency of ribosomes to readthrough stop codons. In this study, we constructed an auxotrophic chromosomal marker, ura3‐197 (nonsense allele), applicable to selection for loss of [PSI+] to [psi–]. Unlike [psi–] yeast strains, [PSI+] yeast strains exhibit nonsense suppression of the ura3‐197 allele and are not viable in the presence of 5‐fluoroorotic acid (5‐FOA) that is converted to a toxic material by the readthrough product of Ura3. We selected 20 5‐FOA‐resistant, loss‐of‐[PSI+], mutants spontaneously or by transposon‐mediated mutagenesis from ura3‐197[PSI+] cells. All of the 20 [psi–] isolates were affected in Hsp104, a protein‐remodelling factor. Although most of them were disabled in a normal Hsp104 function for thermotolerance, three single mutants, L462R, P557L and D704N, remained thermotolerant. Importantly, L462R and D704N also eliminate other yeast prions [URE3] and [PIN+], while P557L does not, suggesting that Hsp104 harbours a unique activity to prion propagation independent of its function in thermotolerance. The mutations that are specific to prion propagation are clustered around the lateral channel of the Hsp104 hexamer, suggesting a crucial and specific role of this channel for prion propagation.
OmpC and the σE regulatory pathway are involved in adhesion and invasion of the Crohn's disease‐associated Escherichia coli strain LF82
Authors: Rolhion Nathalie , Carvalho Frédéric Antonio , Darfeuille‐Michaud Arlette
Published: March 2007

Ileal lesions of 36.4% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD), an inflammatory bowel disease in humans, are colonized by pathogenic adherent‐invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), and high levels of antibodies directed against E. coli OmpC are present in 37–55% of CD patients. We therefore investigated the expression of OmpC and its role in the interaction of CD‐associated adherent‐invasive E. coli strain LF82 with intestinal epithelial cells. High osmolarity induced a significant increase in the ability of LF82 bacteria to interact with Intestine‐407 cells, which correlates with increased OmpC expression. Deletion of ompC gene markedly decreased the adhesion and invasion levels of the corresponding mutant. A LF82‐ΔompR mutant impaired in OmpC and OmpF expression, showed decreased adhesion and invasion, and unlike a K‐12‐negative OmpR mutant did not express flagella and type 1 pili. Interestingly, the wild‐type phenotype was restored when OmpC or OmpF expression was induced in the LF82‐ΔompR mutant. Overexpression of RpoE in the LF82‐ΔompR isogenic mutant restored a full wild‐type phenotype without restoring OmpC expression. Increased expression of RpoE was observed in wild‐type strain LF82 at high osmolarity. Hence, the role of OmpC in the AIEC LF82 adhesion and invasion is indirect and involves the σE regulatory pathway.
Botryosphaeriaceae occurring on native Syzygium cordatum in South Africa and their potential threat to Eucalyptus
Authors: Pavlic D. , Slippers B. , Coutinho T. A. , Wingfield M. J.
Published: March 2007

Eight species of the Botryosphaeriaceae (canker and dieback pathogens) were identified on native Syzygium cordatum in South Africa, based on anamorph morphology, ITS rDNA sequence data and PCR‐RFLP analysis. The species identified were Neofusicoccum parvum, N. ribis, N. luteum, N. australe, N. mangiferae, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Lasiodiplodia gonubiensis and L. theobromae. Their pathogenicity on S. cordatum seedlings and a Eucalyptus grandis × camaldulensis clone was determined in glasshouse inoculation trials. Isolates of all identified species, except one of N. mangiferae, were more pathogenic on the Eucalyptus clone than on S. cordatum. Some of the species that cross‐infected these hosts, such as N. ribis, N. parvum and L. theobromae, were amongst the most pathogenic on the Eucalyptus clone, while B. dothidea and L. gonubiensis were the least pathogenic. Results of this study illustrate that species of the Botryosphaeriaceae from native hosts could pose a threat to introduced Eucalyptus spp., and vice versa.
Benign hypersensitivity reactions to smallpox vaccine
Authors: Bessinger G. Todd , Smith Sidney B. , Olivere Joseph W. , James Bruce L.
Published: March 2007

Background  With the reinstitution of smallpox vaccinations, physicians are seeing significant numbers of adverse events for the first time since the 1980s. The most common adverse events seen in our large military population are benign. We observed a clinically and histopathologically distinct reaction pattern that has not been fully characterized previously.

Methods  All smallpox‐vaccinated patients at Fort Hood, Texas with adverse cutaneous reactions were referred to the dermatology clinic at Darnall Army Community Hospital. Patients were evaluated by a staff dermatologist who performed a skin biopsy and took clinical photographs. If the patients had intact vesicles or pustules, direct fluorescent antibody testing, viral and bacterial cultures, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were also performed.

Results  Three hypersensitivity reaction patterns were seen: exanthematous, erythema multiforme‐like (EM‐like), and urticarial. The patterns had distinct clinical and histopathologic findings. Of the 11,058 vaccinees, six had the exanthematous reaction pattern, two had the urticarial reaction pattern, and one had the EM‐like pattern.

Conclusions  We describe a new exanthematous type of hypersensitivity reaction to the smallpox vaccine. Hypersensitivity reactions occur at a rate higher than previously reported. In a carefully screened military population, these three hypersensitivity reactions are much more common than life‐threatening or serious reactions. Although the reactions have distinct clinical and pathologic features, they are all characterized by mild or absent systemic symptoms and a benign outcome.
Malignant melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers in Northrhine‐Westphalia, Germany: a patient‐ vs. diagnosis‐based incidence approach
Authors: Stang Andreas , Ziegler Sebastian , Büchner Ute , Ziegler Barbara , Jöckel Karl‐Heinz , Ziegler Volker
Published: March 2007

Background  Dermatologists have repeatedly criticized that the public health importance of nonmelanoma skin cancers is not appropriately reflected by the patient‐based cancer incidence rates of population‐based cancer registries. The aims of this study were to estimate the patient incidence rates of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and skin melanoma, and to study the effect of multiple primary skin tumors on the incidence rates.

Methods  We used a network of physicians covering a population of about 75,000 individuals to register all newly diagnosed invasive skin cancers (996 diagnoses in 796 patients), including BCC, SCC, and skin melanoma, from July 1998 to June 2003. We calculated age‐standardized (world standard population) incidence rates (cases per 100,000 person‐years) for the first diagnoses (called “patient incidence”) and for any diagnoses of BCC, SCC, and skin melanoma (called “case incidence”).

Results  The patient incidence rates of BCC were 63.6 in men and 54.0 in women, and the case incidence rates of BCC were 82.7 and 71.1, respectively. The patient incidence rates of SCC were 17.4 in men and 9.7 in women, and the case incidence rates were 20.4 and 10.2, respectively. The patient and case incidence rates of skin melanoma were about the same at 13.6 in men and 18.5 in women. Twenty‐five per cent of the BCC patients and 14% of the SCC patients suffered from more than one BCC and SCC, respectively, during the 5‐year period.

Conclusions  Patient incidence rates of BCC and SCC substantially underestimate the burden of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the population.
A single educational intervention aiming to improve dermatology care in western Nepal
Authors: Hubbard V. G. , Neumann‐Basting U. , Vega‐Lopez F.
Published: March 2007

Background  There is limited dermatologic training available for healthcare workers in Nepal.

Methods  We visited a rural area of western Nepal to set up a pilot program of dermatologic teaching. This consisted of 2 days of interactive lectures, followed by 2 days of practical dermatology in the clinic.

Results  After the theoretical training, the overall accuracy of the diagnoses made by the attendees was high at 79%. All trainees felt that the program had been useful. The most common conditions seen were eczema and skin infection.

Conclusion  We aim to expand this dermatologic training program in western Nepal in the future.
Topical zinc oxide vs. salicylic acid–lactic acid combination in the treatment of warts
Authors: Khattar Joe A. , Musharrafieh Umayya M. , Tamim Hala , Hamadeh Ghassan N.
Published: March 2007

Background  Warts are a common dermatologic problem. Treatment is painful, prolonged, and can cause scarring.

Objective  To evaluate topical zinc oxide for the treatment of warts.

Methods  This was a randomized, double‐blind controlled trial of 44 patients. Twenty‐two patients were given topical zinc oxide 20% ointment, and the other 22 received salicylic acid 15% + lactic acid 15% ointment twice daily. All patients were followed up for 3 months or until cure, whichever occurred first. All patients were observed for side‐effects.

Results  Sixteen patients in the zinc group and 19 in the salicylic acid–lactic acid group completed the study. In the zinc oxide‐treated group, 50% of the patients showed complete cure and 18.7% failed to respond, compared with 42% and 26%, respectively, in the salicylic acid–lactic acid‐treated group. No patients developed serious side‐effects.

Conclusion  Topical zinc oxide is an efficacious, painless, and safe therapeutic option for wart treatment.
Revisiting Jablonski (1993): cladogenesis and range expansion explain latitudinal variation in taxonomic richness
Authors: MARTIN P. R. , BONIER F. , TEWKSBURY J. J.
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe increase in diversity towards the equator arises from latitudinal variation in rates of cladogenesis, extinction, immigration and/or emigration of taxa. We tested the relative contribution of all four processes to the latitudinal gradient in 26 marine invertebrate orders with extensive fossil records, examined previously by David Jablonski. Coupling Jablonski's estimates of latitudinal variation in cladogenesis with new data on patterns of extinction and current distributions, we show that the present‐day gradient in diversity is caused by higher rates of cladogenesis and subsequent range expansion (immigration) at lower latitudes. In contrast, extinction and emigration were not important in the creation of the latitudinal gradient in ordinal richness. This work represents one of the first simultaneous tests of the role of all four processes in the creation of the latitudinal gradient in taxonomic richness, and suggests that low tropical extinction rates are not essential to the creation of latitudinal diversity gradients.
Evolutionary specialization in mammalian cortical structure
Authors: BARTON R. A.
Published: March 2007

Changes in neocortex size were a prominent feature of mammalian brain evolution, but the implications for cortical structure, and consequently for the functional significance of such changes in overall cortical size, are poorly understood. A basic question is whether functionally differentiated cortical areas evolved independently of one another (adaptive specialization) or were allometrically constrained to co‐vary tightly with the size of the whole. Here, I provide comparative evidence for adaptive specialization of cortical structure. First, the sizes of individual areas differ significantly between taxa after controlling for overall cortical size. Second, an analysis of separate visual cortical areas reveals that these exhibit statistically correlated evolution, independent of variation in nonvisual areas. Third, visual cortex size exhibits correlated evolution with peripheral visual adaptations (eye morphology and optic nerve size) and with photic niche. Thus, the evolution of mammalian cortical structure was closely associated with specialization for different sensory niches.
Rapid diversification of male genitalia and mating strategies inOhomopterusground beetles
Authors: TAKAMI Y. , SOTA T.
Published: March 2007

We analysed evolutionary diversification and covariation in male genitalia and four mating traits related to sexual selection, i.e. testis size, spermatophore size, copulation duration and post‐copulatory guarding duration, inOhomopterusground beetles using phylogenetically independent contrasts. Male genital size and mating duration have evolved more rapidly than body size and the other traits studied. Male genital size was negatively correlated with copulation duration, suggesting that elongated male genitalia may enable decreased time investment in a single copulation because it is more effective at facilitating spermatophore deposition. Male genital size was positively correlated with spermatophore size, suggesting coevolution between offensive and defensive male mating tactics because the elongated male genitalia may be advantageous in displacement of rivals’ plug‐like spermatophores, and decreased mating duration may intensify sperm competition. Thus, the remarkable diversity of male genitalia inOhomopterusmay have been facilitated by the interplay between inter‐ and intrasexual selection processes.
Functional response ofPicromerus bidens: effects of host plant
Authors: Mahdian K. , Tirry L. , De Clercq P.
Published: March 2007

Abstract: The influence of three solanaceous plants (tomato, sweet pepper and eggplant) on the functional response of the predatory bugPicromerus bidensto densities of fourth‐instar larvae of the beet armywormSpodoptera exiguawas assessed. Logistic regression indicated a type II functional response on all host plants. Over all prey densities,P. bidenskilled significantly fewer fourth instars ofS. exiguaon tomato than on sweet pepper or eggplant (1.96 ± 0.17 vs. 4.37 ± 0.19 and 3.90 ± 0.15 larvae per predator per 24 h respectively). A higher theoretical maximum predation rate was estimated on sweet pepper (11.1 prey larvae per day) and eggplant (7.4) than on tomato (5.4). The mean number of prey killed per day byP. bidensfemales ranged from 0.78 at a density of one prey on tomato to 8.45 at a density of 24 prey on sweet pepper. The data indicated that the estimates of handling time (Th) and attack rate (a) were highly affected by host plant. Based on asymptotic 95% confidence intervals, a lower attack coefficient was found on tomato (0.02 h−1) than on sweet pepper or eggplant (0.07 and 0.11 h−1respectively). On the other hand, handling times were significantly longer on tomato (4.42 h) and eggplant (3.23 h) than on sweet pepper (2.15 h). This laboratory study suggests that plant characteristics influence the ability ofP. bidensto respond to changes in prey density.
Survival and development of Campoletis chlorideae on various insect and crop hosts: implications for Bt‐transgenic crops
Authors: Dhillon M. K. , Sharma H. C.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  The parasitic wasp, Campoletis chlorideae is an important larval parasitoid of Helicoverpa armigera a serious pest of cotton, grain legumes and cereals. Large‐scale deployment of Bt‐transgenic crops with resistance to H. armigera may have potential consequences for the development and survival of C. chlorideae. Therefore, we studied the tritrophic interactions of C. chlorideae involving eight insect host species and six host crops under laboratory conditions. The recovery of H. armigera larvae following release was greater on pigeonpea and chickpea when compared with cotton, groundnut and pearl millet. The parasitism by C. chlorideae females was least with reduction in cocoon formation and adult emergence on H. armigera larvae released on chickpea. Host insects also had significant effect on the development and survival of C. chlorideae. The larval period of C. chlorideae was prolonged by 2–3 days on Spodoptera exigua, Mythimna separata and Achaea janata when compared with H. armigera, Helicoverpa assulta and Spodoptera litura. Maximum cocoon formation and adult emergence were recorded on H. armigera (82.4% and 70.5%, respectively) than on other insect hosts. These studies have important implications on development and survival of C. chlorideae on alternate insect hosts on non‐transgenic crop plants, when there is paucity of H. armigera larvae on transgenic crops expressing Bt‐toxins.
Changes in activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase within cereal aphids in response to plant o‐dihydroxyphenols
Authors: Lukasik I.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was found in the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.). Among the aphid morphs studied, the highest activity of the antioxidant enzymes was noted for winged adults (alatae) and the lowest for wingless (apterae) ones. Higher activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase was observed in the polyphagous species R. padi that alternates between woody host plants and grasses. On some ocassions, activity of superoxide dismutase in cereal aphids was increased by twofold, when aphids were exposed to toxic plant o‐dihydroxyphenols. An opposite tendency was observed in case of activity of the catalase that was strongly reduced within body of phenolics‐treated insects. Among the plant allelochemicals studied, caffeic acid showed the strongest effect on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes of the cereal aphids. The experiments carried out indicate that antioxidant enzymes might play an important role in interactions between cereal aphids and their host plants.
A simple method for the detection of imaginal diapause in beetles
Authors: Doležal P. , Sehnal F.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Investigations on Ips typographus and Leptinotarsa decemlineata revealed that the activity of mitochondrial enzymes in the flight muscles provides a reliable criterion for the discrimination of diapausing and non‐diapausing adults. Enzyme activity is conveniently detected in situ with commercially available tetrazolium salts. Staining intensity is correlated with the flight ability and often also with reproduction.
Quantification of Monosporascuscannonballus Ascospores in Muskmelon Fields in Eastern Spain
Authors: Beltrán R. , Vicent A. , Garcia‐Jiménez J. , Armengol J.
Published: March 2007

The populations of Monosporascuscannonballus ascospores in the soils of 14 muskmelon fields throughout muskmelon production areas of Comunidad Valenciana (eastern Spain) were quantified from 2002 to 2003. The fields were surveyed in July, at the end of the cropping season, when plants approached maturity and symptoms of vine decline in the canopy appeared as patches of wilted or dead plants. Ascospores were recovered from all muskmelon fields surveyed. The average soil populations ranged from 1.54 to 6.33 per g of soil and the number of ascospores within a soil sample ranged from 0.50 to 16.20 ascospores/g of soil. This is the first detailed report on ascospore populations of M. cannonballus in muskmelon fields from a cucurbit‐growing area in Spain and the Mediterranean basin.
Characterization of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Isolates from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Damasceno e Silva K. J. , De Souza E. A. , Ishikawa F. H.
Published: March 2007

Anthracnose disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is responsible for extensive yield losses worldwide. This pathogen is known to vary greatly in its pathogenicity. Control strategies include chemical control and, mainly, the development of resistant cultivars, taking into account the population structure of C. lindemuthianum. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenic and genetic diversity and population structure among C. lindemuthianum isolates collected in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. When these isolates were inoculated on 12 differential cultivars, a total of 10 races were identified within a series of 48 isolates collected in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Races 65, 81 and 73 were the most frequent races and occurred in most of the regions. This study also detected race 337, which had not been reported previously in the literature. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis performed on the same 48 isolates revealed great genetic diversity, clustering the series into five groups at a maximum similarity value of 89.6%. There was no clear relationship between the loci sampled by RAPD markers and the pathogenic characterization. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 96.06% of the variability was contained within regions and 3.94% among regions, indicating a high exchange of genetic material among the regions of the State. Most of the variability was detected within races (75.24%). The pathogenicity and RAPD assays corroborated the broad genetic diversity of the pathogen and the results have been useful in breeding for resistance to anthracnose.
Application of the occupational adaptation framework in child and adolescent occupational therapy practice. A case study
Authors: Bouteloup Zoe , Beltran Ruth
Published: March 2007

Background: The occupational adaptation frame of reference asserts that a person's occupational functioning may be improved through positive changes in his/her adaptive processes. This framework's authors advocate that occupational adaptation theory can be applied to practice with clients of all ages (Schultz & Schkade, 1992). Published literature to date has been focused on the application of this framework with adults and adolescents.

Method: This paper reviews the major theoretical constructs and guide to practice of occupational adaptation theory whilst interweaving descriptions of its application to a paediatric case study conducted within a child and adolescent mental health unit.

Conclusion: While it was shown through the case study that the occupational adaptation frame of reference can guide occupational therapy practice with a child nearing adolescence critical reflections about the experience suggest some challenges for the practitioner and students.
Day‐case surgery patients' health‐related quality of life
Authors: Suhonen Riitta A , Iivonen Mauri K , Välimäki Maritta A
Published: March 2007

This study describes the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of day‐surgery patients and aims to identify factors associated with HRQoL. The cross‐sectional questionnaire survey data were collected from day‐surgery patients being discharged from hospitals in one Finnish hospital district in 2001 using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). The analysis was based on statistical methods. Day‐case surgical patients had the best HRQoL in the social dimension and mobility. The NHP scores showed moderate distress in sleep and energy, and demonstrated pain. Older age and vocational education were associated with higher scores as measured with the NHP, indicating more problems in the measured variables. The patients who have been operated as day cases recovered satisfactorily and the operation did not weaken their perceived HRQoL. More emphasis should be put on evaluating day‐case surgery patients' pain. Patient's age should be taken into account in planning type of surgery. The NHP is also a useful tool for the purposes of studying the HRQoL of day‐case surgery patients.
Changes in the stand structure (1975–2000) of coastal Banksia forest in the long absence of fire
Authors: GENT MARTY L. , MORGAN JOHN W.
Published: March 2007

Abstract  Revisitation studies enable long‐term changes in vegetation to be deciphered and insights into plant community succession to be gained. This is particularly important when assessing the effects of fire exclusion in ecosystems where fire is thought to have once been common. Using two adjacent coastal Banksia integrifolia forest stands in southern Victoria, Australia initially surveyed in 1975 by Hazard and Parsons, we document the changes that occurred in the stand structure between 1975 and 2000. Western Park (WP) has now remained unburnt for over 100 years while Cerberus Naval Base (CNB) was most recently burnt in 1942. Banksia integrifolia densities have decreased at both sites over the 25‐years period by an average of 42–77%, as have other coastal native shrubs (e.g. Leptospermum laevigatum, Leucopogon parviflorus). Trees at WP appear to have died due to old age while mortality at CNB is presumed to be due to stand thinning in response to intense competition for light. Successful recruitment by Banksia has been minimal; trees less than 9 cm girth over bark at breast height (GBBH) were absent at CNB while no trees <19 cm GBBH were observed at WP. The long‐term absence of disturbance such as fire is suspected to be one of the causes of regeneration failure of the stand at WP. Gap phase regeneration is not apparent in B. integrifolia and hence, long‐term succession to a more grassy community is likely when fire is excluded for long periods.
Spatial variation in abundance of the junin virus hosts in endemic and nonendemic Argentine haemorrhagic fever zones
Authors: POLOP JAIME , CALDERÓN GLADYS , FEUILLADE MARÍA ROSA , GARCÍA JORGE , ENRIA DELIA , SABATTINI MARTA
Published: March 2007

Abstract Argentine haemorrhagic fever (AHF) is caused by Junin (JUN) virus, which is hosted by the drylands vesper mouse (Calomys musculinus). In this work we monitored population abundance ofC. musculinusand rodent assemblages for 3 years in and outside the AHF endemic zones (northern Buenos Aires, southern Córdoba and Santa Fe Provinces, Argentina). The study area was divided into endemic and nonendemic zones. In the endemic zone epidemic sites were recognized, characterized by recent emergence and maintenance of AHF cases, and also historical sites, characterized by decreased incidence or disappearance of AHF human cases. In the nonendemic zone AHF has never been recognized. Although differences were statistically significant only during some periods, population abundance ofC. musculinuswas usually lower in the nonendemic sites. The pattern and magnitude of seasonal fluctuations inC. musculinuspopulations were also distinct in the nonendemic sites as compared to endemic sites. The relative abundance ofC. musculinusin rodent assemblage was lower in nonendemic sites than in the endemic sites. The lower population densities and dampened seasonal dynamics may be at least partly responsible for the absence of AHF cases in the nonendemic zone. It is suggested that the balance between intra and interspecific interactions might be the cause of the pattern of incidence and prevalence of pathogens in the host species.