bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the 12C4 survivin monoclonal antibody and insight into the expression of survivin in human adult tissues
Authors: Spaulding B , Pan D , Ghadersohi A , Nielsen G , Jensen S , Gellert F , Ling X , Zhang M , Black A , Li F
Published: November 2006

Aims:  To elucidate the expression and regulation of survivin in normal tissues.

Methods and results:  A novel monoclonal antibody (12C4) to survivin was generated. Application of this antibody to determine survivin expression in human normal adult tissues revealed that most adult tissues do not express survivin and, where it is present, survivin is largely restricted to a small subset of epithelial cells and cells with proliferative potential such as thymus. Survivin expression among positive tissues showed individual variations, ranging from zero to < 5% positive cells in epithelial cell populations. Testis is the only human adult tissue highly expressing survivin, with 60–70% positivity in the nuclei of spermatogonia. Consistent with deregulated expression of survivin associated with oncogenesis, we found that certain ligands and transcription factors differentially modulate survivin promoter activity in cancer cells versus normal/untransformed cells.

Conclusion:  Deregulation of survivin transcription controls in individual epithelial cells may contribute to oncogenesis in various human adult tissues.
Mutations and nuclear accumulation of β‐catenin correlate with intestinal phenotypic expression in human gastric cancer
Authors: Ogasawara N , Tsukamoto T , Mizoshita T , Inada K , Cao X , Takenaka Y , Joh T , Tatematsu M
Published: November 2006

Aims:  Abnormal localization of β‐catenin is frequently observed in human gastric cancers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate relationships among gastrointestinal differentiation phenotypes, β‐catenin localization and mutations of Wnt signalling genes.

Methods and results:  Seventy‐seven regions in 39 gastric adenocarcinomas were classified according to β‐catenin localization and gastric and intestinal phenotypes. Cases with membranous β‐catenin localization showed a gradual decrease from gastric (G) (55% = 6/11) and gastric‐and‐intestinal‐mixed (GI) (17% = 5/29) to intestinal (I) (0% = 0/21) phenotypes, while those with nuclear localization showed a concomitant increase: 18% (2/11), 41% (12/29), 95% (20/21) and 63% (10/16) for G, GI, I and null type (N), respectively (P < 0.001, membranous versus nuclear localization in G, GI through I). Mutations in exon 3 of the β‐catenin gene were found in G (50% = 1/2), GI (67% = 8/12), I (45% = 9/20) and N (0% = 0/10) regions with nuclear β‐catenin localization (GI versus N, P < 0.01; I versus N, P < 0.05). Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations were demonstrated only in GI, I and N types, irrespective of β‐catenin localization. Molecular analysis of these genes revealed 10 tumours to be heterogeneous out of 16 informative cases (62.5%).

Conclusion:  Intestinal phenotypic expression is accompanied by a shift from membranous to cytoplasmic/nuclear accumulation of β‐catenin. In contrast, N‐type regions may progress along a different pathway.
The role of liver‐derived regulatory dendritic cells in prevention of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Liang Xiaoyan , Ma Linlin , Thai Ngoc L. , Fung John J. , Qian Shiguang , Lu Lina
Published: November 2006

Development of type 1 diabetes has been attributed to T‐cell‐mediated autoimmunity, which is regulated by antigen‐presenting cells. To study the role of liver‐derived B220+ regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) in the development of diabetes in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we found that liver 220+ DCs could easily be propagated from young NOD mice, but that such propagation was extremely difficult from mice older than 11 weeks, when insulitis began. This was not simply an age‐related phenomenon, because liver B220+ DCs were readily propagated from both young and old congenic non‐obese diabetic‐resistant (NOR) and normal BALB/c mice. It was therefore speculated that the development of diabetes might be associated with a lack of precursors of B220+ DC in the liver in this animal model. Unfortunately, the specific marker for precursors of liver B220+ DC has not been identified. An alternative approach to supplement liver B220+ DCs by intravenous administration significantly inhibited the development of diabetes by inducing T‐cell hyporesponsiveness via enhancement of their apoptotic death. Liver B220+ DCs were capable of effectively presenting antigens but, unlike plasmacytoid DCs, did not express CD11c and were not interferon‐α producers. These observations may throw new light on the aetiopathology of type 1 diabetes.
On a key postulate of T‐cell receptor restrictive function: the V‐gene loci act as a single pool encoding recognition of the polymorphic alleles of the species major histocompatibility complex
Authors: Cohn Melvin
Published: November 2006

The proposition that single Vα or Vβ gene segments specify the recognition of the allele‐specific determinants expressed on the major histocompatibility complex‐encoded restricting elements of the species has as its consequence a totally different picture of the functioning of the T‐cell receptor. This commentary justifies this assumption and outlines some of its most important consequences.
Sensitivity of oral bacteria to 254 nm ultraviolet light
Authors: Metzger Z. , Dotan M. , Better H. , Abramovitz I.
Published: November 2006

Aim  To explore the sensitivity of bacteria commonly found in root canals to 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light, either as individual cells or as participants of a bacterial multilayer.

Methodology  The sensitivity of oral bacteria, as individual cells, to UV light was tested by subjecting plates streaked with bacteria to 254 nm UV, at a fluence of 1–20 mJ cm−2. An experimental model was designed to produce a bacterial multilayer and to study absorption of UV light by bacteria in an outer layer and its effect on the elimination of bacteria in the inner layer.

Results  Direct exposure to relatively low doses of UV light (2–7 mJ cm−2) effectively eliminated all bacterial strains tested. Furthermore, an Enterococcus faecalis strain, partially resistant to a 24 h exposure to calcium hydroxide, was effectively eliminated within several seconds of exposure to UV light (P < 0.001). UV was absorbed by a multilayer of bacteria. When 4 bacterial cells μm−2 were present in the light path, the UV light dose had to be increased by a factor of ×10 to achieve 100% elimination of the bacteria in an inner layer.

Conclusions  The application of UV light to eliminate endodontic pathogens may be possible. Nevertheless, its absorbance by outer layers of bacteria should be considered and the UV light dose adapted accordingly.
Male serum Chlamydia trachomatis IgA and IgG, but not heat shock protein 60 IgG, correlates with negatively affected semen characteristics and lower pregnancy rates in the infertile couple
Authors: Idahl A. , Abramsson L. , Kumlin U. , Liljeqvist J. A. , Olofsson J. I.
Published: November 2006

Background:  The objective of this study was to evaluate whether serum Chlamydia trachomatis immunoglobulin‐A (IgA), IgM and C. trachomatis heat shock protein 60 (CHSP60) IgG are of additional value to C. trachomatis IgG regarding the impact on fecundity in infertile couples, and to relate C. trachomatis serum antibodies to semen characteristics, diagnoses and pregnancy outcome.

Methods:  A total of 226 infertile couples, previously tested for C. trachomatis IgG, were tested for C. trachomatis IgA, IgM and CHSP60 IgG, and semen samples from all men were analysed.

Results:  Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA in men (but not in women) correlated with reduced chances of achieving pregnancy [p = 0.021, relative risk (RR) =0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42–1.005] and in combination with C. trachomatis IgG the chance was further reduced (p =0.001, RR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.15–0.84). Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA was also significantly correlated with reduced motility of the spermatozoa (−8.7%, p = 0.023), increased number of dead spermatozoa (+10.5%, p = 0.014) and higher prevalence of leucocytes in semen (+122%, p = 0.005), and in combination with C. trachomatis IgG positivity, there was also a decrease in sperm concentration (−35%, p = 0.033), the number of progressive spermatozoa (−14.8%, p = 0.029) and a rise in the teratozoospermia index (+4.4%, p = 0.010). CHSP60 IgG correlated with reduced motility (−5.6%, p = 0.033), and in the women to tubal factor infertility (p = 0.033), but no correlations of C. trachomatis serum IgM or CHSP60 IgG with pregnancy rates were found.

Conclusions:  Chlamydia trachomatis serum IgA in the male partner of the infertile couple has an additive value to IgG in predicting pregnancy chances, and serum IgA and IgG are associated with subtle negative changes in semen characteristics.
Requirements for Healthy Nutrition: Integrating Food Sustainability, Food Variety, Health
Authors: WAHLQVIST AO M. L.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Until recently, the criteria for healthy nutrition were couched principally in terms of a combination of some form of Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDIs) for energy (calories/kilojoules) and for nutrients recognized as essential, along with Dietary Guidelines (since the late 1970s in various countries). In Cyprus, in 1995, WHO and FAO advocated FBDGs (Food‐Based Dietary Guidelines); these allow for food cultural differences, population genetic differences, and the broad non‐nutrition roles of food (such as social discourse); and, especially, the physico‐chemical properties and phytochemicals which confer human biological advantages. Measures of the total cuisine (for example, of the traditionality of the Greek diet) and its transportability to other localities (such as Food Habits in Later Life and SENECA studies) in relation to health also indicate that the contribution of diet to health is more than the sum of its chemical components. Food diversity or variety (including food processing variations) is also a predictor of health outcomes and of food security. It is also relevant that for each 1% increase in dietary diversity there is a 1% increase in per capita food consumption for poor and middle‐income countries. Food variety also reflects biodiversity and environmental security. In the future, it can be expected that the environmental costs of food production will need to be taken into account in the formulation of nutrition requirements and related policy and in food choice.
Food Security, Overweight, and Agricultural Research—A View from 2003
Authors: KENNEDY E. , SC. D.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Some of the poorest countries of the world are facing an apparent paradox. Food insecurity, undernutrition, and overweight exist side by side within the same country. Indeed, food‐insecure households often contain an overweight member. Data from 11 mega‐countries (countries with a population of more than 100 million) will be presented to illustrate the magnitude of the problem. These 11 countries represent more than 60% of the world's population. Agriculture is still a dominant industry. The links between food insecurity, nutritional status, and agriculture will be presented.
Ethical and Ethnical Requirements in the Production of Food L. E. GRIVETTI
Authors: GRIVETTI L.E.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: The presentation explores ethnic food and ethics aspects of food distribution and food security. Basic principles associated with human food selection and avoidance have been known for some time (since World War I). During intervening decades, however, persistent problems have remained, including mismatched food assistance, short‐sighted economic policies, lack of political will, disrespect for women's labor and decision‐making skills, and, more recently, debate over zero‐risk and genetically modified foods (GMFs) to reduce hunger and malnutrition. Fieldwork investigations of regional food production systems where specific food security mechanisms are identified have improved and streamlined the distribution of food supplies during and after regional or local crises. Paradoxically, such studies raise an important ethical issue, given that these same data have been and can be used by insurgents to sabotage food supplies and disrupt relief efforts. The presentation concludes with personal perspectives on associations between ethnic foods, food‐related ethics, and food security. Several approaches to improving food chain security are reviewed, including micro‐finance, household gardens, selected GMF technology, and how to improve existing food‐related programs.
Effects of Thermal Treatment on Radical‐scavenging Activity of Single and Mixed Polyphenolic Compounds
Authors: MURAKAMI M. , YAMAGUCHI T. , TAKAMURA H. , ATOBA T. M
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Rutin, luteolin, luteolin‐7‐glucoside, and chlorogenic acid gradually decomposed during heating at 100°C. Even though they rapidly decomposed at 180°C, some decomposition products still had radical‐scavenging activity. When rutin was heated in the presence of chlorogenic acid, decomposition of rutin was almost totally inhibited at 100°C, but was reduced at 180°C. These results suggest that the radical‐scavenging activity is more stable than the content of original polyphenolic compounds in foods during cooking and processing.
Immunoassays for Bowman‐Birk and Kunitz Soybean Trypsin Inhibitors in Infant Formula
Authors: BRANDON D. L. , BATES A. H. , FRIEDMAN MENDEL
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Because the consumption of soybean inhibitors of digestive enzymes in processed foods may have both beneficial and adverse health‐related effects, reliable and rapid analytical methods for these inhibitors are needed. Monoclonal antibody‐based sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed for the 2 major soybean protease inhibitors, the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) and Bowman‐Birk inhibitor (BBI) of trypsin and chymotrypsin. The ELISAs had limits of quantification of approximately 1 and 3 ng/mL for BBI and KTI, respectively, and were used to measure active inhibitors in soy infant formulas. Results were compared with enzymatic analyses and demonstrated that most of the trypsin‐ and chymotrypsin‐inhibitory activities of infant formula were due to constituents other than KTI and BBI. The sandwich ELISA for BBI was also effective in detecting soybean germplasm with atypically low levels of BBI.
Impact of Autolytic and Proteolytic Lactobacilli and Nisin‐Producing Culture on Proteolysis and Sensory Characteristics in Cheddar Cheese
Authors: SALLAMI L. , KHEADR E. E. , FLISS I. , VUILLEMARD J. C.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Cheddar cheeses were made using a nisin‐tolerant starter culture with either Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus UL12 (autolytic strain), Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei L2A (proteolytic strain), Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis UL719 (nisin producer), or of Lb. bulgaricus UL12 and Lc. diacetylactis UL719. Lb. bulgaricus UL12 produced more trichloroacetic acid‐soluble nitrogen than did Lb. casei L2A, which produced more phosphotungstic acid‐soluble nitrogen than did Lc. diacetylactis UL719. High‐performance liquid chromatography analyses showed that either lactobacilli or Lc. diacetylactis UL719 increased the hydrophilic and hydrophobic peptide contents. Cheeses containing both Lb. bulgaricus UL12 and Lc. diacetylactis UL719 had the most intense old Cheddar cheese flavor after 6 mo of ripening.
Chemical Composition and Oxidative Stability of Safflower Oil Prepared with Expeller from Safflower Seeds Roasted at Different Temperatures
Authors: LEE Y. C. , KIM I. H. , CHANG J. , RHEE Y. K. , OH H. I. , PARK H. K.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Seeds with different roasting (140°C to 180°C) and expelling (110°C to 150°C) temperatures were evaluated. The color development of their oils increased as both temperatures increased. The fatty acid compositions did not change, the major one being linoleic acid (80%). There were significant differences in the phosphorus content of oils prepared at different roasting temperatures, which was not the case with oils prepared at different expelling temperatures. The major phospholipid component of oil is phosphatidylinositol. The proportion of phosphatidylinositol in oil increased as both temperatures increased. Phosphatidylethanolamine in oil decreased as roasting temperatures increased. Tocopherols and tocotrienols were identified. The oxidative stabilities increased as both temperatures increased.
Composition of Main Carotenoids in Korean Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum, L) and Changes of Pigment Stability During the Drying and Storage Process
Authors: KIM S. , PARK J. , HWANG I. K.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to identify main carotenoids in red pepper and to investigate pigment stability during drying and storage. The main pigments in saponified extracts were capsanthin, zeaxanthin, β‐cryptoxanthin, β‐carotene, and an unknown peak, which was considered to be capsorubin by spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Myristoylcapsanthin, lauroylmyristoylcapsanthin, and myristoylpalmitoylcapsanthin were identified from unsaponified extracts analyzing fragment ions by LC/MS. In capsanthin stability, the difference in drying method had the most influence until 2‐mo storage, whereas after 2‐mo storage, temperature became the major factor. Myristoylpalmitoylcapsanthin was more stable than myristoylcapsanthin during storage.
Carbon Monoxide in Modified Atmosphere Packaging Affects Color, Shelf Life, and Microorganisms of Beef Steaks and Ground Beef
Authors: HUNT M. C. , MANCINI R. A. , HACHMEISTER K. A. , KROPF D. H. , MERRIMAN M. , de LDUCA G. , MILLIKEN G.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT— Color and microbiology of steaks and ground beef stored in 0.4% CO, 30% CO2, and 69.6% N2 (but removed from the modified atmosphere before display) were compared with product displayed immediately after packaging in polyvinyl chloride film (only atmospheric oxygen). Storage of ground beef, loineye, inside round, and tenderloin steaks for up to 35 d in 0.4% CO resulted in typical initial bloomed color. Compared with product exposed to only oxygen, storage of ground beef and loineye steaks in 0.4% CO decreased color stability, whereas color life increased for tenderloin and inside semimembranosus muscles. No steaks having acceptable color had spoilage levels of microbes (≥log 7). Thus, carboxymyoglobin formed from 0.4% CO did not mask microbial spoilage.
Total Anthocyanins and Total Phenolics of Fresh and Processed Cherries and Their Antioxidant Properties
Authors: CHAOVANALIKIT A. , WROLSTAD R. E.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Total anthocyanins, total phenolics, and the antioxidant activities of 1 sour cherry cultivar (Prunus cerasusL.) and 3 sweet cherry cultivars (P. aviumL.) were determined. Bing cherries were highest in anthocyanins, whereas Montmorency cherries were highest in total phenolics and antioxidant activities (oxygen radical absor‐bance capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power). Total phenolics and anthocyanins for all cultivars were concentrated in the skin. More than 75% of anthocyanins in frozen Bing cherries were destroyed after 6 mo of storage at ‐23°C. During canning, about half the anthocyanins and polyphenolics leached from the fruits into the syrup with little total loss. Spent cherry brine contained substantial anthocyanins and polyphenolics.
Dielectric Properties of Mashed Potatoes Relevant to Microwave and Radio‐frequency Pasteurization and Sterilization Processes
Authors: UAN D. G , CHENG M. , WANG Y. , TANG J.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Dielectric properties of mashed potatoes relevant to microwave and radio‐frequency (RF) pasteurization and sterilization processes were measured over 1 to 1800 MHz and 20 °C to 120 °C. Effects of moisture content (81.6% to 87.8%, wb) and salt content (0.8% to 2.8%, wb) were investigated. Dielectric loss factors and constants decreased with frequency. Dielectric loss factors increased with temperature and salt content, but dielectric constants were not significantly affected. Ionic conductivity played a dominant role at low frequencies. Power penetration depth increased with moisture content and decreased with temperature, frequency, and salt content. Regression equations were developed to relate the dielectric properties to temperature, moisture, and salt contents.
Oscillatory Sorption Tests for Determining the Water‐transport Properties of Chitosan‐based Edible Films
Authors: DEL NOBILE M. A. , BUONOCORE G. G. , CONTE A.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: A new approach based on the use of the oscillatory sorption tests is proposed for determining the water‐transport properties of chitosan‐based edible films. Stepwise sorption tests, oscillatory sorption tests, and water‐permeation tests were conducted at 25 °C on chitosan edible films to elucidate the advantage of using the proposed approach. A mathematical model, which accounts for the superposition of polymer relaxation and stochastic diffusion, was used to fit and to predict the experimental data. Results suggest that wherever water‐sorption kinetic is controlled by polymer relaxation, oscillatory sorption tests should be used instead of stepwise sorption tests to determine the relationship between water‐diffusion coefficient and the local water concentration.
Water‐Insoluble, Whey Protein‐ based Microspheres Prepared by an All‐aqueous Process
Authors: ROSENBERG M. , LEE S. J.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Calcium‐alginate coated microspheres consisting of whey proteins and a model sensitive core, paprika oleoresin, were prepared using an all‐aqueous process. Core‐in‐wall emulsions containing 20% or 25% whey protein isolate and 15% to 50% (wt/wt) core were investigated. Retention of proteins and core during the process ranged from 84.9% to 95.6% and from 91.4% to 95.7%, respectively. Results indicated that microspheres were water‐insoluble and the encapsulated sensitive core was effectively protected against oxidative deterioration. This protection could be attributed to the protein‐based layer adsorbed at the oil/water interface. The matrix of the microspheres exhibited microstructural features of an interactive composite‐type material. Results suggested the potential suitability of the microspheres as delivery systems for controlled core release in food applications.
Activity of Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water Against Penicilium expansum in Suspension and on Wounded Apples
Authors: OKULL D. O. , LABORDE L. F.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: Spores of Penicillium expansum, the primary organism responsible for the occurrence of patulin in apple juice, were exposed to electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water in an aqueous suspension and on wounded apples. Full‐strength and 50% EO water decreased viable spore populations by greater than 4 and 2 log units, respectively. Although EO water did not prevent lesion formation on fruit previously inoculated with P. expansum, cross‐contamination of wounded apples from decayed fruit or by direct addition of spores to a simulated dump tank was substantially reduced. EO water, therefore, has potential as an alternative to chlorine disinfectants for controlling infection of apples by P. expansum during handling and processing operations.
The Lactic Acid Bacteria Genome Project
Authors: MILLS D. A.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: In 2002, the Joint Genome Institute and the Lactic Acid Bacteria Genome Consortium (LABGC) released draft genome sequences for 11 food fermentation‐related bacteria including: Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bul‐garicus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Oenococcus oeni, Bifidobacterium longum, and Brevibacterium linens. Public availability of these aggregate sequence data will allow researchers to examine these microbes, in the context of food and beverage production, in new detail. Sequence annotation of these strains is ongoing and comparisons between the lactic acid bacteria will shed light on those genetic programs conserved across a range of fermentation niches. Future functional genomic approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) will help define the molecular nature of metabolic networks within these microbes. This knowledge, aided by the development of new genetic tools, will better enable the selection and/or tailoring of strains for various fermentation or probiotic rationales.
The Role of Folate in Reducing Chronic and Developmental Disease Risk: An Overview
Authors: CAUDILL MARIE
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: The role of folate in health and disease has moved beyond prevention of macrocytic anemia. Sub‐optimal folate status is now linked to increased risk for heart disease, certain cancers, impaired cognition, and increased risk for birth defects and complications. Since folate is essential for nucleotide synthesis, homocys‐teine metabolism, and de novo synthesis of S‐adenosylmethionine, aberrations in these pathways may contribute, alone or together, to the disease processes discussed in this paper.
Folate, Cognition, and Depression in the Era of Folic Acid Fortification
Authors: MILLER JOSHUA W.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT: It has long been recognized that folate deficiency is associated with impaired cognitive function, particularly in older adults. Moreover, folate deficiency contributes to the symptoms of clinical depression and negatively influences the efficacy of antidepressant medications. The pathophysiological mechanisms by which folate deficiency influences cognition and depressive mood are not clearly understood, but may be mediated by decreased intracellular concentration of the methyl donor S‐adenosylmethionine in the brain and increased concentration of the putative vascular toxin homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia). Folic acid fortification of flour in the United States, intended to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, has been in effect since January 1, 1998. The program has proven to be highly successful having lowered the prevalence of folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia, as well as the incidence of neural tube defects. An important question is whether associations between folate status, cognition, and depression remain significant. In this presentation, the evidence supporting the relationships between folate status, cognition, and depression will be summarized. In addition, epidemiological data will be presented from the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA), a community‐based cohort study of physical and cognitive function in Latino Americans age 60 years and older, that indicate folate status remains a significant determinant of cognitive function and depressive mood despite the success of folic acid fortification.
Lack of phylogeographic structure in three widespread Australian birds reinforces emerging challenges in Australian historical biogeography
Authors: Joseph Leo , Wilke Thomas
Published: November 2006

Aims  Building on molecular studies of widespread Australian vertebrates, we tested whether each of three widespread Australian bird species, namely the singing honeyeater, Lichenostomus virescens, spiny‐cheeked honeyeater, Acanthagenys rufogularis (Passeriformes: Meliphagidae), and black‐faced woodswallow, Artamus cinereus (Passeriformes: Artamidae), has undergone a recent (Pleistocene) range expansion across the Australian continent. We related the findings to the presence or absence of geographic variation in each species’ external phenotype and whether historical or non‐historical factors have been involved in generating variation.

Methods  A total of 92 specimens of the three species were collected from, as far as possible, the same localities across Australia. They were sampled for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity in the 1041 base pairs of the ND2 gene, and these data were analysed with nucleotide diversity statistics, unrooted networks, nested clade analysis, and tests of range expansion or stability.

Results  Range expansions could not be rejected in any of the species in our study. Each had low, geographically unstructured nucleotide diversity. Patterns of geographic variation in the singing honeyeater's and, to a lesser extent, the black‐faced woodswallow's external phenotypes are not correlated with mtDNA diversity in ND2.

Main conclusions  Our study adds to the increasing number of data sets suggesting the apparent prevalence of Pleistocene population expansions in widespread Australian birds. Furthermore, it shows that observable geographic structure may evolve very quickly, in response either to environmental gradients or to historical factors that operated too recently to be detected by ND2 sequences (e.g. in the singing honeyeater). Conversely, we have shown that a species that has had a recent population expansion need not necessarily be geographically invariant. To understand fully the interplay between vicariance and dispersal in the history of widespread Australian arid‐zone birds, or between the historical and non‐historical origins of their differentiation, carefully conducted case‐by‐case molecular studies will be necessary. Only then will biogeographical patterns and the processes that led to them emerge. Study of the historical biogeography and the more recent population history of Australian arid‐zone birds has reached a point where mtDNA‐based studies, while still informative and contributing to a growing data base of such work, should be complemented with data from multiple, rapidly evolving nuclear loci.
Tree line population monitoring of Pinus sylvestris in the Swedish Scandes, 1973–2005: implications for tree line theory and climate change ecology
Authors: KULLMAN LEIF
Published: November 2006

Demographic trends of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) tree line populations are reported for a 32‐year monitoring period (1973–2005). Functional and projective aspects of tree line performance were analysed by relating temporal variability and change of vital population parameters, such as natality/mortality, vigour, injuries, height growth and seed viability to contemporary variations in air and soil temperatures.

The size of the entire sampled population increased by 50% during the 32‐year observation period and thereby pine has become a more prominent element on the landscape. This reverses a natural multicentennial or even millennial trend of tree line decline and recession.

Contrasting population trends were recorded for the subperiods 1973–87 and 1988–2005, viz. decline and increase, respectively. Mean summer temperatures (JJA) did not change perceivably over and between these intervals, although some exceptionally warm summers from 1997 onwards have contributed to population expansion by increased seed viability and seedling emergence. Winter temperatures (DJF) decreased significantly over the first subperiod and were consistently higher during the second, which has significantly lowered the mortality rates.

A functional link to winter temperature conditions was particularly stressed by the aetiology of individual plant vigour, injuries and final mortality. Classical symptoms of winter desiccation correlated significantly with low winter temperatures. This negative impact occurred with a high frequency during the decline phase and virtually ceased during the expansion phase from 1988 onwards, when winter air and root zone temperatures were raised to a consistently higher level.

Winter and summer temperatures in the air and soil, as well as positive feedback mechanisms and nonlinear responses, must be taken into account in the search for global or regional mechanical explanations for the tree line phenomenon. This insight helps to generate realistic tree line models for a high‐CO2 world, when winter warming is usually predicted to be particularly large.
Hierarchical patterns of symbiotic orchid germination linked to adult proximity and environmental gradients
Authors: DIEZ JEFFREY M.
Published: November 2006

The recruitment stage can be critical in determining plant population dynamics, as juveniles encounter a range of abiotic and biotic stressors in the environments where they land after dispersal, and often experience high mortality rates. Although both abiotic and biotic constraints on recruitment are often assumed to operate at multiple scales, these relationships are rarely quantified in ways that enable prediction of recruitment dynamics across environmental gradients.

In plants such as orchids, an important bottleneck on recruitment may arise from an obligate dependence on mycorrhizal fungi in order to reach photosynthetic stage. Very little is known, however, about the factors controlling the distribution of the fungi or how fungal distributions may constrain orchid recruitment and distributions.

In this study, seed introduction experiments were used to test for relationships between symbiotic germination success of an orchid, Goodyera pubescens, and both proximity to adult orchids and soil abiotic conditions. Experiments were linked to ongoing demographic monitoring across a large environmental gradient to place patterns of germination better in the context of longer‐term demographic patterns.

A hierarchical Bayesian statistical framework was used to evaluate explicitly how recruitment varies across scales and how this variation is explained by key abiotic variables. This framework was further utilized to link hypothesis testing to model building, and thereby improve our ability to make predictions across a range of environmental conditions.

At a microsite scale (< 4 m2) strong evidence was found for decreasing germination success further from adult plants. At distances greater than 1 m from adults, increased germination success was associated with higher soil moisture, higher organic content and lower pH, although the strength of these relationships varied regionally. Patterns of symbiotic germination success were also highly correlated with observed recruitment patterns at the population level.

Explicitly linking plant recruitment to underlying abiotic gradients and key biotic interactions using a hierarchical, predictive modelling framework is essential for understanding basic plant population processes and building capacity to make predictions of how species and communities may respond to environmental changes.
Dormancy is associated with decreased adult survival in the burnt orchid, Neotinea ustulata
Authors: SHEFFERSON RICHARD P. , TALI KADRI
Published: November 2006

Prolonged dormancy, a condition in which herbaceous perennial plants do not sprout for more than a year, has only been described to any great extent in long‐lived clonal species, particularly in the family Orchidaceae. However, some short‐lived, partly clonal or non‐clonal perennials also experience dormancy, and their shorter life spans and reduced or absent clonality may change the life history costs and benefits of this phenomenon.

We explored the life history context of dormancy in one such plant, Neotinea ustulata. A total of 1013 plants were monitored in five populations across Estonia between 1993 and 2005. Cormack–Jolly–Seber (CJS) and multistate analyses, two statistical methods to estimate demographic parameters in open populations, were conducted to estimate the probabilities of survival, dormancy and state transition among flowering, vegetative and dormant states among the populations.

The best‐fit CJS model suggested that dormancy varied among populations unpredictably, while survival varied in parallel among populations across time. Mean survival was 0.727 ± 0.115 (± SE) and mean dormancy was 0.543 ± 0.129.

Multi‐state analyses suggested that survival varied in parallel with life history state across all populations, with flowering plants surviving almost completely (0.999 ± 0.007) and dormant plants being the least likely to survive (0.684 ± 0.042). Vegetative plants were found to be intermediate (0.793 ± 0.051). All plants were likely to revert to a dormant state (range 0.451 ± 0.085–0.812 ± 0.053).

Dormancy appears to be maladaptive in N. ustulata, although we suggest that it may still be adaptive as a bet‐hedging trait if it results in substantially lower variability in survival and fitness over the long term. We suggest that conservation measures aimed at preserving populations of dormancy‐prone plants be linked to censuses focusing on detecting and estimating dormancy levels because high levels of dormancy indicate a low annual survival.
An ecologist's guide to ecogenomics
Authors: OUBORG N. J. , VRIEZEN W. H.
Published: November 2006

Currently, plant ecologists are increasingly adopting approaches and techniques from molecular biology. The new field of ecogenomics aims at understanding the mechanistic basis for adaptation and phenotypic variation by using genomic techniques to investigate the mechanistic and evolutionary basis of species interactions, and focuses on identifying the genes affected by evolution.

While the entire toolbox of genomics is only available for model species such as Arabidopsis thaliana, we describe the options open to ecologists interested in pursuing an ecogenomics research program on ecologically relevant traits or phenomena in non‐model species, for which part of the genomic toolbox may be currently unavailable. In these non‐model species, a viable ecogenomics research program is possible with relatively modest effort.

Four challenges to further development of ecogenomics are described and discussed: (i) the ecogenomic study of non‐model species; (ii) reconciliation of experimental languages of ecology and evolutionary biology with molecular biology; (iii) development of specific ecogenomic data analysis tool; and (iv) adoption of a multidisciplinary cooperative research culture.

An important task for ecologists is to provide the necessary ecological input (the ‘eco’ part) to ecogenomics.
A novel method for evaluation of improved survival trend for common cancer: early detection or improvement of medical care
Authors: Chie Wei‐Chu , Chang Yi‐Hsin , Chen Hsiu‐Hsi
Published: November 2006

Rationale, aims and objectives  The improvement of survival with time for cancers has been observed worldwide. However, whether and to what extent such an improvement is attributed to early detection or the advance in medical technology is barely addressed.

Method  We developed a novel graphic method to calculate attributable proportions related to two factors. This graphic method was first to calculate adjusted survival curve by the application of direct standardized epidemiological method to tumour staging. The crude survival curve was then compared with the adjusted survival curve.

Results  Cumulative survival curves of two time epochs, 1989–1993 (period 1) and 1994–1998 (period 2), on six common cancers collected from cancer registry of National Taiwan University between 1989 and 1998, were compared. The attributable proportions due to early detection and medical care were 77% and 23% for breast cancer, 50% and 50% for cervical cancer, 52% and 48% for colorectal cancer, 76% and 24% for gastric cancer, 66% and 34% for liver cancer, and 30% and 70% for prostate cancer respectively.

Conclusion  Distinguishing between early detection from advance in medical care associated with the improvement of survival trend using our graphic method has a significant implication for secondary and tertiary prevention of common cancers.
Stakeholder perspectives on new ways of delivering unscheduled health care: the role of ownership and organizational identity
Authors: Haddow Gill , O’Donnell Catherine A. , Heaney David
Published: November 2006

Rationale, aims and objectives  To explore stakeholder perspectives of the implementation of a new, national integrated nurse‐led telephone advice and consultation service [National Health Service 24 (NHS 24)], comparing the views of stakeholders from different health care organizations.

Methods  Semi‐structured interviews with 26 stakeholders including partner organizations located in primary and secondary unscheduled care settings [general practitioner (GP) out‐of‐hours cooperative; accident and emergency department; national ambulance service, members of NHS 24 and national policy makers. Attendance at key meetings, documentary review and email implementation diaries provided a contextual history of events with which interview data could be compared.

Results  The contextual history of events highlighted a fast‐paced implementation process, with little time for reflection. Key areas of partner concern were increasing workload, the clinical safety of nurse triage and the lack of communication across the organizations. Concerns were most apparent within the GP out‐of‐hours cooperative, leading to calls for the dissolution of the partnership. Accident and emergency and ambulance service responses were more conciliatory, suggesting that such problems were to be expected within the developmental phase of a new organization. Further exploration of these responses highlighted the sense of ownership within the GP cooperative, with GPs having both financial and philosophical ownership of the cooperative. This was not apparent within the other two partner organizations, in particular the ambulance service, which operated on a regional model very similar to that of NHS 24.

Conclusions  As the delivery of unscheduled primary health care crosses professional boundaries and locations, different organizations and professional groups must develop new ways of partnership working, developing trust and confidence in each other. The results of this study highlight, for the first time, the key importance of understanding the professional ownership and identity of individual organizations, in order to facilitate the most effective mechanisms to enable that partnership working.
The usefulness and feasibility of a reflexivity method to improve clinical handover
Authors: Broekhuis Manda , Veldkamp Carla
Published: November 2006

Objective  The evaluation of the usefulness and feasibility of the reflexivity method (RM), which encourages dialogue and reflections between doctors, and enables change.

Methods  On the basis of literature research into effective medical professional learning and reflection, essential elements that stimulate reflection and learning were distinguished and converted into the basic elements of a method developed for this purpose, the RM. The method is used as a tool to stimulate reflection processes, which, in turn, will enable change. It was used 20 times in a large university medical centre in the Netherlands. Clinical handovers were the subject of reflection. The evaluation of the usefulness and feasibility of the RM is based on analysing the improvements realized by using the method, and a questionnaire to measure the experiences of the users of the method.

Results  Each of the 17 departments evaluated received 10 recommendations on average. Fifty‐eight per cent of these were realized after 6–9 months, and 18% were in the working‐out phase. Improvements in the structure, rules and protocols concerning handovers were realized as well as in the atmosphere. The users of the method evaluated the method overall positively: they appreciated the created context for reflection, that is, having a dialogue with a colleague working at the same hierarchical level, the non‐normative character of the method and the ‘doctor‐ownership’ of the method. They also reported an effect on their handling and thinking regarding handovers.

Conclusions  The RM seems to be a useful and feasible method to stimulate the doctors’ reflection processes, resulting in implemented improvements.
In situ hybridization and RT‐PCR detection of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh C‐Y , Wu Z‐B , Tung M‐C , Tu C , Lo S‐P , Chang T‐C , Chang C‐D , Chen S‐C , Hsieh Y‐C , Tsai S‐S
Published: November 2006

Between January and March 2006, suspected outbreaks of white tail disease were observed in post‐larvae and juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in hatcheries and nursery ponds at Kaohsiung and Pingtung Counties in southern Taiwan. Pathognomonic lesions showed the presence of large oval and/or irregular basophilic, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the infected muscles and hepatopancreas. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay and in situ hybridization (ISH) revealed evidence of M. rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) infection but did not detect extra small virus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that there were very high identities between nucleotide sequences among six strains obtained in this study (99.5–100%), moderate identities with Caribbean and Indian strains (98.2–98.6%), but slightly lower identity with a Chinese strain (95.2%). This is the first confirmation of MrNV in giant freshwater prawns, using an RT‐PCR and ISH, in Taiwan.
Characterization of Lancefield group C Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolated from farmed fish
Authors: Nomoto R , Unose N , Shimahara Y , Nakamura A , Hirae T , Maebuchi K , Harada S , Misawa N , Itami T , Kagawa H , Yoshida T
Published: November 2006

A Lancefield group C streptococcal (GCS) infection caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae that is characterized by severe necrotic lesions of the caudal peduncle has been an increasing cause of mortality in farmed fish such as amberjack, Seriola dumerili, and yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, in the southern part of Kyushu, Japan. In this study, enzymatic profiles of GCS strains from fish and mammals were investigated using the API ZYM system, and genotypic characterization of GCS strains was performed using biased sinusoidal field gel electrophoresis (BSFGE). The partial sequence of the 16S‐23S rDNA intergenic spacer region of the GCS strain isolates from fish and mammals was also compared. The API ZYM test indicated that it is difficult to differentiate isolates of S. dysgalactiae from fish and animals based on enzymological variations. In the BSFGE analysis, the macrorestriction profiles, which were obtained using SmaI or ApaI as a restriction enzyme, revealed variations between the fish and animal isolates. The partial sequence of the 16S‐23S rDNA intergenic spacer region of all the tested fish isolates differed from all mammalian isolates in one or two nucleotides. The possibility of a clonal expansion of S. dysgalactiae strains in farmed fish was also suggested by the BSFGE profiles of fish isolates.