bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Among-stock comparisons for improving stock assessments of data-poor stocks: the “Robin Hood” approach
Authors: Punt André E. , Smith David C. , Smith Anthony D. M.
Published: April 2011

Punt, A. E., Smith, D. C., and Smith, A. D. M. 2011. Among-stock comparisons for improving stock assessments of data-poor stocks: the “Robin Hood” approach. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 972–981. An approach is outlined for conducting stock assessments in which parameters are estimated for multiple stocks at the same time. Information from data-rich stock assessments, e.g. trends in fishing mortality, and values for parameters of selectivity functions are provided to data-poor assessments in the form of penalties on the estimated parameters, which leads to stock assessments for the most data-poor stocks being informed by those for the most data-rich stocks. The method is applied for example purposes to data for nine stocks in Australia's southern and eastern scalefish and shark fishery. The results of the application confirm that results for data-rich stocks are little impacted by being assessed in conjunction with data-poor stocks and that the results for data-poor stocks can be qualitatively different when information for data-rich stocks is taken into account.
Spatial predictions of blue shark (Prionace glauca) catch rate and catch probability of juveniles in the Southwest Atlantic
Authors: Carvalho Felipe C. , Murie Debra J. , Hazin Fábio H. V. , Hazin Humberto G. , Leite-Mourato Bruno , Burgess George H.
Published: April 2011

Carvalho, F. C., Murie, D. J., Hazin, F. H. V., Hazin, H. G., Leite-Mourato, B., and Burgess, G. H. 2011. Spatial predictions of blue shark (Prionace glauca) catch rate and catch probability of juveniles in the Southwest Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 890–900. Generalized regression analysis and spatial prediction was applied to catch per unit effort (cpue) data for blue shark (Prionace glauca) caught by the Brazilian tuna longline fleet between 1997 and 2008 (43 546 longline sets) to predict the effect of environmental, spatial, and temporal factors on catch distribution. In addition, the size distribution of blue sharks measured by on-board observers during the years 2006–2008 was used to model the proportion of juvenile blue sharks in the catches from a spatial perspective. Latitude was the most important factor influencing blue shark cpue in the Southwest Atlantic, with cpue spatial predictions suggesting two areas of higher catch probabilities. Latitude was also the most important factor influencing the proportion of juveniles in the catches. The spatial prediction map showed that juveniles were more frequently caught south of 35°S (∼38°S). This information can assist in the design of management strategies either to exploit this predictable spatial distribution of the catch or to manage the fisheries in a spatially explicit manner if one component (i.e. juveniles) requires protective measures.
Sources of Iris yellow spot virus in New York
Authors: Hsu Cynthia L. , Hoepting Christine A. , Fuchs Marc , Smith Erik A. , Nault Brian A.
Published: April 2011

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) has been found consistently in commercial dry bulb onion fields throughout New York State since 2006. Yearly recurrence of IYSV may result from annual reintroductions of the virus or persistence of the virus in overwintering host plants. To identify potential sources of IYSV, we surveyed onion transplants imported into New York as well as volunteer onion plants and weeds using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IYSV was not found in any of 1,097 transplant samples tested in 2007 but 4 of 760 (0.53%) transplant samples tested positive in 2008. IYSV was found in volunteer onion plants in 3 of 10 (30%) onion fields sampled in 2007, in 4 of 27 (15%) onion fields sampled in 2008, and in 6 of 12 (50%) onion cull piles sampled in 2008. In all, 4 of 17 weed species (i.e., chicory [Cichorium intybus], common burdock [Arctium minus], curly dock [Rumex crispus], and dandelion [Taraxacum officinale]), were confirmed to be infected with IYSV using serological and molecular testing methods. IYSV may be reintroduced annually into New York through imported onion transplants but it also persists in volunteer onion plants and selected weed species.
Influences from Long-Term Crop Rotation, Soil Tillage, and Fertility on the Severity of Rice Grain Smuts
Authors: Brooks Steven A. , Anders Merle M. , Yeater Kathleen M.
Published: April 2011

False smut (Ustilaginoidea virens) and kernel smut (Neovossia horrida) are diseases of rice (Oryza sativa) that reduce both grain yield and quality. Susceptible rice cultivars are in widespread use on production acreage in the United States, and the effects from crop management practices on smut control are poorly understood. We studied the long-term effects of crop rotation, soil tillage, and fertility level on rice smut severity. The highest levels of false smut observed in this study were on cultivars grown in rotation with soybean, on traditionally tilled soils, with high fertilizer treatments. The highest levels of kernel smut were observed in a rice-soybean rotation with winter wheat grown between summer crops. These rotations are commonly used in rice-growing regions of the southern United States. Using combinations of crop rotation, soil tillage, and fertility rate, several alternative crop-management practices were identified that provided effective control of smuts in susceptible rice cultivars. The most effective method for controlling both false smut and kernel smut was in 3-year rotations of rice, soybean, and corn. Regardless of rotation order or tillage and fertility treatments within the rotations, rotating out of rice for 2 years was the most effective approach for smut control.
Population Dynamics Between Fusarium pseudograminearum and Bipolaris sorokiniana in Wheat Stems Using Real-Time qPCR
Authors: Moya-Elizondo Ernesto A. , Jacobsen Barry J. , Hogg Andrew C. , Dyer Alan T.
Published: April 2011

Fusarium pseudograminearum and Bipolaris sorokiniana are causal agents of Fusarium crown rot and common root rot, respectively, of wheat and cause significant losses worldwide. Understanding the population dynamics between these two pathogens at late stages of wheat development is needed. The effect of F. pseudograminearum and B. sorokiniana inocula applied singly or in mixtures at seeding to spring wheat ‘Hank’ was measured using seedling stand, grain yield, and pathogen populations in the first internode at heading, milk, and harvest stage of wheat development using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. High and low rates of F. pseudograminearum inoculum reduced B. sorokiniana populations in field trials but B. sorokiniana inoculations did not affect F. pseudograminearum populations. Populations of both pathogens increased from heading until harvest, with F. pseudograminearum colonizing lower internodes earlier than B. sorokiniana. Neither pathogen prevented infection by the other in the first internode of wheat stems. Inoculations increased incidence of infection and co-infection relative to natural settings observed for both pathogens. At the seedling stage, both fungi, individually or combined, reduced the seedling stands when compared with a noninoculated control for the three location–years. Grain yield and F. pseudograminearum populations were inversely correlated, while B. sorokiniana populations were not correlated with yield.
Movement of Genotypes of Ceratocystis fimbriata Within and Among Eucalyptus Plantations in Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Maria A. , Harrington Thomas C. , Alfenas Acelino C. , Mizubuti Eduardo S. G.
Published: April 2011

Ceratocystis wilt on eucalyptus, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, was first recognized in 1997 in the state of Bahia, Brazil, but is now known in five other states and in four other countries. C. fimbriata is a native, soilborne pathogen in some parts of Brazil but we hypothesized that genotypes of the pathogen have been moved among plantations in rooted cuttings collected from diseased trees and within plantations on cutting tools. We used six microsatellite markers to identify 78 genotypes of C. fimbriata among 177 isolates from individual trees in 20 eucalyptus plantations. The highest gene and genotypic diversity values were found in plantations on formerly wild Cerrado forest in Minas Gerais, suggesting that the fungus was in the soil prior to planting eucalyptus. In contrast, one or only a few genotypes were found in plantations on previous pastureland (with no woody hosts) in Bahia and São Paulo, and most of these genotypes were found in a Bahian nursery or in one of two Bahian plantations that were sources for rooted cuttings. Sources of cuttings tended to be dominated by one or a few genotypes that may have been spread within the plantation on cutting tools.
Origin of amphibian and avian chromosomes by fission, fusion, and retention of ancestral chromosomes
Authors: Voss Stephen R. , Kump D. Kevin , Putta Srikrishna , Pauly Nathan , Reynolds Anna , Henry Rema J. , Basa Saritha , Walker John A. , Smith Jeramiah J.
Published: April 2011

Amphibian genomes differ greatly in DNA content and chromosome size, morphology, and number. Investigations of this diversity are needed to identify mechanisms that have shaped the evolution of vertebrate genomes. We used comparative mapping to investigate the organization of genes in the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), a species that presents relatively few chromosomes (n = 14) and a gigantic genome (>20 pg/N). We show extensive conservation of synteny between Ambystoma, chicken, and human, and a positive correlation between the length of conserved segments and genome size. Ambystoma segments are estimated to be four to 51 times longer than homologous human and chicken segments. Strikingly, genes demarking the structures of 28 chicken chromosomes are ordered among linkage groups defining the Ambystoma genome, and we show that these same chromosomal segments are also conserved in a distantly related anuran amphibian (Xenopus tropicalis). Using linkage relationships from the amphibian maps, we predict that three chicken chromosomes originated by fusion, nine to 14 originated by fission, and 12–17 evolved directly from ancestral tetrapod chromosomes. We further show that some ancestral segments were fused prior to the divergence of salamanders and anurans, while others fused independently and randomly as chromosome numbers were reduced in lineages leading to Ambystoma and Xenopus. The maintenance of gene order relationships between chromosomal segments that have greatly expanded and contracted in salamander and chicken genomes, respectively, suggests selection to maintain synteny relationships and/or extremely low rates of chromosomal rearrangement. Overall, the results demonstrate the value of data from diverse, amphibian genomes in studies of vertebrate genome evolution.
Beyond light and mild: cigarette brand descriptors and perceptions of risk in the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey
Authors: Mutti Seema , Hammond David , Borland Ron , Cummings Michael K. , O'Connor Richard J. , Fong Geoffrey T.
Published: April 2011

Aims  To examine perceptions of risk related to type of cigarette brand.

Design and setting  Cross‐sectional findings from wave 5 of the ITC Four Country Survey, conducted with nationally representative samples of smokers in 2006.

Participants  A total of 8243 current and former adult (≥18 years) smokers from Canada (n = 2022), the United States (n = 2034), the United Kingdom (n = 2019) and Australia (n = 2168).

Measurements  Outcomes included beliefs about the relative risks of cigarettes, including perceptions of ‘own’ brand. Correlates included socio‐demographic, smoking‐related covariates and brand characteristics.

Findings  One‐fifth of smokers believed incorrectly that ‘some cigarette brands could be less harmful’ than others. False beliefs were higher in both the United States and United Kingdom compared to Canada and Australia. Smokers of ‘light/mild’, ‘slim’ and 100 mm/120 mm cigarettes were more likely to believe that some cigarettes could be less harmful [odds ratio (OR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12–1.48 and that their own brand might be a little less harmful (OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 2.01–3.41). Smokers of ‘gold’, ‘silver’, ‘blue’ or ‘purple’ brands were more likely to believe that their ‘own brand might be a little less harmful’ compared to smokers of ‘red’ or ‘black’ brands (OR = 12.48, 95% CI = 1.45–107.31).

Conclusions  Despite current prohibitions on the words ‘light’ and ‘mild’, smokers in western countries continue to falsely believe that some cigarette brands may be less harmful than others. These beliefs are associated with descriptive words and elements of package design that have yet to be prohibited, including the names of colours and long, slim cigarettes.
Equal and opposite expert opinion. Airway obstruction caused by a retrosternal thyroid mass: management and prospective international expert opinion*
Authors: Cook T. M. , Morgan P. J. , Hersch P. E.
Published: April 2011

Anticipated problems with airway management during anaesthesia require careful planning, particularly when they involve a risk of airway obstruction. Advice may be sought from published literature (usually written by experts) or through direct communication with experts. More frequently, expert involvement is through retrospective review following patient harm. We present the case of a patient suffering from a retrosternal thyroid mass that was compressing her trachea in the midline and dividing it into two 2 × 3 mm lumens. After local discussion the patient underwent thyroidectomy. We invited international experts in anaesthetic airway management to review her case and submit their opinions regarding the best airway management for this difficult case. Opinions differed markedly, mirroring the published literature. Some experts specifically criticised techniques that, unbeknown to them, were proposed by others. The case raises issues about the nature of expert opinion that extends beyond this particular case. The nature and implications of expert opinion, when evidence is absent or conflicting, are discussed.
Cell therapy for ischaemic stroke
Authors: Hess D. C. , Hill W. D.
Published: April 2011

While acute neuroprotection in acute stroke has proven difficult and ended in many failures, there is increasing interest in restorative therapies that target brain remodelling. Cell therapy (transplantation of cells) shows promise, with a growing body of pre‐clinical evidence demonstrating improved functional outcomes in animal models; however, questions still remain concerning mechanisms of action. Clinical trials are already underway and will increase in the next few years; their appropriate design and execution along with continued pre‐clinical work are necessary for the field to advance and satisfy a large unmet clinical need.
Cell therapy of burns
Authors: Leclerc T. , Thepenier C. , Jault P. , Bey E. , Peltzer J. , Trouillas M. , Duhamel P. , Bargues L. , Prat M. , Bonderriter M. , Lataillade J.‐J.
Published: April 2011

Severe burns remain a life‐threatening local and general inflammatory condition often with serious sequelae, despite remarkable progress in their treatment over the past three decades. Cultured epidermal autografts, the first and still most up‐to‐date cell therapy for burns, plays a key role in that progress, but drawbacks to this need to be reduced by using cultured dermal–epidermal substitutes. This review focuses on what could be, in our view, the next major breakthrough in cell therapy of burns – use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). After summarizing current knowledge, including our own clinical experience with MSCs in the pioneering field of cell therapy of radiation‐induced burns, we discuss the strong rationale supporting potential interest in MSCs in treatment of thermal burns, including limited but promising pre‐clinical and clinical data in wound healing and acute inflammatory conditions other than burns. Practical options for future therapeutic applications of MSCs for burns treatment, are finally considered.
Independent evaluation of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program in family support service settings
Authors: McConnell David , Breitkreuz Rhonda , Savage Amber
Published: April 2011

The Triple P Positive Parenting Program is a multilevel system of behaviour‐based parenting training and support. The aim of this study was to determine whether implementation of levels 2 and 3 of the Triple P system, designed for primary care settings, enhances parent, child and family outcomes compared with services‐as‐usual in Alberta, Canada. The study employed a quasi‐experimental, single‐blind and post‐test‐only design. A survey incorporating outcome measures was administered to a sample of 1296 parent‐clients. A total of 923 parents responded, including 172 parents who had received a Triple P (level 2 and/or 3) intervention during the previous 12 weeks. A significant interaction was found between participation in a group‐based parent education programme and receipt of Triple P. Parents who participated in a group‐based parent education programme, and who received a Triple P intervention reported somewhat higher levels of need satisfaction than parents who participated in a group‐based parent education programme but who did not receive a Triple P intervention. No significant difference was found between Triple P and service‐as‐usual groups on any secondary outcome measures including parenting stress, positive interaction, family functioning and child problem behaviours.
Epinephrine auto‐injector use in adolescents at risk of anaphylaxis: a qualitative study in Scotland, UK
Authors: Gallagher M. , Worth A. , Cunningham‐Burley S. , Sheikh A.
Published: April 2011

Cite this as: M. Gallagher, A. Worth, S. Cunningham‐Burley and A. Sheikh, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 869–877.

Background
Adolescents with severe allergies are at particular risk of severe and fatal anaphylactic reactions. Epinephrine (adrenaline) is known to be under‐utilized by teenagers.

Objective
We sought to gain knowledge of adolescents' attitudes towards and experience of epinephrine auto‐injectors in order to inform improvements in patient education.

Methods
A qualitative study of adolescents in Scotland, UK with a history of anaphylaxis and their parents. In‐depth interviews explored adolescents' accounts of anaphylactic reactions, including issues related to using epinephrine auto‐injectors. Focus groups with adolescents and parents were used to discuss interventions to improve adolescent self‐management of anaphylaxis.

Results
Twenty‐six adolescents and 28 parents were interviewed. Eight adolescents and 10 parents participated in separate focus groups. Most adolescents had not used the auto‐injector in an anaphylactic emergency. We identified multi‐faceted barriers to use, including: failure to recognize anaphylaxis; uncertainty about auto‐injector technique and when to administer it; fear of using the auto‐injector. Most adolescents reported carrying auto‐injectors some of the time, though several found this inconvenient due to the size; only one reported non‐use of an auto‐injector because it had not been carried.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance
Adolescents and parents reported under‐use of epinephrine auto‐injectors. Carriage is insufficient to ensure that auto‐injectors are used. Barriers to use are multiple and complex, and unlikely to be overcome using simple educational interventions. Auto‐injector training currently offered is often inadequate preparation for an emergency. A more comprehensive approach is needed, addressing the psychosocial dimensions of anaphylactic emergencies as well as treatment. Training should ideally be provided by specialist allergists or nurses, but can also be provided and reinforced in primary care.
Wavelet analysis of the correlations between soil properties and potential nitrous oxide emission at farm and landscape scales
Authors: Milne A. E. , Haskard K. A. , Webster C. P. , Truan I. A. , Goulding K. W. T. , Lark R.M.
Published: April 2011

We analysed data on nitrous oxide emission rate and some other properties of soil cores collected on a 7.5‐km transect across contrasting land uses and parent materials in eastern England. The variation on this landscape‐scale transect was compared with that of a comparable set of measurements made in a previous study on within‐farm spatial scales in the same region. We used the wavelet transform to analyse the scale dependence and spatial uniformity of the correlations between soil properties and emission rates from farm to landscape scale. The analysis revealed a complex pattern of scale dependence. Soil organic carbon was correlated with emission rates at within‐field scales only. There was a pronounced correlation between emission rates and a process‐specific function of the water‐filled pore space, seen only at landscape scales. Emission rates were strongly correlated with soil nitrate content at intermediate and coarsest scales (and significantly, although weakly, at the finest within‐field scales), and with pH at the intermediate scales. The wavelet analysis showed that these correlations were not spatially uniform. The correlation between nitrate concentration and emission rates at the finest landscape scale (between approximately 60 and 120 m) was not significant in the northern part of the transect corresponding primarily to soils over the Lower Greensand, but these variables were significantly correlated at this scale over other parent materials. These findings have implications for modelling and inventory of nitrous oxide emissions from soil. They indicate that, at the landscape scale, nitrate content and water‐filled pore space are key soil properties for predicting nitrous oxide emissions and should therefore be incorporated into process models and emission factors for inventory calculations.
Annual methane uptake by temperate semiarid steppes as regulated by stocking rates, aboveground plant biomass and topsoil air permeability
Authors: CHEN WEIWEI , WOLF BENJAMIN , ZHENG XUNHUA , YAO ZHISHENG , BUTTERBACH‐BAHL KLAUS , BRÜGGEMANN NICOLAS , LIU CHUNYAN , HAN SHENGHUI , HAN XINGGUO
Published: April 2011

Overgrazing‐induced degradation of temperate semiarid steppes may affect the soil sink for atmospheric methane (CH4). However, previous studies have primarily focused on the growing season and on single grazing patterns. Thus, the response of annual CH4 uptake by steppes compared with various grazing practices is uncertain. In this study, we investigated the effects of grazing on the annual CH4 uptake by two typical Eurasian semiarid steppes (the Stipa grandis steppe and the Leymus chinensis steppe) located in Inner Mongolia, China. The CH4 fluxes were measured year‐round using static chambers and gas chromatography at 12 field sites that differed primarily in grazing intensities. Our results indicated that steppe soils were CH4 sinks throughout the year. The annual CH4 uptake correlated with stocking rates, whereas the seasonality of CH4 uptake was primarily dominated by temperature. The annual CH4 uptake at all sites averaged 3.7±0.7 kg C ha−1 yr−1 (range: 2.3–4.5), where approximately 35% (range: 23–40%) occurred during the nongrowing season. Light‐to‐moderate grazing (stocking rate≤1 sheep ha−1 yr−1) did not significantly change the annual CH4 uptake compared with ungrazed steppes, but heavy grazing reduced annual CH4 uptake significantly (by 24–31%, P<0.05). These findings imply that easing the pressure of heavily grazed steppes (e.g. moving to light or moderate stocking rates) would help restore steppe soil sinks for atmospheric CH4. The empirical equations based on the significant relationships between annual CH4 uptake and stocking rates, aboveground plant biomass and topsoil air permeability (P<0.01) could provide simple approaches for the estimation of regional CH4 uptake by temperate semiarid steppes.
The mating system of the brown bearUrsus arctos
Authors: STEYAERT Sam M. J. G. , ENDRESTØL Anders , HACKLÄNDER Klaus , SWENSON Jon E , ZEDROSSER Andreas
Published: April 2011

Research on mating systems and reproductive strategies is valuable for providing ethological knowledge, important for the management and conservation of a species, and in a broader sense, important for biodiversity conservation.

We reviewed the literature to document the mating system of the brown bearUrsus arctos. We determined that many aspects of the reproduction of the brown bear remain unclear, including (i) biological aspects, such as hormone and oestrous cycling, sperm competition, mate choice, sexually selected infanticide, etc. and (ii) human impacts on the mating system, occurring when humans alter population size and structure, through, for example, hunting or habitat degradation.

We considered three mating system classification frameworks from the literature (Emlen & Oring 1977,Clutton‐Brock 1989,Shuster & Wade 2003) and applied various brown bear populations to them. We did this (i) to document the plasticity of the mating system of the brown bear, and (ii) to find commonalities among the reported mating system classifications in order to provide a general and common classification of the brown bear's mating system.

The mating system of the brown bear can, in general, be classed as ‘polygamous’. Subclassifications can nevertheless be valuable on smaller spatial scales.

Within the polygamous mating system of the brown bear, biological aspects and human impacts can influence reproductive strategies at the individual and population level. Mating system classification frameworks often lack a common terminology, which contributes to the variety of published classifications of the mating system of the brown bear.
Tachyduodenia in mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy
Authors: Scheffer R. C. H. , Smout A. J. P. M.
Published: April 2011

In a 38‐year‐old male patient diagnosed with mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy an abnormally high duodenal contraction frequency of 20 per minute was found to be present. It is speculated that this tachyduodenia is caused by a metabolic effect on Cajal cells.
Water‐use efficiency and nitrogen‐use efficiency of C3‐C4 intermediate species of Flaveria Juss. (Asteraceae)
Authors: VOGAN PATRICK J. , SAGE ROWAN F.
Published: April 2011

Plants using the C4 pathway of carbon metabolism are marked by greater photosynthetic water and nitrogen‐use efficiencies (PWUE and PNUE, respectively) than C3 species, but it is unclear to what extent this is the case in C3‐C4 intermediate species. In this study, we examined the PWUE and PNUE of 14 species of Flaveria Juss. (Asteraceae), including two C3, three C4 and nine C3‐C4 species, the latter containing a gradient of C4‐cycle activities (as determined by initial fixation of 14C into C‐4 acids). We found that PWUE, PNUE, leaf ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) content and intercellular CO2 concentration in air (Ci) do not change gradually with C4‐cycle activity. These traits were not significantly different between C3 species and C3‐C4 species with less than 50% C4‐cycle activity. C4‐like intermediates with greater than 65% C4‐cycle activity were not significantly different from plants with fully expressed C4 photosynthesis. These results indicate that a gradual increase in C4‐cycle activity has not resulted in a gradual change in PWUE, PNUE, intercellular CO2 concentration and leaf Rubisco content towards C4 levels in the intermediate species. Rather, these traits arose in a stepwise manner during the evolutionary transition to the C4‐like intermediates, which are contained in two different clades within Flaveria.
Plant adaptation to frequent alterations between high and low temperatures: remodelling of membrane lipids and maintenance of unsaturation levels
Authors: ZHENG GUOWEI , TIAN BO , ZHANG FUJUAN , TAO FAQING , LI WEIQI
Published: April 2011

One major strategy by which plants adapt to temperature change is to decrease the degree of unsaturation of membrane lipids under high temperature and increase it under low temperature. We hypothesize that this strategy cannot be adopted by plants in ecosystems and environments with frequent alterations between high and low temperatures, because changes in lipid unsaturation are complex and require large energy inputs. To test this hypothesis, we used a lipidomics approach to profile changes in molecular species of membrane glycerolipids in two plant species sampled from alpine screes and in another two plant species grown in a growth chamber, with the temperature cycling daily between heat and freezing. We found that six classes of phospholipid and two classes of galactolipid showed significant changes, but the degree of unsaturation of total lipids and of three lysophospholipid classes remained unchanged. This pattern of changes in membrane lipids was distinct from that occurring during slow alterations in temperature. We propose two types of model for the adaptation of plants to temperature change: (1) remodelling of membrane lipids but maintenance of the degree of unsaturation are used to adapt to frequent temperature alterations; and (2) both remodelling and changes in the degree of unsaturation to adapt to infrequent temperature alterations.
Effect of temperature on primary infection by Plasmodiophora brassicae and initiation of clubroot symptoms
Authors: Sharma K. , Gossen B. D. , McDonald M. R.
Published: April 2011

A study was conducted to assess the effect of temperature on infection and development of Plasmodiophora brassicae in root hairs of Shanghai pak choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) and on initiation of clubroot symptoms. Ten‐day‐old seedlings were grown in liquid‐sand culture, inoculated with resting spores and maintained in growth cabinets at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Seedlings were harvested at 2‐day intervals, starting 2 days after inoculation (DAI) and continuing until swelling of the tap root was observed (maximum 28 days). Roots were assessed for root hair infection (RHI), stage of development of infection (primary plasmodia, zoosporangia, release of zoospores, secondary plasmodia), symptom development, and for clubroot severity at 24 DAI. Temperature affected every stage of clubroot development; RHI was highest and visual symptoms initiated earliest at 25°C, intermediate at 20 and 30°C, and lowest and latest at 15 and 10°C. Root hair infection was observed at every temperature, but clubroot symptoms developed only above 15°C. A substantial delay in the development of the pathogen was observed at 10 and 15°C. No symptoms were observed at 28 DAI in plants grown at 10°C. Swelling of the tap root was visible at 28 DAI in plants at 15°C, 14 DAI at 20 and 30°C, and 10 DAI at 25°C. These results support and explain the observation in companion studies that cool temperatures result in slower development of clubroot symptoms in brassica crops.
Effectiveness of citronella preparations in preventing mosquito bites: systematic review of controlled laboratory experimental studies
Authors: Kongkaew C. , Sakunrag I. , Chaiyakunapruk N. , Tawatsin A.
Published: April 2011

Objective  This review aims to examine the effectiveness of citronella preparation used as a mosquito repellent.

Methods  Multiple computerized databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, and AMED, were searched for controlled laboratory experiments that compared the effectiveness of citronella products to control in repelling Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes using the cage or room methods. Outcomes measures were protection time and percentage repellency. The weighted mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated comparing the outcomes in the citronella and control groups. Meta‐analysis was performed using the DerSimonian and Laird method under a random‐effects model.

Results  Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Based on a meta‐analysis of studies using the cage method, protection time of the citronella oil for preventing Aedes mosquitoes was less than that in the DEET (N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide) group, with a difference in protection time of 253 min (95% confidence interval: 169–336). The combination of citronella oil and vanillin is likely to have a longer protection time compared with citronella oil alone. In studies using the room method, citronella oil and/or the combination of citronella oil and vanillin provided complete repellency at least 3 h. In Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes, a combination of citronella oil and vanillin product demonstrated a comparable protection time against DEET; however, it remained inconclusive due to a limited number of studies.

Conclusions  Citronella products are less effective than DEET products in terms of duration of protection. Adding vanillin to citronella oil products could prolong the protection time.
Generation of Sweet Orange Transgenic Lines and Evaluation of Citrus psorosis virus‐derived Resistance against Psorosis A and Psorosis B
Authors: Reyes Carina Andrea , Zanek Maria Cecilia , Velázquez Karelia , Costa Norma , Plata Maria Inés , Garcia Maria Laura
Published: April 2011

Citrus psorosis is a widespread serious disease of citrus caused by Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV). In Argentina and Uruguay, this disease is spread by an unknown vector and there is no natural resistance or tolerance to the disease. There are two types of psorosis, described according to the symptoms observed in citrus trees, psorosis A (PsA) and psorosis B (PsB). PsA protects against the severe effects of the more aggressive type PsB. We have applied pathogen‐derived resistance to create a defence mechanism against this virus disease. Sweet orange transgenic lines were obtained containing three different genes of CPsV (54k, 48k and 24k genes) taken from a PsA isolate (CPV‐4). Fourteen lines were selected containing 1, 2 or 3 copies of the transgenes and evaluated for their acquired resistance against PsA (CPV 4 from USA) and PsB (CPsV 189‐34 from Argentina) isolates. These lines were susceptible to both isolates when graft‐infected, although one of the lines carrying the cp gene (CP‐96 line) containing two copies of the transgene and expressing a low level of the coat protein showed a delay in symptom expression when inoculated with the PsB isolate.
Evaluation of fertilization and flower abscission following over‐expression of an apple NAK‐type protein kinase in tomato
Authors: Kim In‐Jung , Yoon Joon‐Seon , Lee Young‐Koung
Published: April 2011

With 6 figures

The Ser/Thr protein kinase subfamily of the novel Arabidopsis protein kinase (NAK) family is unique to plants and is not found in animals or prokaryotes, suggesting that NAKs play specific signalling roles in the control of plant growth and development. However, little is known about the function of NAK‐type protein kinases. Here, we used a transgenic tomato plant system to examine the biological functions of AFSK, a NAK‐type protein kinase isolated from apple fruits. Gain‐of‐function transgenic tomato plants containing the AFSK gene were developed by Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation and plant regeneration. The plants had normal flower phenotype with respect to their overall shapes and sizes. However, the plants displayed decreased self‐fertilization and early flower drop at the floral abscission zone following petal loss. These results suggest that AFSK affects pollen development and promotes floral abscission.
IDH1 mutation, a genetic alteration associated with adult gliomatosis cerebri
Authors: Narasimhaiah Deepti , Miquel Catherine , Verhamme Elisabeth , Desclée Paul , Cosnard Guy , Godfraind Catherine
Published: April 2011

Recently, mutations in IDH1 and IDH2 have been reported as an early and common genetic alteration in diffuse gliomas, being possibly followed by 1p/19q loss in oligodendrogliomas and TP53 mutations in astrocytomas. Lately, IDH1 mutations have also been identified in adult gliomatosis cerebri (GC). The aim of our study was to test the status of IDH1/2, p53 and of chromosomes 1 and 19 in a series of 12 adult and three pediatric GC. For all tumors, clinico‐radiologic characteristics, histopathologic features, status of IDH1/2, p53 and of chromosomes 1 and 19 were evaluated. IDH1 mutations were detected only in GC of adult patients (5/12). They all corresponded to R132H. Additional 1p/19q losses were observed in two of them with histological features of oligodendroglial lineage. Other copy number alterations of chromosomes 1 and 19 were also noticed. The median overall survival in adults was 10.5 months in non‐mutated GC and 43.5 months in mutated GC. IDH1 mutations were present in GC of adult patients, but not in those of children. There was a trend toward longer overall survival in mutated GC when compared to non‐mutated ones. Concomitant 1p/19q loss was observed in IDH1‐mutated GC with oligodendroglial phenotype. These observations contribute toward establishing a stronger link between GC and diffuse glioma. In addition, these results also emphasize the importance of testing for IDH1/2 mutations and 1p/19q deletions in GC to classify them better and to allow the development of targeted therapy.
Meconium‐related ileus in extremely low‐birthweight neonates: Etiological considerations from histology and radiology
Authors: Kubota Akio , Shiraishi Jun , Kawahara Hisayoshi , Okuyama Hiroomi , Yoneda Akihiro , Nakai Hiroshi , Nara Keigo , Kitajima Hiroyuki , Fujimura Masanori , Kuwae Yuko , Nakayama Masahiro
Published: April 2011

Background:  A nationwide survey on neonatal surgery conducted by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons has demonstrated that the mortality of neonatal intestinal perforation has risen over the past 15 years. The incidence of intestinal perforation in extremely low‐birthweight (ELBW) neonates has been increasing as more ELBW neonates survive and as the live‐birth rate of ELBW has increased. In contrast to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and focal intestinal perforation (FIP), the pathogenesis of meconium‐related ileus, defined as functional bowel obstruction characterized by delayed meconium excretion and microcolon, remains unclarified.

Methods:  The histology of 13 ELBW neonates with intestinal perforation secondary to meconium‐related ileus was reviewed, and the radiology of 33 cases of meconium‐related ileus diagnosed on contrast enema was reviewed. Specimens obtained from 16 ELBW neonates without gastrointestinal disease served as age‐matched controls for histological assessment.

Results:  The size of the ganglion cell nucleus in meconium‐related ileus and in control subjects was 47.3 ± 22.0 µm2 and 37.8 ± 11.6 µm2, respectively, which was not significantly different. In all cases of meconium‐related ileus, contrast enema demonstrated a microcolon or small‐sized colon, with a gradual caliber change in the ileum and filling defects due to meconium in the ileum or colon, showing not‐identical locations of caliber changes and filling defects.

Conclusion:  Morphological immaturity of ganglia was not suggested to be the pathogenesis of meconium‐related ileus. Impaction of inspissated meconium is not the cause of obstruction, but the result of excessive water absorption in the hypoperistaltic bowel before birth, although the underlying mechanism responsible for the fetal hypoperistalsis remains unclear.
Consumers and carers as partners in mental health research: Reflections on the experience of two project teams in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Callander Rosemary , Ning Lei , Crowley Anna , Childs Bianca , Brisbane Pam , Salter Tony
Published: April 2011

A successful working partnership in research between a consumer project team from the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council and a carer project team from the Victorian Mental Health Carers Network was forged during their collaborative involvement in an innovative 2‐year pilot project funded by the Victorian Government of Australia. This project trialled new ways of capturing consumer and carer experiences of mental health services, and that feedback was integrated into service quality improvement. Towards the end of the project, an external facilitator was used to enable the two teams to reflect on their experience of working together so that their joint story could be shared with others and used to promote further use of this approach in the mental health field. Main findings included the importance of having strong support and belief at leadership levels, opportunities to build the relationship and develop mutual trust and respect, a common vision and a clearly articulated set of values, targeted training appropriate to the needs of the team members, independent work bases, and mutual support to overcome challenges encountered during the project. The experience forged a close working relationship between the two teams and has set the scene for further participation of consumers and carers in research and innovative quality‐improvement processes in the mental health field.
Fetal and neonatal anemia associated with anti‐Jra: A case report showing a poorly hemolytic mechanism
Authors: Sasamoto Naoko , Tomimatsu Takuji , Nagamine Keisuke , Oshida Machiko , Kashiwagi Hirokazu , Koyama Shinsuke , Kanagawa Takeshi , Arahori Hitomi , Tomiyama Yoshiaki , Kimura Tadashi
Published: April 2011

Although recently published case reports suggest the significance of Jra alloimmunization in the obstetric setting, the involved mechanism still remains unclear. Here we report a case of severe fetal and neonatal anemia associated with anti‐Jra alloimmunization, which was successfully managed using Doppler assessment of peak systolic velocity of the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA‐PSV). A Japanese woman with anti‐Jra (titer 1024) was referred to our department at 20 weeks' gestation. As fetal MCA‐PSV exceeded 1.5 multiple of median, labor was induced and a female neonate of 1998 g was delivered vaginally at 33 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The infant's hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were 25.4% and 82 g/L, respectively, but her total bilirubin level (15 µmol/L; 0.9 mg/dL) and reticulocyte counts (4.5%) were low. During the course, the infant showed no apparent signs of hemolysis. Jra alloimmunization should be recognized as a possible cause of fetal anemia with no direct hemolytic process.
Androgens and sexual dysfunction in naturally and surgically menopausal women
Authors: Alarslan Demet , Sarandol Aslı , Cengiz Candan , Develioglu Osman H.
Published: April 2011

Aim:  To evaluate the influence of surgical versus natural menopause on sexual dysfunction, and the role of androgens in that context.

Material & Methods:  Sexual functioning and androgen levels were studied in 35 surgically and 83 naturally menopausal women. Sexual dysfunction was defined as a total score of less than 23 on the Female Sexual Function Index.

Results:  Sexual dysfunction was significantly more common in surgically than in naturally menopausal women (65.7% vs 44.6%; P = 0.036). The mean total testosterone level in women with sexual dysfunction was significantly lower than that in their counterparts (49.3 ± 21.0 vs 58.8 ± 23.6 ng/mL; P = 0.022). On the other hand, androgen levels did not differ significantly between surgically and naturally menopausal women. Androstenedione (B = 2.253; P = 0.039) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels (B = 0.222; P < 0.001), and time from menopause (B = −0.064; P = 0.040) were found to be independent determinants of total testosterone levels. While the duration of menopause was significantly longer in surgically menopausal women, this co‐factor was not an independent predictor of sexual dysfunction. Logistic regression analysis proved mode of menopause and total testosterone levels to be the only two independent determinants of sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that while surgical menopause is detrimental to sexual functioning by itself, lower testosterone levels are predictive of sexual dysfunction, especially in naturally menopausal women.
An intrauterine device as a possible cause of change in the microbial flora of the female genital system
Authors: Kaliterna Vanja , Kučišec‐Tepeš Nastja , Pejković Lidija , Zavorović Srđan , Petrović Sanja , Barišić Zvonimir
Published: April 2011

Aim:  An intrauterine device (IUD), used by millions of women worldwide, is one of the most efficient methods of contraception. The goal of our study was to compare a group of women using the IUD to a control group.

Material & Methods:  The survey included 236 women of fertile age from gynaecological practices in the area of Split and Dalmatia County, Croatia. The subjects were divided into two groups: IUD users and a control group (women not using any contraception methods). Sampling, transportation, sample processing in the laboratory and interpretation of results were conducted using standard microbiological procedures and methods.

Results:  Opportunistic bacteria were statistically more frequently isolated among IUD users (P < 0.001). The most frequently isolated bacteria in both groups were Escherichia coli and Ureaplasma urealyticum with significantly higher rates in IUD users (P < 0.001). Both colonization and infection had higher rates in IUD users (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences either in the frequency of bacteria isolation regarding different IUD types (P = 0.93), or in relation to duration of IUD use (P = 0.67).

Conclusions:  Based on the data in our study IUD users have an increased chance of developing a cervical infection caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Therefore, before IUD insertion women should be screened and treated for asymptomatic vaginal or cervical infections to prevent possible serious IUD‐associated infections.
A pregnant woman with clinical and radiological findings compatible with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in early pregnancy without discernable underlying disorders: Atypical type of this syndrome?
Authors: Matsubara Shigeki , Fujita Akifumi , Muramatsu Shin‐ichi , Usui Rie , Chikazawa Kenro , Suzuki Mitsuaki
Published: April 2011

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, if it occurs in late pregnancy, requires pregnancy termination. Here, we report a woman without a discernable underlying condition who developed neurological deficits at 14 weeks of pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an occipitoparietal brain lesion suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Neurological symptoms ameliorated spontaneously and she continued her pregnancy to term. A decision to terminate pregnancy based on only neurological and magnetic resonance imaging findings should be avoided.