bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic engineering of carotenoid levels for improvement of plants as food.
Authors: Diretto G. , Fiore A. , Giuliano G.
Published: September 2007

Carotenoids are ubiquitous isoprenoid pigments that are synthesized by archaea, bacteria, fungi, algae and higher plants: in these organisms, they have fundamental ecological, biochemical and physiological functions. Carotenoids also play a crucial role in human health by improving normal vision and by preventing degenerative diseases and cancer. Mammals do not produce carotenoids and therefore need to assume them through the diet. Most major crops (including rice, wheat and potato) contain little α- and β-carotene, which are the main carotenoids with provitamin A activity. For this reason, during the last 10 years, increasing carotenoid (especially β-carotene) levels in major crops through genetic transformation has been one of the main goals of plant metabolic engineering. This review will focus on past and recent advances in this field, with particular attention to the modification of carotenoid biosynthesis in rice, tomato and potato. 'Golden Rice' is probably the most widely known result of metabolic engineering; in tomato, expression of carotenoid genes, both of bacterial and plant origin, resulted in an increase of β-carotene and/or total xanthophylls in transgenic fruits. In the past 3 years several metabolic engineering efforts have also focused on potato, resulting in the obtainment of 'golden tubers', with the highest β-carotene content reported for the four major crops.
Using genetics to improve stress resistance through altering root architecture.
Authors: Pićo B. , Fita A. , Nuez F.
Published: September 2007

Root architecture is a key feature of roots that contributes to improving plant performance under stress. Identifying relevant root traits and defining their role in resistance to the different stresses is not an easy task. In this review, we describe the difficulties associated with the study of roots, which are mainly derived from their underground nature and high phenotypic plasticity. The evolution of the methods used for root analysis is reviewed with special attention to those that allow an accurate monitoring of the growth of whole root systems in space and time. The role of root modelling in assisting the study of root morphology and function is highlighted. Understanding the genetics of root formation is essential to exploiting root architecture in breeding programmes. Here, we summarize the information about natural and artificial variations in root architecture reported to date in the model species
Arabidopsis thaliana
and in economically relevant species: mostly cereals and legumes. In addition to the classical genetics studies, we report how new biotechnologies are contributing to increasing our understanding of root genetics. We discuss progress made using mutant screening and other genomic tools towards identifying genes involved in root development. In addition, progress made with the identification of quantitative trait loci responsible for natural variation in root architectural traits is summarized here; with an emphasis on their use in marker-assisted programmes aimed at producing cultivars with altered root architecture and increased resistance to stress.
Jidong Liu: Probing P-bodies for the secrets of silencing
Authors: Williams Ruth
Published: September 2007

Jidong Liu tackles the many unanswered questions of RNAi.
SAG/ROC2 E3 ligase regulates skin carcinogenesis by stage-dependent targeting of c-Jun/AP1 and IκB-α/NF-κB
Authors: Gu Qingyang , Bowden G. Tim , Normolle Daniel , Sun Yi
Published: September 2007

Sensitive to apoptosis gene (SAG)/regulator of cullins-2–Skp1-cullin–F-box protein (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase regulates cellular functions through ubiquitination and degradation of protein substrates. We report that, when expressed in mouse epidermis driven by the K14 promoter, SAG inhibited TPA-induced c-Jun levels and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activity in both in vitro primary culture, in vivo transgenic mice, and an AP-1– luciferase reporter mouse model. After AP-1 inactivation, epidermal proliferation induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate at the early stage of carcinogenesis was substantially inhibited. Later stage tumor formation was also substantially inhibited with prolonged latency and reduced frequency of tumor formation. Interestingly, SAG expression increased tumor size, not because of accelerated proliferation, but caused by reduced apoptosis resulting, at least in part, from nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation. Thus, SAG, in a manner depending on the availability of F-box proteins, demonstrated early-stage suppression of tumor formation by promoting c-Jun degradation, thereby inhibiting AP-1, and later-stage enhancement of tumor growth, by promoting inhibitor of κBα degradation to activate NF-κB and inhibit apoptosis.
A novel role for IGF-1R in p53-mediated apoptosis through translational modulation of the p53-Mdm2 feedback loop
Authors: Xiong Lei , Kou Fei , Yang Ying , Wu Jiarui
Published: September 2007

Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) is important in cancer cell growth and survival and has been implicated in cancer pathophysiology and treatment. Here we report a novel function for IGF-1R in p53-dependent apoptotic response. We show that inhibition or loss of IGF-1R activity reduces translational synthesis of p53 and Mdm2 protein. Notably, IGF-1R inhibition increases p53 protein stability by reducing p53 ubiquitination and maintains p53 at low levels by decreasing p53 synthesis, thus rendering p53 insensitive to stabilization after DNA damage. The accumulation and apoptosis of DNA-damage–induced p53 is therefore reduced in Igf-1r−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts or tumor cells treated with the IGF-1R inhibitor. Furthermore, we find that inhibition of IGF-1R reduces p53 and Mdm2 translation through a gene-specific mechanism mediated by the respective 5′ untranslated region of p53 and mdm2 messenger RNA. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F complex is also involved in this translational inhibition. These results demonstrate an unexpected role for translational control by IGF-1R in p53-mediated apoptosis.
The N-Terminal Transactivation Domain Confers Target Gene Specificity of Hypoxia-inducible Factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α
Authors: Hu Cheng-Jun , Sataur Aneesa , Wang Liyi , Chen Hongqing , Simon M. Celeste
Published: September 2007

The basic helix-loop-helix-Per-ARNT-Sim–proteins hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2α are the principal regulators of the hypoxic transcriptional response. Although highly related, they can activate distinct target genes. In this study, the protein domain and molecular mechanism important for HIF target gene specificity are determined. We demonstrate that although HIF-2α is unable to activate multiple endogenous HIF-1α–specific target genes (e.g., glycolytic enzymes), HIF-2α still binds to their promoters in vivo and activates reporter genes derived from such targets. In addition, comparative analysis of the N-terminal DNA binding and dimerization domains of HIF-1α and HIF-2α does not reveal any significant differences between the two proteins. Importantly, replacement of the N-terminal transactivation domain (N-TAD) (but not the DNA binding domain, dimerization domain, or C-terminal transactivation domain [C-TAD]) of HIF-2α with the analogous region of HIF-1α is sufficient to convert HIF-2α into a protein with HIF-1α functional specificity. Nevertheless, both the N-TAD and C-TAD are important for optimal HIF transcriptional activity. Additional experiments indicate that the ETS transcription factor ELK is required for HIF-2α to activate specific target genes such as Cited-2, EPO, and PAI-1. These results demonstrate that the HIF-α TADs, particularly the N-TADs, confer HIF target gene specificity, by interacting with additional transcriptional cofactors.
Desmoglein-2: A Novel Regulator of Apoptosis in the Intestinal Epithelium
Authors: Nava Porfirio , Laukoetter Mike G. , Hopkins Ann M. , Laur Oskar , Gerner-Smidt Kirsten , Green Kathleen J. , Parkos Charles A. , Nusrat Asma
Published: September 2007

Intestinal epithelial intercellular junctions regulate barrier properties, and they have been linked to epithelial differentiation and programmed cell death (apoptosis). However, mechanisms regulating these processes are poorly defined. Desmosomes are critical elements of intercellular junctions; they are punctate structures made up of transmembrane desmosomal cadherins termed desmoglein-2 (Dsg2) and desmocollin-2 (Dsc2) that affiliate with the underlying intermediate filaments via linker proteins to provide mechanical strength to epithelia. In the present study, we generated an antibody, AH12.2, that recognizes Dsg2. We show that Dsg2 but not another desmosomal cadherin, Dsc2, is cleaved by cysteine proteases during the onset of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis. Small interfering RNA-mediated down-regulation of Dsg2 protected epithelial cells from apoptosis. Moreover, we report that a C-terminal fragment of Dsg2 regulates apoptosis and Dsg2 protein levels. Our studies highlight a novel mechanism by which Dsg2 regulates IEC apoptosis driven by cysteine proteases during physiological differentiation and inflammation.
Pho91 Is a Vacuolar Phosphate Transporter That Regulates Phosphate and Polyphosphate Metabolism inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hürlimann Hans Caspar , Stadler-Waibel Martha , Werner Thomas P. , Freimoser Florian M.
Published: September 2007

Inorganic polyphosphate (poly P) is a biopolymer that occurs in all organisms and cells and in many cellular compartments. It is involved in numerous biological phenomena and functions in cellular processes in all organisms. However, even the most fundamental aspects of poly P metabolism are largely unknown. In yeast, large amounts of poly P accumulate in the vacuole during growth. It is neither known how this poly P pool is synthesized nor how it is remobilized from the vacuole to replenish the cytosolic phosphate pool. Here, we report a systematic analysis of the yeast phosphate transporters and their function in poly P metabolism. By using poly P content as a read-out, it was possible to define novel functions of the five phosphate transporters: Pho84, Pho87, Pho89, Pho90, and Pho91, in budding yeast. Most notably, it was found that the low-affinity transporter Pho91 limits poly P accumulation in a strain lacking PHO85. This phenotype was not caused by a regulatory effect on the PHO pathway, but can be attributed to the unexpected localization of Pho91 in the vacuolar membrane. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that Pho91 serves as a vacuolar phosphate transporter that exports phosphate from the vacuolar lumen to the cytosol.
A syntactic model to design and verify synthetic genetic constructs derived from standard biological parts
Authors: Cai Yizhi , Hartnett Brian , Gustafsson Claes , Peccoud Jean
Published: September 2007

Motivation: The sequence of artificial genetic constructs is composed of multiple functional fragments, or genetic parts, involved in different molecular steps of gene expression mechanisms. Biologists have deciphered structural rules that the design of genetic constructs needs to follow in order to ensure a successful completion of the gene expression process, but these rules have not been formalized, making it challenging for non-specialists to benefit from the recent progress in gene synthesis.

Results: We show that context-free grammars (CFG) can formalize these design principles. This approach provides a path to organizing libraries of genetic parts according to their biological functions, which correspond to the syntactic categories of the CFG. It also provides a framework for the systematic design of new genetic constructs consistent with the design principles expressed in the CFG. Using parsing algorithms, this syntactic model enables the verification of existing constructs. We illustrate these possibilities by describing a CFG that generates the most common architectures of genetic constructs in Escherichia coli.

Availability: A web site allows readers to experiment with the algorithms presented in this article: www.genocad.org

Contact:  peccoud@vt.edu

Supplementary information: Sequences and models are available at Bioinformatics online.
Genetic analysis of a wild-caught hybrid between non-sisterHeliconiusbutterfly species
Authors: Dasmahapatra Kanchon K , Silva-Vásquez Armando , Chung Jae-Woo , Mallet James
Published: September 2007

Interspecific hybridization occurs regularly in wildHeliconiusbutterflies, although hybrid individuals are usually very rare. However, hybridization generally occurs only between the most closely related species. We report a rare naturally occurring hybrid between non-sister species and carry out the first genetic analysis of such distant hybridization. Mitochondrial and nuclear genes indicate that the specimen is an F1hybrid between a femaleHeliconius ethillaand a maleHeliconius melpomene, originating from a group of 13 species estimated to have diverged over 2.5 Myr ago. The presence of such distant natural hybrids, together with evidence for backcrossing, suggests that gene flow across species boundaries can take place long after speciation. Adaptive genes such as those involved in wing coloration could thus be widely shared among members of this highly mimetic genus.
The chemical response of main-group extended solids to formal mixed valency: the case of Li

x

BC
Authors: Fogg A.M , Darling G.R , Claridge J.B , Meldrum J , Rosseinsky M.J
Published: September 2007

The introduction of mixed valency into extended main-group solids is discussed using the example of hole-doped LiBC, where a combination of experimental measurements and density functional theory calculations is used to understand the observed electronic properties in terms of deviation from the expected rigid-band electronic structure behaviour.
The crucial role of mixed valence in the magnetoresistance properties of manganites and cobaltites
Authors: Raveau B
Published: September 2007

The mixed valence Mn
3+
/Mn
4+
and Co
3+
/Co
4+
in manganites and cobaltites with the perovskite structure is absolutely necessary for the appearance of magnetotransport properties. It is shown that in these systems the Jahn Teller effect of the transition element, the charge and orbital ordering and the oxygen stoichiometry play a key role in the appearance of large and even colossal magnetoresistance. It has been discovered that these oxides exhibit a new phenomenon, the crystallographic and electronic phase separation. It is this phenomenon that is at the origin of the competition between ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism or spin glass behaviour and which leads to the negative magnetoresistance (MR). The doping of these materials at different sites appears then to be a means of inducing large MR effects.
The processing of audio-visual speech: empirical and neural bases
Authors: Campbell Ruth
Published: September 2007

In this selective review, I outline a number of ways in which seeing the talker affects auditory perception of speech, including, but not confined to, the McGurk effect. To date, studies suggest that all linguistic levels are susceptible to visual influence, and that two main modes of processing can be described: acomplementarymode, whereby vision provides information more efficiently than hearing for some under-specified parts of the speech stream, and acorrelatedmode, whereby vision partially duplicates information about dynamic articulatory patterning.

Cortical correlates of seen speech suggest that at the neurological as well as the perceptual level, auditory processing of speech is affected by vision, so that ‘auditory speech regions’ are activated by seen speech. The processing of natural speech, whether it is heard, seen or heard and seen, activates the perisylvian language regions (left>right). It is highly probable that activation occurs in a specific order. First, superior temporal, then inferior parietal and finally inferior frontal regions (left>right) are activated. There is some differentiation of the visual input stream to the core perisylvian language system, suggesting that complementary seen speech information makes special use of the visual ventral processing stream, while for correlated visual speech, the dorsal processing stream, which is sensitive to visual movement, may be relatively more involved.
Functional imaging of the auditory processing applied to speech sounds
Authors: Patterson Roy D , Johnsrude Ingrid S
Published: September 2007

In this paper, we describe domain-general auditory processes that we believe are prerequisite to the linguistic analysis of speech. We discuss biological evidence for these processes and how they might relate to processes that are specific to human speech and language. We begin with a brief review of (i) the anatomy of the auditory system and (ii) the essential properties of speech sounds. Section 4 describes the general auditory mechanisms that we believe are applied to all communication sounds, and how functional neuroimaging is being used to map the brain networks associated with domain-general auditory processing. Section 5 discusses recent neuroimaging studies that explore where such general processes give way to those that are specific to human speech and language.
Predictors of Increased Body Mass Index in Chinese Children
Authors: Chen Jyu‐Lin , Wall Denise , Kennedy Christine , Unnithan Viswanath , Yeh Chao‐Hsing
Published: September 2007

A longitudinal study design was used to examine factors related to change of body mass index (BMI) over a 1‐year period in 307 Chinese children, aged 7 and 8 years, in Taiwan. Standardized instruments were used to measure the children's food intake, physical activity/inactivity, and physical fitness, as well as maternal BMI. Results suggested that a high baseline BMI, poor aerobic capacity, and a high maternal BMI were significantly correlated with increased BMI at 12 months' follow‐up. A higher baseline BMI, an overweight mother, increased television viewing and computer time, and poorer aerobic capacity were identified as predictors for weight gain in children (F=207.67; P<.001; adjusted R2=0.752). These findings suggest that health care providers need to include the family in children's health care visits and incorporate an assessment of maternal weight status and children's BMI status, activity levels, and aerobic capacity into patient care and education.
Taking the Pressure off Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Implementing Hypertension Guidelines
Authors: Grubbs Rebecca S. , Sica Domenic A.
Published: September 2007

Successful treatment of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus increases life expectancy and reduces the risk of many of the complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke, and retinopathy. Controlling blood pressure also protects against advancing renal disease, with several recent studies having clearly shown the advantage of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in slowing the progression of renal disease. Here, the authors review current guidelines for the management of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and explore ways in which nurse practitioners can improve care for these patients.
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF EXCELLENCE IN HEART FAILURE NURSING
Authors: Trupp Robin J.
Published: September 2007

This column contains the presidential address presented during the Third Annual Meeting of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses on June 28, 2007, in San Diego, California, titled “Building the Foundation of Excellence in Heart Failure Nursing.”
Alcohol consumption and cardiovascular mortality accounting for possible misclassification of intake: 11‐year follow‐up of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Authors: Harriss Linton R. , English Dallas R. , Hopper John L. , Powles John , Simpson Julie A. , O'Dea Kerin , Giles Graham G. , Tonkin Andrew M.
Published: September 2007

Aims  To investigate the relationship between usual daily alcohol intake, beverage type and drinking frequency on cardiovascular (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality, accounting for systematic misclassification of intake.

Design  Prospective cohort study with mean follow‐up of 11.4 years.

Setting  The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, Australia.

Participants  A total of 38 200 volunteers (23 044 women) aged 40–69 years at baseline (1990–1994).

Measurements  Self‐reported alcohol intake using beverage‐specific quantity–frequency questions (usual intake) and drinking diary for previous week.

Findings  Compared with life‐time abstention, usual daily alcohol intake was associated with lower CVD and CHD mortality risk for women but not men. For women, the hazard ratio [HR (95% CI)] for CVD for those drinking > 20 g/day alcohol was 0.43 (0.19–0.95; P trend = 0.18), and for CHD, 0.19 (0.05–0.82; P trend = 0.24). Male former drinkers had over twice the mortality risk for CVD [HR = 2.58 (1.51–4.41)] and CHD [HR = 2.91 (1.59–5.33)]. Wine was the only beverage associated inversely with mortality for women. Compared with drinkers who consumed no alcohol in the week before baseline, drinking frequency was associated inversely with CVD and CHD mortality risk for men but not women. HR for men drinking 6–7 days/week was 0.49 (0.29–0.81; P trend = 0.02) for CVD, and 0.49 (0.26–0.92: P trend = 0.23) for CHD.

Conclusions  Usual daily alcohol intake was associated with reduced CVD and CHD mortality for women but not men. This benefit appeared to be mainly from wine, although comparison of beverages was not possible. Drinking frequency was associated inversely with CVD and CHD death for men but not women.
Randomized sanctions to reduce re‐offense among repeat impaired‐driving offenders
Authors: Lapham Sandra C. , C'de Baca Janet , Lapidus Jodi , McMillan Garnett P.
Published: September 2007

Aims  This study, conducted within a driving under the influence (DUI) court intervention, evaluated the degree to which removing electronic monitoring (EM) and/or mandatory vehicle sales requirements increased rates of post‐sentence traffic violations among repeat DUI offenders.

Design  Randomized trial.

Setting and participants  A total of 477 repeat DUI offenders entering the Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) Intensive Supervision Program (DISP), Multnomah County, Oregon.

Intervention  Subjects were randomized into four intervention groups. Group 1: standard DISP with EM and vehicle sales requirements; group 2: standard DISP with mandatory vehicle sale, but without EM; group 3: standard DISP with EM, but without mandatory vehicle sale; and group 4: standard DISP without EM or mandated vehicle sale. Standard DISP includes treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence, polygraph testing, regular court appearances, and probation or court‐based monitoring.

Measurements  The risk of re‐arrest for traffic violations was compared among the four groups using hazard ratio estimates from complementary log–log regression models.

Findings  Compared with group 1, subjects in group 2 initially had increased re‐arrest risks, but this effect dissipated within 3 years of entering DISP. Group 3 subjects had a 96% increase in re‐arrest rates. Group 4 subjects had smaller increased risks than predicted, with re‐arrest rates similar to those of group 1 at the end of the follow‐up period.

Conclusions  Although some of the findings suggest that mandatory vehicle sales may deter future traffic violations, inconsistent results across groups make this finding equivocal. Positive effects of EM, while large in the short term, appear to have a relatively small long‐term value in reducing traffic arrest rates.
Poisoning for production: how effective is fox baiting in south‐eastern Australia?
Authors: GENTLE MATTHEW N. , SAUNDERS GLEN R. , DICKMAN CHRIS R.
Published: September 2007

The European red fox Vulpes vulpes represents a continuing threat to both livestock and native vertebrates in Australia, and is commonly managed by setting ground‐level baits impregnated with 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison. However, the long‐term effectiveness of such control campaigns is likely to be limited due to the ability of foxes to disperse over considerable distances and to swiftly recolonize areas from where they had been removed.

To investigate the effectiveness of fox baiting in a production landscape, we assessed the potential for foxes to reinvade baited farm property areas within the jurisdiction of the Molong Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB), an area of 815 000 ha on the central tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. The spatial distribution and timing of fox baiting campaigns between 1998 and 2002 was estimated from RLPB records and mapped using Geographical Information System software. The effectiveness of the control campaign was assessed on the basis of the likely immigration of foxes from non‐baited farms using immigration distances calculated from published relationships between dispersal distance and home range size.

Few landholders undertook baiting campaigns in any given year, and the area baited was always so small that no baited property would have been sufficiently far from an unbaited property to have been immune from immigrating individuals. It is likely, therefore, that immigration onto farms negated any long‐term effects of baiting operations. This study highlights some of the key deficiencies in current baiting practices in south‐eastern Australia and suggests that pest management programmes should be monitored using such methods to ensure they achieve their goals.
Non‐target impacts of poison baiting for predator control in Australia
Authors: GLEN A. S. , GENTLE M. N. , DICKMAN C. R.
Published: September 2007

Mammalian predators are controlled by poison baiting in many parts of the world, often to alleviate their impacts on agriculture or the environment. Although predator control can have substantial benefits, the poisons used may also be potentially harmful to other wildlife.

Impacts on non‐target species must be minimized, but can be difficult to predict or quantify. Species and individuals vary in their sensitivity to toxins and their propensity to consume poison baits, while populations vary in their resilience. Wildlife populations can accrue benefits from predator control, which outweigh the occasional deaths of non‐target animals. We review recent advances in Australia, providing a framework for assessing non‐target effects of poisoning operations and for developing techniques to minimize such effects. We also emphasize that weak or circumstantial evidence of non‐target effects can be misleading.

Weak evidence that poison baiting presents a potential risk to non‐target species comes from measuring the sensitivity of species to the toxin in the laboratory. More convincing evidence may be obtained by quantifying susceptibility in the field. This requires detailed information on the propensity of animals to locate and consume poison baits, as well as the likelihood of mortality if baits are consumed. Still stronger evidence may be obtained if predator baiting causes non‐target mortality in the field (with toxin detected by post‐mortem examination). Conclusive proof of a negative impact on populations of non‐target species can be obtained only if any observed non‐target mortality is followed by sustained reductions in population density.

Such proof is difficult to obtain and the possibility of a population‐level impact cannot be reliably confirmed or dismissed without rigorous trials. In the absence of conclusive evidence, wildlife managers should adopt a precautionary approach which seeks to minimize potential risk to non‐target individuals, while clarifying population‐level effects through continued research.
Estimating abundance of introduced Chinese muntjacMuntiacus reevesiand native roe deerCapreolus capreolususing portable thermal imaging equipment
Authors: HEMAMI MAHMOUD R. , WATKINSON ANDREW R. , GILL ROBIN M. A. , DOLMAN PAUL M.
Published: September 2007

Managing the conservation impacts of deer requires knowledge of their numbers. However, estimating densities in forested areas is problematic, with pellet‐group‐based methods subject to error and uncertainty in estimating defecation and decay rates in addition to sampling variance. Use of thermal imaging equipment allows direct census by distance sampling.

Densities of introduced Chinese muntjacMuntiacus reevesiand native roe deerCapreolus capreoluswere estimated in 12.8 km2of conifer forest in eastern England by thermal imaging distance transects. Estimated density of introduced muntjac (±95% confidence intervals [CI]: 20 ± 8 km−2) exceeded that of native roe deer (16 ± 6 km−2); 95% CI ofc. 40% were achieved in 10 days of fieldwork.

Density estimates were not sensitive to the number of width bands applied during analysis. Detectability functions differed, with narrower effective strip widths (ESW) for muntjac (74 m) than roe deer (123 m). Thus, it is important to discriminate between species when censusing mixed assemblages. Detectability and ESW also differed among plantation growth stages. Stratification by habitat may therefore improve accuracy of density estimates but would require additional survey effort.
An inclusive fitness analysis of altruism on a cyclical network
Authors: GRAFEN A.
Published: September 2007

A recent model studies the evolution of cooperation on a network, and concludes with a result connecting the benefits and costs of interactions and the number of neighbours. Here, an inclusive fitness analysis is conducted of the only case solved analytically, of a cycle, and the identical result is obtained. This brings the result within a biologically familiar framework. It is notable that the benefits and costs in the inclusive fitness framework need to be derived, and are not the benefits and costs that are the parameters in the original model. The relatedness is a quadratic function of position in a cycle of size N: an individual is related by 1 to itself, by (N − 5)/(N + 1) to an immediate neighbour, and by very close to −1/2 to the most distant individuals. The inclusive fitness analysis explains hitherto puzzling features of the results.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation of microsatellite loci from the kelp, Saccorhiza polyschides (Heterokontophyta, incertae sedis)
Authors: ENGEL C. R. , GUILLEMIN M.‐L. , JACOB A.‐M. , VALERO M. , VIARD F.
Published: September 2007

Kelps are ecologically important seaweeds that dominate the subtidal zones of rocky coasts. In Northern Europe, Saccorhiza polyschides is a pioneer species suspected of outcompeting the harvested kelp, Laminaria digitata. To examine how the process of species competition affects species distribution and genetic diversity in coastal environments, we developed 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers for S. polyschides using an enriched library (microsatellites are already available for L. digitata). These loci showed from three to 24 alleles with heterozygosities ranging from 0.36 to 0.92. This polymorphism is high enough for fine‐scale population analyses including assignment tests to determine the origin of recruits.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation and characterization of 12 microsatellite markers in the middle‐spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius)
Authors: VILA M. , ROBLES H. , CIUDAD C. , OLEA P. P. , BAGLIONE V.
Published: September 2007

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for Dendrocopos medius. Polymorphism was assessed for 27 individuals from the southwesternmost population of this woodpecker species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to seven, with observed heterozygosity values from 0.444 to 0.852. Genotypic frequencies conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and no evidence for linkage disequilibrium was observed. Multilocus genotypes resulting from this set of markers will be useful to determine genetic diversity and differentiation within and among habitat patches inhabited by D. medius. Three of the loci were polymorphic for Picoides articus.
Evaluation of Three Algorithms to Identify Incident Breast Cancer in Medicare Claims Data
Authors: Gold Heather T. , Do Huong T.
Published: September 2007

Objective. To test the validity of three published algorithms designed to identify incident breast cancer cases using recent inpatient, outpatient, and physician insurance claims data.

Data. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry data linked with Medicare physician, hospital, and outpatient claims data for breast cancer cases diagnosed from 1995 to 1998 and a 5 percent control sample of Medicare beneficiaries in SEER areas.

Study Design. We evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of three algorithms applied to new data compared with original reported results. Algorithms use health insurance diagnosis and procedure claims codes to classify breast cancer cases, with SEER as the reference standard. We compare algorithms by age, stage, race, and SEER region, and explore via logistic regression whether adding demographic variables improves algorithm performance.

Principal Findings. The sensitivity of two of three algorithms is significantly lower when applied to newer data, compared with sensitivity calculated during algorithm development (59 and 77.4 percent versus 90 and 80.2 percent, p<.00001). Sensitivity decreases as age increases, and false negative rates are higher for cases with in situ, metastatic, and unknown stage disease compared with localized or regional breast cancer. Substantial variation also exists by SEER registry. There was potential for improvement in algorithm performance when adding age, region, and race to an indicator variable for whether the algorithm determined a subject to be a breast cancer case (p<.00001).

Conclusions. Differential sensitivity of the algorithms by SEER region and age likely reflects variation in practice patterns, because the algorithms rely on administrative procedure codes. Depending on the algorithm, 3–5 percent of subjects overall are misclassified in 1998. Misclassification disproportionately affects older women and those diagnosed with in situ, metastatic, or unknown‐stage disease. Algorithms should be applied cautiously to insurance claims databases to assess health care utilization outside SEER‐Medicare populations because of uneven misclassification of subgroups that may be understudied already.
Cortical Spreading Depression and Estrogen
Authors: Eikermann‐Haerter Katharina , Kudo Chiho , Moskowitz Michael A.
Published: September 2007

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is an electrophysiological phenomenon characterized by a wave of excitation followed by inhibition. The aura phase that precedes migraine headache in about 20‐30% of migraineurs shares overlapping characteristics with CSD. Studies of rare autosomal‐dominant forms of migraine with aura provide strong evidence that the threshold for evoking CSD and aura are related to neuronal excitability. Although the relationship between CSD and migraine without aura is not completely understood, the molecular abnormalities that predispose to migraine with aura illustrate the importance of physiologic events associated with neuronal hyperexcitability, and provide a basis for understanding a more generalized view of migraine.
Madelung's Disease in a Patient With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Dökmetas Hatice Sebila , Korkmaz Serdal , Ozcelik Sedat , Koyuncu Ayhan
Published: September 2007

A 51‐year‐old woman was admitted to the hospital due to progressive increase of fatty tissue for 4 years especially to the upper arms, thorax, back, neck, and abdomen. She was morbidly obese, with a body mass index of 41 kg/m2. The patient had no history of alcohol and nicotine consumption, and her nutritional habits have not changed recently. Results of physical examination showed diffuse painless symmetric tumors in the area of the upper arms, back, thorax, neck, and abdomen (Figure). Biochemical laboratory parameters were normal except for hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride level, 610 mg/dL; very‐low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, 122 mg/dL) and poor glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c, 15.1%). Thyroid and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels were normal. Although the blood cortisol level was slightly high (32 µg/dL), there was adequate suppression response (0.6 µg/dL) with the low‐dose (2 mg) dexamethasone test, which was performed to exclude a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed no abnormal findings. Computed tomography of the thorax showed no accumulation of fatty tissue within the mediastinum. She was referred to the dermatology department. Madelung's disease was diagnosed, and deep biopsy including the fatty subcutis was taken to rule out a malignancy. The specimen was evaluated by a pathologist, and the result was compatible with a diagnosis of fibrolipoma. The patient complained of fatigue, weakness, and burning pain in the feet. Neurologic examination revealed diabetic neuropathy and hypoesthesia and hypoalgesia of the right leg. We established the diagnosis of Madelung's disease concomitant with diabetes mellitus of 4 years' duration, hypertension of 20 years' duration, and hyperlipidemia of 6 years' duration. Glycemic control appeared to be improved with insulin treatment. Appropriate medication for hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia were initiated and maintained. Also, the patient was advised of other suggestions associated with her illnesses.

The appearance of the patient with Madelung's disease.

image
Anti‐Inflammatory Dose Doxycycline (40 mg Controlled‐Release) Confers Maximum Anti‐Inflammatory Efficacy in Rosacea
Authors: Theobald Klaus , Bradshaw Mark , Leyden James
Published: September 2007

Background.

Two large clinical trials have recently demonstrated the efficacy of a 40‐mg controlled‐release formulation of doxycycline in the treatment of rosacea, a dose well below the conventional level of 100 to 200 mg/d. Since no formal dose‐response studies have been conducted, the authors analyzed phase 3 data to determine whether a dose‐efficacy relationship exists.

Methods.

Standard parametric regression analyses were used to estimate the correlations between dose (mg/kg body weight) and overall drug exposure (area under the curve [AUC]) in a phase 1 pharmacokinetic study and between dose and efficacy (mean change from baseline in total inflammatory lesion count at week 16) in 2 pooled phase 3 clinical efficacy studies. Additional regressions were run at each visit for the clinical efficacy studies to determine whether results differed across visits. A regression analysis was also performed in a subset of patients who showed a greater efficacy response.

Results.

We found overall drug exposure (AUC) to have a highly significant correlation with dose (mg/kg) (r=0.49; P=.006). In contrast, clinical efficacy did not correlate with dose at any of the visits at week 3 (r=0.01; P=.85), week 6 (r=0.04; P=.53), week 12 (r<0.01; P=.98), and week 16 (r=0.03; P=.64) or among the subset of patients who showed greater clinical benefit.

Conclusions.

Higher mg/kg doses led to higher plasma concentrations but did not lead to increased clinical efficacy. Anti‐inflammatory dose doxycycline (40‐mg controlled‐release formulation) conferred peak anti‐inflammatory efficacy in the treatment of rosacea.

(SKINmed. 2007;6:221–226)
Effects of fluorides on Candida albicans
Authors: Flisfisch S , Meyer J , Meurman JH , Waltimo T
Published: September 2007

Aims:  To assess whether a short exposure of Candida albicans to commonly used fluorides would affect growth, cell surface hydrophobicity, and adherence to buccal epithelial cells.

Methods:  Candida albicans ATCC 90028 and 11 clinical isolates were used. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of sodium fluoride (NaF) and of an amine fluoride / stannous fluoride combination (AmF / SnF2) were determined. Yeasts were exposed to MICs of tested agents for 1 h. Subsequently, their growth was recorded spectrophotometrically. Their cell surface hydrophobicity was assessed with n‐hexadecane. Adherence to buccal epithelial cells was determined microscopically. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) served as controls. All results were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA.

Results:  MICs of AmF / SnF2 and CHX varied between 1 and 4 μg ml−1, whereas those of NaF were 15 000 μg ml−1. Statistically significant growth inhibition was detected after AmF / SnF2 (OD24 h ± SD 0.457 ± 0.059) and CHX (0.175 ± 0.065) in comparison with PBS (0.925 ± 0.087) and NaF (0.813 ± 0.081). All strains demonstrated uniform behavior. Only minor changes in cell surface hydrophobicity and adherence to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) were detected.

Conclusion:  Growth inhibition of AmF / SnF2 was comparable with that of CHX whereas NaF had a weaker effect. Exposure to the fluorides did not seem to alter the cell surface hydrophobicity nor adherence to BEC.
Collapse following gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to a congenital duodenal diverticulum in two littermate boxer pups
Authors: Van Klaveren N. J. , Grinwis G. C. M. , Brocks B. A. W. , Kirpensteijn J.
Published: September 2007

Two littermates, a young male and female boxer, were admitted to the Utrecht University’s Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals within a three month period. Both dogs suffered from anaemia caused by chronic intestinal blood loss, vomiting and weight loss. In both cases, there was no response to conservative medical management. Eventually, the dogs suffered significant gastrointestinal haemorrhage that resulted in collapse. Gastroduodenoscopy and exploratory surgery showed a duodenal diverticulum in both dogs. This is the first report that describes this congenital anomaly in two siblings.
A retrospective study of 61 cases of spontaneous canine epistaxis (1998 to 2001)
Authors: Mylonakis M. E. , Saridomichelakis M. N. , Lazaridis V. , Leontides L. S. , Kostoulas P. , Koutinas A. F.
Published: September 2007

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and identify possible clinicopathologic indicators of the diseases associated with canine epistaxis.

Methods: The medical records of 61 dogs with epistaxis were reviewed.

Results: Systemic diseases, diagnosed in fifty‐six dogs, included canine leishmaniasis in twenty‐three dogs, canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in twenty‐two, concurrent canine leishmaniasis and canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in six, rodenticide toxicity in two and primary immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia, suspected oestrogen toxicity and systemic arterial hypertension in one dog each. Intranasal diseases were documented in the remaining five dogs, including transmissible venereal tumour in three dogs, and nasal adenocarcinoma and nasal aspergillosis in one dog each. Mucosal pallor and a generalised bleeding tendency were significantly more common among dogs with canine monocytic ehrlichiosis compared with those with canine leishmaniasis, whereas the opposite was true for peripheral lymphadenomegaly. Also, dogs with canine monocytic ehrlichiosis presented with pancytopenia more frequently compared with those with canine leishmaniasis; in the latter dogs, the median values of haematocrit, leucocyte and platelet counts and serum total protein concentrations were higher.

Clinical Significance: Canine leishmaniasis and canine monocytic ehrlichiosis are the leading causes of canine epistaxis in Greece. Mucosal pallor, bleeding tendency and pancytopenia are more likely to be indicative of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, as opposed to peripheral lymphadenomegaly and hyperproteinaemia in canine leishmaniasis.
Use of Antigens Derived from
Burkholderia pseudomallei
,
B. thailandensis
, and
B. cepacia
in the Indirect Hemagglutination Assay for Melioidosis
Authors: Gilmore Glenda , Barnes Jodie , Ketheesan Natkunam , Norton Robert
Published: September 2007

The serological diagnosis of melioidosis is carried out using the indirect hemagglutination assay. We looked at the reactivity of sera from culture-proven cases of melioidosis from north Queensland against antigens derived from
Burkholderia pseudomallei
,
B. thailandensis
, and
B. cepacia
. Cross-reactivity between sera from culture-positive cases of melioidosis and
B. thailandensis
was demonstrated.
Tracing Shigatoxigenic
Escherichia coli
O103, O145, and O174 Infections from Farm Residents to Cattle
Authors: Heinikainen Sirpa , Pohjanvirta Tarja , Eklund Marjut , Siitonen Anja , Pelkonen Sinikka
Published: September 2007

Severe diarrheal infections caused by Shigatoxigenic
Escherichia coli
O103:H2:
stx
1
:
eae
-ε:
ehx
, O145:H28:
stx
1
:
eae
-γ:
ehx
(two cases in a family), and O174:H21:
stx
2c
in farm residents were traced to cattle. Molecular methods were applied to the isolation and characterization of the strains. The causative strains were also isolated from cattle samples 1 or 4 months later.
Correlation between Infections with Different Genotypes of Human Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus in Subgingival Samples and Periodontal Status of Patients
Authors: Wu Yan-Min , Yan Jie , Ojcius David M. , Chen Li-Li , Gu Zhi-Yuan , Pan Jian-Ping
Published: September 2007

Accumulating evidence indicates that herpesviruses may be putative pathogens in various types of periodontal diseases. The present study was performed to examine infections with different genotypes of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in subgingival samples from a Chinese population and to analyze the correlation with periodontal status. A nested PCR assay was used to identify the presence of HCMV, EBV type 1 (EBV-1), and EBV-2; and the amplicons were further analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. HCMV was detected in 79.0% of 143 chronic periodontitis (CP) patients, 78.5% of 65 gingivitis patients, and 76.3% of 76 periodontally healthy individuals, while EBV was found in 63.6%, 32.3%, and 30.3% of the three groups of subjects, respectively. The HCMV-positive PCR products from all the samples were identified as corresponding to gB genotype I (gB-I) or gB-II. HCMV gB-II (62.9%), EBV-1 (43.4%), and EBV-2 (18.2%) were associated with CP at higher frequencies (P< 0.05), whereas HCMV gB-I was more often observed in gingivitis patients (40.0%) and healthy individuals (40.8%) (P< 0.05). Furthermore, a higher rate of coinfection with HCMV and EBV was shown in CP patients (52.4%), especially dual infections with HCMV gB-II and EBV-1 (30.8%) or HCMV gB-II and EBV-2 (12.6%), compared with the rates of single infections with HCMV or EBV (P< 0.05). Infection with HCMV gB-II, EBV-1, or EBV-2 was correlated with higher rates of bleeding on probing (P< 0.05). In patients infected with HCMV gB-II or both HCMV and EBV, including HCMV gB-II and EBV-1, a deeper probing depth or more serious attachment loss was found (P< 0.05). These findings clearly indicate that HCMV gB-II is the dominant genotype detected in subgingival samples in CP. HCMV gB-II infection and HCMV gB-II coinfection with EBV-1 are closely associated with periodontal tissue inflammation and destruction.
Comparison of Plaque- and Flow Cytometry-Based Methods for Measuring Dengue Virus Neutralization
Authors: Kraus Annette A. , Messer William , Haymore Laura B. , de Silva Aravinda M.
Published: September 2007

As dengue vaccines enter clinical trials, there is a need for rapid and quantitative assays to measure neutralization. We have developed flow-based neutralization assays which generated results similar to those generated by the established, plaque reduction neutralization test. The flow assays are an improvement, as they use human cells and allow for high-throughput screening.