bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fitzroy River Basin, Queensland, Australia. I. Identification of Sediment Sources in Impoundments and Flood Events
Authors: Douglas G. B. , Ford P. W. , Palmer M. , Noble R. M. , Packett R.
Published: October 2006

Environmental Context. The Fitzroy River Basin is a major contributor to the loads of suspended sediment and nutrients reaching coastal areas in the southern Great Barrier Reef. Cost-effective investment in improved land, vegetation, and water management to lower these loads requires an understanding of the sources and movement of sediments within the basin. This multidisciplinary geochemical and modelling study provides for the first time a quantitative estimate of sediment sources and spatial and hydrology-related variation within the Fitzroy River Basin.
Abstract. An integrated geochemical, modelling, and reconnaissance soil sampling approach has been used to identify the sources of sediment in the Fitzroy River Basin (FRB). The composition of sediment in weirs and dams within the FRB indicate that in the southern and central FRB the Dawson River contributes only a small basaltic component and the inputs are dominated by soils from the Surat and Bowen Basins. Rivers from the central FRB carry variable amounts of basaltic soils. In contrast, basaltic soils constitute the majority of sediment transported during flood events. Surat Basin soils form a minor component of flood events with little contribution from soils of the Bowen Basin despite it constituting the majority of the area of the central FRB. Soils from the Thomson Fold Belt constitute a substantial proportion of the sediment transported by, and retained in, impoundments in the central FRB and also dominate sediment delivered from the western FRB. This study will inform cost-effective investment by government to target remedial actions to reduce sediment and nutrient loads within the FRB that may be ultimately transported via the Fitzroy River Estuary to the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Genomic dissection of behavioral maturation in the honey bee
Authors: Whitfield Charles W. , Ben-Shahar Yehuda , Brillet Charles , Leoncini Isabelle , Crauser Didier , LeConte Yves , Rodriguez-Zas Sandra , Robinson Gene E.
Published: October 2006

Honey bees undergo an age-related, socially regulated transition from working in the hive to foraging that has been previously associated with changes in the expression of thousands of genes in the brain. To understand the meaning of these changes, we conducted microarray analyses to examine the following: (
i
) the ontogeny of gene expression preceding the onset of foraging, (
ii
) the effects of physiological and genetic factors that influence this behavioral transition, and (
iii
) the effects of foraging experience. Although >85% of ≈5,500 genes showed brain differences, principal component analysis revealed discrete influences of age, behavior, genotype, environment, and experience. Young bees not yet competent to forage showed extensive, age-related expression changes, essentially complete by 8 days of age, coinciding with previously described structural brain changes. Subsequent changes were not age-related but were largely related to effects of juvenile hormone (JH), suggesting that the increase in JH that influences the hive bee–forager transition may cause many of these changes. Other treatments that also influence the onset age of foraging induced many changes but with little overlap, suggesting that multiple pathways affect behavioral maturation. Subspecies differences in onset age of foraging were correlated with differences in JH and JH-target gene expression, suggesting that this endocrine system mediates the genetic differences. We also used this multifactorial approach to identify candidate genes for behavioral maturation. This successful dissection of gene expression indicates that, for social behavior, gene expression in the brain can provide a robust indicator of the interaction between hereditary and environmental information.
Genotypic predictors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 drug resistance
Authors: Rhee Soo-Yon , Taylor Jonathan , Wadhera Gauhar , Ben-Hur Asa , Brutlag Douglas L. , Shafer Robert W.
Published: October 2006

Understanding the genetic basis of HIV-1 drug resistance is essential to developing new antiretroviral drugs and optimizing the use of existing drugs. This understanding, however, is hampered by the large numbers of mutation patterns associated with cross-resistance within each antiretroviral drug class. We used five statistical learning methods (decision trees, neural networks, support vector regression, least-squares regression, and least angle regression) to relate HIV-1 protease and reverse transcriptase mutations toin vitrosusceptibility to 16 antiretroviral drugs. Learning methods were trained and tested on a public data set of genotype–phenotype correlations by 5-fold cross-validation. For each learning method, four mutation sets were used as input features: a complete set of all mutations in ≥2 sequences in the data set, the 30 most common data set mutations, an expert panel mutation set, and a set of nonpolymorphic treatment-selected mutations from a public database linking protease and reverse transcriptase sequences to antiretroviral drug exposure. The nonpolymorphic treatment-selected mutations led to the best predictions: 80.1% accuracy at classifying sequences as susceptible, low/intermediate resistant, or highly resistant. Least angle regression predicted susceptibility significantly better than other methods when using the complete set of mutations. The three regression methods provided consistent estimates of the quantitative effect of mutations on drug susceptibility, identifying nearly all previously reported genotype–phenotype associations and providing strong statistical support for many new associations. Mutation regression coefficients showed that, within a drug class, cross-resistance patterns differ for different mutation subsets and that cross-resistance has been underestimated.
Synergistic Up-Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Expression in Macrophages by Adenosine A2AReceptor Agonists and Endotoxin Involves Transcriptional Regulation via the Hypoxia Response Element in the VEGF Promoter
Authors: Ramanathan Madhuri , Pinhal-Enfield Grace , Hao Irene , Leibovich Samuel Joseph
Published: October 2006

Macrophages are an important source of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Adenosine A2Areceptor (A2AR) agonists with Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, 4, 7, and 9 agonists synergistically induce macrophage VEGF expression. We show here using VEGF promoter-luciferase reporter constructs that the TLR4 agonist Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the A2AR agonists NECA and CGS21680 synergistically augment VEGF transcription in macrophages and that the HRE in the VEGF promoter is essential for this transcription. We examined whether LPS and/or NECA induce HIF-1α expression. HIF-1α mRNA levels were increased in LPS-treated macrophages in an NF-κB–dependent manner; NECA strongly increased these levels in an A2AR-dependent manner. LPS induced luciferase expression from a HIF-1α promoter-luciferase construct in an A2AR-independent manner. Further stimulation with NECA did not increase HIF-1α promoter activity, indicating that the A2AR-dependent increase in HIF-1α mRNA is post-transcriptional. LPS/NECA treatment also increased HIF-1α protein and DNA binding levels. Deletion of putative NF-κB–binding sites from the VEGF promoter did not affect LPS/NECA-induced VEGF promoter activity, suggesting that NF-κB is not directly involved in VEGF transcription. Taken together, these data indicate that LPS/NECA-induced VEGF expression involves transcriptional regulation of the VEGF promoter by HIF-1α through the HRE. HIF-1α is transcriptionally induced by LPS and post-transcriptionally up-regulated in an A2AR-dependent manner.
Fibronectin Matrix Assembly Requires Distinct Contributions from Rho Kinases I and -II
Authors: Yoneda Atsuko , Ushakov Dmitriy , Multhaupt Hinke A.B. , Couchman John R.
Published: October 2006

Extracellular matrix is integral to tissue architecture and regulates many aspects of cell behavior. Fibronectin matrix assembly involves the actin cytoskeleton and the small GTPase RhoA, but downstream signaling is not understood. Here, down-regulation of either rho kinase isoform (ROCK I or -II) by small interfering RNA treatment blocked fibronectin matrix assembly, although the phenotypes were distinct and despite persistence of the alternate kinase. Remnant fibronectin on ROCK-deficient fibroblasts was mostly punctate and more deoxycholate soluble compared with controls. Fibronectin matrix assembly defects in ROCK-deficient cells did not result from decreased synthesis/secretion, altered fibronectin mRNA splicing, metalloproteinase activity, or α5β1 integrin dysfunction. Rescue could be effected by ROCK protein restoration or phosphomimetic myosin light chain expression. However, the effect of ROCK I deficiency on fibronectin matrix assembly was secondary to altered cell surface morphology, rich in filopodia, resulting from high GTP–Cdc42 levels. Total internal reflection microscopy revealed that a submembranous pool of myosin light chain in control cells was missing in ROCK II-deficient cells and replaced by stress fibers. Together, two rho kinases contribute to fibronectin matrix assembly in a different manner and cortical myosin II-driven contractility, but not stress fibers, may be critical in this activity.
Evolution of the Yellow/Major Royal Jelly Protein family and the emergence of social behavior in honey bees
Authors: Drapeau Mark David , Albert Stefan , Kucharski Robert , Prusko Carsten , Maleszka Ryszard
Published: October 2006

The genomic architecture underlying the evolution of insect social behavior is largely a mystery. Eusociality, defined by overlapping generations, parental brood care, and reproductive division of labor, has most commonly evolved in the Hymenopteran insects, including the honey bee Apis mellifera. In this species, the Major Royal Jelly Protein (MRJP) family is required for all major aspects of eusocial behavior. Here, using data obtained from the A. mellifera genome sequencing project, we demonstrate that the MRJP family is encoded by nine genes arranged in an ∼60-kb tandem array. Furthermore, the MRJP protein family appears to have evolved from a single progenitor gene that encodes a member of the ancient Yellow protein family. Five genes encoding Yellow-family proteins flank the genomic region containing the genes encoding MRJPs. We describe the molecular evolution of these protein families. We then characterize developmental-stage-specific, sex-specific, and caste-specific expression patterns of the mrjp and yellow genes in the honey bee. We review empirical evidence concerning the functions of Yellow proteins in fruit flies and social ants, in order to shed light on the roles of both Yellow and MRJP proteins in A. mellifera. In total, the available evidence suggests that Yellows and MRJPs are multifunctional proteins with diverse, context-dependent physiological and developmental roles. However, many members of the Yellow/MRJP family act as facilitators of reproductive maturation. Finally, it appears that MRJP protein subfamily evolution from the Yellow protein family may have coincided with the evolution of honey bee eusociality.
A highly divergent gene cluster in honey bees encodes a novel silk family
Authors: Sutherland Tara D. , Campbell Peter M. , Weisman Sarah , Trueman Holly E. , Sriskantha Alagacone , Wanjura Wolfgang J. , Haritos Victoria S.
Published: October 2006

The pupal cocoon of the domesticated silk moth Bombyx mori is the best known and most extensively studied insect silk. It is not widely known that Apis mellifera larvae also produce silk. We have used a combination of genomic and proteomic techniques to identify four honey bee fiber genes (AmelFibroin1–4) and two silk-associated genes (AmelSA1 and 2). The four fiber genes are small, comprise a single exon each, and are clustered on a short genomic region where the open reading frames are GC-rich amid low GC intergenic regions. The genes encode similar proteins that are highly helical and predicted to form unusually tight coiled coils. Despite the similarity in size, structure, and composition of the encoded proteins, the genes have low primary sequence identity. We propose that the four fiber genes have arisen from gene duplication events but have subsequently diverged significantly. The silk-associated genes encode proteins likely to act as a glue (AmelSA1) and involved in silk processing (AmelSA2). Although the silks of honey bees and silkmoths both originate in larval labial glands, the silk proteins are completely different in their primary, secondary, and tertiary structures as well as the genomic arrangement of the genes encoding them. This implies independent evolutionary origins for these functionally related proteins.
The chemoreceptor superfamily in the honey bee, Apis mellifera: Expansion of the odorant, but not gustatory, receptor family
Authors: Robertson Hugh M. , Wanner Kevin W.
Published: October 2006

The honey bee genome sequence reveals a remarkable expansion of the insect odorant receptor (Or) family relative to the repertoires of the flies Drosophila melanogaster and Anopheles gambiae, which have 62 and 79 Ors respectively. A total of 170 Or genes were annotated in the bee, of which seven are pseudogenes. These constitute five bee-specific subfamilies in an insect Or family tree, one of which has expanded to a total of 157 genes encoding proteins with 15%–99% amino acid identity. Most of the Or genes are in tandem arrays, including one with 60 genes. This bee-specific expansion of the Or repertoire presumably underlies their remarkable olfactory abilities, including perception of several pheromone blends, kin recognition signals, and diverse floral odors. The number of Apis mellifera Ors is approximately equal to the number of glomeruli in the bee antennal lobe (160–170), consistent with a general one-receptor/one-neuron/one-glomerulus relationship. The bee genome encodes just 10 gustatory receptors (Grs) compared with the D. melanogaster and A. gambiae repertoires of 68 and 76 Grs, respectively. A lack of Gr gene family expansion primarily accounts for this difference. A nurturing hive environment and a mutualistic relationship with plants may explain the lack of Gr family expansion. The Or family is the most dramatic example of gene family expansion in the bee genome, and characterizing their caste- and sex-specific gene expression may provide clues to their specific roles in detection of pheromone, kin, and floral odors.
Patterns of conservation and change in honey bee developmental genes
Authors: Dearden Peter K. , Wilson Megan J. , Sablan Lisha , Osborne Peter W. , Havler Melanie , McNaughton Euan , Kimura Kiyoshi , Milshina Natalia V. , Hasselmann Martin , Gempe Tanja , Schioett Morten , Brown Susan J. , Elsik Christine G. , Holland Peter W.H. , Kadowaki Tatsuhiko , Beye Martin
Published: October 2006

The current insect genome sequencing projects provide an opportunity to extend studies of the evolution of developmental genes and pathways in insects. In this paper we examine the conservation and divergence of genes and developmental processes between Drosophila and the honey bee; two holometabolous insects whose lineages separated ∼300 million years ago, by comparing the presence or absence of 308 Drosophila developmental genes in the honey bee. Through examination of the presence or absence of genes involved in conserved pathways (cell signaling, axis formation, segmentation and homeobox transcription factors), we find that the vast majority of genes are conserved. Some genes involved in these processes are, however, missing in the honey bee. We have also examined the orthology of Drosophila genes involved in processes that differ between the honey bee and Drosophila. Many of these genes are preserved in the honey bee despite the process in which they act in Drosophila being different or absent in the honey bee. Many of the missing genes in both situations appear to have arisen recently in the Drosophila lineage, have single known functions in Drosophila, and act early in developmental pathways, while those that are preserved have pleiotropic functions. An evolutionary interpretation of these data is that either genes with multiple functions in a common ancestor are more likely to be preserved in both insect lineages, or genes that are preserved throughout evolution are more likely to co-opt additional functions.
Community annotation: Procedures, protocols, and supporting tools: Table 1.
Authors: Elsik Christine G. , Worley Kim C. , Zhang Lan , Milshina Natalia V. , Jiang Huaiyang , Reese Justin T. , Childs Kevin L. , Venkatraman Anand , Dickens C. Michael , Weinstock George M. , Gibbs Richard A.
Published: October 2006

Investigators at the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center (BCM–HGSC) and BeeBase organized a community-wide effort to manually annotate the honey bee (Apis mellifera) genome. Although various strategies for manual annotation have been used in the past, the value of dispersed community annotation has not yet been demonstrated. Here we make a case for the merit of dispersed community annotation. We present annotation procedures, standard protocols, and tools used for sequence analysis, data submission, and data management. We also report lessons learned from this dispersed community annotation effort for a metazoan genome.
Status and impact of rural aquaculture practice on Lake Victoria basin wetlands
Authors: Mwanja Wilson Waiswa , Akol Anne , Abubaker Laila , Mwanja Matthew , Msuku Scot Batman , Bugenyi Fred
Published: October 2006

Rural aquaculture in Lake Victoria basin is a fast increasing nontraditional farming activity which if not appropriately practised will lead to degradation of the wetlands. As part of a study to develop appropriate guidelines and model systems forwetlands‐basedrural aquaculture in the basin a survey was conducted to assess the status and the ecological and socioeconomic impact of rural aquaculture on wetlands and wetlands communities. Aquaculture practice was found to be common but not as a major activity. Aquaculture in the wetlands can be described as alow input‐low outputproduction activity and subsistence based on ponds under 400 m2using free seed from public agencies with hardly any supplementary feeding. Men owned most of the ponds and women only contributed to the management of the fishponds by feeding the fish. Poorly constructed ponds and loss during harvesting have led to the escape of cultured species into the wild. Introduction of nonnative species in the basin has already led to wide ranging ecological, environmental and socioeconomic changes whose impact and usefulness are still very much contentious. Repeat of such scenarios can be avoided if appropriate and science‐based models for rural aquaculture farming are developed, tested and disseminated to the communities.
Medication prescribing practices in a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic
Authors: Aras S. , Tas F. Varol , Unlu G.
Published: October 2006

Background  The aim of this study was to evaluate the medication prescribing practices for children who had attended a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic in Turkey.

Methods  A retrospective chart review of consecutive new patients admitted to a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic of university hospital within 6 months was performed.

Results  Male/female ratio of 822 charts examined was 1.75. Over activity and/or distractibility were the most common presenting complaints and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder was the most common disorder. Approximately one‐fourth (24.0%) of children were prescribed psychotropic medications. Initiation time of psychotropic medication was one of the first two visits in 65% of the children who were prescribed medication. The most commonly prescribed medications were in descending order of prescribing frequency: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics and psychostimulants. About 54.2% of depressed children were prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and 24.3% of children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder were prescribed psychostimulant treatment. Among children who used at least one psychotropic medication, the rate of co‐prescription was 10.7%.

Conclusion  It was found that the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and methylphenidate in children has become widespread. The results of our study may be helpful in improving treatment services in child and adolescent psychiatry.
The contributions of land‐use change, CO2 fertilization, and climate variability to the Eastern US carbon sink
Authors: ALBANI MARCO , MEDVIGY DAVID , HURTT GEORGE C. , MOORCROFT PAUL R.
Published: October 2006

Atmospheric measurements and land‐based inventories imply that terrestrial ecosystems in the northern hemisphere are taking up significant amounts of anthropogenic cabon dioxide (CO2) emissions; however, there is considerable disagreement about the causes of this uptake, and its expected future trajectory. In this paper, we use the ecosystem demography (ED) model to quantify the contributions of disturbance history, CO2 fertilization and climate variability to the past, current, and future terrestrial carbon fluxes in the Eastern United States. The simulations indicate that forest regrowth following agricultural abandonment accounts for uptake of 0.11 Pg C yr−1 in the 1980s and 0.15 Pg C yr−1 in the 1990s, and regrowth following forest harvesting accounts for an additional 0.1 Pg C yr−1 of uptake during both these decades. The addition of CO2 fertilization into the model simulations increases carbon uptake rates to 0.38 Pg C yr−1 in the 1980s and 0.47 Pg C yr−1 in the 1990s. Comparisons of predicted aboveground carbon uptake to regional‐scale forest inventory measurements indicate that the model's predictions in the absence of CO2 fertilization are 14% lower than observed, while in the presence of CO2 fertilization, predicted uptake rates are 28% larger than observed. Comparable results are obtained from comparisons of predicted total Net Ecosystem Productivity to the carbon fluxes observed at the Harvard Forest flux tower site and in model simulations free‐air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments. These results imply that disturbance history is the principal mechanism responsible for current carbon uptake in the Eastern United States, and that conventional biogeochemical formulations of plant growth overestimate the response of plants to rising CO2 levels. Model projections out to 2100 imply that the carbon uptake arising from forest regrowth will increasingly be dominated by forest regrowth following harvesting. Consequently, actual carbon storage declines to near zero by the end of the 21st century as the forest regrowth that has occurred since agricultural abandonment comes into equilibrium with the landscape's new disturbance regime. Incorporating interannual climate variability into the model simulations gives rise to large interannual variation in regional carbon fluxes, indicating that long‐term measurements are necessary to detect the signature of processes that give rise to long‐term uptake and storage.
Histological assessment of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Hübscher S G
Published: October 2006

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important complication of the metabolic syndrome, which is becoming an increasingly common cause of chronic liver disease. Histological changes typically mainly affect perivenular regions of the liver parenchyma and include an overlapping spectrum of steatosis, steatohepatitis and persinusoidal or pericellular fibrosis, in some cases leading to cirrhosis. Once cirrhosis has developed, typical hepatocellular changes are often no longer conspicuous, leading to such cases being mistakenly diagnosed as ‘cryptogenic’. Portal inflammation, ductular reaction and periportal fibrosis can also be seen as part of the morphological spectrum of NAFLD, particularly in the paediatric population. Hepatocellular carcinoma has also been described as a complication of NAFLD‐associated cirrhosis. NAFLD is also an important cofactor in other chronic liver diseases, especially hepatitis C. Histological assessments have an important role to play in the diagnosis and management of NAFLD. These include making the potentially important distinction between simple steatosis and steatohepatitis and providing pointers to the aetiology, including cases where a dual pathology exists. A number of systems have been devised for grading and staging the severity of fatty liver disease. These require further evaluation, but have a potentially important role to play in determining prognosis and monitoring therapeutic responses.
Mid‐infrared spectroscopy as a new tool for the evaluation of fish freshness
Authors: Karoui Romdhane , Lefur Bruno , Grondin Christel , Thomas Emilie , Demeulemester Claude , Baerdemaeker Josse De , Guillard Anne‐Sophie
Published: October 2006

Frozen fish usually have a much lower market price than fresh fish, hence, adulteration could occur. This paper focuses on the use of mid‐infrared (MIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric tools to determine whether fish has been frozen–thawed. A total of twenty‐four fish samples (fresh fish (n = 12) and frozen–thawed fish (n = 12)) were investigated. The principal component analysis and the factorial discriminant analysis were applied to the three spectral regions in the MIR of 3000–2800 cm−1, 1700–1500 cm−1 and 1500–900 cm−1. Within the 1500–900 cm−1 spectral region, correct classification (CC) of 100% and 75% was observed for the calibration and validation spectra, respectively. Improved classification was obtained from the 3000–2800 cm−1 spectral region, with CC of 100% and 87.5% of the calibration and validation spectra, respectively. It can be concluded that the 3000–2800 cm−1 and 1500–900 cm−1 spectral regions may provide useful fingerprints allowing the differentiation between fresh and frozen–thawed fish. These regions can be considered as a reliable indicator of fish freshness.
Effects of pretreatments and drying air temperature on drying behaviour of peach slice
Authors: Kingsly Rose P. , Goyal Raj K. , Manikantan Musuvodi R. , Ilyas Syed M.
Published: October 2006

In this study, the effect of pretreatments (potassium meta bisulphite and ascorbic acid) and drying air temperature (55 and 65 °C) on drying behaviour of peach slices were investigated. The peach slices were dried in a cross‐flow tunnel dryer. Drying of peach occurred in falling rate period. Pretreated samples had higher drying rate. To select a suitable drying curve, six thin‐layer drying models were fitted to the experimental data. The logarithmic model best described the drying behaviour of peach slices with high correlation coefficient values. The effective moisture diffusivity of treated samples was higher than the untreated samples.
Development of a method to remove cyanogen glycosides from flaxseed meal
Authors: Yamashita Takatoshi , Sano Takashi , Hashimoto Takashi , Kanazawa Kazuki
Published: October 2006

The use of flaxseed is increasing in foodstuffs; however, it contains a considerable amount of cyanogen glycosides. We have, therefore, developed a convenient method to remove cyanides from processed flaxseed, which involves the enzymic release of HCN from cyanogen glycosides and the steam‐evaporation of HCN. Freshly ground flaxseed showed strong activity to transform cyanogen glycosides to HCN, while commercial enzymes, such as sweet almond β‐glycosidase and butter bean linamarase, did not. To remove cyanides from flaxseed, 5% or 10% of freshly ground flaxseed by weight could be added to cold‐pressed or heat‐pressed flaxseed, respectively, with incubation at 30 °C for 18 h followed by steam heat to evaporate HCN. This simple method could remove cyanides from flaxseed up to the detection limit in commercial‐scale treatment. The cyanide‐free flaxseed meal retained the beneficial nutrients, protein, fat, fibre, and lignans at the same level as untreated flaxseed meal.
Antidiabetic activity of flavone from Ipomoea Batatas leaf in non‐insulin dependent diabetic rats
Authors: Zhao Rui , Li Qingwang , Long Ling , Li Jian , Yang Runjun , Gao Dawei
Published: October 2006

The effects of flavone extracted from Ipomoea batatas leaf (FIBL) on body weight, blood glucose, serum lipid profiles, serum insulin and free radicals in rats with non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were studied. FIBL treatment (25, 50, 100 mg kg−1) for 2 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of plasma triglyceride (TG), plasma cholesterol (TC) and weight in NIDDM rats. Furthermore, FIBL markedly decreased fasting plasma insulin level, blood glucose (FBG) level, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significantly increased the Insulin Sensitive Index (ISI) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in NIDDM rats. In addition, flavone extracted from I. batatas leaf did not show any physical or behavioural signs of toxicity. More significantly, our data demonstrate the FIBL at the dose of 50 mg kg−1 body weight exhibited the optimal effect. The above results suggest that flavone extracted from I. batatas leaf could control blood glucose and modulate the metabolism of glucose and blood lipid, and decrease outputs of lipid peroxidation and scavenge the free radicals in non‐insulin dependent diabetic rats.
New method to discriminate between cathepsin B and cathepsin L in crude extracts from fish muscle based on a simple acidification procedure
Authors: Godiksen Helene , Nielsen Henrik Hauch
Published: October 2006

A new and simple method to distinguish between cathepsin B and cathepsin L in crude extracts of herring (Clupea harengus) muscle has been established. An acid treatment of crude extracts (exposed to pH 3 for 5 min) activated a latent form of cathepsin L and inactivated cathepsin B. Furthermore, in neutral crude extract, the hydrolysis of benzyloxycarbonyl‐l‐phenylalanyl‐l‐arginyl‐4‐methylcoumarine (Z‐Phe‐Arg‐MCA) (cathepsin B and cathepsin L substrates) was between 0% and 15% of the hydrolysis of benzyloxycarbonyl‐l‐arginyl‐l‐arginyl‐7‐amino‐4‐methylcoumarine (Z‐Arg‐Arg‐MCA; cathepsin B substrate). Cathepsin B activity is measured in neutral extract using the specific cathepsin B substrate Z‐Arg‐Arg‐MCA and cathepsin L activity is measured in acid‐treated extract with Z‐Phe‐Arg‐MCA as substrate. The specific cathepsin B inhibitor, CA‐074, did not inhibit the Z‐Arg‐Arg‐MCA significantly without affecting the Z‐Phe‐Arg‐MCA activity. An acid treatment of the crude extract is therefore a more advantageous approach to discriminate between cathepsin B and cathepsin L activities.
RovM, a novel LysR‐type regulator of the virulence activator gene rovA, controls cell invasion, virulence and motility of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Authors: Heroven Ann Kathrin , Dersch Petra
Published: October 2006

RovA is a MarR‐type transcriptional regulator that controls transcription of rovA, the expression of the primary invasive factor invasin and other virulence genes of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in response to environmental signals. Using a genetic approach to identify regulatory components that negatively influence rovA expression, we identified a new LysR‐type regulatory protein, designated RovM, which exhibits homology to the virulence regulator PecT/HexA of plant pathogenic Erwinia species. DNA‐binding studies revealed that RovM interacts specifically with a short binding site between promoters P1 and P2 within the rovA regulatory region and negatively modulates rovA transcription in cooperation with the histone‐like protein H‐NS. The rovM gene itself is under positive autoregulatory control and is significantly induced during growth in minimal media as shown in regulation studies. Disruption of the rovM gene leads to a significant increase of RovA and invasin synthesis and enhances internalization of Y. pseudotuberculosis into host cells. Finally, we show that a Y. pseudotuberculosis rovM mutant is more virulent than wild type and higher numbers of the bacteria are detectable in gut‐associated lymphatic tissues and organs in the mouse infection model system. In contrast, elevated levels of the RovM protein, which exert a positive effect on flagellar motility, severely attenuate the ability of Y. pseudotuberculosis to disseminate to deeper tissues. Together, our data show, that RovM is a key regulator implicated in the environmental control of virulence factors, which are crucial for the initiation of a Yersinia infection.
Targeting proteins to the cell wall of sporulating Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Marraffini Luciano A. , Schneewind Olaf
Published: October 2006

Dormant spores of Bacillus anthracis germinate during host infection and their vegetative growth and dissemination precipitate anthrax disease. Upon host death, bacilli engage a developmental programme to generate infectious spores within carcasses. Hallmark of sporulation in Bacillus spp. is the formation of an asymmetric division septum between mother cell and forespore compartments. We show here that sortase C (SrtC) cleaves the LPNTA sorting signal of BasH and BasI, thereby targeting both polypeptides to the cell wall of sporulating bacilli. Sortase substrates are initially produced in different cell compartments and at different developmental stages but penultimately decorate the envelope of the maturing spore. srtC mutants appear to display no defect during the initial stages of infection and precipitate lethal anthrax disease in guinea pigs at a similar rate as wild‐type B. anthracis strain Ames. Unlike wild‐type bacilli, srtC mutants do not readily form spores in guinea pig tissue or sheep blood unless their vegetative forms are exposed to air.
Tn5 transposase loops DNA in the absence of Tn5 transposon end sequences
Authors: Adams Christian D. , Schnurr Bernhard , Skoko Dunja , Marko John F. , Reznikoff William S.
Published: October 2006

Transposases mediate transposition first by binding specific DNA end sequences that define a transposable element and then by organizing protein and DNA into a highly structured and stable nucleoprotein ‘synaptic’ complex. Synaptic complex assembly is a central checkpoint in many transposition mechanisms. The Tn5 synaptic complex contains two Tn5 transposase subunits and two Tn5 transposon end sequences, exhibits extensive protein–end sequence DNA contacts and is the node of a DNA loop. Using single‐molecule and bulk biochemical approaches, we found that Tn5 transposase assembles a stable nucleoprotein complex in the absence of Tn5 transposon end sequences. Surprisingly, this end sequence‐independent complex has structural similarities to the synaptic complex. This complex is the node of a DNA loop; transposase dimerization and DNA specificity mutants affect its assembly; and it likely has the same number of proteins and DNA molecules as the synaptic complex. Furthermore, our results indicate that Tn5 transposase preferentially binds and loops a subset of non‐Tn5 end sequences. Assembly of end sequence‐independent nucleoprotein complexes likely plays a role in the in vivo downregulation of transposition and the cis‐transposition bias of many bacterial transposases.
Assessment of sublingual immunotherapy efficacy in children with house dust mite‐induced allergic asthma optimally controlled by pharmacologic treatment and mite‐avoidance measures
Authors: Pham‐Thi Nhân , Scheinmann Pierre , Fadel Riad , Combebias Anne , Andre Claude ,   the Study Group
Published: October 2006

Although several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy in allergic asthma, few have shown the same benefit using sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in asthmatic patients. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of house dust mite (HDM) SLIT in addition to allergen avoidance and standard pharmacologic treatment. A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was performed in 111 children (aged 5–15 yr) with HDM‐induced mild‐to‐moderate asthma. After a 4‐week baseline phase, patients were randomly assigned to receive SLIT with tablets of HDM extract (n = 55) or placebo (n = 56) for 18 months. Pharmacologic treatment was adjusted every 3 months following a step‐down approach. Asthma symptom scores, reduction in use of inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled β2‐agonists, rhinitis symptoms, lung function tests, skin sensitivity to HDM, dust mite‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IgG4, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed during the study. After 18 months of treatment, diurnal and nocturnal asthma symptoms scores did not show significant differences between SLIT and placebo groups. Inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled β2‐agonists use was reduced in both groups without significant differences between groups. There were no significant differences in lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak flow rate variations) between groups. Rhinitis symptom score decreased in both groups, with no difference between the two groups. The severity dimension of QoL was significantly improved in the SLIT group (age 6–12 yr). SLIT induced a significant reduction of skin sensitivity to HDM (p < 0.01) and a significant increase in HDM‐specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies (p < 0.001) in the SLIT group compared with the placebo group. SLIT was well tolerated with mild/moderate local adverse events. No severe systemic reactions were reported. This study indicates that, when mild–moderate asthmatic children are optimally controlled by pharmacologic treatment and HDM avoidance, SLIT does not provide additional benefit, despite a significant reduction in allergic response to HDM. Under such conditions, only a complete, but ethically unfeasible, discontinuation of inhaled corticosteroid would have demonstrated a possible benefit of SLIT.
FOXP3 mRNA expression at 6 months of age is higher in infants who develop atopic dermatitis, but is not affected by giving probiotics from birth
Authors: Taylor Angie L. , Hale Jasmine , Hales Belinda J. , Dunstan Janet A. , Thomas Wayne R. , Prescott Susan L.
Published: October 2006

Factors that influence immune regulation in early life may be implicated in the rise in allergic disease, including reduced microbial burden. The aim of the study was to examine the infant regulatory T‐cell function in relation to (a) probiotic supplementation for the first 6 months of life and (b) the subsequent development of an early allergic phenotype. Two hundred and thirty‐one allergic, pregnant women were recruited into a randomized, controlled trial. The infants received either a probiotic or placebo daily for the first 6 months of life. One hundred and seventy‐eight children completed the study, with blood samples available from 118 (60 placebo; 58 probiotic). CD4+CD25+CTLA4+T‐regulatory phenotype and allergen‐induced FOXP3 mRNA expression were compared in relation to this intervention as well as according to evidence of early disease (atopic dermatitis). The administration of probiotics was not associated with any significant differences in the proportion of circulating CD4+CD25+CTLA4+cells, or in the resting expression of FOXP3. There were also no relationships between these parameters and patterns of gut colonization, and this probiotic did not reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis. Children who developed atopic dermatitis (n = 36/118) had significantly higher induced FOXP3 expression following stimulation with both house dust mite (HDM) (p = 0.017) and ovalbumin (OVA) allergens (p = 0.021) than those that did not develop atopic dermatitis. Although this relationship was seen in both the probiotic and placebo groups, it was more pronounced in the probiotic group. However, regression analysis demonstrated that higher allergen‐induced FOXP3 expression was predicted by the presence of atopic dermatitis (p = 0.018) rather than probiotics supplementation (p = 0.217). The higher levels of allergen‐induced FOXP3 in atopic dermatitis suggest activation of these compensatory mechanisms rather than a primary defect in this pathway. Probiotic supplementation and gut colonization did not appear to substantially modify these regulatory pathways, or the risk of developing atopic dermatitis.
Genetic variation in Fagus multinervis Nakai (Fagaceae), a beech species endemic to Ullung Island, South Korea
Authors: OHKAWA TOMOSHI , KITAMURA KEIKO , TAKASU HIDEKI , KAWANO SHOICHI
Published: October 2006

The genetic variation of Fagus multinervis Nakai (Fagaceae), which is endemic to Ullung Island, South Korea, was investigated using allozyme polymorphisms as a genetic marker. A total of 1074 individuals collected from five populations were analyzed and the levels of genetic diversity were compared to those of Fagus japonica and Fagus crenata distributed in Japan. The percentages of polymorphic loci and the number of alleles per locus of F. multinervis were similar to those of the other beech species and to other long‐lived woody species. However, the heterozygosities in both direct counts and Hardy–Weinberg’s expected values were considerably higher in F. multinervis and F. japonica, which belong to the same subgenus Engleriana, than the other beech species that belong to another subgenus Fagus. Based on the five allozyme loci, approximately 1.5–3.0‐fold higher mean values of heterozygosities were found in the multistemmed beeches F. multinervis and F. japonica. The reason why such higher rates of heterozygosities were found in these species is also discussed. The proportions of expected effective population sizes (i.e. Nem/Nec, Nej/Nec and Nem/Nej) between the species were calculated, and these were Nem/Nec = 6.57, Nej/Nec = 6.73 and Nem/Nej = 0.98, respectively, in which Nem, Nej and Nec are the effective population sizes of F. multinervis, F. japonica and F. crenata, respectively.
Synchronization between temporal variation in heat generation, floral scents and pollinator arrival in the beetle‐pollinated tropical Araceae Homalomena propinqua
Authors: KUMANO YUKO , YAMAOKA RYOHEI
Published: October 2006

Inflorescences of beetle‐pollinated plants, such as Araceae, show temporal heat generation, the role of which varies among plants. Homalomena propinqua is a common understory herb in the lowland dipterocarp forests of Borneo. Two species of beetle, Parastasia bimaculata Guerin (Scarabaeidae) and Dercetina sp. (Chrysomelidae), are known to visit inflorescences of this species and subsequently transfer its pollen. In this study, to examine the role of heat generation by inflorescences of H. propinqua, especially as an attractant of pollinators, measurements of the temperature of spadices, behavioral experiments with beetles and chemical analyses of floral scents were carried out. As a result, spadices of H. propinqua exhibited heat generation from 06:30 hours (dawn) until 09:30 hours on both the first and second days of flowering, and this paralleled the arrival of the beetle pollinators. Behavioral tests showed that both beetle pollinators were attracted to spadices significantly more than spathes. Floral scents of H. propinqua were composed of 18 compounds, the main one being 2‐butanol, a highly volatile low molecule compound. The amount of floral scents increased temporally between 07:00 hours and 08:00 hours on the first day of flowering, which was consistent with the arrival of pollinators and heat generation by the spadices. These results indicate that the heat generated by spadices may promote temporal volatilization of floral scents, especially highly volatile compounds such as 2‐butanol, and as a result temporally attracting beetle pollinators.
Assessment of risk and special observations in mental health practice: A comparison of forensic and non‐forensic settings
Authors: Whitehead Elizabeth , Mason Tom
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  The use of special observations in psychiatric practice may be employed as an alternative to more restrictive methods such as the use of seclusion and restraint. From the literature, special observations are used for a complex array of signs and symptoms (and risk behaviours) which include suicidal intent, self‐injurious behaviour, hallucinatory experiences, and absconding. This paper reports on research into the use of special observations in both forensic and non‐forensic psychiatric settings. A comparative approach was adopted to establish if the perceived risk factors leading to the adoption of special observations were similar in both settings. Three groups of nursing staff were requested to assess 30 patients who were placed on special observations. Before this, nurses were requested to rate the risk factors in terms of their severity on a 7‐point Likert scale. The rank‐ordering analysis revealed a similarity of identified risk factors and anova (one‐way, unrelated) and the Jonckheere Trend Test revealed that there were significant differences between the scores in the forensic and the non‐forensic settings. The statistical differences existed for risk factors relating to harm to self and others but not for psychiatric symptomatology.
P.r.n. medication use in a psychiatric high‐dependency unit following the introduction of a nurse‐led activity programme
Authors: Thomas Ben , Jones Margaret , Johns Paul , Trauer Tom
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  This paper describes the introduction of a daily activity programme with clients who require psychiatric intensive care in two locked high‐dependency units (HDUs). To evaluate the programme, a crossover study between the two units was undertaken with a convenience sample of clients. Baseline data of pro re nata (p.r.n.) medication dispensed to patients were collected for a period of 2 weeks from both locked units before the introduction of the programme. The programme was conducted for a period of 1 month in alternate locked units. Both non‐intervention and active programme data were collected throughout the 6‐month period of the study. Findings from the study demonstrated that an activity‐based nursing intervention was effective in reducing the number of p.r.n. medications dispensed in a HDU compared with control conditions. The effects were statistically significant in one of the units and absent in the other. This study shows that a purposeful activity programme for severely disturbed psychiatric clients in a HDU setting can be effective in reducing disturbed behaviour and therefore the need for p.r.n. medication.
The challenge of truly cryptic diversity: diagnosis and description of a new madtom catfish (Ictaluridae: Noturus)
Authors: Egge Jacob J. D. , Simons Andrew M.
Published: October 2006

The Ozark madtom, Noturus albater, is distributed in upland streams in the upper White, Black, and St. Francis rivers of Missouri and Arkansas, USA. Fixed chromosomal and biochemical differences between populations in the upper White River and the Black and St. Francis rivers led earlier researchers to suggest that the Ozark madtom comprised two distinct species. The current study reviewed previous data, and examined osteology, pigmentation, morphometrics and DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the nuclear Recombination Activating Gene 2. Sequence data were analysed using parsimony and Bayesian methods to construct a phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships within Noturus and examine relationships of populations of Ozark madtoms. Results of the molecular analyses were consistent with earlier chromosomal and biochemical studies. Morphology could not distinguish between populations from the upper White River and populations from the Black and St. Francis rivers. However, karyotypes, allozyme variation, and DNA sequences all provide diagnostic characters demonstrating the presence of two species consistent with the phylogenetic species concept. We describe the populations from the Black and St. Francis rivers as Noturus maydeni, a new cryptic species of madtom catfish.