bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A laboratory‐based study of understanding of uncertainty in 5‐day site‐specific temperature forecasts
Authors: Roulston Mark S. , Kaplan Todd R.
Published: November 2008

The impact of presenting uncertainty in 5‐day location‐specific temperature forecasts on the decision making of non‐specialists was tested in an experimental economics laboratory. Undergraduate students studying a range of disciplines were asked to select which of two criteria involving temperature would be most likely to occur based on a given 5‐day forecast. If they selected a criterion that was subsequently satisfied they were given a small cash reward. It was found that students presented with uncertainty information (the 50th and 90th percentile confidence intervals) in addition to the expected temperature were more likely to select the most probable criterion. This was true irrespective of the academic subject the participants were studying. Copyright © Royal Meteorological Society and Crown Copyright, 2008
Observations on the relationship between lake formation, permafrost activity and lithalsa development during the last 20 000 years in the Tso Kar basin, Ladakh, India
Authors: Wünnemann Bernd , Reinhardt Christian , Kotlia Bahadur S. , Riedel Frank
Published: November 2008

A close relationship has existed between high mountain permafrost and lake history in the Tso Kar basin, Ladakh, India throughout the last 20 kyr BP. Analyses of sediment cores indicate phases of permafrost growth during low lake levels between >20–10 cal. kyr BP and after 5 cal. kyr BP. Palaeo‐shorelines and lake carbonate outcrops indicate a maximum lake size at ca. 8–5 cal. kyr BP when permafrost is believed to have been absent in the basin. Regression of the lake with accompanying salinisation since about 4 cal. kyr BP allowed permafrost aggradation. Permafrost mounds and thermokarst features are inferred to have continued to develop in the last 60 years. Sections in two 6–10 m high unvegetated mounds revealed thick ice lenses and reticulate cryostructures leading to their classification as lithalsas. Mound collapse is induced by surface erosion and slumping, while sediment reworking by wave action and other processes appears to prevent rampart formation. If lake levels continue to fall, further permafrost aggradation is expected in this high elevation enclosed basin. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards generic representation of web applications: solutions and trade‐offs
Authors: Rajapakse Damith C. , Jarzabek Stan
Published: November 2008

Server pages (also called dynamic pages) render a generic web page into many similar ones. The technique is commonly used for implementing web application user interfaces (UIs). Yet our previous study found a high rate of repetitions (also called ‘clones’) in web applications, particularly in UIs. The finding raised the question as to why such repetitions had not been averted with the use of server pages. For an answer, we conducted an experiment using PHP server pages to explore how far server pages can be pushed to achieve generic web applications. Our initial findings suggested that generic representation obtained using server pages sometimes compromises certain important system qualities such as run‐time performance. It may also complicate the use of WYSIWYG editors. We have analysed the nature of these trade‐offs, and now propose amixed‐strategyapproach to obtain optimum generic representation of web applications without unnecessary compromise to critical system qualities and user experience. The mixed‐strategy approach applies the generative technique of XVCL to achieve genericity at the meta‐level representation of a web application, leaving repetitions to the actual web application. Our experiments show that the mixed‐strategy approach can achieve a good level of genericity without conflicting with other system qualities. Our findings should open the way for others to better‐informed decisions regarding generic design solutions, which should in turn lead to simpler, more maintainable and more reusable web applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RFID sensors based on ubiquitous passive 13.56‐MHz RFID tags and complex impedance detection
Authors: Potyrailo Radislav A. , Morris William G. , Sivavec Timothy , Tomlinson Harold W. , Klensmeden Staffan , Lindh Kenneth
Published: November 2008

Passive radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors are attractive in diverse applications where sensor performance is needed at a low cost and when battery‐free operation is critical. We developed a general approach for adapting ubiquitous and cost‐effective passive 13.56‐MHz RFID tags for diverse sensing applications. In developed RFID sensors, the complex impedance of the RFID resonant antenna is measured and correlated to physical, chemical, or biological properties of interest. In contrast to known wireless sensors, developed RFID sensors combine several measured parameters from the resonant sensor antenna with multivariate data analysis and deliver unique capability for multianalyte sensing and rejection of environmental interferences with a single sensor. Theoretical calculations and experiments in an anechoic chamber demonstrate that the developed RFID sensors are immune to common electromagnetic interferences and the sensor/reader system operates within regulated emission levels. Performance of developed RFID sensors is illustrated in measurements of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in air with the detection limit (DL) of 80 parts per billion and in a non‐invasive monitoring of milk spoilage. Sensors selectivity is demonstrated in the detection of different vapors with individual sensors. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synchrony of spatial populations: heterogeneous population dynamics and reddened environmental noise
Authors: Liu Zhiguang , Gao Meng , Li Zizhen , Zhu Gaofeng
Published: November 2008

Many species exhibit widespread spatial synchrony in population fluctuations. This pattern is of great ecological interest and can be a source of concern when a species is rare or endangered. Moran's theorem suggests that if two (or more) populations sharing a common linear density‐dependence in the renewal process are disturbed with correlated noise, they will become synchronized with correlation matching the noise correlation. In this report, correlation of nonidentical populations that are described by linear and stationary autoregressive processes is analyzed. We show that the expected spatial synchrony between two populations can be decomposed into two multiplicative components. One is the demographic component related to the values of the autoregressive coefficients and the noise color. The other is the spatial correlation of the environmental colored noise. The main results are consistent with the predictions of previous experiments and simulations, and the importance of this report is to provide theoretical support.
Central and Peripheral Regulation of Food Intake and Physical Activity: Pathways and Genes
Authors: Lenard Natalie R. , Berthoud Hans‐Rudolf
Published: November 2008

A changing environment and lifestyle on the background of evolutionary engraved and perinatally imprinted physiological response patterns is the foremost explanation for the current obesity epidemic. However, it is not clear what the mechanisms are by which the modern environment overrides the physiological controls of appetite and homeostatic body‐weight regulation. Food intake and energy expenditure are controlled by complex, redundant, and distributed neural systems involving thousands of genes and reflecting the fundamental biological importance of adequate nutrient supply and energy balance. There has been much progress in identifying the important role of hypothalamus and caudal brainstem in the various hormonal and neural mechanisms by which the brain informs itself about availability of ingested and stored nutrients and, in turn, generates behavioral, autonomic, and endocrine output. Some of the genes involved in this “homeostatic” regulator are crucial for energy balance as manifested in the well‐known monogenic obesity models. However, it can be clearly demonstrated that much larger portions of the nervous system of animals and humans, including the cortex, basal ganglia, and the limbic system, are concerned with the procurement of food as a basic and evolutionarily conserved survival mechanism to defend the lower limits of adiposity. By forming representations and reward expectancies through processes of learning and memory, these systems evolved to engage powerful emotions for guaranteed supply with, and ingestion of, beneficial foods from a sparse and often hostile environment. They are now simply overwhelmed with an abundance of food and food cues no longer contested by predators and interrupted by famines. The anatomy, chemistry, and functions of these elaborate neural systems and their interactions with the “homeostatic” regulator in the hypothalamus are poorly understood, and many of the genes involved are either unknown or not well characterized. This is regrettable because these systems are directly and primarily involved in the interactions of the modern environment and lifestyle with the human body. They are no less “physiological” than metabolic‐regulatory mechanisms that have attracted most of the research during the past 15 years.
Public Health Genomics: Translating Obesity Genomics Research Into Population Health Benefits
Authors: Agurs‐Collins Tanya , Khoury Muin J. , Simon‐Morton Denise , Olster Deborah H. , Harris Jennifer R. , Milner John A.
Published: November 2008

We examine how a public health genomics framework can be used to move genomic discoveries into clinical and public health practice for obesity prevention and treatment. There are four phases of translational research: T1: discovery to candidate health application; T2: health application to evidence‐based practice guidelines; T3: practice guidelines to health practice; and T4: practice to population health impact. Types of multidisciplinary research and knowledge synthesis needed for each phase, as well as the importance of developing and disseminating evidence‐based guidelines, are discussed. Because obesity genomics research is mostly in the discovery phase or in the very early phases of translation (T1), the authors present this framework to illustrate the range of translation activities needed to move genomic discoveries in obesity to actual applications that reduce the burden of obesity at the population level.
Epigenetic Influences on Food Intake and Physical Activity Level: Review of Animal Studies
Authors: Levin Barry E.
Published: November 2008

Epidemiological studies suggest that the perinatal environment can predispose human offspring to develop obesity and type 2 diabetes. Animal models provide a means of assessing the consequences of manipulating the perinatal environment in ways that cannot be done in humans. During the gestational period, maternal malnutrition, obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and psychological and pharmacological stressors can all promote, while early‐onset exercise can ameliorate, offspring obesity and diabetes, especially in genetically predisposed offspring. Many of these perinatal manipulations are associated with reorganization of the central neural pathways which regulate food intake, energy expenditure, and storage in ways that enhance the development of obesity and diabetes in offspring. Both leptin and insulin have strong neurotrophic properties, so altered availability of either during the perinatal period can underlie some of these adverse developmental changes. Because perinatal manipulations can permanently alter the systems which regulate energy homeostasis, it behooves us to identify the responsible factors as a means of stemming the tide of the emerging worldwide obesity epidemic.
Low‐carbohydrate High‐fat Diets: Regulation of Energy Balance and Body Weight Regain in Rats
Authors: Caton Samantha J. , Yinglong Bai , Burget Lukas , Spangler Lothar J. , Tschöp Matthias H. , Bidlingmaier Martin
Published: November 2008

The aim of the current investigations was to examine the effects of a low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet (LC‐HFD) on body weight, body composition, growth hormone (GH), IGF‐I, and body weight regain after stopping the dietary intervention and returning the diet back to standard laboratory chow (CH). In study one, both adolescent and mature male Wistar rats were maintained on either an isocaloric LC‐HFD or CH for 16 days before having their diet switched. In study two, mature rats were maintained on either LC‐HFD or CH for 16 days to determine the effects of the LC‐HFD on fat pad weight. LC‐HFD leads to body weight loss in mature rats (P < 0.01) and lack of body weight gain in adolescent rats (P < 0.01). Despite less body weight, increased body fat was observed in rats maintained on LC‐HFD (P < 0.05). Leptin concentrations were higher (P < 0.05), and IGF‐I (P < 0.01) concentrations were reduced in the LC‐HFD rats. When the diet was returned to CH following LC‐HFD, body weight regain was above and beyond that which was lost (P < 0.01). The LC‐HFD resulted in increased body fat and had a negative effect upon both GH and IGF‐I concentrations, which might have implications for the accretion and maintenance of lean body mass (LBM), normal growth rate and overall metabolic health. Moreover, when the LC‐HFD ceases and a high‐carbohydrate diet follows, more body weight is regained as compared to when the LC‐HFD is consumed, in the absence of increased energy intake.
Contemporary Management of Infected Mandibular Fractures
Authors: Alpert Brian , Kushner George M. , Tiwana Paul S.
Published: November 2008

The treatment of infected mandibular fractures has advanced rather dramatically over the past 50 years. Immobilization with maxillomandibular fixation and/or splints, removal of diseased teeth in the fracture line, external fixation, use of antibiotics, debridement, and rigid internal fixation has played a role in management. Perhaps the most important advance was the realization that infected fractures also result from moving fragments and nonvital bone, not just bacteria. Controlling movement and eliminating the dead bone allowed body defenses to also eliminate bacteria. The next logical step in the evolution of treatment was primary bone grafting of the resulting defect following application of rigid internal fixation and debridement of the dead bone. We offer our results with this treatment in 21 infected fractures, 20 of which achieved primary union.
Comprehensive Airway Management of Patients with Maxillofacial Trauma
Authors: Kellman Robert M. , Losquadro William D.
Published: November 2008

Airway management in patients with maxillofacial trauma is complicated by injuries to routes of intubation, and the surgeon is frequently asked to secure the airway. Airway obstruction from hemorrhage, tissue prolapse, or edema may require emergent intervention for which multiple intubation techniques exist. Competing needs for both airway and surgical access create intraoperative conflicts during repair of maxillofacial fractures. Postoperatively, edema and maxillomandibular fixation place the patient at risk for further airway compromise.
The Vertical Structure of Warm Ionised Gas in the Milky Way
Authors: Gaensler B. M. , Madsen G. J. , Chatterjee S. , Mao S. A.
Published: November 2008

We present a new joint analysis of pulsar dispersion measures and diffuse Hα emission in the Milky Way, which we use to derive the density, pressure and filling factor of the thick disk component of the warm ionised medium (WIM) as a function of height above the Galactic disk. By excluding sightlines at low Galactic latitude that are contaminated by Hii regions and spiral arms, we find that the exponential scale-height of free electrons in the diffuse WIM is 1830–250+120 pc, a factor of two larger than has been derived in previous studies. The corresponding inconsistent scale heights for dispersion measure and emission measure imply that the vertical profiles of mass and pressure in the WIM are decoupled, and that the filling factor of WIM clouds is a geometric response to the competing environmental influences of thermal and non-thermal processes. Extrapolating the properties of the thick-disk WIM to mid-plane, we infer a volume-averaged electron density 0.014 ± 0.001 cm−3, produced by clouds of typical electron density 0.34 ± 0.06 cm−3 with a volume filling factor 0.04 ± 0.01. As one moves off the plane, the filling factor increases to a maximum of ∼30% at a height of ≈1–1.5 kpc, before then declining to accommodate the increasing presence of hot, coronal gas. Since models for the WIM with a ≈1 kpc scale-height have been widely used to estimate distances to radio pulsars, our revised parameters suggest that the distances to many high-latitude pulsars have been substantially underestimated.
Evidence from near-isogenic lines that root penetration increases with root diameter and bending stiffness in rice
Authors: Clark Lawrence John , Price Adam Huw , Steele Katherine A. , Whalley William Richard
Published: November 2008

Deep rooting can be inhibited by strong layers, although there is evidence for species and cultivar (cv.) differences in their penetration ability. Here, the availability of near-isogenic lines (NILs) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) was exploited to test the hypothesis that increased root diameter is associated with greater root bending stiffness, which leads to greater root penetration of strong layers. Wax/petrolatum discs (80% strong wax) were used as the strong layer, so that strength can be manipulated independently of water status. It was found that good root penetration was consistently associated with greater root diameter and bending stiffness, whether comparisons were made between cvs or between NILs. With NILs, this effect was seen with ‘research’ lines bred from recombinant inbred lines of a cross between cvs Bala and Azucena and also in improved lines developed from cv. Kalinga III by introgression of parts of the genome from Azucena. Much of the bending behaviour of roots could be explained by treating them as a simple cylinder of material. In both wax disc and sand culture systems, roots that had encountered a strong layer had lower bending stiffness than roots that had not encountered a strong layer which is a novel result and not previously reported.
Association of reduced riparian vegetation cover in agricultural landscapes with coarse detritus dynamics in lowland streams
Authors: Reid D. J. , Lake P. S. , Quinn G. P. , Reich P.
Published: November 2008

Studies were conducted on streams flowing through agricultural floodplains in south-eastern Australia to quantify whether reductions in riparian canopy cover were associated with alterations to the input and benthic standing stocks of coarse allochthonous detritus. Comparisons were made among three farmland reaches and three reaches within reserves with intact cover of remnant overstorey trees. Detritus inputs to these reaches were measured monthly over 2 years using litter traps. Direct inputs to streams within the reserves were relatively high (550–617 g ash free dry weight (AFDW) m–2 year–1), but were lower at farmland reaches with the lowest canopy covers (83–117 gAFDW m–2 year–1). Only a minor fraction of the total allochthonous input (<10%) entered any of the study reaches laterally. The mean amounts of benthic detritus were lowest in the most open farmland reaches. Standing stocks of benthic detritus were found to be highly patchy across a large number of agricultural streams, but were consistently very low where the streamside canopy cover was below ~35%. Canopy cover should be restored along cleared agricultural streams because allochthonous detritus is a major source of food and habitat for aquatic ecosystems. Given the absence of pristine lowland streams in south-eastern Australia, those reaches with the most intact remnant overstorey canopies should be used to guide restoration.
Generation of a functional and durable vascular niche by the adenoviral
E4ORF1
gene
Authors: Seandel Marco , Butler Jason M. , Kobayashi Hideki , Hooper Andrea T. , White Ian A. , Zhang Fan , Vertes Eva L. , Kobayashi Mariko , Zhang Yan , Shmelkov Sergey V. , Hackett Neil R. , Rabbany Sina , Boyer Julie L. , Rafii Shahin
Published: November 2008

Vascular cells contribute to organogenesis and tumorigenesis by producing unknown factors. Primary endothelial cells (PECs) provide an instructive platform for identifying factors that support stem cell and tumor homeostasis. However, long-term maintenance of PECs requires stimulation with cytokines and serum, resulting in loss of their angiogenic properties. To circumvent this hurdle, we have discovered that the adenoviral E4ORF1 gene product maintains long-term survival and facilitates organ-specific purification of PECs, while preserving their vascular repertoire for months, in serum/cytokine-free cultures. Lentiviral introduction of
E4ORF1
into human PECs (E4ORF1
+
ECs) increased the long-term survival of these cells in serum/cytokine-free conditions, while preserving their in vivo angiogenic potential for tubulogenesis and sprouting. Although E4ORF1, in the absence of mitogenic signals, does not induce proliferation of ECs, stimulation with VEGF-A and/or FGF-2 induced expansion of E4ORF1
+
ECs in a contact-inhibited manner. Indeed, VEGF-A-induced phospho MAPK activation of E4ORF1
+
ECs is comparable with that of naive PECs, suggesting that the VEGF receptors remain functional upon E4ORF1 introduction. E4ORF1
+
ECs inoculated in implanted Matrigel plugs formed functional, patent, humanized microvessels that connected to the murine circulation. E4ORF1
+
ECs also incorporated into neo-vessels of human tumor xenotransplants and supported serum/cytokine-free expansion of leukemic and embryonal carcinoma cells. E4ORF1 augments survival of PECs in part by maintaining FGF-2/FGF-R1 signaling and through tonic Ser-473 phosphorylation of Akt, thereby activating the mTOR and NF-κB pathways. Therefore, E4ORF1
+
ECs establish an Akt-dependent durable vascular niche not only for expanding stem and tumor cells but also for interrogating the roles of vascular cells in regulating organ-specific vascularization and tumor neo-angiogenesis.
Synthetic recombinant bat SARS-like coronavirus is infectious in cultured cells and in mice
Authors: Becker Michelle M. , Graham Rachel L. , Donaldson Eric F. , Rockx Barry , Sims Amy C. , Sheahan Timothy , Pickles Raymond J. , Corti Davide , Johnston Robert E. , Baric Ralph S. , Denison Mark R.
Published: November 2008

Defining prospective pathways by which zoonoses evolve and emerge as human pathogens is critical for anticipating and controlling both natural and deliberate pandemics. However, predicting tenable pathways of animal-to-human movement has been hindered by challenges in identifying reservoir species, cultivating zoonotic organisms in culture, and isolating full-length genomes for cloning and genetic studies. The ability to design and recover pathogens reconstituted from synthesized cDNAs has the potential to overcome these obstacles by allowing studies of replication and pathogenesis without identification of reservoir species or cultivation of primary isolates. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and recovery of the largest synthetic replicating life form, a 29.7-kb bat severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like coronavirus (Bat-SCoV), a likely progenitor to the SARS-CoV epidemic. To test a possible route of emergence from the noncultivable Bat-SCoV to human SARS-CoV, we designed a consensus Bat-SCoV genome and replaced the Bat-SCoV Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) with the SARS-CoV RBD (Bat-SRBD). Bat-SRBD was infectious in cell culture and in mice and was efficiently neutralized by antibodies specific for both bat and human CoV Spike proteins. Rational design, synthesis, and recovery of hypothetical recombinant viruses can be used to investigate mechanisms of transspecies movement of zoonoses and has great potential to aid in rapid public health responses to known or predicted emerging microbial threats.
The payoff of conservation investments in tropical countryside
Authors: Chan Kai M. A. , Daily Gretchen C.
Published: November 2008

The future of biodiversity and ecosystem services hinges on harmonizing agricultural production and conservation, yet there is no planning algorithm for predicting the efficacy of conservation investments in farmland. We present a conservation planning framework for countryside (working agricultural landscapes) that calculates the production and conservation benefits to the current baseline of incremental investments. Our framework is analogous to the use of reserve design algorithms. Unlike much countryside modeling, our framework is designed for application in data-limited contexts, which are prevalent. We apply our framework to quantify the payoff for Costa Rican birds of changing farm plot and border vegetation. We show that installing windbreaks of native vegetation enhances both bird diversity and farm income, especially when complementing certain crop types. We make predictions that differ from those of approaches currently applied to agri-environment planning,: e.g., although habitat with trees has lower local species richness than farm plot habitats (1–44% lower), replacing any plot habitat with trees should boost regional richness considerably. Our planning framework reveals the small, targeted changes on farms that can make big differences for biodiversity.
Studies of the Toxicological Potential of Capsinoids: VI. Single-Dose Toxicity Study and Micronucleus Test of Commercial-Grade Dihydrocapsiate
Authors: Watanabe Eri , Kodama Terutaka , Masuyama Takeshi , Tsubuku Shoji , Nakajima Madoka , Bernard Bruce K.
Published: November 2008

A single-dose oral toxicity study was conducted to examine the qualitative and quantitative toxicity of a commercial-grade batch of dihydrocapsiate (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl 8-methylnonanoate; CAS No. 205687-03-2). Dihydrocapsiate was administered once by gavage to ICR mice at dose levels of 0 (vehicle) or 5000 mg/kg/day. No mortality was observed during the 14 day observation period following test article administration. During the 2 h immediately following dosing, mice of both sexes treated with dihydrocapsiate were observed to exhibit one or more of the following: staggered gait, decreased spontaneous movement, increased time in the prone position, tremors, gasping, or red-brownish urine. All mice had completely recovered by the 6 h observation interval. No effects on body weights or necropsy findings were observed as a result of dihydrocapsiate administration. These results suggested that the lethal dose of dihydrocapsiate was >5000 mg/kg. In an in vivo micronucleus test using BDF1 male mice, a commercial grade of dihydrocapsiate neither increased the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) nor decreased the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) in any of the treatment groups. The results suggest that commercial-grade dihydrocapsiate is unlikely to be an in vivo clastogen.
Early Stages of Golgi Vesicle and Tubule Formation Require Diacylglycerol
Authors: Asp Lennart , Kartberg Fredrik , Fernandez-Rodriguez Julia , Smedh Maria , Elsner Markus , Laporte Frederic , Bárcena Montserrat , Jansen Karen A. , Valentijn Jack A. , Koster Abraham J. , Bergeron John J.M. , Nilsson Tommy
Published: November 2008

We have investigated the role for diacylglycerol (DAG) in membrane bud formation in the Golgi apparatus. Addition of propranolol to specifically inhibit phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP), an enzyme responsible for converting phosphatidic acid into DAG, effectively prevents formation of membrane buds. The effect of PAP inhibition on Golgi membranes is rapid and occurs within 3 min. Removal of the PAP inhibitor then results in a rapid burst of buds, vesicles, and tubules that peaks within 2 min. The inability to form buds in the presence of propranolol does not appear to be correlated with a loss of ARFGAP1 from Golgi membranes, as knockdown of ARFGAP1 by RNA interference has little or no effect on actual bud formation. Rather, knockdown of ARFGAP1 results in an increase in membrane buds and a decrease of vesicles and tubules suggesting it functions in the late stages of scission. How DAG promotes bud formation is discussed.
Pil1 Controls Eisosome Biogenesis
Authors: Moreira Karen E. , Walther Tobias C. , Aguilar Pablo S. , Walter Peter
Published: November 2008

The molecular composition of plasma membranes is constantly remodeled by endocytosis and exocytosis. Eisosomes are large cytoplasmic protein assemblies that localize to specialized domains on the yeast plasma membrane. They are of uniform size and immobile, and their disruption leads to large aberrant plasma membrane invaginations and endocytic defects. It is unknown how eisosomes are formed or inherited and what governs their size, distribution, and location. Here we show that eisosomes are formed de novo in the bud of dividing cells. They colonize newly formed membrane at a fixed density in a polarized wave proceeding from the bud neck to the bud tip and become anchored at the site of their formation. Pil1, one of the two main eisosome subunits, emerges as the central regulator of eisosome biogenesis that determines both size and location of eisosomes. Lowering Pil1 expression leads to normal-sized eisosomes at a reduced density, suggesting that eisosomes must be of a minimal size. Conversely, raising Pil1 expression leads to larger eisosomes at a fixed density, suggesting that under these conditions eisosome nucleation sites are limiting. Pil1 expression is regulated by the cell cycle, which synchronizes eisosome formation with plasma membrane growth. Our results establish a first framework of the molecular principles that define eisosome assembly and distribution.
Knockdown of p180 Eliminates the Terminal Differentiation of a Secretory Cell Line
Authors: Benyamini Payam , Webster Paul , Meyer David I.
Published: November 2008

We have previously reported that the expression in yeast of an integral membrane protein (p180) of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), isolated for its ability to mediate ribosome binding, is capable of inducing new membrane biogenesis and an increase in secretory capacity. To demonstrate that p180 is necessary and sufficient for terminal differentiation and acquisition of a secretory phenotype in mammalian cells, we studied the differentiation of a secretory cell line where p180 levels had been significantly reduced using RNAi technology and by transiently expressing p180 in nonsecretory cells. A human monocytic (THP-1) cell line, that can acquire macrophage-like properties, failed to proliferate rough ER when p180 levels were lowered. The Golgi compartment and the secretion of apolipoprotein E (Apo E) were dramatically affected in cells expressing reduced p180 levels. On the other hand, expression of p180 in a human embryonic kidney nonsecretory cell line (HEK293) showed a significant increase in proliferation of rough ER membranes and Golgi complexes. The results obtained from knockdown and overexpression experiments demonstrate that p180 is both necessary and sufficient to induce a secretory phenotype in mammalian cells. These findings support a central role for p180 in the terminal differentiation of secretory cells and tissues.
DictyosteliumDock180-related RacGEFs Regulate the Actin Cytoskeleton during Cell Motility
Authors: Para Alessia , Krischke Miriam , Merlot Sylvain , Shen Zhouxin , Oberholzer Michael , Lee Susan , Briggs Steven , Firtel Richard A.
Published: November 2008

Cell motility of amoeboid cells is mediated by localized F-actin polymerization that drives the extension of membrane protrusions to promote forward movements. We show that deletion of either of two members of the Dictyostelium Dock180 family of RacGEFs, DockA and DockD, causes decreased speed of chemotaxing cells. The phenotype is enhanced in the double mutant and expression of DockA or DockD complements the reduced speed of randomly moving DockD null cells' phenotype, suggesting that DockA and DockD are likely to act redundantly and to have similar functions in regulating cell movement. In this regard, we find that overexpressing DockD causes increased cell speed by enhancing F-actin polymerization at the sites of pseudopod extension. DockD localizes to the cell cortex upon chemoattractant stimulation and at the leading edge of migrating cells and this localization is dependent on PI3K activity, suggesting that DockD might be part of the pathway that links PtdIns(3,4,5)P3production to F-actin polymerization. Using a proteomic approach, we found that DdELMO1 is associated with DockD and that Rac1A and RacC are possible in vivo DockD substrates. In conclusion, our work provides a further understanding of how cell motility is controlled and provides evidence that the molecular mechanism underlying Dock180-related protein function is evolutionarily conserved.
Multimode microscopy: spectral and lifetime imaging
Authors: Blum Christian , Cesa Yanina , Escalante Maryana , Subramaniam Vinod
Published: November 2008

Multimode microscopy exploits the measurement of multiple spectroscopic parameters to yield a wealth of spatially resolved spectroscopic detail about the sample under study. Here, we describe the realization of a multimode microscope capable of wide-field transmission, reflectivity and emission imaging. The instrument also incorporates confocal spectral and lifetime imaging enabling convenient high-content imaging of complex samples, allowing the direct correlation of the data obtained from the different modes. We demonstrate the versatility of this imaging platform by reviewing applications to the modulation of fluorescent protein emission by inverse opal photonic crystals, to the detection and visualization of J-aggregate coupling of small molecule dyes intercalated into nanochannels in zeolites and to the visualization of fluorescent proteins micropatterned onto surfaces. In all cases, the combination of different microspectroscopic modes is essential for the resolution of specific photophysical details of the complex systems in question.
Impacts on thin elastic sheets
Authors: Vermorel Romain , Vandenberghe Nicolas , Villermaux Emmanuel
Published: November 2008

We study transverse impacts of rigid objects on a free elastic membrane, using thin circular sheets of natural rubber as experimental models. After impact, two distinct axisymmetric waves propagate in and on the sheet. First, a tensile wave travels at sound speed leaving behind the wavefront a stretched domain and then a transverse wave propagates on the stretched area at a lower speed. In the stretched area, geometrical confinement induces compressive circumferential stresses leading to a buckling instability, giving rise to radial wrinkles. We report on a set of experiments and theoretical remarks on the conditions of occurrence of these wrinkles, their dynamics and wavelength.
Lifetime reproductive success is maximized with optimal major histocompatibility complex diversity
Authors: Kalbe Martin , Eizaguirre Christophe , Dankert Ilka , Reusch Thorsten B.H , Sommerfeld Ralf D , Wegner K. Mathias , Milinski Manfred
Published: November 2008

Individual diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is predicted to be optimal at intermediate rather than at maximal levels. We showed previously in sticklebacks that an intermediate MHC diversity is predominant in natural populations and provides maximal resistance in experimental multiple parasite infections in the laboratory. However, what counts ultimately is the lifetime reproductive success (LRS). Here, we measured LRS of six laboratory-bred sib-groups—to minimize the influence of non-MHC genes—three-spined sticklebacks (
Gasterosteus aculeatus
) during their entire breeding period, each in a seminatural enclosure in the lake of their parents, where they were exposed to the natural spectrum of parasites. We collected developing clutches at regular intervals and determined parenthood for a representative number of eggs (2279 in total) per clutch with 18 microsatellites. Both males and females with an intermediate MHC class II
B
variant number had the highest LRS. The mechanistic link of MHC diversity and LRS differed between the sexes: in females, we found evidence for a trade-off between number of eggs and immunocompentence, whereas in males this correlation was concealed by different timing strategies of reproduction.
InPSR26, a Putative Membrane Protein, Regulates Programmed Cell Death during Petal Senescence in Japanese Morning Glory
Authors: Shibuya Kenichi , Yamada Tetsuya , Suzuki Tomoko , Shimizu Keiichi , Ichimura Kazuo
Published: November 2008

The onset and progression of petal senescence, which is a type of programmed cell death (PCD), are highly regulated. Genes showing changes in expression during petal senescence in Japanese morning glory (Ipomoea nil) were isolated and examined to elucidate their function in PCD. We show here that a putative membrane protein, InPSR26, regulates progression of PCD during petal senescence in Japanese morning glory. InPSR26 is dominantly expressed in petal limbs and its transcript level increases prior to visible senescence symptoms. Transgenic plants with reduced InPSR26 expression (PSR26r lines) showed accelerated petal wilting, with PCD symptoms including cell collapse, ion and anthocyanin leakage, and DNA degradation accelerated in petals compared to wild-type plants. Transcript levels of autophagy- and PCD-related genes (InATG4, InATG8, InVPE, and InBI-1) were reduced in the petals of PSR26r plants. Autophagy visualized by monodansylcadaverine staining confirmed that autophagy is induced in senescing petal cells of wild-type plants and that the percentage of cells containing monodansylcadaverine-stained structures, most likely autophagosomes, was significantly lower in the petals of PSR26r plants, indicating reduced autophagic activity in the PSR26r plants. These results suggest that InPSR26 acts to delay the progression of PCD during petal senescence, possibly through regulation of the autophagic process. Our data also suggest that autophagy delays PCD in petal senescence.
Establishment of a Protein Reference Map for Soybean Root Hair Cells
Authors: Brechenmacher Laurent , Lee Joohyun , Sachdev Sherri , Song Zhao , Nguyen Tran Hong Nha , Joshi Trupti , Oehrle Nathan , Libault Marc , Mooney Brian , Xu Dong , Cooper Bret , Stacey Gary
Published: November 2008

Root hairs are single tubular cells formed from the differentiation of epidermal cells on roots. They are involved in water and nutrient uptake and represent the infection site on leguminous roots by rhizobia, soil bacteria that establish a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. Root hairs develop by polar cell expansion or tip growth, a unique mode of plant growth shared only with pollen tubes. A more complete characterization of root hair cell biology will lead to a better understanding of tip growth, the rhizobial infection process, and also lead to improvements in plant water and nutrient uptake. We analyzed the proteome of isolated soybean (Glycine max) root hair cells using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and shotgun proteomics (1D-PAGE-liquid chromatography and multidimensional protein identification technology) approaches. Soybean was selected for this study due to its agronomic importance and its root size. The resulting soybean root hair proteome reference map identified 1,492 different proteins. 2D-PAGE followed by mass spectrometry identified 527 proteins from total cell contents. A complementary shotgun analysis identified 1,134 total proteins, including 443 proteins that were specific to the microsomal fraction. Only 169 proteins were identified by the 2D-PAGE and shotgun methods, which highlights the advantage of using both methods. The proteins identified are involved not only in basic cell metabolism but also in functions more specific to the single root hair cell, including water and nutrient uptake, vesicle trafficking, and hormone and secondary metabolism. The data presented provide useful insight into the metabolic activities of a single, differentiated plant cell type.
Diffraction analysis of perovskite-like oxides containing irregular intergrowths
Authors: Olikhovska L. , Ustinov A.
Published: November 2008

Features of the X-ray intensity distributions caused by the presence of random and nonrandom stacking faults (irregular intergrowths) in layered perovskite-like oxides are studied by a computer simulation technique. It is shown that, apart from the stacking fault properties, the position, profile and intensity of a diffraction peak are dependent on the ratio between theclattice parameter of the crystal and the thickness of the new structural fragment formed as a result of the stacking fault. A means of characterizing the stacking faults on the basis of the relative positions of pairs of diffraction peaks is presented. The approach is exemplified by the X-ray diffraction study of a disordered single crystal of the system Bi–Sr–Ca–Cu–O.
Modifications in the correlation function in poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica hybrid wet gels
Authors: Vollet Dimas R. , Donatti Dario A. , Ibañez Ruiz Alberto
Published: November 2008

Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to study structural modifications in tetraethoxysilane-derived poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/silica hybrids. The basic structure of the wet gels can be described as a mass-fractal structure with fractal dimensionDequal to 2 and characteristic length ξ, which increases with addition of PVA. Wet gels with high PVA content exhibit a positive deviation from the mass-fractal power-law scattering at lowq; this deviation is associated with additional scattering due to a second large correlation distance ζ, reinforced by the addition of PVA. The fraction of both contributions to the total correlation function was estimated; this is the first time that such a study has been carried out for mass-fractal structures.
Ten cases of sebaceous carcinoma arising in nevus sebaceus
Authors: IZUMI Miki , TANG Xiaoyan , CHIU Cheng‐Sheng , NAGAI Takeshi , MATSUBAYASHI Jun , IWAYA Keiichi , UMEMURA Shinobu , TSUBOI Ryoji , MUKAI Kiyoshi
Published: November 2008

Although nevus sebaceus is known to develop various types of secondary neoplasms, it rarely causes carcinoma and only 14 cases of secondary sebaceous carcinoma have been reported. In this study, 10 cases of sebaceous carcinoma arising in nevus sebaceus were collected. The clinicopathological features and results of immunohistochemical examinations with adipophilin, perilipin and p53 were summarized. Sebaceous carcinoma arising in nevus sebaceous predominantly occurred on the scalp (8/10) of elderly women (mean age, 67.7 years). No case was associated with Muir–Torre syndrome. We found several pathological features of sebaceous carcinoma; that is, made up mainly of germinative cells, moderate nuclear atypia without pleomorphism and many mitoses (4–28/10 high‐power field). Adipophilin and perilipin antibodies highlighted lipid drops in the cytoplasm of the malignant cells in all cases. Overexpression of p53 was seen in all cases. In two cases there were coexisting benign‐looking sebaceous lesions at the periphery of the main cancer nodule, and in these lesions p53 showed low positivity compared with the clearly malignant area. There was co‐occurrence of another neoplasm in three cases with trichoblastoma, sebaceoma and syringocystadenoma papilliferum, respectively. All cases were treated by excision of the malignant lesion, with or without inclusion of the nevus sebaceus. In a follow‐up period of 1–7 years, there was no case of recurrence, lymph node metastases or distant metastases. With these specific pathological and immunohistochemical findings using adipophilin, perilipin and p53, we have to consider the possibility that there is a tendency to underdiagnose secondary sebaceous carcinomas in nevus sebaceus. These clinicopathological features of sebaceous carcinomas developing in the nevus sebaceus seem to indicate different biological entities from de novo sebaceous carcinoma.
Use of topical povidone‐iodine resulting in an iododerma‐like eruption
Authors: MASSÉ Maureen , FALANGA Vincent , ZHOU Linda Hua
Published: November 2008

Iododerma is a rare skin eruption that is usually induced by the systemic use of iodide‐containing radiographic contrast medium or treatment with oral potassium iodide therapy. Iododerma has also rarely been reported to occur following topical application of iodine. We herein report the case of a 42‐year‐old male who developed multiple pinpoint pustules on both lower extremities. Three days after the eruption began, the patient started applying topical 10% povidone‐iodine solution to the lesions. During this treatment, the lesions enlarged into multiple 2–9‐cm pus‐filled bullae, limited to the treated areas. Lesional bacterial culture swab and Gram stain were negative. Blood cultures were also negative and the patient's white blood cell count was normal. A punch biopsy specimen revealed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and dermal‐epidermal separation with epidermal necrosis and underlying abscess formation. A superficial and deep perivascular, interstitial and perifollicular infiltrate containing numerous neutrophils, with abscess formation and eosinophils was also seen. This histology was consistent with iododerma and the patient's lesions involuted following cessation of topical iodine use, leaving only post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In summary, our patient likely had a folliculitis that was then treated with topical povidone‐iodine that led to iododerma. Although it remains possible that the reaction was an unusual contact hypersensitivity response, the ulceration, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and abscess formation do support an iododerma‐like eruption.
Transition of psoriasiform drug eruption to psoriasis de novo evidenced by histopathology
Authors: YAMAMOTO Mayuko , IKEDA Mitsunori , KODAMA Hajime , SANO Shigetoshi
Published: November 2008

Drug reaction can be one of the triggering factors either for exacerbation of pre‐existing psoriasis or precipitation of psoriasis de novo. Herein, we report a case with psoriasiform drug eruption due to pravastatin, but it relapsed after discontinuance of the drug. Serial investigation of the histopathology and immunohistochemistry with anti‐signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) revealed drug reaction‐associated lesions intermingled with psoriasiform changes, which later predominated, suggesting a conversion into psoriasis de novo.
Linear IgA dermatosis: Report of an infantile case and analysis of 213 cases in Japan
Authors: HORIGUCHI Yuji , IKOMA Akihiko , SAKAI Rie , MASATSUGU Asako , OHTA Miyuki , HASHIMOTO Takashi
Published: November 2008

A 3‐year‐old boy presented with multiple vesicles, showing a rosette‐like arrangement around the crusts. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated subepidermal blistering with neutrophilic infiltration associated with deposition of IgA, but not IgG, linearly distributed along the basement membrane zone (BMZ) of the epidermis. Indirect immunofluorescence revealed circulating antibodies (IgA class, ×160) against the BMZ of guinea pig lip skin. Based on the diagnosis of linear IgA dermatosis (LAD) of childhood, administration of dexamethasone (2 mg/day) was started, and the eruptions diminished immediately. Western blot analysis using extract of the HaCaT cell as a substrate, demonstrated the corresponding antigen at 120‐kDa molecular weight. There have been 213 cases of LAD reported in Japan including conference abstracts and these were studied to determine whether infantile cases differed from adult ones, and whether cases associated with IgG as well as IgA (IgA/G type), differed from the cases associated with IgA only (IgA type). IgG contributed less frequently to the infantile type (age of onset, ≤15 years) than to the adult type (age of onset, ≥16 years). Clinical appearance did not show any obvious difference between the IgA/G type and IgA type. However, three‐quarters of cases showing localization of antigen to the dermal side were the IgA/G type.