bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I’ll Have What She’s Having: Effects of Social Influence and Body Type on the Food Choices of Others
Authors: McFerran Brent , Dahl Darren W. , Fitzsimons Gavan J. , Morales Andrea C.
Published: August 2009

This research examines how the body type of consumers affects the food consumption of other consumers around them. We find that consumers anchor on the quantities others around them select but that these portions are adjusted according to the body type of the other consumer. We find that people choose a larger portion following another consumer who first selects a large quantity but that this portion is significantly smaller if the other is obese than if she is thin. We also find that the adjustment is more pronounced for consumers who are low in appearance self-esteem and that it is attenuated under cognitive load.
Pob1 Participates in the Cdc42 Regulation of Fission Yeast Actin Cytoskeleton
Authors: Rincón Sergio A. , Ye Yanfang , Villar-Tajadura M. Antonia , Santos Beatriz , Martin Sophie G. , Pérez Pilar
Published: August 2009

Rho GTPases regulate the actin cytoskeleton in all eukaryotes. Fission yeast Cdc42 is involved in actin cable assembly and formin For3 regulation. We isolated cdc42-879 as a thermosensitive strain with actin cable and For3 localization defects. In a multicopy suppressor screening, we identified pob1+as suppressor of cdc42-879 thermosensitivity. Pob1 overexpression also partially restores actin cables and localization of For3 in the mutant strain. Pob1 interacts with Cdc42 and this GTPase regulates Pob1 localization and/or stability. The C-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of Pob1 is required for Cdc42 binding. Pob1 also binds to For3 through its N-terminal sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain and contributes to the formin localization at the cell tips. The previously described pob1-664 mutant strain (Mol. Biol. Cell. 10, 2745–2757, 1999), which carries a mutation in the PH domain, as well as pob1 mutant strains in which Pob1 lacks the N-terminal region (pob1ΔN) or the SAM domain (pob1ΔSAM), have cytoskeletal defects similar to that of cdc42-879 cells. Expression of constitutively active For3DAD* partially restores actin organization in cdc42-879, pob1-664, pob1ΔN, and pob1ΔSAM. Therefore, we propose that Pob1 is required for For3 localization to the tips and facilitates Cdc42-mediated relief of For3 autoinhibition to stimulate actin cable formation.
DLC1 Activation Requires Lipid Interaction through a Polybasic Region Preceding the RhoGAP Domain
Authors: Erlmann Patrik , Schmid Simone , Horenkamp Florian A. , Geyer Matthias , Pomorski Thomas G. , Olayioye Monilola A.
Published: August 2009

Deleted in Liver Cancer 1 (DLC1) is a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) with specificity for RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC that is frequently deleted in various tumor types. By inactivating these small GTPases, DLC1 controls actin cytoskeletal remodeling and biological processes such as cell migration and proliferation. Here we provide evidence that DLC1 binds to phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) through a previously unrecognized polybasic region (PBR) adjacent to its RhoGAP domain. Importantly, PI(4,5)P2-containing membranes are shown to stimulate DLC1 GAP activity in vitro. In living cells, a DLC1 mutant lacking an intact PBR inactivated Rho signaling less efficiently and was severely compromised in suppressing cell spreading, directed migration, and proliferation. We therefore propose that PI(4,5)P2 is an important cofactor in DLC1 regulation in vivo and that the PBR is essential for the cellular functions of the protein.
Electrically and magnetically charged vortices in the Chern–Simons–Higgs theory
Authors: Chen Robin Ming , Guo Yujin , Spirn Daniel , Yang Yisong
Published: August 2009

In this paper, we prove the existence of finite-energy electrically and magnetically charged vortex solutions in the full Chern–Simons–Higgs theory, for which both the Maxwell term and the Chern–Simons term are present in the Lagrangian density. We consider both Abelian and non-Abelian cases. The solutions are smooth and satisfy natural boundary conditions. Existence is established via a constrained minimization procedure applied on indefinite action functionals. This work settles a long-standing open problem concerning the existence of dually charged vortices in the classical gauge field Higgs model minimally extended to contain a Chern–Simons term.
Deeply conserved chordate noncoding sequences preserve genome synteny but do not drive gene duplicate retention
Authors: Hufton Andrew L. , Mathia Susanne , Braun Helene , Georgi Udo , Lehrach Hans , Vingron Martin , Poustka Albert J. , Panopoulou Georgia
Published: August 2009

Animal genomes possess highly conserved cis-regulatory sequences that are often found near genes that regulate transcription and development. Researchers have proposed that the strong conservation of these sequences may affect the evolution of the surrounding genome, both by repressing rearrangement, and possibly by promoting duplicate gene retention. Conflicting data, however, have made the validity of these propositions unclear. Here, we use a new computational method to identify phylogenetically conserved noncoding elements (PCNEs) in a manner that is not biased by rearrangement and duplication. This method is powerful enough to identify more than a thousand PCNEs that have been conserved between vertebrates and the basal chordate amphioxus. We test 42 of our PCNEs in transgenic zebrafish assays—including examples from vertebrates and amphioxus—and find that the majority are functional enhancers. We find that PCNEs are enriched around genes with ancient synteny conservation, and that this association is strongest for extragenic PCNEs, suggesting that cis-regulatory interdigitation plays a key role in repressing genome rearrangement. Next, we classify mouse and zebrafish genes according to association with PCNEs, synteny conservation, duplication history, and presence in bidirectional promoter pairs, and use these data to cluster gene functions into a series of distinct evolutionary patterns. These results demonstrate that subfunctionalization of conserved cis-regulation has not been the primary determinate of gene duplicate retention in vertebrates. Instead, the data support the gene balance hypothesis, which proposes that duplicate retention has been driven by selection against dosage imbalances in genes with many protein connections.
Auxin Biosynthesis in Pea: Characterization of the Tryptamine Pathway
Authors: Quittenden Laura J. , Davies Noel W. , Smith Jason A. , Molesworth Peter P. , Tivendale Nathan D. , Ross John J.
Published: August 2009

One pathway leading to the bioactive auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), is known as the tryptamine pathway, which is suggested to proceed in the sequence: tryptophan (Trp), tryptamine, N-hydroxytryptamine, indole-3-acetaldoxime, indole-3-acetaldehyde (IAAld), IAA. Recently, this pathway has been characterized by the YUCCA genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and their homologs in other species. YUCCA is thought to be responsible for the conversion of tryptamine to N-hydroxytryptamine. Here we complement the genetic findings with a compound-based approach in pea (Pisum sativum), detecting potential precursors by gas chromatography/tandem-mass spectrometry. In addition, we have synthesized deuterated forms of many of the intermediates involved, and have used them to quantify the endogenous compounds, and to investigate their metabolic fates. Trp, tryptamine, IAAld, indole-3-ethanol, and IAA were detected as endogenous constituents, whereas indole-3-acetaldoxime and one of its products, indole-3-acetonitrile, were not detected. Metabolism experiments indicated that the tryptamine pathway to IAA in pea roots proceeds in the sequence: Trp, tryptamine, IAAld, IAA, with indole-3-ethanol as a side-branch product of IAAld. N-hydroxytryptamine was not detected, but we cannot exclude that it is an intermediate between tryptamine and IAAld, nor can we rule out the possibility of a Trp-independent pathway operating in pea roots.
Modulation of atomic positions in CaCu
x
Mn7−x
O12 (x ≤ 0.1)
Authors: Sławiński W. , Przeniosło R. , Sosnowska I. , Bieringer M. , Margiolaki I. , Suard E.
Published: August 2009

The modulation of atomic positions in CaCu
x
Mn7−x
O12 (x = 0 and 0.1) was studied using synchrotron radiation powder diffraction below 250 and 220 K, respectively. The copper-rich member CaCu
x
Mn7−x
O12 (x = 0.23) does not show any modulation of the atomic positions at temperatures as low as 10 K. Using low-temperature neutron powder diffraction the modulation of the magnetic moments of Mn ions in CaCu
x
Mn7−x
O12 (x = 0, 0.1 and 0.23) has been investigated. Long-range modulated magnetic ordering in CaCu
x
Mn7−x
O12 (x = 0, 0.1 and 0.23) is observed below 90.4, 89.2 and 78.1 K. (0,0,q
p) and (0,0,q
m) are the propagation vectors describing the modulations of the atomic positions and the magnetic moments. For CaCu
x
Mn7−x
O12 (x = 0 and 0.1) the magnetic modulation and atomic modulation lengths are related by a factor of 2 satisfying the relation (1 − q
p) = 2(1 − q
m).
Incommensurately modulated lanthanide coinage-metal diarsenides. I. CeAu1−δAs2 [δ = 0.015 (2)] – a new distortion variant of the HfCuSi2 type with irregularly stacked cis–trans chains of arsenic atoms
Authors: Rutzinger D. , Doert Th. , Ruck M.
Published: August 2009

Rare-earth metal coinage-metal diarsenides LnTAs2 (Ln = Y, La, Ce–Lu; T = Cu, Ag, Au) are known to crystallize in structures closely related to the HfCuSi2 type, which comprises a stacking sequence of puckered TAs layers and planar square As nets, separated by the Ln atoms. CeAu1−δAs2, with δ = 0.015 (2), shows an incommensurate positional modulation of the arsenic atoms in the planar As nets. Based on X-ray diffraction data on a twinned crystal, a structure model in the monoclinic superspace group P121/m1(α0γ)00 (No. 11.1) with basic unit-cell parameters of a = 5.804 (1), b = 5.814 (1), c = 10.179 (1) Å and β = 90.09 (8)° is presented. The components of the modulation wavevector q = αa* + 0b* + γc* are α = 0.08 (1) and γ = 0.39 (1). The structure comprises cis–trans chains and rectangles of As atoms and displays an intricate stacking sequence of the modulated arsenic nets. Rod groups and layer groups of the respective arrangements are identified and the arrangement of different motifs of the modulated As net is discussed.
Modulated crystal structure of incommensurate low tridymite
Authors: Graetsch Heribert A.
Published: August 2009

The incommensurately modulated crystal structure of low SiO2 tridymite was refined based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction data in the superspace group Cc(α0γ)0. The data set consists of 885 main reflections, 1751 first-order, 924 second-order and 119 third-order satellite reflections with I > 3σ(I). The modulation is mainly made up from cooperative twistings of the rigid SiO4 tetrahedra. Two orders of displacement waves are used to describe the modulation of the Si atoms and three orders for the O atoms. The maximal amplitudes are ca 0.6 Å. O atoms bridging pairs of tetrahedra in cis and trans configurations show different positional modulation patterns. The anisotropic displacement parameters (ADPs) are also modulated. A correlation between ADP modulations and positional modulations was found.
Incommensurately modulated lanthanide coinage-metal diarsenides. II. GdCuAs2, GdAu1−δAs2 and TbAu1−δAs2 – new distortion variants of the HfCuSi2 type with irregularly stacked zigzag chains of arsenic atoms
Authors: Rutzinger D. , Bartsch C. , Doert Th. , Ruck M.
Published: August 2009

GdCuAs2, GdAu1−δAs2 and TbAu1−δAs2 crystallize as incommensurately modulated variants of the HfCuSi2 type. Structure models have been developed in the monoclinic superspace group P121/m1(α0γ)00 (No. 11.1). The components of the modulation wavevectors q = αa* + 0b* + γc* are α = 0.04 (1) and γ = 0.48 (1) for GdCuAs2, α = 0.03 (1) and γ = 0.48 (1) for GdAu1−δAs2 and α = 0.02 (1) and γ = 0.46 (1) for TbAu1−δAs2. The predominant effect of the positional modulation is the distortion of a square net of arsenic atoms, which results in planar zigzag chains. Rod groups and layer groups of the respective structure motifs are identified and discussed.
Eu3Si15 − x
Al1 + x
O
x
N23 − x
(x ≃ 5/3) as a commensurate composite crystal
Authors: Michiue Yuichi , Shioi Kousuke , Hirosaki Naoto , Takeda Takashi , Xie Rong-Jun , Sato Akira , Onoda Mitsuko , Matsushita Yoshitaka
Published: August 2009

A new Eu-SiAlON crystal, Eu3Si15 − x
Al1 + x
O
x
N23 − x
(x ≃ 5/3), was found and the structure was determined by an X-ray diffraction technique using a twinned sample. The structure consists of a host framework, which is constructed by the connection of MX
4 tetrahedra (M: Si or Al; X: O or N), and Eu ions as the guest ions. The structure is considered to be a commensurate composite crystal. The basic vectors are a
1 = a/3, b and c for the first substructure, and a
2 = a/5, b and c for the second substructure. The first substructure consists of part of the host framework and the Eu ions, while the remainder of the host structure is taken as the second substructure. Possible phases belonging to the series are proposed using the composite crystal model in (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace. Chemical composition, possible space groups, cell parameters, and the basic model for those phases are presented.
Reconstructing the origins of praying mantises (Dictyoptera, Mantodea): the roles of Gondwanan vicariance and morphological convergence
Authors: Svenson Gavin J. , Whiting Michael F.
Published: August 2009

A comprehensive taxonomic sampling of Mantodea (praying mantises), covering virtually all higher‐level groups, was assembled to reconstruct the phylogeny of the order. Sequence data were generated from five mitochondrial and four nuclear loci (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, Histone III, Cytochrome Oxidase I & II, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4, and Wingless) for 329 mantis exemplars along with seven cockroach and eight termite species. Only seven of 14 families, 14 of 33 subfamilies, and seven of 14 tribes were recovered as monophyletic, indicating that phylogeny is largely incongruent with classification. Mapping biogeographical regions on the phylogeny demonstrated that our results adhere closer to biogeographical distributions than to classification. Specific patterns in distribution suggest that major morphological convergences have confounded taxonomists’ ability to reconstruct natural groups. A major revision of higher‐level relationships is in order through a comprehensive investigation of morphology and molecular data. We found that major mantis lineages diverged prior to and during the isolation of geographical regions and subsequent ecomorphic specializations within these regions may have led to convergences in morphology. Divergence time estimation places the origin of Mantodea at the beginning of the Jurassic with most modern mantises originating on Gondwana in the Cretaceous. The first major divergence among modern mantises occurred as a result of the north–south splitting of South America and Africa. Subsequent divergences resulted from the breakup of Gondwana. The position of the Indian subcontinent appears to be central to the diversification of Afrotropical and Indomalayan mantises while Antarctica may have served as the conduit for the mantis invasions into South America and Australasia. When India separated from Antarctica and drifted north it distributed mantis lineages back into the Afrotropics and carried a diverse taxonomic assemblage to Asia.
Comparison of phylogenetic signal between male genitalia and non‐genital characters in insect systematics
Authors: Song Hojun , Bucheli Sibyl R.
Published: August 2009

It is generally accepted that male genitalia evolve more rapidly and divergently relative to non‐genital traits due to sexual selection, but there is little quantitative comparison of the pattern of evolution between these character sets. Moreover, despite the fact that genitalia are still among the most widely used characters in insect systematics, there is an idea that the rate of evolution is too rapid for genital characters to be useful in forming clades. Based on standard measures of fit used in cladistic analyses, we compare levels of homoplasy and synapomorphy between genital and non‐genital characters of published data sets and demonstrate that phylogenetic signal between these two character sets is statistically similar. This pattern is found consistently across different insect orders at different taxonomic hierarchical levels. We argue that the fact that male genitalia are under sexual selection and thus diverge rapidly does not necessarily equate with the lack of phylogenetic signal, because characters that evolve by descent with modification make appropriate characters for a phylogenetic analysis, regardless of the rate of evolution. We conclude that male genitalia are a composite character consisting of different components diverging separately, which make them ideal characters for phylogenetic analyses, providing information for resolving varying levels of hierarchy.

© The Willi Hennig Society 2009.
Sinai Tschulok (1875–1945)—a pioneer of Cladistics
Authors: Rieppel Olivier
Published: August 2009

Sinai Tschulok emigrated from the Ukraine to Switzerland, where he studied natural sciences, in particular biology. He founded and managed his own high school, which prepared students for entry to university‐level education. This left him little time for research, which may explain why his work largely fell into oblivion. He did publish two influential books, however (Tschulok, S., 1910, Das System der Biologie in Forschung und Lehre, Gustav Fischer, Jena and Tschulok, S., 1922, Deszendenzlehre, Gustav Fischer, Jena), which were cited and commented upon favourably by both Walter Zimmermann and Willi Hennig. The most important point, in their opinion, was how Tschulok’s explication of biological systematics had turned the “natural system” into a proof for the “Theory of Descent”. The influence of Walter Zimmermann on Willi Hennig and the development of phylogenetic systematics is well known. Here some parts of Tschulok’s writings are discussed that render him a pioneer in Cladistics.

© The Willi Hennig Society 2009.
Case of multiple cutaneous granular cell tumors
Authors: HATTA Junko , YANAGIHARA Makoto , HASEI Maki , ABE Shinya , TANABE Hiroshi , MOCHIZUKI Takashi
Published: August 2009

Granular cell tumor is an uncommon, benign tumor, which mainly occurs on the skin, tongue and oral cavity as a single nodule. Multiple granular cell tumors are rare, with the incidence reported to vary from 7–29% in adult cases of the tumor. We describe a case of multiple cutaneous granular cell tumors in the right lumber and back regions along with a brief review of the published work on multiple cutaneous granular cell tumors.
Identification of a WT1 protein‐derived peptide, WT1187, as a HLA‐A*0206‐restricted, WT1‐specific CTL epitope
Authors: Li Zheyu , Oka Yoshihiro , Tsuboi Akihiro , Fujiki Fumihiro , Harada Yukie , Nakajima Hiroko , Masuda Tomoki , Fukuda Yoko , Kawakatsu Mai , Morimoto Soyoko , Katagiri Takamasa , Tatsumi Naoya , Hosen Naoki , Shirakata Toshiaki , Nishida Sumiyuki , Kawakami Yutaka , Udaka Keiko , Kawase Ichiro , Oji Yusuke , Sugiyama Haruo
Published: August 2009

The Wilms' tumor gene WT1 is overexpressed in various kinds of hematopoietic malignancies as well as solid cancers, and this protein has been demonstrated to be an attractive target antigen for cancer immunotherapy. WT1‐specific CTL epitopes with a restriction of HLA‐A*2402 or HLA‐A*0201 have been already identified. In the present study it has been demonstrated that a 9‐mer WT1‐derived WT1187 peptide, which had already been shown to elicit a WT1‐specific CTL response with a restriction of HLA‐A*0201, can also elicit a CTL response with a restriction of HLA‐A*0206. In all three different HLA‐A*0206+ healthy donors examined, WT1187 peptide‐specific CTL could be generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the CTL showed cytotoxic activity that depended on dual expression of WT1 and HLA‐A*0206 molecules. The present study describes the first identification of a HLA‐A*0206‐restricted, WT1‐specific CTL epitope. The present results should help to broaden the application of WT1 peptide‐based immunotherapy from only HLA‐A*0201‐positive to HLA‐A*0206‐positive cancer patients as well.
Diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome by two different systems; clinical criteria and monitoring of TSST‐1‐reactive T cells
Authors: Matsuda Yoshio , Kato Hidehito , Ono Erina , Kikuchi Ken , Muraoka Mitsue , Takagi Koichiro , Imanishi Ken'ichi , Itoh Shun'ichi , Itoh Tatsuo , Ogawa Tetsuya , Nitta Kosaku , Inokuchi Sayaka , Hibi Toshifumi , Ohta Hiroaki , Uchiyama Takehiko
Published: August 2009

Two methods of TSS diagnosis were evaluated: comparison of symptoms with clinical criteria and monitoring for evidence of selective activation of Vβ2+ T cells by the causative toxin, TSS toxin‐1 (TSST‐1). Ten patients with acute and systemic febrile infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus were monitored for increase in TSST‐1‐reactive Vβ2+ T cells during their clinical courses. Nine of the ten patients were diagnosed with TSS based on evidence of selective activation of Vβ2+ T cells by TSST‐1; however, clinical symptoms met the clinical criteria for TSS in only six of these nine patients. In the remaining patient, clinical symptoms met the clinical criteria, but selective activation of Vβ2+ T cells was not observed. Time taken to reach the diagnosis of TSS could be significantly shortened by utilizing the findings from tracing Vβ2+ T cells. In vitro studies showed that TSST‐1‐ reactive T cells from TSS patients were anergic in the early phase of their illness. Examining selective activation of Vβ2+ T cells could be a useful tool to supplement clinical criteria for early diagnosis of TSS.
Immunoreactivity of five antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients attending a public health care facility in an area with high endemicity for TB
Authors: Silva Vania Maria C , Sardella Isabela Gama , Luiz Ronir Raggio , Cunha Antonio José Ledo A. , Cavalcanti Aline H. , Mahavir Singh , Barreto Miriam Menna , Rodrigues Rosana Souza , Carvalho Thaís Ferrão , Saad Maria Helena Féres
Published: August 2009

The objective of this study was to evaluate people attending a primary health clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for immunoreactivity to five Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens, as these antigens are markers of immune response and factors associated with active TB. The serum antibody titers of different categories of patients (defined by microbiological and radiological characteristics and by response to therapy on follow‐up) to 38 kDa, 16 kDa, MPT64, ESAT‐6 and MT10.3 antigens were determined blind with ELISA. Positive tests to each antigen were defined with ROC analysis. OR were calculated for factors associated with humoral response in patients with active TB. A total of 201 patients underwent serological testing. Patients with confirmed active TB responded more frequently to MPT64 (44%), 16 kDa (37.7%) and 38 kDa (36.1%). ESAT‐6 and MT10.3 were also able to distinguish people in TB groups from controls. TB infected subjects responded less frequently to ESAT‐6 and MT10.3 (3.7% and 11%, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity to all antigens combined were 58.4% and 60.7%, respectively. Reactivity to 38 kDa and to MPT64 was more likely among alcohol users OR 2.61 (95%CI;1.05–6.94) and OR 3.27 (95%CI;1.33–8.15), respectively. 16 kDa antigen elicited a more protective response among smokers, OR 0.29 (95%CI; 0.10–0.83). It was concluded that reactivity to all antigens tested represented markers of active disease. ESAT‐6 and MT10.3 could not be identified as markers of TB infection in this community. Sensitivity was higher to all antigens combined, but at a cost of lower specificity. Interestingly, among factors associated with positive immunoreactivity, alcohol use and smoking seem to polarize the humoral response in different directions. This finding deserves further investigation.
High frequency jet ventilation through a supraglottic airway device: a case series of patients undergoing extra‐corporeal shock wave lithotripsy
Authors: Canty D. J. , Dhara S. S.
Published: August 2009

High frequency jet ventilation has been shown to be beneficial during extra‐corporeal shock wave lithotripsy as it reduces urinary calculus movement which increases lithotripsy efficiency with better utilisation of shockwave energy and less patient exposure to tissue trauma. In all reports, sub‐glottic high frequency jet ventilation was delivered through a tracheal tube or a jet catheter requiring paralysis and direct laryngoscopy. In this study, a simple method using supraglottic jet ventilation through a laryngeal mask attached to a circle absorber anaesthetic breathing system is described. The technique avoids the need for dense neuromuscular blockade for laryngoscopy and the potential complications associated with sub‐glottic instrumentation and sub‐glottic jet ventilation. The technique was successfully employed in a series of patients undergoing lithotripsy under general anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure.
p.Asn176Lys and p.Met137Thr dimorphisms of the PRNP gene significantly decrease the susceptibility to classical scrapie in ARQ/ARQ sheep
Authors: Maestrale C. , Carta A. , Attene S. , Galistu A. , Santucciu C. , Cancedda M. G. , Saba M. , Sechi S. , Patta C. , Bandino E. , Ligios C.
Published: August 2009

In this study, we investigated the susceptibility to scrapie of Sarda breed sheep carrying the genotype ARQ/ARQ with additional polymorphisms at the PRNP gene. To do this, we examined 256 scrapie‐affected sheep and 320 flock‐mate negative controls from 24 flocks. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that sheep carrying the ARQ/ARQ genotype with additional dimorphisms had lower risk of becoming scrapie affected when compared with those with ARQ/ARQwildtype genotype. ARQ/ARQ genotypes that were detected with heterozygous or homozygous p.Asn176Lys and p.Met137Thr dimorphisms were associated with the lowest susceptibility to the disease. A significant lower risk was also associated with the p.Arg154His dimorphism, while p.Leu141Phe had a protective effect that was not statistically significant.
Comparison of wheat and rye flour solutions for skin prick testing: a multi‐centre study (Stad 1)
Authors: Van Kampen V. , Merget R. , Rabstein S. , Sander I. , Bruening T. , Broding H. C. , Keller C. , Muesken H. , Overlack A. , Schultze‐Werninghaus G. , Walusiak J. , Raulf‐Heimsoth M.
Published: August 2009

Background
Skin prick testing (SPT) is the basic method for diagnosing IgE‐mediated allergies. However, skin reactivity is related to the quality of allergen extracts, which are often poorly defined for occupational allergens.

Objective
To compare wheat and rye flour SPT solutions from different producers.

Materials and methods
Standardized SPTs were performed in seven allergy centres with wheat and rye flour solutions from four producers in 125 symptomatic bakers. Optimal cut‐off levels for weal sizes were assessed with the Youden Index. Comparisons between SPT results of different solutions were made with flour‐specific IgE (sIgE) as the gold standard. Sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values, and test efficiencies were calculated and compared with McNemar and χ2‐tests. The influence of the choice of the gold standard (sIgE or challenge) test was examined for 95 subjects. Additionally, SPT solutions were analysed for protein and antigen content.

Results
The optimal cut‐off level for all SPT solutions was a weal size of 1.5 mm. While differences between wheat and rye flours were small, differences between producers were important. Variability of sensitivities (0.31–0.96), negative predictive values (0.42–0.91), and test efficiencies (0.54–0.90) were higher than variations of specificities (0.74–1.00) and positive predictive values (0.88–1.00). Similar results were obtained when using challenge test results as the gold standard. Variability could be explained by the different antigen contents of the SPT solutions.

Conclusion
There is a wide variability of SPT solutions for wheat and rye flour from different producers, mainly with respect to sensitivities, negative predictive values, and test efficiencies. Improvement and standardization of SPT solutions used for the diagnosis of baker's asthma are highly recommended.
The role of T helper type 17 cells in inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Sarkar S , Cooney L A , Fox D A
Published: August 2009

While T cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis for more than three decades, the focus on the T helper type 17 (Th17) subset of CD4 T cells and their secreted cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-17, is much more recent. Proinflammatory actions of IL-17 were first identified in the 1990s, but the delineation of a distinct Th17 subset in late 2005 has sparked great interest in the role of these cells in a broad range of immune-mediated diseases. This review summarizes current understanding of the role of Th17 cells and their products in both animal models of inflammatory arthritis and human immune-driven arthritides.
Dental avoidance behaviour in parent and child as risk indicators for caries in 5‐year‐old children
Authors: WIGEN TOVE I. , SKARET ERIK , WANG NINA J.
Published: August 2009

Aim.  The aim of this study was to explore associations between avoidance behaviour and dental anxiety in both parents and children and caries experience in 5‐year‐old children. It was hypothesised that parents’ dental avoidance behaviour and dental anxiety were related to dental caries in 5‐year‐old children.

Design.  Data were collected from dental records and by clinical and radiographic examination of 523 children. The parents completed a questionnaire regarding education, national background, dental anxiety, dental attendance, and behaviour management problems. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was conducted.

Results.  Children having one or more missed dental appointments (OR = 4.7), child behaviour management problems (OR = 3.3), child dental anxiety (OR = 3.1), and parents avoiding dental care (OR = 2.1) were bivariately associated with caries experience at the age of 5 years. In multivariate logistic regression, having one or more missed dental appointments (OR = 4.0) and child behaviour management problems (OR = 2.4) were indicators for dental caries in 5‐year‐old children, when controlling for parents education and national origin.

Conclusion.  Parents that avoid bringing their child to scheduled dental appointments and previous experiences of behaviour management problems for the child indicated risk for dental caries in 5‐year‐old children.
An open‐source deconvolution software package for 3‐D quantitative fluorescence microscopy imaging
Authors: SUN Y. , DAVIS P. , KOSMACEK E.A. , IANZINI F. , MACKEY M.A.
Published: August 2009

Deconvolution techniques have been widely used for restoring the 3‐D quantitative information of an unknown specimen observed using a wide‐field fluorescence microscope. Deconv, an open‐source deconvolution software package, was developed for 3‐D quantitative fluorescence microscopy imaging and was released under the GNU Public License. Deconv provides numerical routines for simulation of a 3‐D point spread function and deconvolution routines implemented three constrained iterative deconvolution algorithms: one based on a Poisson noise model and two others based on a Gaussian noise model. These algorithms are presented and evaluated using synthetic images and experimentally obtained microscope images, and the use of the library is explained. Deconv allows users to assess the utility of these deconvolution algorithms and to determine which are suited for a particular imaging application. The design of Deconv makes it easy for deconvolution capabilities to be incorporated into existing imaging applications.
Automated detection of tuberculosis in Ziehl‐Neelsen‐stained sputum smears using two one‐class classifiers
Authors: KHUTLANG R. , KRISHNAN S. , WHITELAW A. , DOUGLAS T. S.
Published: August 2009

Screening for tuberculosis in high‐prevalence countries relies on sputum smear microscopy. We present a method for the automated identification ofMycobacterium tuberculosisin images of Ziehl‐Neelsen‐stained sputum smears obtained using a bright‐field microscope. We use two stages of classification. The first comprises a one‐class pixel classifier for object segmentation. Geometric transformation invariant features are extracted for implementation of the second stage, namely one‐class object classification. Different classifiers are compared; the sensitivity of all tested classifiers is above 90% for the identification of a single bacillus object using all extracted features. The mixture of Gaussians classifier performed well in both stages of classification. This method may be used as a step in the automation of tuberculosis screening, in order to reduce technician involvement in the process.
Bi‐parental vs. cooperative breeding in a passerine: fitness‐maximizing strategies of males in response to risk of extra‐pair paternity?
Authors: DU BO , LU XIN
Published: August 2009

In socially monogamous species, males that risk cuckoldry more than others might gain inclusive fitness by yielding paternity to relatives. We tested this prediction in the Tibetan ground tit Pseudopodoces humilis, an unusual facultative cooperative breeder wherein most helpers (87% males) join a mated pair shortly before clutch completion. Extra‐pair paternity among bi‐parental broods occurred less often (26% of broods, 9% of young) compared with cooperative broods (68%, 25%). In the former, most extra‐pair sires (88%) were pair breeders unrelated to the cuckolded males, whereas in the latter, sires (87%) were mainly helpers related to the dominant males. Brood productivity did not differ between the bi‐parental and cooperative breeders, but helpers’ partitioning over group paternity reduced the realized reproductive success of helped males. After taking inclusive fitness into account, however, there was no difference in success of dominant males between the two social systems. One possible explanation for the differences in the rates of cuckoldry in the two systems was body size, because pair‐bond males in bi‐parental situations were significantly larger than those in cooperative ones. We propose two alternative strategies for males to maximize fitness: breed as a pair if large to avoid cuckoldry from helpers, or breed cooperatively if small but compromise some paternity to relatives. Our results provide an unusual route to the incidence of cooperative groups, based on constraints imposed by low competitive ability of breeding males rather than some external ecological or demographic factors.
Fine‐scale population structure in a desert amphibian: landscape genetics of the black toad (Bufo exsul)
Authors: WANG IAN J.
Published: August 2009

Environmental variables can strongly influence a variety of intra‐ and inter‐population processes, including demography, population structure and gene flow. When environmental conditions are particularly harsh for a certain species, investigating these effects is important to understanding how populations persist under difficult conditions. Furthermore, species inhabiting challenging environments present excellent opportunities to examine the effects of complex landscapes on population processes because these effects will often be more pronounced. In this study, I use 16 microsatellite loci to examine population structure, gene flow and demographic history in the black toad,Bufo exsul, which has one of the most restricted natural ranges of any amphibian.Bufo exsulinhabits four springs in the Deep Springs Valley high desert basin and has never been observed more than several meters from any source of water. My results reveal limited gene flow and moderately high levels of population structure (FST = 0.051–0.063) between all but the two closest springs. I found that the geographic distance across the arid scrub habitat between springs is significantly correlated with genetic structure when distance accounts for topography and barriers to dispersal. I also found very low effective population sizes (Ne = 7–30) and substantial evidence for historical population bottlenecks in all four populations. Together, these results suggest that the desert landscape andB. exsul’s high habitat specificity contribute significantly to population structure and demography in this species and emphasize the importance of considering behavioural and landscape data in conservation genetic studies of natural systems.
Cell division ring, a new cell division protein and vertical inheritance of a bacterial organelle in anammox planctomycetes
Authors: Van Niftrik Laura , Geerts Willie J. C. , Van Donselaar Elly G. , Humbel Bruno M. , Webb Richard I. , Harhangi Harry R. , Camp Huub J. M. Op den , Fuerst John A. , Verkleij Arie J. , Jetten Mike S. M. , Strous Marc
Published: August 2009

Anammox bacteria are members of the phylum Planctomycetes that oxidize ammonium anaerobically and produce a significant part of the atmosphere's dinitrogen gas. They contain a unique bacterial organelle, the anammoxosome, which is the locus of anammox catabolism. While studying anammox cell and anammoxosome division with transmission electron microscopy including electron tomography, we observed a cell division ring in the outermost compartment of dividing anammox cells. In most Bacteria, GTP hydrolysis drives the tubulin‐analogue FtsZ to assemble into a ring‐like structure at the cell division site where it functions as a scaffold for the molecular machinery that performs cell division. However, the genome of the anammox bacterium ‘Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis’ does not encode ftsZ. Genomic analysis of open reading frames with potential GTPase activity indicated a possible novel cell division ring gene: kustd1438, which was unrelated to ftsZ. Immunogold localization specifically localized kustd1438 to the cell division ring. Genomic analyses of other members of the phyla Planctomycetes and Chlamydiae revealed no putative functional homologues of kustd1438, suggesting that it is specific to anammox bacteria. Electron tomography also revealed that the bacterial organelle was elongated along with the rest of the cell and divided equally among daughter cells during the cell division process.
The regulatory interplay between membrane‐integrated sensors and transport proteins in bacteria
Authors: Tetsch Larissa , Jung Kirsten
Published: August 2009

Bacteria sense environmental stimuli and transduce this information to cytoplasmic components of the signal transduction machinery to cope with and to adapt to ever changing conditions. Hence, bacteria are equipped with numerous membrane‐integrated proteins responsible for sensing such as histidine kinases, chemoreceptors and ToxR‐like proteins. There is increasing evidence that sensors employ transport proteins as co‐sensors. Transport proteins are well‐suited information carriers as they bind low‐molecular‐weight molecules in the external medium and transport them into the cytoplasm, allowing them to provide dynamic information on the metabolic flux. This review explores the sensing capabilities of secondary permeases, primary ABC‐transporters, and soluble substrate‐binding proteins. Employing transporters as co‐sensors seems to be a sophisticated and probably widely distributed mechanism.
Replacement of the λ boxB RNA–N peptide with heterologous RNA–peptide interactions relaxes the strict spatial requirements for the formation of a transcription anti‐termination complex
Authors: Horiya Satoru , Inaba Mitsuru , Koh Chang‐Song , Uehara Hiroaki , Masui Naomi , Mizuguchi Misa , Ishibashi Masaya , Matsufuji Senya , Harada Kazuo
Published: August 2009

In bacteriophage λ, formation of a transcriptional anti‐termination complex involving the elongating RNA polymerase is mediated by the interaction of boxB RNA with the RNA‐binding domain of the N protein (N peptide). In an attempt to understand the spatial requirements for boxB/N peptide interaction within the anti‐termination complex, the effects of changes in the distance between boxA and boxB RNA, the length of the boxB stem, and the distance between the N peptide and remainder of the N protein were examined using a bacterial reporter system. It was found that the requirements for boxB stem length and the distance between N peptide and the remainder of N were optimized and strict. In contrast, replacement of the boxB/N interaction by heterologous RNA–peptide interactions appeared to relax the strict requirement for RNA stem length and the orientation of the RNA‐binding peptide, presumably due to the absence of the cooperative interaction between boxB/N and the host factor NusA. In addition, the decrease in activity upon stem lengthening could be partially suppressed by simultaneous lengthening of the RNA spacer. A further understanding of the structural organization of the anti‐termination complex may provide insights into how functional ribonucleoprotein complexes may be engineered.
Distention of the colon is associated with initiation of propagated contractions in children
Authors: Liem O. , Van Den Berg M. M. , Mousa H. M. , Youssef N. N. , Langseder A. L. , Benninga M. A. , Di Lorenzo C.
Published: August 2009

Abstract  The presence of high‐amplitude propagating contractions (HAPCs) has been identified as a marker of colonic neuromuscular integrity. The physiologic mechanisms of HAPCs initiation have yet to be determined. Distention secondary to colonic filling has been hypothesized as physiologic initiator. The aim of this study was to study the effect of intraluminal balloon distention in the colon of children with defecatory disorders. Colonic manometry was performed with a polyethylene balloon situated at the proximal end of the catheter, which was placed in the most proximal colonic segment reached during colonoscopy. A stepwise pressure controlled distention of the balloon was performed using barostat computer (10–50 mmHg). Propagated contractions were defined as those that migrated over at least three recording sites. They were divided into HAPCs, amplitude >60 mmHg and low‐amplitude propagating contractions (LAPCs), amplitude <60 mmHg. Children with spontaneous HAPCs or HAPCs after bisacodyl provocation were considered to have normal motility. Twenty children completed the study. Among the 14 children with normal colonic motility, balloon distention elicited HAPCs in four and LAPCs in 10 children. No HAPC were elicited in six children with abnormal motility and LAPCs were seen in four of them. The balloon‐induced propagated contractions had similar characteristics as those occurring spontaneously and after bisacodyl provocation but the pressure needed to elicit them and their amplitude was inconsistent. These findings suggest that intraluminal distention can trigger propagated contractions in children. This mechanism of action for induction of propagated contractions is not as consistent as the motor response found in response to bisacodyl administration.
Reactive oxygen species homeostasis and signalling during drought and salinity stresses
Authors: MILLER GAD , SUZUKI NOBUHIRO , CIFTCI‐YILMAZ SULTAN , MITTLER RON
Published: August 2009

Water deficit and salinity, especially under high light intensity or in combination with other stresses, disrupt photosynthesis and increase photorespiration, altering the normal homeostasis of cells and cause an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS play a dual role in the response of plants to abiotic stresses functioning as toxic by‐products of stress metabolism, as well as important signal transduction molecules. In this review, we provide an overview of ROS homeostasis and signalling in response to drought and salt stresses and discuss the current understanding of ROS involvement in stress sensing, stress signalling and regulation of acclimation responses.
Enhanced assimilation rate and water use efficiency with latitude through increased photosynthetic capacity and internal conductance in balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.)
Authors: SOOLANAYAKANAHALLY RAJU Y. , GUY ROBERT D. , SILIM SALIM N. , DREWES ERIC C. , SCHROEDER WILLIAM R.
Published: August 2009

In outdoor common gardens, high latitude populations of deciduous tree species often display higher assimilation rates (A) than low latitude populations, but they accomplish less height. To test whether trends in A reflect adaptation to growing season length or, alternatively, are garden growth artefacts, we examined variation in height increment and ecophysiological traits in a range‐wide collection of Populus balsamifera L. populations from 21 provenances, during unconstrained growth in a greenhouse. Rooted cuttings, maintained without resource limitation under 21 h photoperiod for 90 d, displayed increasing height growth, A, leaf mass per area and leaf N per area with latitude whereas stomatal conductance (gs) showed no pattern. Water‐use efficiency as indicated by both gas exchange and δ13C increased with latitude, whereas photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency decreased. Differences in δ13C were less than expected based on A/gs, suggesting coextensive variation in internal conductance (gm). Analysis of A–Ci curves on a subset of populations showed that high latitude genotypes had greater gm than low‐latitude genotypes. We conclude that higher peak rates of height growth in high latitude genotypes of balsam poplar are supported by higher A, achieved partly through higher gm, to help compensate for a shorter growing season.
Neoproterozoic glacial dynamics revealed by provenance of diamictites of the Bebedouro Formation, São Francisco Craton, Central Eastern Brazil
Authors: Figueiredo Felipe Torres , De Almeida Renato Paes , Tohver Eric , Babinski Marly , Liu Dunyi , Fanning Christopher Mark
Published: August 2009

One of the main questions on Neoproterozoic geology regards the extent and dynamics of the glacial systems that are recorded in all continents. We present evidence for short transport distances and localized sediment sources for the Bebedouro Formation, which records Neoproterozoic glaciomarine sedimentation in the central‐eastern São Francisco Craton (SFC), Brazil. New data are presented on clast composition, based on point counting in thin section and SHRIMP dating of pebbles and detrital zircon. Cluster analysis of clast compositional data revealed a pronounced spatial variability of clast composition on diamictite indicating the presence of individual glaciers or ice streams feeding the basin. Detrital zircon ages reveal distinct populations of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic age. The youngest detrital zircon dated at 874 ± 9 Ma constrains the maximum depositional age of these diamictites. We interpret the provenance of the glacial diamictites to be restricted to sources inside the SFC, suggesting deposition in an environment similar to ice streams from modern, high latitude glaciers.