bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Complementary and Alternative Medicines to Target the Host Response during Severe Influenza
Authors: Alleva Lisa M. , Cai Charles , Clark Ian A.
Published: September 2009

It is now accepted that an overwhelming inflammatory response is the cause of human deaths from avian H5N1 influenza infection. With this in mind we sought to examine the literature for examples of complementary and alternative medicines that reduce inflammation, and to place the results of this search in the context of our own work in a mouse model of influenza disease, using a pharmaceutical agent with anti‐inflammatory properties. Two Chinese herbs, Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui) and Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), have been recently shown to protect mice during lethal experimental sepsis via inhibition of the novel inflammatory cytokine High Mobility Group Box 1 protein (HMGB1). Biochanin A, a ligand of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR) alpha and gamma and the active isoflavone in Trifolium pratense (red clover), has anti‐inflammatory properties, and thus could be used as an influenza treatment. This is of great interest since we have recently shown that gemfibrozil, a drug used to treat hyperlipidemia in humans and a synthetic ligand of PPAR alpha, significantly reduces the mortality associated with influenza infections in mice. The inflammation‐modulating abilities of these natural agents should be considered in light of what is now known about the mechanisms of fatal influenza, and tested as potential candidates for influenza treatments in their own right, or as adjunct treatments to antivirals.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling of the novel human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor derivative Maxy‐G34 and pegfilgrastim in rats
Authors: Scholz M. , Engel C. , Apt D. , Sankar S. L. , Goldstein E. , Loeffler M.
Published: September 2009

Objectives: This study aims to compare pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pegfilgrastim, a pharmaceutical recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF), with that of a newly developed reagent, Maxy‐G34. This comparison was performed using rat experiments and biomathematical modelling of granulopoiesis.

Methods: Healthy rats and those with cyclophosphamide‐induced neutropenia were treated with either pegfilgrastim or Maxy‐G34 under various schedules. Time courses of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and G‐CSF serum level were measured and we constructed a combined pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model of both drugs. Neutropenic episodes were assessed by experimental data and model simulations.

Results: Both Pegfilgrastim and Maxy‐G34 showed strong dose‐dependent efficacy in reducing neutropenic episodes. However, time courses of ANC and G‐CSF serum levels were markedly different. The biomathematical model showed good agreement with these data. We estimated that differences between the two drugs could be explained by lower bioavailability and reduced elimination of Maxy‐G34. Based on the data and model interpolations, we estimated that Maxy‐G34 is superior in reducing neutropenic episodes. Also, we predicted that G‐CSF administration 48 h after cyclophosphamide would be superior to its administration after 2 or 24 h, for both derivatives.

Conclusion: Maxy‐G34 is a highly potent drug for stimulation of neutrophil production in rats. By our modelling approach, we quantified differences between Maxy‐G34 and pegfilgrastim, related to pharmacokinetic parameters. Model simulations can be used to estimate optimal dosing and timing options in the present preclinical rat model.
High precision measurements of atmospheric concentrations and plant exchange rates of carbonyl sulfide using mid‐IR quantum cascade laser
Authors: STIMLER KEREN , NELSON DAVID , YAKIR DAN
Published: September 2009

Linking measurements of carbonyl sulfide (COS) with those of carbon dioxide (CO2) has a potential in providing a powerful tracer of gross CO2 fluxes between the atmosphere and land plants, a critical element in understanding the response of the land biosphere to global change. A new application of online COS, CO2 and water vapor measurements based on newly designed mid‐infrared (IR) dual quantum cascade laser (QCL) spectrometer measures COS and CO2 (at 2056 cm−1) and water vapor (at 2190 cm−1), with detectors cooled thermoelectrically (at −43 °C) or with liquid nitrogen (−197 °C) for improved precision. Using the cryogenic detectors with averaging time of 1 s, precision was 50 pmol mol−1, 0.4 μmol mol−1 and 0.01 mmol mol−1 for COS, CO2 and water vapor, respectively (14, 0.2 and 0.003, respectively, for 60 s averaging time). We measured COS concentrations in ambient air, and changes in the rates of COS, CO2 and water vapor exchange of attached leaves in response to changes in light intensity and ambient COS concentrations. The results were consistent with those of nononline gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for COS and IR gas analyzer for CO2 and water vapor, with a high linear correlation for a broad range of concentrations (R2= 0.85 for COS and R2= 1.00 for CO2 and water vapor). The new methodology opens the way for lab and field explorations of COS fluxes as a powerful new tracer for CO2 exchange in the land biosphere.
Thermal plasticity of photosynthesis: the role of acclimation in forest responses to a warming climate
Authors: GUNDERSON CARLA A. , O'HARA KEIRAN H. , CAMPION CHRISTINA M. , WALKER ASHLEY V. , EDWARDS NELSON T.
Published: September 2009

The increasing air temperatures central to climate change predictions have the potential to alter forest ecosystem function and structure by exceeding temperatures optimal for carbon gain. Such changes are projected to threaten survival of sensitive species, leading to local extinctions, range migrations, and altered forest composition. This study investigated photosynthetic sensitivity to temperature and the potential for acclimation in relation to the climatic provenance of five species of deciduous trees, Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus rubra, Quercus falcata, Betula alleghaniensis, and Populus grandidentata. Open‐top chambers supplied three levels of warming (+0, +2, and +4 °C above ambient) over 3 years, tracking natural temperature variability. Optimal temperature for CO2 assimilation was strongly correlated with daytime temperature in all treatments, but assimilation rates at those optima were comparable. Adjustment of thermal optima was confirmed in all species, whether temperatures varied with season or treatment, and regardless of climate in the species' range or provenance of the plant material. Temperature optima from 17° to 34° were observed. Across species, acclimation potentials varied from 0.55 °C to 1.07 °C per degree change in daytime temperature. Responses to the temperature manipulation were not different from the seasonal acclimation observed in mature indigenous trees, suggesting that photosynthetic responses should not be modeled using static temperature functions, but should incorporate an adjustment to account for acclimation. The high degree of homeostasis observed indicates that direct impacts of climatic warming on forest productivity, species survival, and range limits may be less than predicted by existing models.
Differential responses of auto‐ and heterotrophic soil respiration to water and nitrogen addition in a semiarid temperate steppe
Authors: YAN LIMING , CHEN SHIPING , HUANG JIANHUI , LIN GUANGHUI
Published: September 2009

Evaluating how autotrophic (SRA), heterotrophic (SRH) and total soil respiration (SRTOT) respond differently to changes of environmental factors is critical to get an understanding of ecosystem carbon (C) cycling and its feedback processes to climate change. A field experiment was conducted to examine the responses of SRA and SRH to water and nitrogen (N) addition in a temperate steppe in northern China during two hydrologically contrasting growing seasons. Water addition stimulated SRA and SRH in both years, and their increases were significantly greater in a dry year (2007) than in a wet year (2006). N addition increased SRA in 2006 but not in 2007, while it decreased SRH in both years, leading to a positive response of SRTOT in 2006 but a negative one in 2007. The different responses of SRA and SRH indicate that it will be uncertain to predict soil C storage if SRTOT is used instead of SRH to estimate variations in soil C storage. Overall, N addition is likely to enhance soil C storage, while the impacts of water addition are determined by its relative effects on carbon input (plant growth) and SRH. Antecedent water conditions played an important role in controlling responses of SRA, SRH and the consequent SRTOT to water and N addition. Our findings highlight the predominance of hydrological conditions in regulating the responses of C cycling to global change in the semiarid temperate steppe of northern China.
CO2 supersaturation along the aquatic conduit in Swedish watersheds as constrained by terrestrial respiration, aquatic respiration and weathering
Authors: HUMBORG CHRISTOPH , MÖRTH CARL‐MAGNUS , SUNDBOM MARCUS , BORG HANS , BLENCKNER THORSTEN , GIESLER REINER , ITTEKKOT VENUGOPALAN
Published: September 2009

We tested the hypothesis that CO2 supersaturation along the aquatic conduit over Sweden can be explained by processes other than aquatic respiration. A first generalized‐additive model (GAM) analysis evaluating the relationships between single water chemistry variables and pCO2 in lakes and streams revealed that water chemistry variables typical for groundwater input, e.g., dissolved silicate (DSi) and Mg2+ had explanatory power similar to total organic carbon (TOC). Further GAM analyses on various lake size classes and stream orders corroborated the slightly higher explanatory power for DSi in lakes and Mg2+ for streams compared with TOC. Both DSi and TOC explained 22–46% of the pCO2 variability in various lake classes (0.01–>100 km2) and Mg2+ and TOC explained 11–41% of the pCO2 variability in the various stream orders. This suggests that aquatic pCO2 has a strong groundwater signature. Terrestrial respiration is a significant source of the observed supersaturation and we may assume that both terrestrial respiration and aquatic respiration contributed equally to pCO2 efflux. pCO2 and TOC concentrations decreased with lake size suggesting that the longer water residence time allow greater equilibration of CO2 with the atmosphere and in‐lake mineralization of TOC. For streams, we observed a decreasing trend in pCO2 with stream orders between 3 and 6. We calculated the total CO2 efflux from all Swedish lakes and streams to be 2.58 Tg C yr−1. Our analyses also demonstrated that 0.70 Tg C yr−1 are exported to the ocean by Swedish watersheds as HCO3− and CO32− of which about 0.56 Tg C yr−1 is also a residual from terrestrial respiration and constitute a long‐term sink for atmospheric CO2. Taking all dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) fluxes along the aquatic conduit into account will lower the estimated net ecosystem C exchange (NEE) by 2.02 Tg C yr−1, which corresponds to 10% of the NEE in Sweden.
The temperature dependence of organic matter decomposition: seasonal temperature variations turn a sharp short‐term temperature response into a more moderate annually averaged response
Authors: KIRSCHBAUM MIKO U. F.
Published: September 2009

The temperature dependence of organic matter decomposition is a critically important determinant of any long‐term changes of soil‐carbon stocks in response to global warming. Because of practical experimental constraints, most knowledge of this temperature dependence is based on short‐term studies. These studies generally show a strong temperature dependence of organic matter decomposition. At the same time, many modelling studies, especially global studies, or studies that investigate the effects of climate change, use longer time steps, such as annual. It is investigated here to what extent the use of short‐term temperature dependencies are appropriate, or how they may need to be modified, for application over longer time steps. The work indicated that for global applications, it is critically important to explicitly consider seasonal temperature variations. Across the globe, observed annual mean temperature and the annual temperature range are negatively correlated. Inclusion of this correlation means that the strong short‐term temperature dependence becomes much weaker when data are expressed as annual averages for the temperatures experienced across the globe. For short‐term responses, the temperature dependence of organic matter decomposition is greater at low than high temperature and deviates strongly from an assumption of a constant Q10 across temperature. For annually averaged values, this pattern also weakens, and temperature dependencies change only slightly with temperature. Using short time steps for simulations leads to the expectation of more positive changes (sequestration) in soil carbon especially for cold regions of the globe than would be predicted for simulations at annual time steps without explicit consideration of seasonal temperature variations. These considerations help to reconcile some of the apparent differences in temperature dependencies obtained by different workers using different approaches.
Country‐specific chemical signatures of persistent environmental compounds in breast milk
Authors: Krysiak‐Baltyn K. , Toppari J. , Skakkebaek N. E. , Jensen T. S. , Virtanen H. E. , Schramm K.‐W. , Shen H. , Vartiainen T. , Kiviranta H. , Taboureau O. , Brunak S. , Main K. M.
Published: September 2009

Recent reports have confirmed a worldwide increasing trend of testicular cancer incidence, and a conspicuously high prevalence of this disease and other male reproductive disorders, including cryptorchidism and hypospadias, in Denmark. In contrast, Finland, a similarly industrialized Nordic country, exhibits much lower incidences of these disorders. The reasons behind the observed trends are unexplained, but environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that affect foetal testis development are probably involved. Levels of persistent chemicals in breast milk can be considered a proxy for exposure of the foetus to such agents. Therefore, we undertook a comprehensive ecological study of 121 EDCs, including the persistent compounds dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides and flame retardants, and non‐persistent phthalates, in 68 breast milk samples from Denmark and Finland to compare exposure of mothers to this environmental mixture of EDCs. Using sophisticated, bioinformatic tools in our analysis, we reveal, for the first time, distinct country‐specific chemical signatures of EDCs with Danes having generally higher exposure than Finns to persistent bioaccumulative chemicals, whereas there was no country‐specific pattern with regard to the non‐persistent phthalates. Importantly, EDC levels, including some dioxins, PCBs and some pesticides (hexachlorobenzene and dieldrin) were significantly higher in Denmark than in Finland. As these classes of EDCs have been implicated in testicular cancer or in adversely affecting development of the foetal testis in humans and animals, our findings reinforce the view that environmental exposure to EDCs may explain some of the temporal and between‐country differences in incidence of male reproductive disorders.
Gastropod grazing shapes the vertical distribution of epiphytic lichens in forest canopies
Authors: Asplund Johan , Larsson Per , Vatne Steinar , Gauslaa Yngvar
Published: September 2009

1. Species composition and biomass of epiphytic lichens varies along a complex environmental gradient from the ground to the top of the forest canopy. It is not known if this gradient, considered to be shaped by succession (age of bark surface) and climatic factors, is also influenced by invertebrate grazing.

2. To investigate the grazing hypothesis, the natural height ranges of four old‐forestLobariaspecies on tree trunks were quantified. These large foliose epiphytes with different secondary chemistry were transplanted ontoFraxinus excelsiortrunks 0.5, 3 and 6 m above‐ground in five broad‐leaved deciduous forests in southern Norway. After 4.5 months of exposure to natural climbing gastropods, grazing was quantified.

3. Grazing pressure strongly increased with increasing proximity to the ground. At all heights, gastropods clearly preferredLobaria scrobiculatafollowed byL. amplissima. Lobaria pulmonaria, highest in carbon‐based secondary compounds (CBSCs), andL. virens, nearly deficient in CBSCs, were both much less grazed. Therefore, CBSCs cannot explain the preferences. According to existing literature the stictic acid complex, present inL. pulmonariaandL. scrobiculata,represents a herbivore defence when occurring in quantities as high as those inL. pulmonaria. The identity of the strong defence in the CBSC‐deficientL. virensis unknown.

4. Gastropods’ preference for these epiphytes mirrors the distribution of the lichens in nature. The highly palatableL. scrobiculataoccurs mainly in localities with low gastropod abundance such as boreal forests and on bark with slightly lower pH.Lobaria amplissimaoccurs in gastropod‐rich localities, but above the lower parts of the trunk.Lobaria pulmonariaandL. virensfrequently grow down to a level of < 1 m above the ground.

5. Synthesis.Our results suggest that climbing gastropods play a role in determining the lower distribution limit of epiphytic lichens along a vertical canopy gradient and influence the spatial pattern of susceptible lichen species. By grazing lichens in a species‐specific way, gastropods can shape epiphytic communities in broad‐leaved deciduous forests.
The prevalence of dietary‐related complementary and alternative therapies and their perceived usefulness among cancer patients
Authors: Van Tonder E. , Herselman M. G. , Visser J.
Published: September 2009

Background:  The present study aimed to directly assess and compare the usage, benefits and side‐effects of dietary‐related complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among adult cancer patients and non‐cancer adults in Norwich, UK.

Methods:  Self‐administered questionnaires were completed by 98 cancer patients and 92 non‐cancer adults to compare demographics, types of CAM usage with reasons, benefits, side‐effects and CAM information sources. The groups were matched for gender, age, marital status, education and household income. The mean ages were 62.7 and 59.7 years, respectively, with slightly more female than male participants.

Results:  CAM use was high in both groups (47% in cancer and 53% in non‐cancer respondents, P > 0.05). The most widely‐used diet‐related CAM among both groups was the large intake of fruit, vegetables and juice, multivitamins, fish oils and glucosamine. Fish oil intake was significantly higher in the non‐cancer group (P < 0.05), whereas selenium and β‐carotene supplements were significantly higher in the cancer group (P < 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). The main reasons for using CAM were to boost the immune system and to improve quality of life (P > 0.05). Reported benefits included increased optimism and hope for the cancer group and increased optimism and pain relief for the non‐cancer group.

Conclusions:  Diet‐related CAM is used frequently by both cancer patients and non‐cancer adults, with many reported benefits and few reported side‐effects. Significant differences between the groups included a higher prevalence of fish oil used by the non‐cancer group, and a higher use of selenium and β‐carotene supplements in the cancer group.
Reliability of the School Food Checklist for in‐school audits and photograph analysis of children’s packed lunches
Authors: Mitchell S. A. , Miles C. L. , Brennan L. , Matthews J.
Published: September 2009

Background:  Assessment of children’s diets is problematic, typically relying on error‐prone parent or child recall or reporting, or resource intensive direct observation. The School Food Checklist (SFC) is an objective instrument comprising of 20 food and beverage categories designed to measure the foods contained in children’s packed lunches. The present study aimed to assess intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability of each of the food and beverage categories of the SFC for both in‐school audits and photograph analysis of children’s school lunches.

Methods:  Participants comprised 176 children aged 5–8 years from five primary schools in Northern Metropolitan Melbourne. The SFC was used to measure the foods contained in children’s packed lunches in the school setting and using photographs. Photograph analysis was conducted by the auditors 2–3 months after completion of in‐school audits.

Results:  Both intra‐rater [intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.78–1] and inter‐rater (ICC = 0.50–0.95) reliability analysis indicated strong agreement for in‐school auditing. With the exception of the food category titled ‘leftovers’, there was strong intra‐rater reliability for auditors’ live audits and their analysis of photographs [ICC = 0.57–0.98 (Auditor 1); ICC = 0.72–0.90 (Auditor 2)], and strong inter‐rater reliability for photograph analysis (ICC = 0.68–0.92).

Conclusions:  The SFC is a reliable method of measuring the foods and beverages contained in children’s packed lunches when used in the school setting or for photograph analysis. This finding has broad implications, particularly for the use of photograph analysis, because this approach offers a convenient and cost effective method of measuring what food and beverages children bring to school in home packed lunches.
Complete mitochondrial DNA replacement in a Lake Tanganyika cichlid fish
Authors: NEVADO B. , KOBLMÜLLER S. , STURMBAUER C. , SNOEKS J. , USANO‐ALEMANY J. , VERHEYEN E.
Published: September 2009

We used nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from specimens collected throughout Lake Tanganyika to clarify the evolutionary relationship betweenLamprologus callipterusandNeolamprologus fasciatus. The nuclear data support the reciprocal monophyly of these two shell‐breeding lamprologine cichlids. However, mtDNA sequences show that (i)L. callipterusincludes two divergent and geographically disjunct (North–South) mtDNA lineages; and that (ii)N. fasciatusindividuals cluster in a lineage sister group to the northern lineage ofL. callipterus. The two mtDNA lineages ofL. callipterusdivergedc. 684 kya to 1.2 Ma, coinciding with a major water level low stand in Lake Tanganyika, which divided the lake into isolated sub‐lakes. This suggests that the two mtDNA lineages originated as the result of the separation ofL. callipteruspopulations in different sub‐basins. The incongruent phylogenetic position ofN. fasciatuscan best be explained by an ancient unidirectional introgression fromL. callipterusintoN. fasciatus.Remarkably, our data indicate that this event resulted in the complete mtDNA replacement inN. fasciatus. Our data suggest that hybridization occurred soon after the divergence of the twoL. callipterusmtDNA lineages, probably still during the water level low stand, and that subsequently the invading mtDNA lineage spread throughout the lake.
Constraints on the depth of generation and emplacement of a magmatic epidote‐bearing quartz diorite pluton in the Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia
Authors: Chang J. M. , Andronicos C. L.
Published: September 2009

Petrology and P–T estimates indicate that a magmatic epidote‐bearing quartz diorite pluton from Mt. Gamsby, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, was sourced at pressures below ∼1.4 GPa and cooled nearly isobarically at ∼0.9 GPa. The P–T path indicates that the magma was within the stability field of magmatic epidote early and remained there upon final crystallization. The pluton formed and crystallized at depths greater than ∼30 km. REE data indicate that garnet was absent in the melting region and did not fractionate during crystallization. This suggests that the crust was less than or equal to ∼55 km thick at 188 Ma during the early phases of magmatism in the Coast Plutonic Complex. Late Cretaceous contractional deformation and early Tertiary extension exhumed the rocks to upper crustal levels. Textures of magmatic epidote and other magmatic phases, combined with REE data, can be important for constraining the P–T path followed by magmas.
Mild ring 17 syndrome shares common phenotypic features irrespective of the chromosomal breakpoints location
Authors: Surace C , Piazzolla S , Sirleto P , Digilio MC , Roberti MC , Lombardo A , D'Elia G , Tomaiuolo AC , Petrocchi S , Capolino R , El Hachem M , Claps Sepulveda D , Sgura A , Angioni A
Published: September 2009

Ring 17 syndrome is a rare disorder with clinical features influenced by the presence or deletion of the Miller–Dieker critical region (MDCR). Presence of the MDCR is associated with a mild phenotype, including growth delay (GD), mental retardation (MR), seizures,cafè au laitskin (CALS) spots and minor facial dysmorphisms. Previous studies have been mainly focused on this locus providing poor information about the role of other genes located on the p‐ and q‐arms. Here, we used bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)/P1 artificial chromosome (PAC) and fosmid clones as fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) probes to perform a cyto‐molecular analysis of a ring 17 case and found that the breakpoints were close to the telomeric ends.METRNLis the sole gene located on the q‐arm terminal end, whereas two open reading frames and theRPH3ALgene are located on the terminal p‐arm. To detect possibly unrevealed small deletions involving the transcription units, we used subcloned FISH probes obtained by long‐range polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which showed that the investigated regions were preserved. Comparing our findings with other reports, it emerges that different breakpoints, involving (or not) large genomic deletions, present overlapping clinical aspects. In conclusion, our data suggest that a mechanism based on gene expression control besides haploinsufficiency should be considered to explain the common phenotypic features found in the mild ring 17 syndrome.
APC or MUTYH mutations account for the majority of clinically well‐characterized families with FAP and AFAP phenotype and patients with more than 30 adenomas
Authors: Filipe B , Baltazar C , Albuquerque C , Fragoso S , Lage P , Vitoriano I , Mão de Ferro S , Claro I , Rodrigues P , Fidalgo P , Chaves P , Cravo M , Nobre Leitão C
Published: September 2009

Patients presenting familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) or multiple colorectal adenomas (MCRAs) phenotype are clinically difficult to distinguish. We aimed to genetically characterize 107 clinically well‐characterized patients with FAP‐like phenotype, and stratified according to the recent guidelines for the clinical management of FAP: FAP, AFAP, MCRA (10–99 colorectal adenomas) without family history of colorectal cancer or few adenomas (FH), MCRA (10–99) with FH, MCRA (3–9) with FH. Overall, APC or MUTYH mutations were detected in 42/48 (88%), 14/20 (70%) and 10/38 (26%) of FAP, AFAP and MCRA patients, respectively. APC and MUTYH mutations accounted for 81% and 7% of FAP patients and for 30% and 40% of AFAP patients, respectively. Notably, MCRA patients did not present APC mutations. In 26% of these patients, an MUTYH mutation was identified and the detection rate increased with the number of adenomas, irrespectively of family history, being significantly higher in MCRA patients presenting more than 30 adenomas [7/12 (58%) vs 2/14 (14%), p = 0.023]. We validate the recently proposed guidelines in our patient's cohort and show that APC or MUTYH germline defects are responsible for the majority of clinically well‐characterized patients with FAP and AFAP phenotype, and patients with more than 30 colorectal adenomas. The different mutation frequencies according to family history and to the number of adenomas underscore the importance of an adequate familial characterization, both clinically and by colonoscopy, in the management of FAP‐like phenotypes. The phenotypes of the mutation‐negative patients suggest distinct etiologies in these cases.
Hereditary hair loss and the ancient signaling pathways that regulate ectodermal appendage formation
Authors: Van Raamsdonk CD
Published: September 2009

All epidermal appendages, including hair, teeth, and nails, begin as a thickening of the ectoderm, called a placode. The placode arises from a primary induction signal that is sent from the underlying mesenchyme to the overlying epidermis. In mammals, the precise arrangement of hair follicles in the skin is due to the amount and distribution of signals that promote and inhibit hair placode formation. Continued development of a hair follicle after placode formation requires a complex cross‐talk between the mesenchyme and epidermis. Here, I will review recent studies in humans and mice that have increased our understanding of the role of these signaling pathways in normal development and in hereditary hair loss syndromes. The study of normal hair development may suggest ways to restore or eliminate hair and might identify possible targets for the therapy of basal cell carcinoma, a cancer which strongly resembles embryonic hair follicles.
Non‐invasive markers of airway inflammation and remodeling in childhood asthma
Authors: Gagliardo Rosalia , La Grutta Stefania , Chanez Pascal , Profita Mirella , Paternò Alessandra , Cibella Fabio , Bousquet Jean , Viegi Giovanni , Gjomarkaj Mark
Published: September 2009

To evaluate the relationship between pro‐inflammatory and pro‐remodeling mediators and severity and control of asthma in children, the levels of IL‐8, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1 in induced sputum supernatants, the number of sputum eosinophils, as well as FeNO, were investigated in 35 asthmatic children, 12 with intermittent (IA) and 23 with moderate asthma (MA), and 9 controls (C). The patients with asthma were followed for 1 yr and sputum was obtained twice during the follow‐up. Biomarker levels were correlated with the number of exacerbations. We found that IL‐8, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1 and the numbers of eosinophils in induced sputum, as well as FeNO, were increased in children with IA and MA in comparison to C. The ongoing inflammation was confirmed by increased nuclear p65 NF‐κB subunit localization in sputum cells. In MA, FeNO measurements, sputum eosinophils and IL‐8 levels, positively correlated with the occurrence of disease exacerbations during a 1‐yr follow‐up. According to FeNO, sputum eosinophils and IL‐8 sputum concentrations, and the number of exacerbations, two distinct phenotypes of MA were identified. This study shows that the presence of bronchial inflammation is detectable in the airways of some IA, as well as in the airways of MA, despite the regular ICS treatment. This study also proposes the need to perform large prospective studies to confirm the importance of measuring specific biomarkers in induced sputum, concomitantly to FeNO analyses, to assess sub‐clinical airway inflammation and disease control in children with asthma.
Response of Oryzacystatin I Transformed Tobacco Plants to Drought, Heat and Light Stress
Authors: Demirevska K. , Simova‐Stoilova L. , Fedina I. , Georgieva K. , Kunert K.
Published: September 2009

Transformed tobacco plants expressing a rice cysteine proteinase inhibitor (OC‐I) and non‐transformed plants were grown in a controlled environment and subjected to various stresses. Two‐month‐old transformed and non‐transformed plants were exposed for 5 days to drought conditions by withholding watering. High temperature (40 °C) was applied additionally at day 6th for 5 h either individually or in combination with drought. All stress treatments were applied under low (150 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD) and high light intensity (HL) of 1000 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD to determine if OC‐I expression might provide protection under combination of stresses usually existing in nature. Drought stress led to diminution in leaf relative water content, photosynthesis inhibition, decrease in chlorophyll content and accumulation of malondialdehyde and proline. Heat stress alone did not affect the plants significantly, but intensified the effect of drought stress. HL intensity further increased the proline content. OC‐I transformed plants grown under low light intensity had significantly higher total superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase activities as well as their isoforms than non‐transformed control plants under non‐stress and stress conditions. Catalase activity was not highly affected by OC‐I expression. Results indicate that OC‐I expression in tobacco plants provides protection of the antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidise under both non‐stress and stress conditions.
The prospects for sequencing the western corn rootworm genome
Authors: Miller N. J. , Richards S. , Sappington T. W.
Published: September 2009

Historically, obtaining the complete sequence of eukaryotic genomes has been an expensive and complex task. For this reason, efforts to sequence insect genomes have largely been confined to model organisms, species that are important to human health and representative species from a few insect orders. This situation is set to change as a number of ‘next generation’ sequencing technologies are making large‐scale DNA sequencing both affordable and accessible. Sequencing the genome of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is likely to become a realistic proposition within the next 2 years. In the meantime, there is an active community of Diabrotica geneticists and biologists who are working to assemble the resources that will be needed for a genome sequencing project. A western corn rootworm genome sequence will be an invaluable resource that will facilitate research into the genetics, evolution and ecology of a major pest of maize agriculture in North America and Europe.
Effects of eelgrass(Zostera marina)canopy removal and sediment addition on sediment characteristics and benthic communities in the Northern Baltic Sea
Authors: Herkül Kristjan , Kotta Jonne
Published: September 2009

The eelgrassZostera marinais a key structural and functional species across the European coastline. The separate and interactive effects of eelgrass canopy removal and sediment addition on the sediment characteristics and the structure of benthic communities were studied in a factorial field experiment in the Northern Baltic Sea in July–August 2006. The removal of eelgrass canopy temporarily increased the sediment oxygen consumption, reduced the content of fine particles (<100 μm) and organic matter in the sediment, and increased the share of sand fraction (250–500 μm). Sediment addition increased the content of fine particles (<100 μm) and reduced the share of sand fraction (250–1000 μm). The effects were strongest in the presence of eelgrass canopy. Benthic invertebrates and macroalgae were affected by eelgrass canopy removal but not by sediment addition. The removal of eelgrass canopy significantly decreased benthic species richness and invertebrate and macroalgal densities. To conclude, our experiment demonstrates thatZ. marinadefines the patterns of benthic macroalgae and invertebrates but has moderate effects on sediment structure and metabolism in the Northern Baltic Sea.
Validation of macroscopic maturity stages according to microscopic histological examination for European anchovy
Authors: Ferreri Rosalia , Basilone Gualtiero , D'Elia Marta , Traina Anna , Saborido‐Rey Francisco , Mazzola Salvatore
Published: September 2009

The identification and classification of macroscopic maturity stages plays a key role in the assessment of small pelagic fishery resources. The main scientific international commissions strongly recommend standardizing methodologies across countries and scientists. Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of uncertainty concerning macroscopic identification, which remains to be validated. The current paper analyses reproductive data of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L. 1758), collected during three summer surveys (2001, 2005 and 2006) in the Strait of Sicily, to evaluate the uncertainty in the macroscopic maturity stage identification and the reliability of the macroscopic adopted scale. On board the survey vessels, the maturity stage of each fish was determined macroscopically by means of an adopted maturity scale subdivided in six stages. Later, at the laboratory, the gonads were prepared for histological examination. The histological slides were analysed, finally assigning the six maturity stages for macroscopic examinations. A correspondence table was obtained with the proportion and number of matches between the two methods. The results highlight critical aspects in the ascription of macroscopic maturity stages, particularly for the present research aim. Different recommendations were evaluated depending on the scope of the study conducted on maturity (e.g. daily egg production, fecundity and maturity ogive computation). The most interesting results concern the misclassification of stage IV and stages III and V (the most abundant), which confirms their macroscopic similarity. Although the results are based on a small number of samples, the advantages and disadvantages of macroscopic and histological methods are discussed with the aim to increase the accuracy of correct identification and to standardize macroscopic maturity ascription criteria.
Relict sand dredging for beach nourishment in the central Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy): effects on benthic assemblages
Authors: La Porta Barbara , Targusi Monica , Lattanzi Loretta , La Valle Paola , Paganelli Daniela , Nicoletti Luisa
Published: September 2009

The aim of this study is to analyse the effects in space and time of relict sand‐dredging activities on macrobenthic assemblages, in an area situated offshore Montalto di Castro (central Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy), and to analyse the recolonisation processes of macrobenthos in the dredged areas. The area in question is characterised by relict sand deposits (Holocenic paleo‐beaches), used for beach nourishment along the Latium coast. The effects of sand extraction on benthic assemblages were investigated before, during and after three dredging operations. The sites analysed are located within the dredged areas (inside stations) and in neighbouring, not dredged, areas (outside stations). The results showed that the impact of sand extraction was confined to the dredged stations and to the areas in proximity to the dredged areas. During dredging activities, the structure of benthic assemblages within the impacted stations was characterised by low species richness and diversity. Both the direct removal of sediment and the re‐suspension and consequent deposition of fine sediment affected benthic assemblages of the impacted stations. A few months after the dredgings, a recolonisation process was still observed at all the impacted stations. A gradual recolonisation process was observed at those stations affected by only one dredging, whereas a different recolonisation was observed at those stations affected by two dredgings over time. This study suggests that differences of re‐colonisation processes of benthic assemblages are related to the intensity of dredging operations in terms of dredging frequency.
Taxonomic sufficiency in two case studies: where does it work better?
Authors: Bacci Tiziano , Trabucco Benedetta , Marzialetti Sara , Marusso Veronica , Lomiri Serena , Vani Danilo , Virno Lamberti Claudia
Published: September 2009

In marine macrobenthos studies the identification of organisms at species level is the best entry to ecological and biological information about the animals. An accurate identification requires excellent conservation of the organisms, reliable fauna description, experts and lengthy work in the laboratory. The aim of this work is to test taxonomic sufficiency (TS) in two deliberately selected different case studies to understand whether and how the taxonomic complexity of a benthic assemblage influences the results of TS and where it works better. The first benthic settlement was collected in an area characterized by homogeneous depth and grain size composition (case study A) around an off‐shore gas platform, while the second one was collected along a coast‐wide transect in an area with human pressure limited to fishing activities (case study B). Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was used to assess differences in the taxonomic structure of benthic assemblages and to test TS on the two different datasets. TS seems to work in both sites, from species to higher taxonomic levels, and the family taxonomic level appears the best compromise for taxonomic resolution when an accurate identification is not achievable. The application of TS does not indicate a significant difference between the two datasets and appears therefore to be a valid instrument to analyse and describe the structure of benthic settlements in the case of taxonomically complex communities.
Effect of baicalin and octreotide on the expression levels of P‐selectin protein in multiple organs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Zhang Xiping , Feng Guanghua , Jiang Jun , Tian Hua , Chen Li , Cai Yang , Shou Yuemin , Ma Jin , Ma Meili , Zhu Feibo
Published: September 2009

Aim:  To investigate the effect of baicalin and octreotide on the expression levels of P‐selectin protein in multiple organs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis and explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods:  Rats were randomly divided into sham‐operated, model control, baicalin‐treated and octreotide‐treated groups. At 3, 6 and 12 h after operation, the mortality rates of rats, the contents of plasma endotoxin as well as serum NO and ET‐1, the pathological changes in multiple organs, and the expression levels of P‐selectin protein in each group were observed.

Results:  At 12 h after operation, the mortality rates of rats in treated groups were significantly lower than that in the model control group (P < 0.05), and the pathological severity scores in multiple organs in treated groups were also significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05). The contents of plasma endotoxin, serum PLA2 (at 6 and 12 h after operation), ET‐1 and NO (at 3 and 12 h after operation) in treated groups were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). In the baicalin‐treated group, the expression levels of P‐selectin protein in liver (at 3 h after operation), kidney (at 3 and 6 h after operation), pancreas, lung and spleen were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.01). In the octreotide‐treated group, the expression levels of this protein in lung, intestinal mucosa (at 6 and 12 h after operation), lymph nodes (at 3 and 6 h after operation), spleen and thymus were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the products of the staining intensity and positive rate of P‐selectin protein in pancreas, spleen (at 3 h after operation), intestinal mucosa (at 6 h after operation), thymus (at 6 h after operation) and lung (at 6 h after operation) in treated groups were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Both baicalin and octreotide can exert some protective effects on multiple organs and the former is superior to the latter in protecting pancreas. Furthermore, decreasing the expression levels of P‐selectin protein in these organs is one of the possible mechanisms.
Intraductal ultrasonography combined with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy for the preoperative evaluation of longitudinal tumor extent in hilar cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Kim Hee Man , Park Jeong Youp , Kim Kyung Sik , Park Mi‐Suk , Kim Myeong‐Jin , Park Young Nyun , Bang Seungmin , Song Si Young , Chung Jae Bock , Park Seung Woo
Published: September 2009

Background and Aim:  In hilar cholangiocarcinoma, an accurate assessment of preoperative resectability is important to optimize surgical resection. We investigated the accuracy of the combination of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) for evaluating longitudinal extent in hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods:  Patients diagnosed with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) for tumor staging and Bismuth type. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed at the left or right bile duct of the liver section that was anticipated to be preserved in the surgical treatment. After tract dilation, PTCS with cholangioscope‐directed biopsy and IDUS were sequentially performed to evaluate Bismuth type. Surgical treatment was executed according to tumor staging and longitudinal tumor extent. Postoperative histological Bismuth types were compared to preoperative Bismuth types based on MDCT, MRC, PTCS with biopsy, and IDUS.

Results:  From June 2006 to November 2008, 25 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma were enrolled, with 20 of these patients evaluable. The accuracy of MDCT, MRC, PTCS with biopsy, and IDUS for the evaluation of Bismuth type was 80%, 84.2%, 90%, and 85.0%, respectively, in 20 patients, and 82.4%, 82.4%, 94.1%, and 88.2%, respectively, in 18 patients with Bismuth type IIIa, IIIb, or IV cancer. The accuracy of the combination of IDUS and PTCS with biopsy was 95% in 20 patients, and 100% in 18 with Bismuth type IIIa, IIIb, or IV cancer.

Conclusions:  The combination of IDUS and PTCS with biopsy was highly accurate for assessing Bismuth type and may help in the identification of an optimal surgical plan for the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, especially in Bismuth type IIIa, IIIb, or IV.
Protective effects of resveratrol on small intestines against intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Yildiz Fahrettin , Terzi Alpaslan , Coban Sacid , Celik Hakim , Aksoy Nurten , Bitiren Muharrem , Çakir Hale , Ozdogan Mustafa K
Published: September 2009

Background and Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine whether resveratrol could prevent intestinal tissue injury induced by ischemia–reperfusion (I/R).

Methods:  Intestinal I/R was induced in rats' intestines by 60‐min occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, followed by a 60‐min reperfusion. Thirty rats were divided into three groups as follows: sham (group 1), control (group 2), and the treatment groups (group 3). The rats in the treatment group received resveratrol both before ischemia and before reperfusion. In all groups, serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels were determined. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase, total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the intestinal tissue were measured. Intestinal tissue histopathology was also evaluated by light microscopy.

Results:  The levels of liver enzymes in group 3 were significantly lower than those in group 2 (P < 0.05). TAC in the intestinal tissue was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 2 (P < 0.05). TOS, OSI, and MPO in the intestinal tissue were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 2 (P < 0.05 for all). Histological tissue damage was milder in the resveratrol treatment group than in the control group.

Conclusions:  The results of this study indicated that resveratrol treatment limits the oxidative injury of the small intestine induced by I/R in rats. However, more precise investigations are required to evaluate the antioxidative effect of resveratrol on small intestine tissue damage in clinical and experimental models.
Presence of hepatitis C virus in syringes confiscated in prisons in Australia
Authors: Dolan Kate , Larney Sarah , Jacka Brendan , Rawlinson William
Published: September 2009

Background and Aims:  Needlestick injuries are an occupational hazard for prison officers. This study aimed to assess the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in syringes found in prisons.

Methods:  Sixty‐nine syringes found in prisons were tested for HCV RNA using previously published methods.

Results:  Three syringes tested positive for HCV RNA.

Conclusion:  Compared to the prevalence of HCV among injecting drug users in prisons, few syringes were found to contain HCV RNA. It is likely that conditions under which syringes are kept in prisons are not favorable for survival of detectable HCV RNA. Further work is needed to establish the risk of HCV transmission posed by needlestick injuries in prison settings.