bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anhydrous liquid line of descent of Yamato‐980459 and evolution of Martian parental magmas
Authors: Rapp Jennifer F. , Draper David S. , Mercer Cameron M.
Published: October 2013

We report the results of nominally anhydrous equilibrium and fractional crystallization experiments on a synthetic Yamato‐980459 (Y98) bulk composition at 0.5 GPa. These experiments allow us to test a suggested fractional crystallization model, calculated using MELTS by Symes et al. (), in which a Y98‐like initial liquid yielded a magma closely resembling the bulk composition of QUE 94201. Although the two meteorites cannot be cogenetic owing to their age difference, they are thought to represent bona fide magmatic liquids rather than products of crystal accumulation, as are most Martian basaltic meteorites. Hence, understanding possible petrogenetic links between these types of liquids could be revealing about processes of melting and crystallization that formed the range of Martian basalts. We find that Y98 can, in fact, generate a residual liquid closely resembling QUE, but only after a very different crystallization process, and different degree of crystallization, than that modeled using MELTS. In addition, both the identity and sequence of crystallizing phases are very different between model and experiments. Our fractional crystallization experiments do not produce a QUE‐like liquid, and the crystallizing phases are an even poorer match to the MELTS‐calculated compositions than in the equilibrium runs. However, residual liquids from our experiments define a liquid line of descent that encompasses bulk compositions of parental melts calculated for several Martian basaltic meteorites, suggesting that the known Martian basaltic meteorites had their ultimate origin from the same or very similar source lithologies. These are, in turn, similar to source rocks modeled by previous studies as products of extensive crystallization of an initial Martian magma ocean.
Highly diverse and spatially heterogeneous mycorrhizal symbiosis in a rare epiphyte is unrelated to broad biogeographic or environmental features
Authors: Kartzinel Tyler R. , Trapnell Dorset W. , Shefferson Richard P.
Published: October 2013

Symbiotic interactions are common in nature. In dynamic or degraded environments, the ability to associate with multiple partners (i.e. broad specificity) may enable species to persist through fluctuations in the availability of any particular partner. Understanding how species interactions vary across landscapes is necessary to anticipate direct and indirect consequences of environmental degradation on species conservation. We asked whether mycorrhizal symbiosis by populations of a rare epiphytic orchid (Epidendrum firmum) is related to geographic or environmental heterogeneity. The latter would suggest that interactions are governed by environmental conditions rather than historic isolation of populations and/or mycorrhizal fungi. We used DNA‐based methods to identify mycorrhizal fungi from eleven E. firmum populations in Costa Rica. We used molecular and phylogenetic analyses to compare associations. Epidendrum firmum exhibited broad specificity, associating with diverse mycorrhizal fungi, including six Tulasnellaceae molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs), five Sebacinales MOTUs and others. Notably, diverse mycorrhizal symbioses formed in disturbed pasture and roadside habitats. Mycorrhizal fungi exhibited significant similarity within populations (spatial and phylogenetic autocorrelation) and significant differences among populations (phylogenetic community dissimilarity). However, mycorrhizal symbioses were not significantly associated with biogeographic or environmental features. Such unexpected heterogeneity among populations may result from complex combinations of fine‐scale environmental factors and macro‐evolutionary patterns of change in mycorrhizal specificity. Thus, E. firmum exhibits broad specificity and the potential for opportunistic associations with diverse fungi. We suggest that these characteristics could confer symbiotic assurance when mycorrhizal fungi are stochastically available, which may be crucial in dynamic or disturbed habitats such as tropical forest canopies.
Phylogeography and niche modelling of the relict plant Amborella trichopoda (Amborellaceae) reveal multiple Pleistocene refugia in New Caledonia
Authors: Poncet Valérie , Munoz François , Munzinger Jérôme , Pillon Yohan , Gomez Céline , Couderc Marie , Tranchant‐Dubreuil Christine , Hamon Serge , de Kochko Alexandre
Published: October 2013

Amborella trichopoda Baill. (Amborellaceae, Amborellales), the sole living member of the sister group to all other extant angiosperms, is endemic to New Caledonia. We addressed the intraspecific phylogeography of Amborella by investigating whether its present population genetic structure could be related to its current and past habitats. We found moderate range‐wide genetic diversity based on nuclear microsatellite data and detected four well‐differentiated, geographically distinct genetic groups using Bayesian clustering analyses. We modelled the ecological niche of Amborella based on the current climatic and environmental conditions. The predictive ability of the model was very good throughout the Central East mainland zone, but Amborella was predicted in the northern part of the island where this plant has not been reported. Furthermore, no significant barrier was detected based on habitat suitability that could explain the genetic differentiation across the area. Conversely, we found that the main genetic clusters could be related to the distribution of the suitable habitat at the last glacial maximum (LGM, c. 21 000 years BP), when Amborella experienced a dramatic 96.5% reduction in suitable area. At least two lineages survived in distinct putative refugia located in the Massif des Lèvres and in the vicinity of Mount Aoupinié. Our findings finally confirmed the importance of LGM rainforest refugia in shaping the current intra‐ and interspecific diversity in New Caledonian plants and revealed the possibility of an as yet unreported refugium. The combination of niche modelling and population genetics thereby offered novel insight into the biogeographical history of an emblematic taxon.
Combining animal personalities with transcriptomics resolves individual variation within a wild‐type zebrafish population and identifies underpinning molecular differences in brain function
Authors: Rey S. , Boltana S. , Vargas R. , Roher N. , MacKenzie S.
Published: October 2013

Resolving phenotype variation within a population in response to environmental perturbation is central to understanding biological adaptation. Relating meaningful adaptive changes at the level of the transcriptome requires the identification of processes that have a functional significance for the individual. This remains a major objective towards understanding the complex interactions between environmental demand and an individual's capacity to respond to such demands. The interpretation of such interactions and the significance of biological variation between individuals from the same or different populations remain a difficult and under‐addressed question. Here, we provide evidence that variation in gene expression between individuals in a zebrafish population can be partially resolved by a priori screening for animal personality and accounts for >9% of observed variation in the brain transcriptome. Proactive and reactive individuals within a wild‐type population exhibit consistent behavioural responses over time and context that relates to underlying differences in regulated gene networks and predicted protein–protein interactions. These differences can be mapped to distinct regions of the brain and provide a foundation towards understanding the coordination of underpinning adaptive molecular events within populations.
Calcium Homeostasis and Sensitization in Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle
Authors: Jernigan Nikki L. , Resta Thomas C.
Published: October 2013

The pulmonary circulation is a low‐pressure, low‐resistance vascular bed with little to no resting tone under normal conditions. An increase in the [Ca2+]i in PASMCs is an important determinant of contraction, migration, and proliferation. Both Ca2+ influx through plasma membrane Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ release from the SR contribute to a rise in [Ca2+]i. Additionally important in the pulmonary circulation are several kinase‐mediated signaling pathways that act to increase the sensitivity of the contractile apparatus to [Ca2+]i. Similarly, cytoskeletal processes resulting in dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton can further contribute to contractility in the pulmonary circulation. In addition to endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine factors, alveolar hypoxia is an important stimulus for pulmonary vasoconstriction. However, prolonged hypoxia is a critical pathological stimulus associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in our understanding of how Ca2+ homeostasis and sensitization regulate PASMC contractility under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Requirement of essential Pbp2x and GpsB for septal ring closure in Streptococcus pneumoniae D39
Authors: Land Adrian D. , Tsui Ho‐Ching T. , Kocaoglu Ozden , Vella Stephen A. , Shaw Sidney L. , Keen Susan K. , Sham Lok‐To , Carlson Erin E. , Winkler Malcolm E.
Published: October 2013

Bacterial cell shapes are manifestations of programs carried out by multi‐protein machines that synthesize and remodel the resilient peptidoglycan (PG) mesh and other polymers surrounding cells. GpsB protein is conserved in low‐GC Gram‐positive bacteria and is not essential in rod‐shaped Bacillus subtilis, where it plays a role in shuttling penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs) between septal and side‐wall sites of PG synthesis. In contrast, we report here that GpsB is essential in ellipsoid‐shaped, ovococcal Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), and depletion of GpsB leads to formation of elongated, enlarged cells containing unsegregated nucleoids and multiple, unconstricted rings of fluorescent‐vancomycin staining, and eventual lysis. These phenotypes are similar to those caused by selective inhibition of Pbp2x by methicillin that prevents septal PG synthesis. Dual‐protein 2D and 3D‐SIM (structured illumination) immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) showed that GpsB and FtsZ have overlapping, but not identical, patterns of localization during cell division and that multiple, unconstricted rings of division proteins FtsZ, Pbp2x, Pbp1a and MreC are in elongated cells depleted of GpsB. These patterns suggest that GpsB, like Pbp2x, mediates septal ring closure. This first dual‐protein 3D‐SIM IFM analysis also revealed separate positioning of Pbp2x and Pbp1a in constricting septa, consistent with two separable PG synthesis machines.
An alternative outer membrane secretion mechanism for an autotransporter protein lacking a C‐terminal stable core
Authors: Besingi Richard N. , Chaney Julie L. , Clark Patricia L.
Published: October 2013

Autotransporter (AT) proteins are a broad class of virulence factors from Gram‐negative pathogens. AT outer membrane (OM) secretion appears simple in many regards, yet the mechanism that enables transport of the central AT ‘passenger’ across the OM remains unclear. OM secretion efficiency for two AT passengers is enhanced by a ∼ 20 kDa stable core at the C‐terminus of the passenger, but studies on a broader range of AT proteins are needed in order to determine whether a stability difference between the passenger N‐ and C‐terminus represents a truly common mechanistic feature. Yersinia pestis YapV is homologous to Shigella flexneri IcsA, and like IcsA, YapV recruits mammalian neural Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (N‐WASP). In vitro, the purified YapV passenger is functional and rich in β‐sheet structure, but lacks a ∼ 20 kDa C‐terminal stable core. However, the N‐terminal 49 residues of the YapV passenger globally destabilize the entire YapV passenger, enhancing its OM secretion efficiency. These results indicate that the contributions of AT passenger sequences to OM secretion efficiency extend beyond a C‐terminal stable core, and highlight a role of the passenger N‐terminus in reducing passenger stability in order to facilitate OM secretion of some AT proteins.
O‐linked protein glycosylation in mycoplasma
Authors: Jordan David S. , Daubenspeck James M. , Laube Audra H. , Renfrow Matthew B. , Dybvig Kevin
Published: October 2013

Although mycoplasmas have a paucity of glycosyltransferases and nucleotidyltransferases recognizable by bioinformatics, these bacteria are known to produce polysaccharides and glycolipids. We show here that mycoplasmas also produce glycoproteins and hence have glycomes more complex than previously realized. Proteins from several species of Mycoplasma reacted with a glycoprotein stain, and the murine pathogen Mycoplasma arthritidis was chosen for further study. The presence of M. arthritidis glycoproteins was confirmed by high‐resolution mass spectrometry. O‐linked glycosylation was clearly identified at both serine and threonine residues. No consensus amino acid sequence was evident for the glycosylation sites of the glycoproteins. A single hexose was identified as the O‐linked modification, and glucose was inferred by 13C‐labelling to be the hexose at several of the glycosylation sites. This is the first study to conclusively identify sites of protein glycosylation in any of the mollicutes.
gfsA encodes a novel galactofuranosyltransferase involved in biosynthesis of galactofuranose antigen of O‐glycan in Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Komachi Yuji , Hatakeyama Shintaro , Motomatsu Haruka , Futagami Taiki , Kizjakina Karina , Sobrado Pablo , Ekino Keisuke , Takegawa Kaoru , Goto Masatoshi , Nomura Yoshiyuki , Oka Takuji
Published: October 2013

The cells walls of filamentous fungi in the genus Aspergillus have galactofuranose (Galf)‐containing polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, including O‐glycans, N‐glycans, fungal‐type galactomannan and glycosylinositolphosphoceramide, which are important for cell wall integrity. Here, we attempted to identify galactofuranosyltransferases that couple Galf monomers onto other wall components in Aspergillus nidulans. Using reverse‐genetic and biochemical approaches, we identified that the AN8677 gene encoded a galactofuranosyltransferase, which we called GfsA, involved in Galf antigen biosynthesis. Disruption of gfsA reduced binding of β‐Galf‐specific antibody EB‐A2 to O‐glycosylated WscA protein and galactomannoproteins. The results of an in‐vitro Galf antigen synthase assay revealed that GfsA has β1,5‐ or β1,6‐galactofuranosyltransferase activity for O‐glycans in glycoproteins, uses UDP‐d‐Galf as a sugar donor, and requires a divalent manganese cation for activity. GfsA was found to be localized at the Golgi apparatus based on cellular fractionation experiments. ΔgfsA cells exhibited an abnormal morphology characterized by poor hyphal extension, hyphal curvature and limited formation of conidia. Several gfsA orthologues were identified in members of the Pezizomycotina subphylum of Ascomycota, including the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of a fungal β‐galactofuranosyltransferase, which was shown to be involved in Galf antigen biosynthesis of O‐glycans in the Golgi.
LmHus1 is required for the DNA damage response in Leishmania major and forms a complex with an unusual Rad9 homologue
Authors: Damasceno Jeziel D. , Nunes Vinicius S. , Tosi Luiz R. O.
Published: October 2013

Genotoxic stress activates checkpoint‐signalling pathways leading to cell cycle arrest and DNA repair. In many eukaryotes, the Rad9–Hus1–Rad1 (9‐1‐1) checkpoint complex participates in the early steps of the DNA damage response to replicative stress and is a pivotal contributor to genome homeostasis. The remarkable genome plasticity of the protozoan Leishmania hints at a peculiar DNA metabolism in these ancient eukaryotes. Therefore, we set out to investigate the existence of homologues of the 9‐1‐1 components in Leishmania major and found that LmHus1 and LmRad9 are phylogenetically related to the 9‐1‐1 complex subunits from other eukaryotes. Altered levels of LmHus1 and LmRad9 affected the parasite ability to manage genotoxic stress and LmHus1‐defficent cells were defective in controlling cell cycle progression in response to genotoxic stress. Upon DNA damage, LmHus1 was recruited to the chromatin and colocalized with the single‐stranded DNA‐binding protein LmRpa1. Also, LmHus1 interacted with LmRad9 to form a DNA damage responsive complex in vivo. Altogether, our data strongly indicate the participation of LmHus1, LmRad9 and LmRpa1 in the L. major DNA damage response and suggest their involvement in genome maintenance mechanisms.
Methionine sulphoxide reductases revisited: free methionine as a primary target of H2O2 stress in auxotrophic fission yeast
Authors: García‐Santamarina Sarela , Boronat Susanna , Ayté José , Hidalgo Elena
Published: October 2013

Amino acid methionine can suffer reversible oxidation to sulphoxide and further irreversible over‐oxidation to methionine sulphone. As part of the cellular antioxidant scavenging activities are the methionine sulphoxide reductases (Msrs), with a reported role in methionine sulphoxide reduction, both free and in proteins. Three families of Msrs have been described, but the fission yeast genome only includes one representative for two of these families: MsrA/Mxr1 and MsrB/Mxr2. We have investigated their role in methionine reduction and H2O2 sensitivity. We show here that MsrA/Mxr1 is able to reduce free oxidized methionine. Cells lacking each one of the genes are not significantly sensitive to different types of oxidative stresses, neither display altered life span. However, only when deletion of msrA/mxr1 is combined with deletion of met6, which confers methionine auxotrophy, the survival upon H2O2 stress decreases by 100‐fold. In fact, cells lacking only Met6, and which therefore require addition of methionine to the growth media, are extremely sensitive to H2O2 stress. These and other evidences suggest that oxidation of free methionine is a primary target of peroxide toxicity in cells devoid of methionine biosynthetic capacity, and that an important role of Msrs is to recycle this oxidized free amino acid.
Concerted transfer of the virulence Ti plasmid and companion At plasmid in the Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐induced plant tumour
Authors: Lang Julien , Planamente Sara , Mondy Samuel , Dessaux Yves , Moréra Solange , Faure Denis
Published: October 2013

The plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58 harbours three independent type IV secretion (T4SS) machineries. T4SST‐DNA promotes the transfer of the T‐DNA to host plant cells, provoking tumour development and accumulation of opines such as nopaline and agrocinopines. T4SSpTi and T4SSpAt control the bacterial conjugation of the Ti and At plasmids respectively. Expression of T4SSpTi is controlled by the agrocinopine‐responsive transcriptional repressor AccR. In this work, we compared the genome‐wide transcriptional profile of the wild‐type A. tumefaciens strain C58 with that of its accR KO‐mutant to delineate the AccR regulon. In addition to the genes that encode agrocinopine catabolism and T4SSpTi, we found that AccR also regulated genes coding for nopaline catabolism and T4SSpAt. Further opine detection and conjugation assays confirmed the enhancement of nopaline consumption and At plasmid conjugation frequency in accR. Moreover, co‐regulation of the T4SSpTi and T4SSpAt correlated with the co‐transfer of the At and Ti plasmids both in vitro and in plant tumours. Finally, unlike T4SSpTi, T4SSpAt activation does not require quorum‐sensing. Overall this study highlights the regulatory interplays between opines, At and Ti plasmids that contribute to a concerted dissemination of the two replicons in bacterial populations colonizing the plant tumour.
Expression of tomato salicylic acid (SA)‐responsive pathogenesis‐related genes in Mi‐1‐mediated and SA‐induced resistance to root‐knot nematodes
Authors: Molinari Sergio , Fanelli Elena , Leonetti Paola
Published: October 2013

The expression pattern of pathogenesis‐related genes PR‐1, PR‐2 and PR‐5, considered as markers for salicylic acid (SA)‐dependent systemic acquired resistance (SAR), was examined in the roots and shoots of tomato plants pre‐treated with SA and subsequently infected with root‐knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne incognita). PR‐1 was up‐regulated in both roots and shoots of SA‐treated plants, whereas the expression of PR‐5 was enhanced only in roots. The over‐expression of PR‐1 in the whole plant occurred as soon as 1 day after SA treatment. Up‐regulation of the PR‐1 gene was considered to be the main marker of SAR elicitation. One day after treatment, plants were inoculated with active juveniles (J2s) of M. incognita. The number of J2s that entered the roots and started to develop was significantly lower in SA‐treated than in untreated plants at 5 and 15 days after inoculation. The expression pattern of PR‐1, PR‐2 and PR‐5 was also examined in the roots and shoots of susceptible and Mi‐1‐carrying resistant tomato plants infected by RKNs. Nematode infection produced a down‐regulation of PR genes in both roots and shoots of SA‐treated and untreated plants, and in roots of Mi‐carrying resistant plants. Moreover, in resistant infected plants, PR gene expression, in particular PR‐1 gene expression, was highly induced in shoots. Thus, nematode infection was demonstrated to elicit SAR in shoots of resistant plants. The data presented in this study show that the repression of host defence SA signalling is associated with the successful development of RKNs, and that SA exogenously added as a soil drench is able to trigger a SAR‐like response to RKNs in tomato.
Correlation between motor and cognitive functions in the progressive course of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Murakami Hidetomo , Owan Yoshiyuki , Mori Yukiko , Fujita Kazuhisa , Futamura Akinori , Sugimoto Azusa , Kobayakawa Mutsutaka , Kezuka Machiko , Midorikawa Akira , Kawamura Mitsuru
Published: October 2013

Aim

Correlations between motor function and frontal‐executive function in Parkinson's disease (PD) have been examined previously, but correlations with other cognitive domains remain unknown. We examined the correlation between motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment with regard to their precise domains.

Methods

Motor and cognitive functions were assessed in 61 patients. To assess motor function, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was administered. The UPDRS score was assessed as general motor function with a sum of Parts II and III, and as subscores of individual motor symptoms (rigidity, tremor, akinesia and postural instability). To assess cognitive function, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) were administered. MoCA was assessed by a total score and subscores of six cognitive subdomains: visuospatial, executive, attention/concentration/working memory, language, memory and orientation. The correlation coefficients of both MoCA and FAB with patient background and motor symptoms were compared using Spearman's correlation coefficient.

Results

General motor function and the subscore of postural instability showed significant negative correlations with MoCA, FAB, and the subdomains of visuospatial, executive and orientation skills. Tremor and rigidity showed no significant correlation with any cognitive assessment. Akinesia showed significant negative correlation with MoCA, and the subdomains of visuospatial and orientation skills.

Conclusions

In patients with PD, specific motor and cognitive functions correlate, with particular regard to postural instability and visuospatial skills. The correlations suggest functional links between a number of cerebral cortices and subcortical structures, and a common pathophysiology for motor and cognitive impairments in PD.
Pathogenesis of multiple system atrophy
Authors: Hasegawa Takafumi , Kikuchi Akio , Takeda Atsushi
Published: October 2013

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an adult‐onset, progressive neurodegenerative disease involving parkinsonism, ataxia, and autonomic failure, in any combination. The unifying histopathological hallmark of MSA is the appearance of α‐synuclein (αSYN)‐positive, triangular‐shaped glial cytoplasmic inclusion (GCI) in affected brain regions including striatonigral and/or olivopontocerebellar systems. It is known that GCI follows the regions showing neuronal loss and gliosis, and the incidence of GCI is well correlated with disease severity and duration, suggesting that the oligodendroglial αSYN pathology in MSA would be a prerequisite for the disease rather than a consequence of glio‐neuronal degeneration. The mechanisms underlying the neuronal cell loss followed by oligodendroglial degeneration in MSA still remain elusive; however, recent observations from cultured cells, animal models, neuropathological and genetic studies have highlighted the several etiopathological factors including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, aberrant misfolded protein processing and neuroinflammation. In the present review, we summarize a general overview of potential pathogenic processes and discuss the topics for debate especially focusing on the mechanisms by which αSYN accumulation in oligodendrocytes can secondarily lead to neuronal cell death.
Myeloid sarcoma with megakaryoblastic differentiation mimicking a sellar tumor
Authors: Novello Mariangela , Coli Antonella , Della Pepa Giuseppe Maria , Martini Maurizio , Doglietto Francesco , De Stefano Valerio , Bellesi Silvia , Pescarmona Edoardo , Lauriola Libero
Published: October 2013

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a localized extra‐medullary tumor mass of immature myeloid cells, arising de novo or related to acute myeloid leukemia, of which it can be a forerunner, a coinciding or late event. Less commonly, MS represents an acute blastic transformation of myelodysplastic syndromes or myeloproliferative neoplasms. This rare condition commonly consists of a proliferation of more or less immature cells with a myeloid immunophenotype, very exceptional cases showing a megakaryoblastic or erythroid differentiation. The most common localization of MS is the skin, lymph node, soft tissues and bones, but CNS involvement is exceedingly rare, with no cases reported in the sellar region. We report a 54‐year‐old man, affected by myeloproliferative neoplasm, JAK2 V617F‐positive of 13 years duration, who acutely presented with a third cranial nerve palsy; neuroradiology documented a space‐occupying lesion at the level of the sellar, upper clival and right parasellar regions, that was sub‐totally removed with a trans‐sphenoidal approach. The histological examination documented a proliferation of large, blastic cells, frequently multinucleated; a diagnosis of MS with megakaryoblastic differentiation, arising in a background of chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, was suggested by immunohistochemistry, owing to CD42b, CD45, CD61 and LAT (linker for activation of T cells) positivity. In addition, homozygous JAK2 V617F mutation was detected from the myeloid sarcoma specimen. A few weeks after surgery, an acute blastic leukemic transformation occurred and, despite chemotherapy, the patient died 2 months after surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first MS case with megakaryoblastic differentiation arising within the CNS.
Coexistence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with neuro‐Behçet's disease presenting as a longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion: clinicopathologic features of an autopsied patient
Authors: Sato Tomoe , Ouchi Haruka , Shimbo Junsuke , Sato Aki , Yamazaki Motoyoshi , Hashidate Hideki , Igarashi Shuichi , Kakita Akiyoshi
Published: October 2013

We report the clinical and autopsy features of a 65‐year‐old Japanese man who clinically exhibited overlap of both neuro‐Behçet's disease (NBD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The patient had a HLA‐B51 serotype, a recent history of uveitis and had suffered paraparesis, sensory and autonomic disturbance, frontal signs and tremor. A brain and spine MRI study revealed a longitudinally extensive thoracic cord (Th) lesion, but no apparent intracranial abnormalities. The lesion extended ventrally from Th4 to Th9, exhibiting low intensity on T1‐weighted images, high intensity on T2‐weighted and fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery images and gadolinium enhancement. The patient's upper and lower motor neuron signs and sensory disturbance worsened and he died 16 months after admission. At autopsy, the spinal cord and brain exhibited characteristic histopathological features of both NBD and ALS, including chronic destruction of the ventral thoracic white and gray matter, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration, binucleated neurons, lower and upper motor neuron degeneration, Bunina bodies and skein‐like inclusions. Although incidental coexistence of these rare disorders could occur in an individual, this case raises the possibility of a pathomechanistic association between NBD and ALS.
Hypertension prevalence, awareness, and control in Arab countries: A systematic review
Authors: Tailakh Ayman , Evangelista Lorraine S. , Mentes Janet C. , Pike Nancy A. , Phillips Linda R. , Morisky Donald E.
Published: October 2013

One billion of the world's population has hypertension, resulting in four million deaths per year. Data on the prevalence of hypertension in the Arab world are very limited. This review summarizes existing knowledge regarding prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension in Arab countries. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched for publications on HTN among Arab people from 1980 to January 2011. Only 13 studies were identified in the literature from 10 Arab countries. The overall estimated prevalence of hypertension was 29.5% (n = 45 379), which indicates a higher prevalence of hypertension among Arabs compared to people from the USA (28%) and sub‐Saharan African (27.6%). Awareness of hypertension was reported for 46% of the studies and varied from 18% (Jordan) to 79.8% (Syria). The control rate varied from 56% (Tunisia) to 92% (Egypt and Syria). The prevalence of hypertension was found to increase with age, occurring more frequently in Arab women.
Validation of the Essentials of Magnetism II in Chinese critical care settings
Authors: Bai Jinbing , Hsu Lily , Zhang Qing
Published: October 2013

Aims

To translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Essentials of Magnetism II tool (EOM II) for Chinese nurses in critical care settings.

Background

The EOM II is a reliable and valid scale for measuring the healthy work environment (HWE) for nurses in Western countries, however, it has not been validated among Chinese nurses.

Methods

The translation of the EOM II followed internationally recognized guidelines. The Chinese version of the Essentials of Magnetism II tool (C‐EOM II) was reviewed by an expert panel for culturally semantic equivalence and content validity. Then, 706 nurses from 28 intensive care units (ICUs) affiliated with 14 tertiary hospitals participated in this study. The reliability of the C‐EOM II was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient; the content validity of this scale was assessed using the content validity index (CVI); and the construct validity was assessed using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results

The C‐EOM II showed excellent content validity with a CVI of 0·92. All the subscales of the C‐EOM II were significantly correlated with overall nurse job satisfaction and nurse‐assessed quality of care. The CFA showed that the C‐EOM II was composed of 45 items with nine factors, accounting for 46·51% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for these factors ranged from 0·56 to 0·89.

Conclusions

The C‐EOM II is a promising scale to assess the HWE for Chinese ICU nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nursing administrators and health care policy‐makers can use the C‐EOM II to evaluate clinical work environment so that a healthier work environment can be created and sustained for staff nurses.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus protects human colonic muscle from pathogen lipopolysaccharide‐induced damage
Authors: Ammoscato F. , Scirocco A. , Altomare A. , Matarrese P. , Petitta C. , Ascione B. , Caronna R. , Guarino M. , Marignani M. , Cicala M. , Chirletti P. , Malorni W. , Severi C.
Published: October 2013

Background

Lactobacillus species might positively affect gastrointestinal motility. These Gram‐positive bacteria bind Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) that elicits anti‐inflammatory activity and exerts protective effects on damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Whether such effect occurs in gastrointestinal smooth muscle has not been established yet. Aim of this study was to characterize the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and of supernatants harvested from LGG cultures on human colonic smooth muscle and to explore their protective activity against LPS‐induced myogenic morpho‐functional alterations.

Methods

The effects of LGG (ATCC 53103 strain) and of supernatants have been tested on both human colonic smooth muscle strips and isolated cells in the absence or presence of LPS obtained from a pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. Their effects on myogenic morpho‐functional properties, on LPS‐induced NFκB activation, and on cytokine production have been evaluated. Toll‐like receptor 2 expression has been analyzed by qPCR and flow cytometry.

Key Results

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG exerted negligible transient effects per se whereas it was capable of activating an intrinsic myogenic response counteracting LPS‐induced alterations. In particular, both LGG and supernatants significantly reduced the LPS‐induced morpho‐functional alterations of muscle cells, i.e. cell shortening and inhibition of contractile response. They also hindered LPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory effects by decreasing pro‐inflammatory transcription factor NFκB activation and pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐6 secretion, and restored the secretion levels of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL10.

Conclusions & Inferences

Taken together these data demonstrate that LGG protects human colonic smooth muscle from LPS‐induced myogenic damage and might be beneficial on intestinal motor disorders due to bacterial infection.
Author inflation masks global capacity for species discovery in flowering plants
Authors: Bebber Daniel P. , Wood John R. I. , Barker Christine , Scotland Robert W.
Published: October 2013

Species discovery is a fundamental first step for all of biodiversity science. Recent research has claimed that the increasing number of authors associated with the description of new species represents an expanding workforce discovering the remaining new species from an ever‐diminishing pool.

Here, we present a comprehensive dataset from The International Plant Names Index (IPNI) of new species of flowering plant published between 1970 and 2011.

We show that, on average, 1855 new species have been described annually since 1970. We show that compared to other scientific disciplines the increased number of authors on taxonomic papers is relatively small and may reflect changes in scientific practice rather than an increase in taxonomic capacity.

These data, alongside published results demonstrating a lag period of 35 yr between a specimen being collected and published as a new species, strongly suggest that the global taxonomic capacity to describe new species of flowering plant is stagnant at a time of unprecedented concern for conservation and extinction.
Explaining intraspecific diversity in plant secondary metabolites in an ecological context
Authors: Moore Ben D. , Andrew Rose L. , Külheim Carsten , Foley William J.
Published: October 2013

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are ubiquitous in plants and play many ecological roles. Each compound can vary in presence and/or quantity, and the composition of the mixture of chemicals can vary, such that chemodiversity can be partitioned within and among individuals. Plant ontogeny and environmental and genetic variation are recognized as sources of chemical variation, but recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of variation may allow the future deployment of isogenic mutants to test the specific adaptive function of variation in PSMs. An important consequence of high intraspecific variation is the capacity to evolve rapidly. It is becoming increasingly clear that trait variance linked to both macro‐ and micro‐environmental variation can also evolve and may respond more strongly to selection than mean trait values. This research, which is in its infancy in plants, highlights what could be a missing piece of the picture of PSM evolution. PSM polymorphisms are probably maintained by multiple selective forces acting across many spatial and temporal scales, but convincing examples that recognize the diversity of plant population structures are rare. We describe how diversity can be inherently beneficial for plants and suggest fruitful avenues for future research to untangle the causes and consequences of intraspecific variation.

Contents

Summary
733

I.
Introduction
733

II.
PSM variation in time: ontogeny, phenology and induced defences
734

III.
PSM variation through space: the role of environment
735

IV.
Genes and biosynthetic pathways underlying PSM variation
735

V.
Mechanisms for diversification of PSMs
735

VI.
Examples of diversity from specific biosynthetic pathways
737

VII.
How and why is chemical diversity maintained?
739

VIII.
Evolvability of PSM variation
740

IX.
Evolutionary strategies and diversity in plant chemical defence
742

X.
Conclusions and future directions
744

Acknowledgements
745

References
745
Bark functional ecology: evidence for tradeoffs, functional coordination, and environment producing bark diversity
Authors: Rosell Julieta A. , Gleason Sean , Méndez‐Alonzo Rodrigo , Chang Yvonne , Westoby Mark
Published: October 2013

The causes underlying bark diversity are unclear. Variation has been frequently attributed to environmental differences across sites. However, variation may also result from tradeoffs and coordination between bark's multiple functions. Bark traits may also covary with wood and leaf traits as part of major dimensions of plant variation.

To assess hypotheses regarding tradeoffs and functional coordination, we measured bark traits reflecting protection, storage, mechanics, and photosynthesis in branches of 90 species spanning a wide phylogenetic and environmental range. We also tested associations between bark, wood, and leaf traits. We partitioned trait variation within species, and within and across communities to quantify variation associated with across‐site differences.

We observed associations between bark mechanics and storage, density and thickness, and thickness and photosynthetic activity. Increasing bark thickness contributed significantly to stiffer stems and greater water storage. Bark density, water content, and mechanics covaried strongly with the equivalent wood traits, and to a lesser degree with leaf size, xylem conductivity, and vessel diameter. Most variation was observed within sites and had low phylogenetic signal.

Compared with relatively minor across‐site differences, tradeoffs and coordination among functions of bark, leaves, and wood are likely to be major and overlooked factors shaping bark ecology and evolution.
A RATIONALIZATION OF UPS AND DOWNS OF OIL PRICES BY SLUGGISH DEMAND, UNCERTAINTY, AND NONCONCAVITY
Authors: WIRL FRANZ , CABAN SEBASTIAN
Published: October 2013

Motivated by the recent switching between “low” oil prices and “high” oil prices, this paper provides an economic explanation for oil price volatility. Given the characteristics of the oil market—sluggish, concave, and uncertain demand, as well as noncompetitive players—the corresponding profit maximizing strategy is to switch between a low price and a high price depending on whether the current demand is below or above a certain threshold. This provides an economic rationalization of oil price volatility (including the low prices) as alternative, or at least as complement, to the typically offered political explanations.
Feeding the heat on brown fat
Authors: Sellayah Dyan , Sikder Devanjan
Published: October 2013

Nutrition plays a dominant role in human adaptation. Biological traits conferring these adaptations are of considerable significance. Within an obesogenic environment, there is considerable variation among individuals in their susceptibility to weight gain. Some individuals rapidly gain weight, whereas others remain lean without any conscious effort, suggesting that obesity pathogenesis may not be centered on just the primal feeding behavior. The ability of certain individuals to subconsciously resist obesity reveals adaptive calorie‐burning mechanisms that may promote fitness. Here, we review a fat‐burning mechanism that is turned on by the brain hormone orexin during high‐caloric food consumption. Remarkably, the same hormone also induces feeding, and its levels correlate with lean body mass in both rodents and humans. Intriguingly, loss of orexin prevents thermogenic energy expenditure while inducing obesity in the face of hypophagia. Thus, orexin is a unique neuropeptide that promotes both feeding and energy expenditure, conferring resistance to weight gain. Mechanisms that safely augment orexin signaling may have potential in antiobesity therapeutics.
Association of run‐in periods with weight loss in obesity randomized controlled trials
Authors: Affuso O. , Kaiser K. A. , Carson T. L. , Ingram K. H. , Schwiers M. , Robertson H. , Abbas F. , Allison D. B.
Published: October 2013

Study‐level design characteristics that inform the optimal design of obesity randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been examined in few studies. A pre‐randomization run‐in period is one such design element that may influence weight loss. We examined 311 obesity RCTs published between 1 January 2007 and 1 July 2009 that examine d weight loss or weight gain prevention as a primary or secondary end‐point. Variables included run‐in period, pre‐post intervention weight loss, study duration (time), intervention type, percent female and degree of obesity. Linear regression was used to estimate weight loss as a function of (i) run‐in (yes/no) and (ii) run‐in, time, percent female, body mass index and intervention type. Interaction terms were also examined. Approximately 19% (18.6%) of the studies included a run‐in period, with pharmaceutical studies having the highest frequency. Although all intervention types were associated with weight loss (Mean = 2.80 kg, SD = 3.52), the inclusion of a pre‐randomization run‐in was associated with less weight loss (P = 0.0017) compared with studies that did not include a run‐in period. However, this association was not consistent across intervention types. Our results imply that in trials primarily targeting weight loss in adults, run‐in periods may not be beneficial for improving weight loss outcomes in interventions.
The effect of weight loss on health‐related quality of life: systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Warkentin L. M. , Das D. , Majumdar S. R. , Johnson J. A. , Padwal R. S.
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of weight loss on health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in randomized controlled intervention trials (RCTs). MEDLINE, HealthStar and PsycINFO were searched. RCTs of any weight loss intervention and 20 HRQL instruments were examined. Contingency tables were constructed to examine the association between statistically significant weight loss and statistically significant HRQL improvement within five HRQL categories. In addition, Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) outcomes were pooled using random‐effects models. Fifty‐three trials were included. Seventeen studies reported statistically significant weight loss and HRQL improvement. No statistically significant associations between weight loss and HRQL improvement were found in any contingency table. Because of suboptimal endpoint reporting, quantitative data pooling could only be performed using 25% of SF‐36 trials in any one model. Significant improvements in physical health were found: mean difference 2.83 points, 95% CI 0.55–5.1, for the physical component score, and mean difference 6.81 points, 95% CI 2.99–10.63, for the physical functioning domain score. Conversely, no significant improvements in mental health were found. No significant association was found between weight loss and overall HRQL improvement. Weight loss may be associated with modest improvements in physical, but not mental, health.
Effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on endothelial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Montero D. , Walther G. , Stehouwer C. D. A. , Houben A. J. H. M. , Beckman J. A. , Vinet A.
Published: October 2013

Controversy exists among trials assessing whether prolonged antioxidant vitamin supplementation improves endothelial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. The aim of this study was to systematically review and quantify the effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on endothelial function in T2DM subjects. MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science were searched up to February 2013 for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of antioxidant vitamin E and/or C supplementation on endothelial function in T2DM subjects. Ten randomized controlled trials comparing antioxidant vitamin‐supplemented and control groups (overall n = 296) met the inclusion criteria. Post‐intervention standardized mean difference (SMD) in endothelial function did not reach statistical significance between groups (0.35; 95% confidence interval = −0.17, 0.88; P = 0.18). In subgroup analysis, post‐intervention endothelial function was significantly improved by antioxidant vitamin supplementation in T2DM subgroups with body mass index (BMI) ≤ 29.45 kg m−2 (SMD = 1.02; P < 0.05), but not in T2DM subgroups with BMI > 29.45 kg m−2 (SMD = −0.07; P = 0.70). In meta‐regression, an inverse association was found between BMI and post‐intervention SMD in endothelial function (B = −0.024, P = 0.02). Prolonged antioxidant vitamin E and/or C supplementation could be effective to improve endothelial function in non‐obese T2DM subjects.
Morphometrical study of minor salivary gland in xerostomic patients with altered lipid metabolism
Authors: Lukach L , Maly A , Zini A , Aframian DJ
Published: October 2013

Objective

To evaluate the correlation between dyslipidemia in patients with oral dryness and the development of non‐specific histopathological findings in their labial salivary gland biopsies.

Methods

Thirty seven patients suffering from oral dryness (18 patients with dyslipidemia and 19 age‐matched patients with normal lipid blood levels) underwent labial salivary gland biopsy. Total acinar area (TAA), acinar cell number, acinar lumen area (ALA), duct lumen area (DLA), area occupied by cells in acinus (AoCA), and area of one acinar cell (OAC) were calculated.

Results

A significantly (P < 0.05) increased AoCA, OAC, and DLA in labial glands from patients with impaired lipid metabolism, compared to controls, were found.

Conclusion

A positive relationship between dyslipidemia and morphological changes in labial salivary glands was obtained.