bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A component of polysaccharide peptidoglycan complex on Lactobacillus induced an improvement of murine model of inflammatory bowel disease and colitis‐associated cancer
Authors: Matsumoto S. , Hara T. , Nagaoka M. , Mike A. , Mitsuyama K. , Sako T. , Yamamoto M. , Kado S. , Takada T.
Published: October 2008

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signals play key roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We previously described that both intact cells and a cell wall‐derived polysaccharide–peptidoglycan complex (PSPG) in a strain of lactobacillus [Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS)] inhibited IL‐6 production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) isolated from murine IBD. Diets with LcS improve murine IBD by suppression of IL‐6 synthesis in LPMCs. Moreover, LcS supplementation with fermented milk ameliorates disease activity in patients with active ulcerative colitis. Here, we focused on the specific roles of PSPG in LcS concerning their anti‐inflammatory actions. PSPG derived from LcS, and no other strain of lactobacilli, inhibited IL‐6 production in LPS‐stimulated murine IBD LPMCs. Purified PSPG‐I from LcS inhibited IL‐6 synthesis in LPS‐stimulated murine IBD LPMCs through the inhibition of nuclear factor‐κB. The anti‐IL‐6 action of LcS PSPG was abrogated by masking with monoclonal anti‐PSPG‐I. Furthermore, PSPG‐I‐negative L. casei strains (PSPG‐I‐negative mutant LcS: LCΔPSPG‐I, L. casei ATCC 334) did not inhibit IL‐6 production. Finally, we confirmed the effects of PSPG‐I on LcS in the models of both IBD and colitis‐associated cancer (CAC). In the IBD model, ingestion of LcS improved ileitis and inhibited activation of IL‐6/STAT3 signaling, while ingestion of the LCΔPSPG‐I strain did not. In the CAC model, treatment with LcS, but not the LCΔPSPG‐I strain, showed tumour‐suppressive effects with an inhibition of IL‐6 production in the colonic mucosa. These results suggested that a specific polysaccharide component in an L. casei strain plays a crucial role in its anti‐inflammatory actions in chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders.
Subversion of interleukin‐1‐mediated host defence by a nasal carrier strain of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Quinn Gerry A. , Tarwater Patrick M. , Cole Alexander M.
Published: October 2008

Staphylococcus aureus, a major source of nosocomial and community‐acquired infections, has a nasal carriage rate exceeding 25% in the human population. To elucidate host–pathogen interactions pertaining to nasal carriage, we examined the role of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) in the colonization of human nasal epithelial cells (NEC) by a nasal carrier strain and a non‐carrier strain of S. aureus. Using an organotypic model of the nasal epithelium, we observed that inoculation with a non‐carrier strain of S. aureus induced production of IL‐1 from NEC, but the expression of this cytokine was significantly reduced when NEC were inoculated with a carrier strain. Moreover, both IL‐1α and IL‐1β significantly decreased the growth of the nasal carrier strain of S. aureus (P < 0·001, n = 17 to n = 25); however the growth of the non‐carrier strain was unaffected. Interestingly, it was found that several nasal carrier strains of S. aureus form quorum‐dependent biofilms, which can be partially inhibited when preincubated with IL‐1α. Taken together these data suggest that, although nasal carrier strains of S. aureus are sensitive to IL‐1, they display a significant colonization advantage by both preventing the host from expressing IL‐1 and elaborating a protective biofilm.
Effect of the essential oil addition on the oxidative stability of fried–salted peanuts
Authors: Olmedo Rubén , Nepote Valeria , Mestrallet Marta G. , Grosso Nelson R.
Published: October 2008

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of essential oils on the oxidative stability of fried–salted peanuts. Fried–salted peanut (FP), fried–salted peanuts with butyl hydroxytoluene (FP‐BHT), and fried–salted peanuts with rosemary (FP‐R), oregano (FP‐O) and laurel (FP‐L) essential oils were prepared. Peroxide value (PV), p‐anisidine value (AV) and conjugated diene (CD) measurements, and descriptive analysis were carried out during 112 days of storage to determine the antioxidant effect of essential oils on product stability. FP with essential oils showed protection against the lipid oxidation process. PV and AV were higher during storage when compared with the other samples with essential oils. The oxidised and cardboard flavour intensities increased and the roasted peanutty flavour decreased much more in FP during storage than the other products studied. Laurel, oregano and BHT showed similar antioxidant activity and increased shelf‐life of FP. These essential oils could be used as natural antioxidants in foods with high lipid contents.
Biological response to different diets of fermented and unfermented mixtures of flour and cereal brans
Authors: Feddern Vivian , Badiale‐Furlong Eliana , De Souza‐Soares Leonor A.
Published: October 2008

The objective of this study was to biologically evaluate eight mixtures of flour and brans prepared with non‐conventional foods popularly denominated ‘multimixtures’, which differed from each other in terms of type of bran (wheat or rice), presence or absence of cassava leaf powder and submission or non‐submission to a solid‐state fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 6 h/30 °C, utilising female Wistar/UFPEL rats. Biological indices determined were food efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein efficiency ratio (NPR) and in vivo digestibility. Liver, spleen and kidney specimens were collected at the end of the experiment. In vivo digestibility of diets containing multimixtures formulated with wheat bran was superior to diets containing rice bran, presenting values from 76.5% to 82.8%, which corresponds to up to 85% of casein digestibility. The results allowed the conclusion that fermentation tended to improve food efficiency, but did not influence in vivo digestibility.
Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of selected plants from Turkey
Authors: Kırca Ayşegül , Arslan Esra
Published: October 2008

A total of 28 different plants from different regions of Çanakkale, Turkey, were investigated for their antioxidant capacity and total phenol contents to find new potential sources of natural antioxidants. The antioxidant capacity of methanolic extracts prepared from various parts of plants was evaluated by both trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, while the total phenolics were determined using the Folin‐Ciocalteu method. The TEAC values of plant extracts ranged in a large scale from 1472.36 to 17.61 μmol of trolox equivalents per g dry weight (dw), and EC50 values (concentration at which 50% radical scavenging occurred) varied from 0.174 to 42.475 mg dw of plant, while the total phenol content of plant extracts ranged between 117.20 and 1.27 mg of gallic acid equivalents per g dw. There was a positive linear correlation between the TEAC and total phenols of plant materials (r = 0.916). The extracts of Hypericum perforatum, Arbutus andrachne and Paliurus spina‐christii showed higher antioxidant activities (both TEAC and DPPH assays). However, there was no clear relationship between TEAC and EC50 values (r = 0.477) of plant extracts.
The experience of life after burn injury: a new bodily awareness
Authors: Moi Asgjerd Litleré , Vindenes Hallvard Andreas , Gjengedal Eva
Published: October 2008

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to describe the injured body of people who have survived a major burn and seeks to understand the essence of their lived experience.

Background.  The burden of a burn‐injured body, including loss of function, altered appearance and psychological distress, can threaten return to preburn state of life and successful return to society.

Method.  Fourteen participants (three women and 11 men; mean age 46 years) who had survived a major burn were interviewed in 2005–2006 an average 14 months after injury. A Husserlian phenomenological approach was adopted.

Findings.  A new and demanding bodily awareness, disclosing both limitations and potentials, emerged as the essence of the burn survivors’ experience of their injured bodies. This was supported by a descriptive structure of the body as telling a new story, being unfamiliar to watch and sense, vulnerable and in need of protection, more present with a variety of nuisances, having brakes on and resisting habitual actions, as well as being insecure when distrusting own abilities. Participants typically experienced losing the familiarity of their bodies as anonymous and unconsciously at hand for all possible actions in everyday life. Significant others served as buffers, extensions of participants’ injured bodies, reducing obstacles and insecurity in all aspects of life.

Conclusion.  The lived experience of people who have sustained a burn injury should be recognized and valued by nurses in all phases of burn care. Nurses have an important role in facilitating the presence and involvement of family and friends in the recovery and rehabilitation of burn survivors.
Zero tolerance of abuse of people with intellectual disabilities: implications for nursing
Authors: Jenkins Robert , Davies Rachel , Northway Ruth
Published: October 2008

Aims.  This paper explores the concept of ‘zero tolerance’ to abuse in the context of the professional responsibilities of all nurses. The workability of zero tolerance will be considered in light of findings of a study into abuse.

Background.  Registered nurses are led to believe that zero tolerance of abuse of patients is the only philosophy consistent with protecting the public. However, the approach of zero tolerance is not without its difficulties. Staff, particularly registered nurses, who come into contact with people with intellectual disabilities have a professional responsibility to prevent and report all forms of abuse.

Design.  This study used a multiphase, multimethod approach (literature review, survey and focus groups).

Methods.  The results reported here relate to the focus group stage of the study. There were 70 participants in the focus group who worked either as direct care staff with people with intellectual disabilities or as investigators of abuse.

Results.  Analysis of recurrent themes indicated that both individual (e.g. a positive value base) and systemic factors (e.g. environment) seemed to have an impact on how staff will respond to abuse.

Conclusions.  This study found that a ‘hierarchy of abuse’ existed among staff who worked with people with intellectual disabilities. Individual staff members seemed to be ‘weighing up’ what they perceived as serious abuse before reporting areas of concern. This is in contrast to a philosophy of zero tolerance which registered nurses have to adhere to.

Relevance to clinical practice.  There needs to be a consistent approach to abuse and nurses need to have appropriate training in which to gain confidence in their role in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse of patients or clients.
‘It’s easier to talk to a woman’. Aspects of gender in Swedish telenursing
Authors: Höglund Anna T , Holmström Inger
Published: October 2008

Aim.  To describe and explore gender aspects in telenursing as experienced by Swedish telenurses.

Background.  Telenurses at call centres in Sweden offer triage recommendations and self‐care advice to the general public over the telephone, on a wide range of health problems. The demands on telenurses are multifaceted and competence is needed in many fields such as nursing, pharmacology, psychology and communication. Previous studies have shown that telenurses encounter many ethical dilemmas and that some of these are to do with gender related issues. Most telenurses, as well as most callers, are women. It is, therefore, reasonable to believe that gender plays an important role in the work of telenurses.

Design.  Descriptive and explorative qualitative design.

Methods.  A purposive sample of 12 female telenurses in Sweden participated in in‐depth interviews twice during 2004–2005. The transcribed interviews were analysed inductively with a stepwise thematic method.

Results.  Five themes emerged from the interviews, namely: female subordination in the family, disrespect in dialogue with female nurses, distrust in fathers’ competence, reluctant male callers and woman‐to‐woman connection.

Conclusions.  Gender construction and cultural gender norms seem to be at work in the encounter between Swedish telenurses and callers. Questions of power relations, the picture of the mother/woman as the primary carer for small children and distrusting men in their parental role were particularly highlighted.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Telenurses should be aware of the risk of stereotyping their dialogues with callers in a way that seems to fit better with female callers’ ways of communicating. Clinical supervision based on reflective practice and peer reviews of calls might diminish this risk. Telenurses also need more training in handling overt or covert power messages based on male superiority.
The self‐efficacy model of medication adherence in chronic mental illness
Authors: McCann Terence V , Clark Eileen , Lu Sai
Published: October 2008

Aim.  In this position paper, the self‐efficacy model of medication adherence in chronic mental illness is presented, and its application to antipsychotic medication adherence is considered.

Background.  Poor adherence to antipsychotic medications is common in chronic mental illness. Major implications of this are relapse and re‐hospitalisation. Several conceptual frameworks have been developed about adherence and, in some instances, have been incorporated in medication taking studies, but have resulted in inconsistent outcomes.

Method.  This paper draws on a review of literature from databases to inform the development of the self‐efficacy model of medication adherence. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed from primary and secondary research questions.

Results.  The model places the person with chronic mental illness as an active participant central to the process of medication taking. It has three components: core factors, contextual influences and a continuum. The factors comprise a central factor, self‐efficacy and four interrelated supporting influences: perceived medication efficacy; access to, and relationships with, health professionals; significant other support and supported living circumstances. The factors are affected by three broad contextual influences – personal issues, medication side‐effects and complexity, and social stigma – which affect the way individuals take their medications. A continuum exists between adherence and non‐adherence.

Conclusion.  The model positions service users at the heart of adherence by giving prominence to self‐efficacy, medication efficacy and to immediate social, psychological and environmental supports. Further work is needed to validate, refine and extend the model.

Relevance to clinical practice.  For practitioners involved in prescribing and medication management in people with chronic mental illness, the model provides a theoretical framework to strengthen adherence. It highlights the need to consider broader influences on medication taking. Moreover, it places the person with chronic mental illness as an active participant at the centre of strategies to enhance adherence.
A systematic review of trend studies of women seeking termination of pregnancy
Authors: Abigail Wendy , Power Charmaine
Published: October 2008

Aims and objectives.  This article reports a systematic review of trend studies (1995–2006) which answers five questions: What are the patterns of:

 Age of women seeking termination of pregnancy;

 First ever pregnancy ending in a termination;

 Contraception usage at the time of conception;

 Contraception chosen immediately postoperatively; and

 Referral sources to termination of pregnancy services.

Background.  Fertility patterns are changing and there is evidence to indicate that the numbers of older women conceiving for the first time are increasing. At the same time, there are new methods of contraception widely available. Little is known about the implications of these changes on termination patterns.

Design.  An extensive electronic search of databases such as CINAHL, MEDLINE® In‐Process (OVID) and was conducted from January 1995–June 2006 for trend studies in pregnancy terminations.

Methods.  Articles chosen were based on trend studies greater than five years, contained primary quantitative research and official government statistical reports.

Results.  Results of the search showed age that was unable to be compared because of the many variations in measurements and time periods, and there was only limited research worldwide of trends in contraception at the time of conception in relation to a termination of pregnancy. Additionally, there were no studies worldwide in the past 11 years, which specifically examined trends in the characteristics of the number of first‐ever pregnancies which ended in a termination, contraception choices postoperative to a termination of pregnancy, or referral source to a termination of pregnancy provider.

Conclusion.  Little is reported in the literature on trends in the five characteristics related to pregnancy termination.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Evidence about the changing patterns of women seeking pregnancy termination is needed to inform policy and practice, and to ensure that health promotion strategies are underpinned by accurate information that reflects the needs of the populations of women in relation to their reproductive health.
The qualitative evaluation of a suicide prevention and management programme by general nurses
Authors: Chan Sally Wai‐chi , Chien Wai‐tong , Tso Steve
Published: October 2008

Aim.  To evaluate the effect of an education programme on nurses’ knowledge, attitude and competence on suicide prevention and management for patients with suicide attempt or ideation and their family members; and to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the programme from the participants’ perspectives.

Background.  Providing care for patients with suicidal ideation or after suicidal acts in general hospitals often poses particular challenges for general nurses. Education programme may help these nurses acquire appropriate attitude, knowledge and competence in suicide prevention and intervention.

Design.  An 18‐hour education programme on suicide prevention and management was developed based on needs analysis and literature and was provided to the study group. Fifty‐four registered general nurses from the medical and surgical units of two general hospitals completed the education programme. Focus groups were used for process (n = 24) and outcome evaluation (n = 18).

Results.  Findings suggested that the education intervention had benefited the participants by improving their attitude, confidence and professional skills in responding to patients with suicidal intent.

Conclusion.  Barriers in the practice environment influenced nurses’ abilities to give optimal care to this group of patients and their family members.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study identified the essential content in an education intervention for prevention and management of suicide by frontline nurses and helped to understand the difficulties that nurses’ encountered in practice.
Investigating the health profile of Macau Chinese
Authors: Chan Moon Fai , Zhu Ming Xia
Published: October 2008

Aim.  To identify the health profile of a group of older people in Macau.

Background.  People were concerned about their current health status, and Macau people are placing increasing importance on their health.

Methods.  A descriptive survey was conducted during the period July and August 2004 in six parishes in Macau; 1836 older people aged 60–98 completed a structured questionnaire.

Results.  Cluster analysis revealed three profiles within five main factors: physical, functional, mental, social and nutritional, and demographic.

Conclusions.  Our data describing older people’s health status can be structured into a profile reflecting the characteristics of the population under study. Healthcare professionals will be able to apply these health profiles to develop interventions that improve this population’s health and daily functioning, and broaden their social network.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings will assist healthcare professionals or nurse practitioners by creating health profiles that they can use to develop interventions to improve the health of older Chinese in Macau.
Interviewing people with chronic illness about sexuality: an adaptation of the PLISSIT model
Authors: Mercer Brenda
Published: October 2008

Aims and objectives.  The author will draw on relevant research and her personal experience as someone who lives with a chronic illness to identify the challenges that are inherent in research interviews regarding sexuality in chronic illness.

Background.  Although sexuality in chronic illness has become a significant body of research in the field of chronic illness, particularly in the field of cancer, there are few guidelines available to assist researchers in interviewing people about such an intimate and sensitive topic.

Conclusions.  The PLISSIT model used in clinical counselling could be adapted to be used by researchers in interviews about sexuality. With this model a researcher can cover in‐depth interview on this individual’s sexuality and sexual health. Also, with the use of the PLISSIT model as a research tool, many of the past myths concerning sexuality and sexual health can be exposed and changed.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The adaptation of the PLISSIT counselling model to an interviewing model can contribute to researchers feeling more confident with participants when interviewing them concerning their sexuality and sexual health. It may illicit more appropriate responses from individuals concerning their sexuality and sexual health.
Reassurance seeking and depression in adults with mild intellectual disability
Authors: Hartley S. L. , Lickel A. Hayes , MacLean Jr W. E.
Published: October 2008

Background  Adults with intellectual disability (ID) experience a high prevalence of depression. Yet, little research has investigated interpersonal processes related to depression in this population. In the general population, depressed persons behave in ways that elicit negative and rejecting reactions from others. In particular, excessive reassurance seeking, defined as excessively and persistently seeking assurance from others that one is lovable and worthy, indirectly contributes to depressive symptoms through evoking negative and rejecting social interactions. We examined the relation between excessive reassurance seeking, negative and rejecting social interactions and depression in adults with mild ID.

Method  Eighty‐seven adults with mild ID and staff completed the Glasgow Depression Scale for people with a Learning Disorder and the Reassurance‐Seeking Scale. In addition, adults with mild ID reported on their experience of negative social interactions, and staff rated their relative preference to interact with the adult with mild ID. A meditational model of the indirect effect of excessive reassurance seeking on depressive symptoms via negative and rejecting social interactions was tested.

Results  Excessive reassurance seeking was positively related to depressive symptoms. Negative and rejecting interactions partially mediated the relation between excessive reassurance seeking and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions  Findings identify an important interpersonal process in depression. Efforts to educate staff and adults with mild ID about excessive reassurance seeking and ways to alter it may be useful in treating depression.
Reliable RT‐PCR detection of Apple stem pitting virus in pome fruits and its association with quince fruit deformation disease
Authors: Mathioudakis M. M. , Maliogka V. I. , Dovas C. I. , Paunović S. , Katis N. I.
Published: October 2008

In this study a spot nested RT‐PCR assay was developed for the detection of Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV). A one step RT‐PCR for the generic detection of foveaviruses using degenerate primers that target a conserved region of the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene was followed by a nested PCR that amplifies a 312 bp ASPV specific product. The method is rapid, simple and displays high sensitivity and broad detection range, overcoming the virus molecular variability. The optimum sampling conditions for reliable virus detection were also investigated. ASPV was detected throughout the year in different plant tissues of affected trees, thus the method could be used for routine screening and in certification schemes of pome fruits. ASPV was detected in quince orchards in Greece in all trees that were tested, showing a fruit deformation disorder. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of amplicons generated by RT‐PCR from plant tissue affected with the deformation disease indicated that the agent responsible was a variant of ASPV.
Evidence for the occurrence of natural hybridization in reed‐associated Pythium species
Authors: Nechwatal J. , Mendgen K.
Published: October 2008

A comparison of oomycete diversity in reed stands (Phragmites australis) of Lake Constance, Germany, and maize fields close by provided evidence for the occurrence of natural hybridization between Pythium phragmitis, a newly described reed pathogen, and an as‐yet unknown Pythium species closely related to P. phragmitis and P. arrhenomanes. Internal transcribed spacer and β‐tubulin sequences of a large set of Pythium isolates from reeds showed dimorphic signals at several positions, indicative of a mixture of characters of two parent species. Involvement of P. phragmitis in the putative hybrid species was confirmed after cloning and sequencing of ITS regions and β‐tubulin genes of the hybrid isolates. Mitochondrially inherited coxII gene sequences did not show dimorphic sites and suggested that the hybridization event was relatively ancient, or that other species might be involved. Intermediate habitat preferences, morphological characters and aggressiveness towards reeds and other grasses confirmed the suggestion that these isolates comprise a natural hybrid between two Pythium species. Pythium arrhenomanes, likely to be involved in the putative hybrid's evolution, was repeatedly isolated from maize fields adjacent to P. phragmitis‐infested reed stands. The interface between natural habitats with established oomycete communities and agricultural fields with potentially introduced pathogens might constitute an evolutionary hot‐spot giving rise to new species with as‐yet unknown host ranges. As indicated by inoculation tests, the hybrid was significantly more pathogenic towards reed rhizomes than P. phragmitis, which caused no damage to these organs. This is apparently the first report of the occurrence of natural hybridization in Pythium.
Quantitative resistance to symptomless growth of Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) in Brassica napus (oilseed rape)
Authors: Huang Y. J. , Pirie E. J. , Evans N. , Delourme R. , King G. J. , Fitt B. D. L.
Published: October 2008

Quantitative resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus was investigated in field and controlled environments using cultivars Darmor (with quantitative resistance) and Eurol (without quantitative resistance). In field experiments, numbers of phoma leaf spot lesions in autumn/winter and severity of stem canker the following summer were assessed in three growing seasons. There were no differences between Darmor and Eurol in number of leaf lesions in autumn/winter. However, stem cankers were less severe on Darmor than Eurol at harvest the following summer. In controlled‐environment experiments, development of leaf lesions at different temperatures (5–25°C) and wetness durations (12–72 h) was investigated using ascospore inoculum; symptomless growth of L. maculans along leaf petioles towards the stem was quantified using quantitative PCR and visualized using GFP‐expressing L. maculans; growth of L. maculans within stem tissues was investigated using GFP‐expressing L. maculans. There were more leaf lesions on Darmor than Eurol, although there was no difference between Darmor and Eurol in L. maculans incubation period. There were no differences between Darmor and Eurol in either distance grown by L. maculans along leaf petioles towards the stem or quantity of L. maculans DNA in leaf petioles, but L. maculans colonized stem tissues less extensively on Darmor than Eurol. It was concluded that quantitative resistance to L. maculans operates during colonization of B. napus stems by the pathogen.
Comparative whitefly transmission of Tomato chlorosis virus and Tomato infectious chlorosis virus from single or mixed infections
Authors: Dalmon A. , Fabre F. , Guilbaud L. , Lecoq H. , Jacquemond M.
Published: October 2008

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV) are two criniviruses that are emerging worldwide, and induce similar yellowing diseases in tomato crops. While TICV is transmitted only by Trialeurodes vaporariorum, ToCV is transmitted by three whitefly species in two genera Trialeurodes vaporariorum, T. abutilonea and Bemisia tabaci. The efficiency of transmission by T. vaporariorum from plants infected by one virus or by both was compared, and the probability of virus transmission by a single whitefly was derived from group testing experiments. The estimated transmission probabilities ranged from 0·01 to 0·13, and were not significantly different between ToCV and TICV, or between single and mixed infections. Experiments using B. tabaci as a vector and source plants infected by TICV and ToCV did not reveal any functional trans‐complementation for transmission of TICV by ToCV, suggesting that if this phenomenon occurs in nature, it is at a very low frequency. Possible reasons why TICV did not establish in southern France while ToCV is now endemic are discussed.
OXIDATIVE STRESS 3 is a chromatin‐associated factor involved in tolerance to heavy metals and oxidative stress
Authors: Blanvillain Robert , Kim Jong Heon , Wu Shimei , Lima Amparo , Ow David W.
Published: October 2008

A cDNA expression library from Brassica juncea was introduced into the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe to select for transformants tolerant to cadmium. Transformants expressing OXIDATIVE STRESS 3 (OXS3) or OXS3‐Like cDNA exhibited enhanced tolerance to a range of metals and oxidizing chemicals. OXS3 belongs to a family of proteins that share a highly conserved domain corresponding to a putative N‐acetyltransferase or thioltransferase catalytic site. Mutations within this conserved domain abolished the ability of Arabidopsis thaliana OXS3 to enhance stress tolerance in S. pombe, indicating a role in stress tolerance for the presumptive catalytic domain. A stress‐sensitive mutant of AtOXS3 and enhanced tolerance of overexpression lines support the role of OXS3 in stress tolerance. The expression of tagged B. juncea and A. thaliana OXS3 proteins in plant cells revealed a subnuclear speckling pattern related to the nucleosome in discrete parts of the chromatin. It is possible that OXS3 might act as a chromatin remodeling factor for the stress response.
A toolbox and procedural notes for characterizing novel zinc finger nucleases for genome editing in plant cells
Authors: Tovkach Andriy , Zeevi Vardit , Tzfira Tzvi
Published: October 2008

The induction of double‐strand breaks (DSBs) in plant genomes can lead to increased homologous recombination or site‐specific mutagenesis at the repair site. This phenomenon has the potential for use in gene targeting applications in plant cells upon the induction of site‐specific genomic DSBs using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs). Zinc finger nucleases are artificial restriction enzymes, custom‐designed to cleave a specific DNA sequence. The tools and methods for ZFN assembly and validation could potentially boost their application for plant gene targeting. Here we report on the design of biochemical and in planta methods for the analysis of newly designed ZFNs. Cloning begins with de novo assembly of the DNA‐binding regions of new ZFNs from overlapping oligonucleotides containing modified helices responsible for DNA‐triplet recognition, and the fusion of the DNA‐binding domain with a FokI endonuclease domain in a dedicated plant expression cassette. Following the transfer of fully assembled ZFNs into Escherichia coli expression vectors, bacterial lysates were found to be most suitable for in vitro digestion analysis of palindromic target sequences. A set of three in planta activity assays was also developed to confirm the nucleic acid digestion activity of ZFNs in plant cells. The assays are based on the reconstruction of GUS expression following transient or stable delivery of a mutated uidA and ZFN‐expressing cassettes into target plants cells. Our tools and assays offer cloning flexibility and simple assembly of tested ZFNs and their corresponding target sites into Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary plasmids, allowing efficient implementation of ZFN‐validation assays in planta.
Transcriptional analysis of gtfB, gtfC, and gbpB and their putative response regulators in several isolates of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Stipp R. N. , Gonçalves R. B. , Höfling J. F. , Smith D. J. , Mattos‐Graner R. O.
Published: October 2008

Background:  Streptococcus mutans, a major dental caries pathogen, expresses several virulence genes that mediate its growth, accumulation on tooth surfaces, and acid‐mediated tooth demineralization. GtfB and GtfC catalyze the extracellular synthesis of water‐insoluble glucan matrix from sucrose, and are essential for accumulation of bacteria in the dental biofilm. GbpB, an essential protein of S. mutans, might also mediate cell‐surface interaction with glucan.

Aim/methods:  In this study, we determined the transcription levels of gtfB, gtfC, and gbpB, and several putative transcriptional response regulators (rr) at different phases of planktonic growth in 11 S. mutans strains.

Results:  Activities of gtfB and gtfC were growth‐phase dependent and assumed divergent patterns in several strains during specific phases of growth, while gbpB activities appeared to be under modest influence of the growth phase. Transcription patterns of the rr vicR, covR, comE, ciaR, and rr1 were growth‐phase dependent and some of these genes were expressed in a highly coordinated way. Each rr, except comE, was expressed by all the strains. Patterns of virulence and regulatory genes were, however, strain‐specific.

Conclusions:  The findings suggest that mechanisms controlling virulence gene expression are variable among genotypes, providing the notion that the genetic diversity of S. mutans may have important implications for understanding mechanisms that regulate the expression of virulence genes in this species.
Treponema denticola does not induce production of common innate immune mediators from primary gingival epithelial cells
Authors: Brissette C. A. , Pham T.‐T. T. , Coats S. R. , Darveau R. P. , Lukehart S. A.
Published: October 2008

It has been hypothesized that the neutrophil chemoattractant interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) forms a gradient in the oral cavity, with the highest concentration of IL‐8 produced closest to the bacterial biofilm. In periodontitis, this gradient is disrupted, impairing neutrophil chemotaxis to diseased sites. Treponema denticola is prominently associated with periodontal disease, yet little is known about its ability to modulate the production of inflammatory mediators by epithelial cells. Others have shown that dentilisin, the major outer membrane protease of T. denticola, degrades IL‐8 in vitro. We now provide evidence that T. denticola also fails to induce IL‐8 production from primary gingival epithelial cells (PGEC). The lack of IL‐8 production is not explained by IL‐8 degradation, because a protease mutant that does not degrade IL‐8 does not induce IL‐8 production with these stimuli either. The lack of innate immune mediator production may be a more global phenomenon because T. denticola fails to induce IL‐6 or intercellular adhesion molecule 1 production from PGEC. T. denticola also fails to induce transcription of IL‐8 and human β‐defensin‐2 messenger RNA. The lack of immune mediator production is not explained by the failure of T. denticola to interact with Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR‐2), as T. denticola stimulates nuclear factor‐κB nuclear translocation in TLR‐2‐transfected HEK293 cells. Not only can T. denticola degrade the IL‐8 present in the periodontal lesion, but this organism also fails to induce IL‐8 production by PGEC. The lack of an epithelial cell response to T. denticola may contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontitis by failing to trigger chemotaxis of neutrophils into the periodontal pocket.
Sugar fermentation in probiotic bacteria – an in vitro study
Authors: Hedberg M. , Hasslöf P. , Sjöström I. , Twetman S. , Stecksén‐Blicks C.
Published: October 2008

Introduction:  Food supplemented with probiotic bacteria is a rapidly growing sector of the market. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the acid production of selected probiotic strains available in commercial products.

Methods:  Six Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus plantarum 299v and 931; Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and LB21; Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F19, and Lactobacillus reuteri PTA 5289) were cultivated at 37°C in an anaerobic atmosphere on Man, Rogosa, Shape (MRS) agar for 48 h or MRS broth for 16 h. After centrifugation, the cells were washed and resuspended in sterile phosphate‐buffered saline and immediately subjected to a fermentation assay with 12 different carbohydrates (nine sugars and three sugar alcohols) in microtiter plates with a pH indicator. The plates were examined for color changes after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Three scores were used: negative (pH > 6.8); weak (pH 5.2–6.8), and positive (pH < 5.2). The strains were characterized with the API 50 CH system to confirm their identity.

Results:  L. plantarum fermented all the sugars except for melibiose, raffinose, and xylitol. Both L. rhamnosus strains were generally less active although L. rhamnosus GG was slightly more active than strain LB21 in the 5% CO2 setting. The latter strain exhibited negative reactions for sucrose, maltose, arabinose, and sorbitol under anaerobic conditions. The assays with L. paracasei and L. reuteri had negative or weak reactions for all tested sugars under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Conclusion:  The metabolic capacity to form acid from dietary sugars differed significantly between the various probiotic strains.
Human‐induced changes in the reproductive traits of Lake Constance common whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus)
Authors: THOMAS G. , QUOß H. , HARTMANN J. , ECKMANN R.
Published: October 2008

Size‐selective fishery harvest leads to phenotypic changes in fish reproductive traits. When these changes represent an evolutionary response of a stock, they may have severe consequences for future stock dynamics and yields. In freshwater ecosystems, reproductive traits may also be affected by other human impacts such as changes in system productivity. The present study uses regression analysis to evaluate the impacts of changes in lake trophy and of an intensive size‐selective harvest over several decades on the reproductive traits of common whitefish in Lake Constance between 1963 and 1999. Fecundity was strongly linked to lake trophy but was also related to the calendar year, suggesting an evolutionary response to size‐selective harvest and to massive stocking of the lake with hatchery‐reared larvae. The present study is an example of how fish reproductive traits are influenced by the combined action of various human impacts: changes in system productivity, size‐selective harvest and massive stocking.
Experimental evidence that competition and habitat use shape the individual fitness surface
Authors: CALSBEEK R.
Published: October 2008

A key prediction made by theories of density‐dependent competition is that resource overlap should increase the intensity of competition. By extension, we can predict that competition should lead to density‐dependent natural selection. I studied natural selection on limb length and body size in a total of seven populations ofAnolis sagreiover 3 years in the Bahamas. Experimental manipulations of population density on small off‐shore cays revealed that the strength of natural selection on body size increased with density, suggesting that density‐dependent intraspecific competition drives natural selection. At low density, reduced competition revealed significant selection on limb length driven by changes in perch diameter, indicating that selection favoured a match between morphology and habitat. The role habitat played in shaping selection was further illuminated by inter‐annual changes in vegetation structure stemming from variation in precipitation among years. Thus, changes in both the intensity of competition across spatial replicates, and in resource availability through time, revealed changes in the targets of natural selection. Results provide empirical support for the long‐standing hypothesis that density‐dependent natural selection shapes the fitness surface of Greater Antilles anoles.
Antennal Drumming, Trophallaxis, and Colony Development in the Social Wasp Polistes fuscatus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Authors: Suryanarayanan Sainath , Jeanne Robert L.
Published: October 2008

Parental care is an important component of social behavior in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Social wasps are a useful system for investigating the interplay between behaviors associated with the feeding of larvae by adults and their role in the evolution and maintenance of sociality. Females of the primitively eusocial wasp genus Polistes perform conspicuous vibratory behaviors closely associated with adult–larva feeding interactions. Prior research strongly indicates that these signals are directed toward the larvae, but their function(s) remain unclear. Existing hypotheses on the function(s) have posited releaser effects on larvae, either stimulating or inhibiting release of larval saliva, a nutrient‐rich glandular secretion attractive to adults. Polistes fuscatus queens perform antennal drumming (AD), a behavior in which they rapidly beat their antennae synchronously on the rims of the nest cells during the feeding of larvae. We used radiolabeled prey to show that adults extract juice from the prey, which they subsequently regurgitate to larvae immediately following each AD burst. We also show that no saliva is imbibed by the queen during the contact. These results are consistent with the inhibition hypothesis on the function of AD, but not the stimulation hypothesis. We further demonstrate that AD is first performed on nests when the oldest larvae reach the third instar, and that the third instar is the first to produce measurable volumes of larval saliva. Removal of third‐, fourth‐, and/or fifth‐instar larvae from single‐foundress, pre‐pupal‐stage colonies did not cause a reduction in the queen’s AD rates compared with controls, suggesting that later‐stage larvae do not maintain AD behavior via an immediate releaser effect. We propose instead that third‐instar larvae, possibly via chemical components of the salivary secretion itself, modulate the physiology of queens so as to indirectly cause the onset and maintenance of AD behavior.
Life History of Learning: Performance Curves of Honeybees in the Wild
Authors: Dukas Reuven
Published: October 2008

Learning is probably a major contributor to fitness in most animals yet it has not been well integrated into life history research. To quantify the role of learning in shaping lifetime patterns of performance, we must measure learning in natural settings as well as in controlled experimental conditions. As a part of a long‐term project measuring the relative contributions of learning, physiology, and effort to observed patterns of lifetime performance, I quantified the foraging success of worker honeybees in the wild. Bees exhibited a four‐fold increase in the net rate of food delivery to the colony over their first 4 d as foragers. The major contributors to that pattern were decreases in departure weights and increases in arrival weights. Combined with previous research, this study suggests that learning is the major contributor to the observed increases in lifetime performance, whereas age‐specific changes in physiology and effort have a significant though lesser role.
QTL mapping of BNYVV resistance from the WB258 source in sugar beet
Authors: Grimmer M. K. , Kraft T. , Francis S. A. , Asher M. J. C.
Published: October 2008

Rhizomania, caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), is an important sugar‐beet disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate and map BNYVV resistance from the WB258 source. Presence of a major resistance gene (termed Rz5) was indicated by ∼1 : 1 segregation of virus levels in a population of 170 individuals derived from WB258. The maximum logarithm of odds (LOD) position for Rz5, identified by interval mapping, explained ∼81% of the phenotypic variance. Rz5 was mapped alongside the previously identified Rz4 from the R36 source. Rz4 and Rz5 were located to 6.9 cM and 6.0 cM regions, respectively, on chromosome III by interval mapping. These locations corresponded well to the position of the widely deployed Rz1 gene, suggesting that the three genes could represent an allelic series. Physical mapping is probably required to confirm this however. BNYVV resistance genes from novel sources are potentially important in breeding for more durable resistance either as separate genes or as BNYVV race‐specific alleles.
A Simple and Rapid PCR‐Based Method for Ostrich Sexing Using Micro Amounts of DNA
Authors: Huang C‐W , Huang M‐C
Published: October 2008

Contents

The aim of the present study is to identify ostrich sex by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on micro amounts of DNA from blood, bloodstain and feathers. Sixteen male and 18 female ostriches were used as test individuals. Genomic DNA as a template was extracted by the Chelex method. Ostrsex‐P1 and P2 primers were designed to perform PCR amplification on the template. PCR products were checked using agarose gel electrophoresis with ethidium bromide staining and ostrich sex was determined directly by the bands shown on the gel. The results demonstrate that ostrich sex can be determined by the extraction of DNA from as little as 0.0125 μl blood using Chelex, whereby the use of large amounts of organic solvents such as phenol and chloroform are unnecessary. In addition, it is possible to identify ostrich sex using micro amounts of DNA extracted from bloodstains and/or feathers. The use of feathers particularly avoids unwanted sampling problems such as the difficulty of collecting ostrich blood, the stress to the ostrich caused by bleeding, and the demand for a lot of manpower for ostrich restraint.