bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age‐related variation in primary sexual characters in a passerine with male age‐related fertilization success, the bluethroat Luscinia svecica
Authors: Laskemoen Terje , Fossøy Frode , Rudolfsen Geir , Lifjeld Jan T.
Published: May 2008

In passerine species with frequent extrapair mating, young (second calendar year) males often have a lower fertilization success than older (after second calendar year) males. This pattern might be explained by male‐ or female‐driven mechanisms, such as female preference for older males or higher competitive ability of older males. In this study we measured the size of the testes, the seminal glomera and the cloacal protuberance as well as the size and motility of the sperm, in individual bluethroats Luscinia svecica. In this species, nearly all extrapair fertilizations (EPFs) are obtained by older males. We found that the mass of the testes and the seminal glomera were highly positively correlated and that older males had significantly larger testes (38%), seminal glomera (15%) and cloacal protuberance (23%) than young males. In contrast, there was no difference between age groups in average sperm size or sperm motility. Our results are consistent with the idea that higher fertilization success by older males in this species is due to their higher rate of sperm production, allowing larger ejaculates and/or more frequent copulations. Unequal sperm production capacities by young and older males have important implications for the interpretation of paternity patterns in extrapair mating systems.
Fine‐mapping QTL for mastitis resistance on BTA9 in three Nordic red cattle breeds
Authors: Sahana G. , Lund M. S. , Andersson‐Eklund L. , Hastings N. , Fernandez A. , Iso‐Touru T. , Thomsen B. , Viitala S. , Sørensen P. , Williams J. L. , Vilkki J.
Published: May 2008

A QTL affecting clinical mastitis and/or somatic cell score (SCS) has been reported previously on chromosome 9 from studies in 16 families from the Swedish Red and White (SRB), Finnish Ayrshire (FA) and Danish Red (DR) breeds. In order to refine the QTL location, 67 markers were genotyped over the whole chromosome in the 16 original families and 18 additional half‐sib families. This enabled linkage disequilibrium information to be used in the analysis. Data were analysed by an approach that combines information from linkage and linkage disequilibrium, which allowed the QTL affecting clinical mastitis to be mapped to a small interval (<1 cM) between the markers BM4208 and INRA084. This QTL showed a pleiotropic effect on SCS in the DR and SRB breeds. Haplotypes associated with variations in mastitis resistance were identified. The haplotypes were predictive in the general population and can be used in marker‐assisted selection. Pleiotropic effects of the mastitis QTL were studied for three milk production traits and eight udder conformation traits. This QTL was also associated with yield traits in DR but not in FA or SRB. No QTL were found for udder conformation traits on chromosome 9.
cDNA microarray profiles of canine mammary tumour cell lines reveal deregulated pathways pertaining to their phenotype
Authors: Rao N. A. S. , Van Wolferen M. E. , Van Den Ham R. , Van Leenen D. , Groot Koerkamp M. J. A. , Holstege F. C. P. , Mol J. A.
Published: May 2008

Mammary cancer is the most common type of cancer in female dogs with a lifetime risk of over 24% when dogs are not spayed. The elucidation of the complete canine genome opens new areas for development of cancer therapies. These should be tested first by in vitro models such as cell lines. However, to date, no canine mammary cell lines have been characterized by expression profiling. In this study, canine mammary tumour cell lines with histologically distinct primary tumours of origin were characterized using a newly developed canine cDNA microarray. Comparisons of gene expression profiles showed enrichment for distinct biological pathways and were related to biological properties of the cell lines such as growth rate and in vitro tumourigenicity. Additionally, gene expression profiles of cell lines also showed correspondence to their tumour of origin. Major differences were found in Wnt, cell cycle, cytokine/Rho‐GTPase, alternative complement and integrin signalling pathways. Because these pathways show an overlap at the molecular level with those found in human breast cancer, the expression profiling of spontaneous canine mammary cancer may also function as a biological sieve to identify conserved gene expression or pathway profiles of evolutionary significance that are involved in tumourigenesis. These results are the basis for further characterization of canine mammary carcinomas and development of new therapies directed towards specific pathways. In addition these cell lines can be used to further investigate identified deregulated pathways and characterize until now unannotated genes.
Gastro‐intestinal haemorrhage risks of selective serotonin receptor antagonist therapy: a new look
Authors: Opatrny Lucie , Delaney J. A. ‘Chris’ , Suissa Samy
Published: May 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• The known biological effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) on platelets are consistent with an increased risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage in patients on SSRI therapy.

• Previous research supports this increased risk among SSRI users with a large increase in bleeding risk observed.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This large study was able to compare the effects of different classes of antidepressant as well as to test for drug–drug interactions with warfarin.

• The discovery of alcohol abuse as a strong confounder may partially explain the very high risks of bleed seen in previous studies that did not adjust for this confounder.

AIMS

(i) To determine the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and other classes of antidepressants on upper gastro‐intestinal (GI) haemorrhage and (ii) to assess the drug–drug interaction effects of antidepressants and warfarin or clopidogrel on the risk of GI haemorrhage.

METHODS

This was a population‐based case control study in the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Cases with a first episode of upper GI haemorrhage between 2000 and 2005 were matched with up to 10 controls. Exposure to the study drugs was defined by a prescription issued in the 90 days before the index date. Rate ratios were estimated using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Four thousand and twenty‐eight cases of GI haemorrhage and 40 171 controls were identified. The excess risk of GI haemorrhage with SSRI use was small (Rate Ratio [RR]: 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1, 1.6) and null with exposure to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (RR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8, 1.3). The risk of GI haemorrhage was highest with venlafaxine use (RR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.6). There was no drug–drug interaction between warfarin anticoagulation and antidepressant use.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports a small increased risk of upper GI haemorrhage with the use of SSRI antidepressants compared with the older TCA drugs, but to a lesser extent than previously reported due to confounding by alcohol use. The small elevation in risk of GI haemorrhage with SSRI and venlafaxine should be weighed against the therapeutic benefit of their use.
Impact of noncompliance with alendronate and risedronate on the incidence of nonvertebral osteoporotic fractures in elderly women
Authors: Blouin Julie , Dragomir Alice , Moride Yola , Ste‐Marie Louis‐Georges , Fernandes Julio Cesar , Perreault Sylvie
Published: May 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Compliance with alendronate and risedronate is suboptimal.

• Few studies have specifically evaluated the impact of noncompliance with alendronate or risedronate on the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in community‐dwelling elderly women.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Among community‐dwelling elderly women, noncompliance [defined as medication possession ratio (MPR) < 80%] with alendronate or risedronate was associated with a 27% increased risk of nonvertebral fracture [rate ratio (RR) 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12, 1.44].

• This study is the first to assess the impact of noncompliance with bisphosphonates in a subgroup of women aged > 80 years.

• Among women aged > 80 years, MPR < 80% was associated with a 48% greater risk of sustaining a nonvertebral fracture (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.19, 1.85), compared with women with a MPR ≥ 80%.

AIMS

To evaluate the association between noncompliance with alendronate and risedronate and the risk of nonvertebral osteoporotic fracture in community‐dwelling elderly women.

METHODS

A nested case–control study was conducted using the Quebec administrative health databases. To be included in the cohort, women needed to be aged ≥ 68 years and to have initiated treatment with alendronate or risedronate between 1 January 2002 and 31 March 2005. Cases consisted of all women with an incident nonvertebral osteoporotic fracture occurring ≥ 1 year after initiation of therapy. Each case was matched with up to 20 controls using incidence density sampling, according to age (± 1 year) and follow‐up duration. A woman was noncompliant if she had a medication possession ratio (MPR) <80% for total follow‐up duration. Rate ratios (RR) for fracture were estimated through conditional logistic regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among the 30 259 women included in the cohort, 1036 nonvertebral fracture cases were identified and were matched to 20 069 controls. Compared with women with a MPR ≥ 80%, those with a MPR < 80% had a greater risk of nonvertebral fracture [adjusted RR 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12, 1.44]. Considering hip fracture only, the multivariate model yielded similar results, (adjusted RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02, 1.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Among community‐dwelling elderly women, noncompliance with alendronate or risedronate is associated with an increased risk of nonvertebral fracture.
Seasonal dynamics, typhoons and the regulation of lake metabolism in a subtropical humic lake
Authors: TSAI JENG‐WEI , KRATZ TIMOTHY K. , HANSON PAUL C. , WU JIUNN‐TZONG , CHANG WILLIAM Y. B. , ARZBERGER PETER W. , LIN BING‐SHIH , LIN FANG‐PANG , CHOU HSIU‐MEI , CHIU CHIH‐YU
Published: May 2008

1. We used high‐frequency in situ dissolved oxygen measurements to investigate the seasonal variability and factors regulating metabolism in a subtropical alpine lake in Taiwan between May 2004 and October 2005, specifically exploring how the typhoon season (from June or July to October) affects lake metabolism.

2. Gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (R) both peaked in early summer and mid‐autumn but dropped during the typhoon season and winter. Yuan‐Yang Lake is a net heterotrophic ecosystem (annual mean net ecosystem production −39.6 μmole O2 m−3).

3. Compared to the summer peaks, seasonal averages of GPP and R decreased by approximately 50% and 25%, respectively, during the typhoon season. Ecosystem respiration was more resistant to external disturbances than GPP and showed strong daily variation during typhoon seasons.

4. Changes in the quality and quantity of dissolved organic carbon controlled the temporal dynamics and metabolic regulation. External disturbances (typhoons) caused increased allochthony, increasing DOC and water colour and influencing lake metabolism.

5. Seasonal winter mixing and typhoon‐induced water mixing in summer and autumn play a key role in determining the extent to which the lake is a seasonal carbon sink or source to the atmosphere.
Clay as sealing material in nuclear waste repositories
Authors: Cuadros Javier
Published: May 2008

Nuclear waste from thermal plants poses a lasting risk to the biosphere because of its long radioactive life. The planned definitive storage place for it is in deeply buried repositories. Such repositories would need to be both impermeable to water, and plastic during deformation, in order to avoid the formation of cracks that may allow water in. One of the clay minerals, smectite, has these two properties and is an ideal candidate as a sealing material or even host rock for nuclear waste repositories. The chemical stability of smectite in the repository environment is sufficient to maintain good sealing properties during the active life of the relevant radionuclides.
Outstanding geological values: the basis of Mt Teide's World Heritage nomination
Authors: Carracedo Juan‐Carlos
Published: May 2008

In 1972 UNESCO created the World Heritage List to ‘preserve the world's superb natural and scenic areas and historic sites for the present and future generations of citizens of the entire world’. Nominated sites must be of ‘outstanding universal value’ and meet at least one of ten selection criteria, six cultural and four natural. Teide National Park (TNP) was inscribed in the World Heritage List in 2007 for its natural beauty and its ‘global importance in providing evidence of the geological processes that underpin the evolution of oceanic islands’ (Criteria vii and viii). The geological values rendering PNT an exceptional site are analysed in this article. Volcanism in Tenerife and TNP correspond to the Ocean Island Alkali Basalts (OIB), whereas the already nominated (1987) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, from a different geodynamic setting, belongs to the Tholeiitic series (OIT). Both National Parks complement each other to represent the entire range of products, features and landscapes of oceanic islands. The main geological elements of this Park include Las Cañadas Caldera, one of the most spectacular, best exposed and accessible volcanic calderas on Earth, two active rifts, and two large felsic stratovolcanoes, Teide and Pico Viejo, rising 3718 m above sea level and around 7500 m above the ocean floor, together the third highest volcanic structure in the world after the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes on the island of Hawaii.
Experimental respiratory anthrax infection in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Lever Mark S. , Stagg Anthony J. , Nelson Michelle , Pearce Peter , Stevens Daniel J. , Scott Elizabeth A. M. , Simpson Andrew J. H. , Fulop Mark J.
Published: May 2008

Inhalational anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal infection in man. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) was evaluated as a small non‐human primate (NHP) model of inhalational anthrax infection, as an alternative to larger NHP species. The marmoset was found to be susceptible to inhalational exposure to Bacillus anthracis Ames strain. The pathophysiology of infection following inhalational exposure was similar to that previously reported in the rhesus and cynomolgus macaque and humans. The calculated LD50 for B. anthracis Ames strain in the marmoset was 1.47 × 103 colony‐forming units, compared with a published LD50 of 5.5 × 104 spores in the rhesus macaque and 4.13 × 103 spores in the cynomolgus macaque. This suggests that the common marmoset is an appropriate alternative NHP and will be used for the evaluation of medical countermeasures against respiratory anthrax infection.
Superficial exudates of neutrophils prevent invasion of Bacillus anthracis bacilli into abraded skin of resistant mice
Authors: Hahn Beth L. , Bischof Timothy S. , Sohnle Peter G.
Published: May 2008

Skin window procedures in humans have shown rapid accumulation of neutrophils into the exuded fluids above abraded skin. The present study was undertaken to determine if similar epicutaneous neutrophil accumulation might explain the extreme resistance of HRS/J mice, both hairless (hr/hr) and haired (hr/+), to experimental cutaneous Bacillus anthracis Sterne infections on abraded skin. In this study, very early (6 h) biopsies demonstrated a lack of bacilli in skin from the HRS/J hr/hr mice, indicating that the organisms never did invade in these animals as opposed to early skin entry and then efficient clearance by host responses in the tissues. Touch preparations of either the inoculation filter or the skin surface revealed more inflammatory cells, fewer bacilli, and a higher percentage of cell‐associated bacilli in the HRS/J hr/hr mice than in comparator strains. In the HRS/J mice, cyclophosphamide treatment or separation of inoculated spores from the inflammatory infiltrates by a second filter below both produced marked increases in the number of bacilli observed. Examination of inoculation filter specimens demonstrated ingestion of spores and bacilli by neutrophils inside the filter at 6 h after inoculation. These findings suggest that an early and vigorous inflammatory cell infiltrate in HRS/J mice attacks the inoculated organisms above the skin surface and does not allow them to invade the tissues below.
Antibody titres to heat shock protein 27 are elevated in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Parizadeh Seyyed Mohammad Reza , Moohebati Mohsen , Tavallaie Shima , RezaKazemi‐Bajestani Seyyed Mohammad , Esmaeili Habib‐Allah , Ferns Gordon
Published: May 2008

IgG antibody titres to heat shock protein 27 (anti‐Hsp27) were measured to determine whether these titres were affected in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome. Blood samples were taken from 94 patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome. Anti‐Hsp27 IgG titres were determined using an in‐house enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the first and second 12 h after the onset of symptoms and compared with values for 81 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Median antibody titres to Hsp27 in the first sample from patients whose diagnosis was a myocardial infarction (n = 42) was 0.41 absorbancy units (range 0.28–0.57) and for those with unstable angina (n = 52) was 0.31 (range 0.20–0.42), both being significantly higher than for controls (n = 81), which was 0.08 (range 0.05–0.15) (P < 0.05). However, titres fell in the second samples collected in the coronary syndrome patients and were then no longer significantly different from controls (P > 0.05). Myocardial infarction patients also had significantly higher anti‐Hsp27 titres in the first 12 h than patients with unstable angina (P < 0.05), but again the difference in the second sample did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Serum antibody titres to Hsp27 rise and fall rapidly after the onset of acute coronary syndrome, and may be an early marker of myocardial ischaemia as patients with myocardial infarction or unstable angina both had high titres.
The behavioural phenotype of Smith–Magenis syndrome: evidence for a gene–environment interaction
Authors: Taylor L. , Oliver C.
Published: May 2008

Background Behaviour problems and a preference for adult contact are reported to be prominent in the phenotype of Smith–Magenis syndrome. In this study we examined the relationship between social interactions and self‐injurious and aggressive/disruptive behaviour in Smith–Magenis syndrome to explore potential operant reinforcement of problem behaviours and thus a gene–environment interaction.

Method Observational data on five children with Smith–Magenis syndrome (age range 3 to 13 years) were collected for between 9 and 12 h. The associations between purported phenotypic behaviours and two environmental events (adult attention and demands) were examined using descriptive analysis.

Results All participants engaged in self‐injurious behaviour and aggressive/disruptive outbursts. Sequential analyses of aggressive/disruptive outbursts and self‐injury revealed that these behaviours were evoked by low levels of adult attention and led to increased levels of attention following the behaviours in three and two participants respectively out of the four for whom this analysis was possible.

Conclusions Problem behaviour in Smith–Magenis syndrome was evoked by decreased social contact in three out of four children. These data, considered alongside the preference for adult contact and the significantly increased prevalence of these behaviours in Smith–Magenis syndrome, illustrate a potential gene–environment interaction for problem behaviour in this syndrome.
Population genetic divergence corresponds with species‐level biodiversity patterns in the large genus Begonia
Authors: HUGHES M. , HOLLINGSWORTH P. M.
Published: May 2008

Begonia is one of the largest angiosperm genera, containing over 1500 species. Some aspects of the distribution of biodiversity in the genus, such as the geographical restrictions of monophyletic groups, the rarity and morphological variability of widespread species, and a preponderance of narrow endemics, suggest that restricted gene flow may have been a factor in the formation of so many species. In order to investigate whether this inference based on large‐scale patterns is supported by data at the population level, we examined the distribution of genetic variation within Begonia sutherlandii in the indigenous forests of Kwazulu‐Natal, South Africa, using microsatellite markers. Despite the species being predominantly outbreeding, we found high and significant levels of population structure (standardized = 0.896). Even within individual populations, there was evidence for clear differentiation of subpopulations. There is thus congruence in evolutionary patterns ranging from interspecific phylogeny, the distribution of individual species, to the levels of population differentiation. Despite this species‐rich genus showing a pan‐tropical distribution, these combined observations suggest that differentiation occurs over very local scales. Although strongly selected allelic variants can maintain species cohesion with only low levels of gene flow, we hypothesize that in Begonia, gene flow levels are often so low, that divergence in allopatry is likely to be a frequent occurrence, and the lack of widespread species may in part be attributable to a lack of a mechanism for holding them together.
Fine‐scale population genetic structure in a fission–fusion society
Authors: ARCHIE ELIZABETH A. , MALDONADO JÉSUS E. , HOLLISTER‐SMITH JULIE A. , POOLE JOYCE H. , MOSS CYNTHIA J. , FLEISCHER ROBERT C. , ALBERTS SUSAN C.
Published: May 2008

Nonrandom patterns of mating and dispersal create fine‐scale genetic structure in natural populations — especially of social mammals — with important evolutionary and conservation genetic consequences. Such structure is well‐characterized for typical mammalian societies; that is, societies where social group composition is stable, dispersal is male‐biased, and males form permanent breeding associations in just one or a few social groups over the course of their lives. However, genetic structure is not well understood for social mammals that differ from this pattern, including elephants. In elephant societies, social groups fission and fuse, and males never form permanent breeding associations with female groups. Here, we combine 33 years of behavioural observations with genetic information for 545 African elephants (Loxodonta africana), to investigate how mating and dispersal behaviours structure genetic variation between social groups and across age classes. We found that, like most social mammals, female matrilocality in elephants creates co‐ancestry within core social groups and significant genetic differentiation between groups (ΦST = 0.058). However, unlike typical social mammals, male elephants do not bias reproduction towards a limited subset of social groups, and instead breed randomly across the population. As a result, reproductively dominant males mediate gene flow between core groups, which creates cohorts of similar‐aged paternal relatives across the population. Because poaching tends to eliminate the oldest elephants from populations, illegal hunting and poaching are likely to erode fine‐scale genetic structure. We discuss our results and their evolutionary and conservation genetic implications in the context of other social mammals.
Suppression of a cold‐sensitive mutation in ribosomal protein S5 reveals a role for RimJ in ribosome biogenesis
Authors: Roy‐Chaudhuri Biswajoy , Kirthi Narayanaswamy , Kelley Teresa , Culver Gloria M.
Published: May 2008

A specific mutation of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S5, in which glycine is changed to aspartate at position 28 [S5(G28D)], results in cold sensitivity and defects in ribosome biogenesis and translational fidelity. In an attempt to understand the roles of S5 in these essential cellular functions, we selected extragenic suppressors and identified rimJ as a high‐copy suppressor of the cold‐sensitive phenotype associated with the S5(G28D) mutation. Our studies indicate that RimJ overexpression suppresses the growth defects, anomalous ribosome profiles and mRNA misreading exhibited by the S5(G28D) mutant strain. Although previously characterized as the N‐acetyltransferase of S5, our data indicate that RimJ, when devoid of acetyltransferase activity, can suppress S5(G28D) defects thus indicating that the suppression activity of RimJ is not dependent on its acetyltransferase activity. Additionally, RimJ appears to associate with pre‐30S subunits indicating that it acts on the ribonucleoprotein particle. These findings suggest that RimJ has evolved dual functionality; it functions in r‐protein acetylation and as a ribosome assembly factor in E. coli.
Functional interplay between the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis YpsRI and YtbRI quorum sensing systems modulates swimming motility by controlling expression of flhDC and fliA
Authors: Atkinson Steve , Chang Chien‐Yi , Patrick Hannah L. , Buckley Catherine M. F. , Wang Yao , Sockett R. Elizabeth , Cámara Miguel , Williams Paul
Published: May 2008

Quorum sensing (QS) in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis involves two pairs of LuxRI orthologues (YpsRI and YtbRI) and multiple N‐acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). In a ypsI/ytbI mutant, AHL synthesis was abolished, unaffected in a ypsR/ytbR double mutant and substantially reduced in a ypsI/ytbR mutant, indicating that neither YpsR nor YtbR is essential for AHL synthesis. To determine the interrelationship between YpsRI and YtbRI we constructed chromosomal lux–promoter fusions to ypsR, ypsI, ytbR and ytbI and examined their expression in each of the QS mutant backgrounds. The YpsRI system negatively autoregulates itself but positively regulates the expression of the ytbRI system whereas the ytbRI system is positively autoregulated but only at the level of ytbI expression. YtbRI does not control expression of ypsR or ypsI. This hierarchical QS system controls swimming motility via regulation of flhDC and fliA. The AHLs synthesized via YtbI play a dual role, activating flhDC, in conjunction with YpsR but repressing fliA in conjunction with YtbR and YpsR. In liquid and plate assays, the early onset of motility observed in ypsR and ypsI mutants was abolished in ytbI, ytbR ypsI/ytbI, ypsR/ytbR mutants, indicating that QS regulates motility both positively (via YtbRI) and negatively (via YpsRI).
Yeast α‐tubulin suppressor Ats1/Kti13 relates to the Elongator complex and interacts with Elongator partner protein Kti11
Authors: Zabel René , Bär Christian , Mehlgarten Constance , Schaffrath Raffael
Published: May 2008

The alpha‐tubulin suppressor 1 (ATS1) gene and the killer toxin‐insensitive 13 (KTI13) locus from Saccharomyces cerevisiae are allelic. The Ats1/Kti13 gene product interacts with the cell polarity factor Nap1 and promotes growth inhibition of S. cerevisiae by zymocin, a tRNAse toxin complex from Kluyveromyces lactis. Kti13 removal causes zymocin resistance, a trait that is typical of defects in the Elongator complex. Here, we show that Kti13 co‐purifies with the Elongator partner protein Kti11 and that the Kti11 interaction, not the Nap1 partnership, requires the C‐terminus of Kti13. Moreover, Kti13 functionally relates to roles of the Elongator complex in tRNA wobble uridine modification, tRNA suppression of nonsense (SUP4) and missense (SOE1) mutations and tRNA restriction by zymocin. Also, inactivation of Kti13 or Elongator rescues the thermosensitive growth defect of secretory mutants (sec2‐59ts, sec12‐4ts), suggesting that Kti13 and Elongator affect secretion processes that depend on the GTP exchange factors Sec2 and Sec12 respectively. Distinct from tandem deletions in KTI13 and Elongator genes, a kti13Δkti11Δ double deletion induces synthetic sickness or lethality. In sum, our data suggest that Kti13 and Kti11 support Elongator functions and that they both share Elongator‐independent role(s) that are important for cell viability.
Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis biofilms containing free mycolic acids and harbouring drug‐tolerant bacteria
Authors: Ojha Anil K. , Baughn Anthony D. , Sambandan Dhinakaran , Hsu Tsungda , Trivelli Xavier , Guerardel Yann , Alahari Anuradha , Kremer Laurent , Jacobs William R. , Hatfull Graham F.
Published: May 2008

Successful treatment of human tuberculosis requires 6–9 months' therapy with multiple antibiotics. Incomplete clearance of tubercle bacilli frequently results in disease relapse, presumably as a result of reactivation of persistent drug‐tolerant Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells, although the nature and location of these persisters are not known. In other pathogens, antibiotic tolerance is often associated with the formation of biofilms – organized communities of surface‐attached cells – but physiologically and genetically defined M. tuberculosis biofilms have not been described. Here, we show that M. tuberculosis forms biofilms with specific environmental and genetic requirements distinct from those for planktonic growth, which contain an extracellular matrix rich in free mycolic acids, and harbour an important drug‐tolerant population that persist despite exposure to high levels of antibiotics.
Mast cells are activated by Leishmania mexicana LPG and regulate the disease outcome depending on the genetic background of the host
Authors: VILLASEÑOR‐CARDOSO M. I. , SALAIZA N. , DELGADO J. , GUTIÉRREZ‐KOBEH L. , PÉREZ‐TORRES A. , BECKER I.
Published: May 2008

The regulatory effect of mast cells on the pathogenesis of leishmaniasis is unclear. We report a comparative analysis of TLR2 membrane expression, TNF‐α, IL‐10 and MIP‐1α production, and granule release of bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMCs) from susceptible BALB/c and resistant C57BL/6 mice, stimulated in vitro with Leishmania mexicana lipophosphoglycan (LPG). We studied the kinetics of mast cell degranulation and parasite numbers in lesions of both mouse strains infected with L. mexicana. We found that BMMCs of C57BL/6 mice expressed more TLR2 and produced higher levels of both cytokines and MIP‐1α, whereas BALB/c BMMCs significantly augmented their granule release. Lesions of BALB/c mice showed higher levels of degranulated mast cells at 3 h of infection, whereas after 3 days of infection, the number of degranulated mast cells in C57BL/6 was higher than in BALB/c lesions. Throughout infection, BALB/c mice harboured more parasites. The regulatory effect of mast cells seems to depend on the genetic background of the host: mast cells of BALB/c mice facilitate disease progression due to an augmented inflammatory response early in the infection, whereas mast cells of C57BL/6 mice produce cytokines that regulate inflammation and maintain an elevated number of immune cells in the lesions, promoting disease control.
Unravelling the conundrum of river response to rising sea‐level from laboratory to field. Part I: Laboratory experiments
Authors: PARKER GARY , MUTO TETSUJI , AKAMATSU YOSHIHISA , DIETRICH WILLIAM E. , LAUER J. WESLEY
Published: May 2008

The most recent deglaciation resulted in a global sea‐level rise of some 120 m over approximately 12 000 years. In this Part I of two parts, a moving boundary numerical model is developed to predict the response of rivers to this rise. The model was motivated by experiments at small scale, which have identified two modes describing the transgression of a river mouth: autoretreat without abandonment of the river delta (no sediment starvation at the topset–foreset break) and sediment‐starved autoretreat with abandonment of the delta. In the latter case, transgression is far more rapid and its effects are felt much further upstream of the river mouth. The moving boundary numerical model is checked against experiments. The generally favourable results of the check motivate adaptation of the model to describe the response of the much larger Fly‐Strickland River system, Papua New Guinea to Holocene sea‐level rise; this is done in the companion paper, Part II.
Safety and efficacy of autologous endothelial progenitor cells transplantation in children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: Open‐label pilot study
Authors: Zhu Jun Hui , Wang Xing Xiang , Zhang Fu Rong , Shang Yun Peng , Tao Qian Min , Zhu Jian Hua , Chen Jun Zhu
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  Experimental data suggest that transplantation of EPCs attenuates monocrotaline‐induced pulmonary hypertension in rats and dogs. In addition, our previous studies suggested that autologous EPC transplantation was feasible, safe, and might have beneficial effects on exercise capacity and pulmonary hemodynamics in adults with IPAH. Thus, we hypothesized that transplantation of EPCs would improve exercise capacity and pulmonary hemodynamics in children with IPAH. Thirteen children with IPAH received intravenous infusion of autologous EPCs. The right‐sided heart catheterization and 6‐MWD test were performed at baseline and at the time of 12 wk after cell infusion. At the time of 12 wk, mPAP decreased by 6.4 mmHg from 70.3 ± 19.0 to 63.9 ± 19.3 mmHg (p = 0.015). PVR decreased by approximately 19% from 1118 ± 537 to 906 ± 377 dyn s/cm5 (p = 0.047). CO increased from 3.39 ± 0.79 to 3.85 ± 0.42 L/min (p = 0.048). The 6‐MWD increased by 39 m from 359 ± 82 to 399 ± 74 m (p = 0.012). NYHA functional class also improved. There were no severe adverse events with cell infusion. The small pilot study suggested that intravenous infusion of autologous EPCs was feasible, safe, and associated with significant improvements in exercise capacity, NYHA functional class, and pulmonary hemodynamics in children with IPAH. Confirmation of these results in a randomized controlled trial are essential.
Parental investment, sexual selection and sex ratios
Authors: KOKKO HANNA , JENNIONS MICHAEL D.
Published: May 2008

Conventional sex roles imply caring females and competitive males. The evolution of sex role divergence is widely attributed to anisogamy initiating a self‐reinforcing process. The initial asymmetry in pre‐mating parental investment (eggs vs. sperm) is assumed to promote even greater divergence in post‐mating parental investment (parental care). But do we really understand the process? Trivers [Sexual Selection and the Descent of Man 1871–1971(1972), Aldine Press, Chicago] introduced two arguments with a female and male perspective on whether to care for offspring that try to link pre‐mating and post‐mating investment. Here we review their merits and subsequent theoretical developments. The first argument is that females are more committed than males to providing care because they stand to lose a greater initial investment. This, however, commits the ‘Concorde Fallacy’ as optimal decisions should depend on future pay‐offs not past costs. Although the argument can be rephrased in terms of residual reproductive value when past investment affects future pay‐offs, it remains weak. The factors likely to change future pay‐offs seem to work against females providing more care than males. The second argument takes the reasonable premise that anisogamy produces a male‐biased operational sex ratio (OSR) leading to males competing for mates. Male care is then predicted to be less likely to evolve as it consumes resources that could otherwise be used to increase competitiveness. However, given each offspring has precisely two genetic parents (the Fisher condition), a biased OSR generates frequency‐dependent selection, analogous to Fisherian sex ratio selection, that favours increased parental investment by whichever sex faces more intense competition. Sex role divergence is therefore still an evolutionary conundrum. Here we review some possible solutions. Factors that promote conventional sex roles are sexual selection on males (but non‐random variance in male mating success must be high to override the Fisher condition), loss of paternity because of female multiple mating or group spawning and patterns of mortality that generate female‐biased adult sex ratios (ASR). We present an integrative model that shows how these factors interact to generate sex roles. We emphasize the need to distinguish between the ASR and the operational sex ratio (OSR). If mortality is higher when caring than competing this diminishes the likelihood of sex role divergence because this strongly limits the mating success of the earlier deserting sex. We illustrate this in a model where a change in relative mortality rates while caring and competing generates a shift from a mammalian type breeding system (female‐only care, male‐biased OSR and female‐biased ASR) to an avian type system (biparental care and a male‐biased OSR and ASR).
Nursing staff shortage and in‐hospital informal care in an oncology hospital in Greece: The nursing staff's perceptions
Authors: Sapountzi‐Krepia Despina , Lavdaniti Maria , Psychogiou Maria , Arsenos Panagiotis , Paralikas Theodossios , Triantafylidou Paraskevi , Georgiadou Charikleia
Published: May 2008

There is a broad variety of factors that are contributing to the nursing staff shortage. They include low wages, poor image of nursing, job satisfaction, ageing of the nursing workforce and cost reductions. In the Greek National Health System, there is a policy of open‐visiting hours in hospitals. Family members stay with the patients for many hours and provide in‐hospital informal care. The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions of nursing staff about the nursing staff shortage and the in‐hospital informal care in a Greek oncology hospital. For the data collection we used a 30‐item questionnaire. The majority of the participants (82.9%) stated that most patients have a family member staying longer than the official visiting hours for assisting with care. A main reason according to the nurses' opinion (37.4%) is the nursing staff shortage. In addition, most nurses disagree with relatives providing some of the informal caregiving activities. The findings are consistent with the findings of other studies. They might be of interest to Greek health authorities, to nurses and to Greek citizens in order to implement possible solutions to improve the hospitalization in Greek hospitals.
Daily dialysis: Exploring the impact for patients and nurses
Authors: Rayment Glenda Anne , Bonner Ann
Published: May 2008

Daily haemodialysis is different to conventional haemodialysis in that the person receives at least five haemodialysis sessions per week. Increased haemodialysis sessions demonstrate an increased quality of life, decreased intradialytic complications and a decrease in comorbidities that are experienced by people receiving conventional haemodialysis. These improvements in health status are offset with substantial consequences on time management for patient and staff as well as the increased financial cost of supplies. This paper compares conventional haemodialysis with daily haemodialysis and examines the benefits and limitations of daily haemodialysis. We suggest that people who receive daily haemodialysis are able to achieve their fullest health potential with an increased quality of life, less comorbidity and less hospitalization.
Retracted: Evaluation of the effect of pentoxifylline on white blood cell count in serum and peritoneal fluid in female rats with endometriosis
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Afsaneh , Heidari Mahnaz , Soltanghoraee Haleh , Jeddi‐Tehrani Mahmood , Ghaffari Novin Marefat , Akhondi Mahammad Mahdi A. , Zeraati Hojjat , Mohammadzadeh Farzaneh
Published: May 2008

Aim:  Endometriosis is defined as the growth of endometrium outside of the uterus in ectopic places. Immune system disturbances have an important role in endometriosis which may lead to infertility. It seems that inflammatory cytokines, specially tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), which are produced by activated macrophages, play an important role in the pathology of endometriosis. Based on this theory, anti‐TNF‐α drugs are suggested as new drugs for endometriosis. This experimental study has been performed on female rats to determine the effect of pentoxifylline on the white blood cell count in serum and peritoneal fluid.

Methods:  During the proestrous phase, one horn of the bicorn uterus of rats was removed surgically, and the endometrium implanted to different places as follows: subcutaneous, peritoneum and near the ovaries. After 2 months' observation, female rats were divided randomly into two groups. The treated group (n = 10) were given pentoxifylline (5 mg/kg twice a day), and the control group (n = 10) were given normal saline (the same dose), which was injected subcutaneously. Then via second laparotomy and in the same phase of the cycles, the size of implants and the white blood cell levels in the serum and peritoneum were measured.

Results:  In the treated group, the total implant mass (mm2) decreased significantly in the right subcutaneous (8.05 mm2vs 13.5 mm2; P = 0.01), left subcutaneous (7.64 mm2vs 14.00 mm2; P = 0.01), right ovary (6.64 mm2vs 15.22 mm2; P = 0.001) and left ovary (7.18 mm2vs 14.56 mm2; P = 0.005). The total white blood cell count (5254.5455 ± 178.73 vs 15 833.33 ± 259.27; P = 0.02) and neutrophils (297.34 ± 57.34 vs 2736.00 ± 346.75; P = < 0.001) in the serum were decreased and the total count of lymphocytes (4967.92 ± 696.194 vs 13 048.33 ± 178.73; P = 0.003) in serum was increased. There were not any significant changes in the total white blood cell count in the peritoneum in both groups. The number of estrous cycles in both groups was similar.

Conclusion:  Based on our study, pentoxifylline could decrease the size of endometrial implants, especially in the ovaries and subcutaneous areas, and total white blood cell count in serum. Pentoxifylline could increase the lymphocyte count and decrease the neutrophil count in serum, and because these changes it might alter the immune system. Pentoxifylline did not have any adverse effect on rats' cycles and a good aspect of treatment with pentoxifylline was achieved.
Discovery and characterization of a new bacterial candidate division by an anaerobic sludge digester metagenomic approach
Authors: Guermazi Sonda , Daegelen Patrick , Dauga Catherine , Rivière Delphine , Bouchez Théodore , Godon Jean Jacques , Gyapay Gábor , Sghir Abdelghani , Pelletier Eric , Weissenbach Jean , Le Paslier Denis
Published: May 2008

We have constructed a large fosmid library from a mesophilic anaerobic digester and explored its 16S rDNA diversity using a high‐density filter DNA–DNA hybridization procedure. We identified a group of 16S rDNA sequences forming a new bacterial lineage named WWE3 (Waste Water of Evry 3). Only one sequence from the public databases shares a sequence identity above 80% with the WWE3 group which hence cannot be affiliated to any known or candidate prokaryotic division. Despite representing a non‐negligible fraction (5% of the 16S rDNA sequences) of the bacterial population of this digester, the WWE3 bacteria could not have been retrieved using the conventional 16S rDNA amplification procedure due to their unusual 16S rDNA gene sequence. WWE3 bacteria were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in various environments (anaerobic digesters, swine lagoon slurries and freshwater biofilms) using newly designed specific PCR primer sets. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of sludge samples showed that WWE3 microorganisms are oval‐shaped and located deep inside sludge flocs. Detailed phylogenetic analysis showed that WWE3 bacteria form a distinct monophyletic group deeply branching apart from all known bacterial divisions. A new bacterial candidate division status is proposed for this group.
Factors influencing adoption of conservation tillage in Australian cropping regions*
Authors: D’Emden Francis H. , Llewellyn Rick S. , Burton Michael P.
Published: May 2008

The purpose of this research is to improve understanding of conservation tillage adoption decisions by identifying key biophysical and socio‐economic factors influencing no‐till adoption by grain growers across four Australian cropping regions. The study is based on interviews with 384 grain growers using a questionnaire aimed at eliciting perceptions relating to a range of possible long‐ and short‐term agronomic interactions associated with the relative economic advantage of shifting to a no‐tillage cropping system. Together with other farm and farmer‐specific variables, a dichotomous logistic regression analysis was used to identify opportunities for research and extension to facilitate more rapid adoption decisions. The broader systems approach to considering conservation tillage adoption identified important determinants of adoption not associated with soil conservation and erosion prevention benefits. Most growers recognised the erosion‐reducing benefits of no‐till but it was not an important factor in explaining whether a grower was an adopter or non‐adopter. Perceptions associated with shorter‐term crop production benefits under no‐till, such as the relative effectiveness of pre‐emergent herbicides and the ability to sow crops earlier on less rainfall were influential. Employment of a consultant and increased attendance of cropping extension activities were strongly associated with no‐till adoption, confirming the information and learning‐intensive nature of adopting no‐till cropping systems.
Opening up the Solution Space: The Role of Analogical Thinking for Breakthrough Product Innovation
Authors: Gassmann Oliver , Zeschky Marco
Published: May 2008

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the approach of analogical thinking for product innovation. We collected data on projects from four engineering firms where analogical thinking was successfully applied for the development of breakthrough innovations. Results show that abstracting the problem by in‐depth technical and contextual analysis is pivotal when searching for analogical solutions. Furthermore, the chances of identifying highly novel analogous solutions are increased if the problem is abstracted to the level of its structural similarities to other settings. We also found that the identification of structural similarities is supported when firms not only rely on the cognitive abilities of the individual but also employ an active search based on abstract search terms. Based on these insights, we propose a process model for the development of product innovations by means of analogical thinking.
Exploration and Exploitation in Innovation: Reframing the Interpretation
Authors: Li Ying , Vanhaverbeke Wim , Schoenmakers Wilfred
Published: May 2008

There has been a burgeoning literature about exploitation and exploration since March's seminal article in 1991. However, in reviewing the extant literature we find different interpretations of both concepts leading to ambiguity and even some inconsistency. This paper focuses in particular on the interpretation of exploration and exploitation in the literature on technological innovation. It addresses two critical research questions. First, what are the different interpretations of exploitation and exploration? Second, how can we set up a framework that reconciles these differences and reduces the ambiguity that we find in the literature? To answer these two questions, we first explain what the root causes of these different viewpoints are. Second, we provide a theoretical framework that integrates the different perspectives, sets up a new typology to define exploration and exploitation, identifies white spaces in the current research and provides guidance for future research.