bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is translocation of stock-raiding leopards into a protected area with resident conspecifics an effective management tool?
Authors: Weilenmann Maja , Gusset Markus , Mills David R. , Gabanapelo Tefo , Schiess-Meier Monika
Published: December 2010

ContextTranslocation as a non-lethal management tool to eliminate individual ‘problem’ animals is commonly used but rarely evaluated. AimWe sought to evaluate whether translocating stock-raiding leopards (Panthera pardus) into a protected area with resident conspecifics in Botswana is effective in dealing with ‘problem’ carnivores. MethodsWe assessed release-site fidelity, ranging behaviour, individual survival and reduction of conflict after translocation of four translocated leopards in relation to four resident conspecifics, which were tracked from 24 days up to 4 years. Key resultsNone of the translocated leopards showed release-site fidelity; they either returned to the trap site or showed extensive roaming behaviour after release. Three of the four translocated leopards reportedly resumed stock-raiding and were shot when ranging outside of protected areas, which apparently was a consequence of being released into an area already occupied by territorial conspecifics. On the basis of satellite telemetry, the linear movement distance of one translocated leopard (1249 km) and the range size of three resident female leopards (513 ± 124 km2) are the largest on record. ConclusionsFrom comparing the survival and ranging behaviour of translocated leopards with that of resident conspecifics, we conclude that translocation was not an effective management tool for dealing with stock-raiding leopards in our study. ImplicationsRather than translocating ‘problem’ carnivores, efforts should focus on reducing the potential for problems to develop, most importantly on improving livestock-husbandry practices.
Biological, technical, and social aspects of applying electrified fladry for livestock protection from wolves (Canis lupus)
Authors: Lance N. J. , Breck S. W. , Sime C. , Callahan P. , Shivik J. A.
Published: December 2010

Context. Wolf predation on livestock can cause economic hardship for livestock producers as well as reduce tolerance for wolves. Lethal control of wolves is often controversial; thus, development of effective non-lethal methods for reducing wolf–livestock conflict is important. Electrified fladry is a new tool that is similar to fladry (i.e. a barrier system that scares wolves), but electrified fladry also incorporates an electric shock designed to decrease the potential for wolves to habituate to the barriers.
Aim. Evaluation of electrified fladry requires understanding of its effectiveness relative to fladry and the costs and benefits of applying it in the field.
Methods. By using captive wolves, we compared the effectiveness of electrified fladry v. fladry for protecting a food resource during 2-week trials. We then performed a field trial with electrified fladry for managing wolves in Montana, USA. We measured livestock depredation and wolf activity on six treatment and six control pastures, calculated the cost of installation and maintenance, and surveyed all study participants about application of electrified fladry.
Key results. We found electrified fladry 2–10 times more effective than fladry at protecting food in captivity and that hunger increased the likelihood of wolves testing fladry barriers. In field trials, we installed 14.0 km of EF systems in treatment pastures and detected wolves twice in control pastures but never in the treatment pastures. No livestock were killed by wolves in treatment or control pastures. A completed electrified fladry system cost $2303 for the first km and $2032 for each additional km, and required 31.8 person-hours per kilometre to install. We observed 18 failures (i.e. electrified system stopped working) during a total of 394 days of use. In total, 83% of ranchers who used fladry would continue to use it under certain conditions, indicating some psychological benefit to users.
Conclusions and implications. The present study has demonstrated that electrified fladry offers superior protection compared with non-electrified fladry; however, further field tests are warranted to help determine whether benefits outweigh costs.
The potential for participatory landscape management to reduce the impact of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) on lamb production
Authors: McLeod Lynette J. , Saunders Glen R. , McLeod Steven R. , Dawson Michelle , van de Ven Remy
Published: December 2010

ContextRed fox (Vulpes vulpes) predation has an impact on populations of many species throughout its range worldwide, and as such, the red fox is the target of control programs. AimsWe investigated the potential for participatory landscape management to reduce the impact of fox predation on a major prey species, lambs. MethodsThe present study monitored fox-management programs already operating across 4.5 million hectares of regional New South Wales to compare the impact of varying (frequency and spatial coverage) control effort on lamb survival. Key resultsThe frequency and timing of fox control was correlated with lamb survival. Lamb survival was higher in areas where fox baiting was carried out twice a year, in autumn and late winter/spring. Spatial coverage of the control program was also positively correlated with lamb survival. Properties that had near neighbours (up to 2.5 km away) participating in group fox-control programs had higher survival of lambs than properties that did not. ConclusionsThese results support the development of a high level of group participation in fox-control programs that considers both spatial extent and frequency of baiting programs. They also support a movement away from the reactionary, short-term practice of baiting small areas to protect vulnerable prey. ImplicationsCoordinated group-baiting programs are likely to deliver improved lamb survival and should be promoted in areas where ongoing control programs for foxes are necessary.
Congruences for the Andrews
spt
function
Authors: Ono Ken
Published: December 2010

Ramanujan-type congruences for the Andrews
spt
(
n
) partition function have been found for prime moduli 5 ≤ 
ℓ
 ≤ 37 in the work of Andrews [Andrews GE, (2008)
J Reine Angew Math
624:133–142] and Garvan [Garvan F, (2010)
Int J Number Theory
6:1–29]. We exhibit unexpectedly simple congruences for all
ℓ
≥5. Confirming a conjecture of Garvan, we show that if
ℓ
≥5 is prime and

, then

(mod 
ℓ
). This congruence gives (
ℓ
 - 1)/2 arithmetic progressions modulo
ℓ
3
which support a mod
ℓ
congruence. This result follows from the surprising fact that the reduction of a certain mock theta function modulo
ℓ
, for every
ℓ
≥5, is an eigenform of the Hecke operator
T
(
ℓ
2
).
Improvements in the reconstruction of time-varying gene regulatory networks: dynamic programming and regularization by information sharing among genes
Authors: Grzegorczyk Marco , Husmeier Dirk
Published: December 2010

Method: Dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) have been applied widely to reconstruct the structure of regulatory processes from time series data, and they have established themselves as a standard modelling tool in computational systems biology. The conventional approach is based on the assumption of a homogeneous Markov chain, and many recent research efforts have focused on relaxing this restriction. An approach that enjoys particular popularity is based on a combination of a DBN with a multiple changepoint process, and the application of a Bayesian inference scheme via reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (RJMCMC). In the present article, we expand this approach in two ways. First, we show that a dynamic programming scheme allows the changepoints to be sampled from the correct conditional distribution, which results in improved convergence over RJMCMC. Second, we introduce a novel Bayesian clustering and information sharing scheme among nodes, which provides a mechanism for automatic model complexity tuning.

Results: We evaluate the dynamic programming scheme on expression time series for Arabidopsis thaliana genes involved in circadian regulation. In a simulation study we demonstrate that the regularization scheme improves the network reconstruction accuracy over that obtained with recently proposed inhomogeneous DBNs. For gene expression profiles from a synthetically designed Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain under switching carbon metabolism we show that the combination of both: dynamic programming and regularization yields an inference procedure that outperforms two alternative established network reconstruction methods from the biology literature.

Availability and implementation: A MATLAB implementation of the algorithm and a supplementary paper with algorithmic details and further results for the Arabidopsis data can be downloaded from: http://www.statistik.tu-dortmund.de/bio2010.html

Contact:  grzegorczyk@statistik.tu-dortmund.de; dirk@bioss.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Roles of ATP Synthase and the Cytochrome b
6/f Complexes in Limiting Chloroplast Electron Transport and Determining Photosynthetic Capacity
Authors: Yamori Wataru , Takahashi Shunichi , Makino Amane , Price G. Dean , Badger Murray R. , von Caemmerer Susanne
Published: December 2010

In C3 plants, CO2 assimilation is limited by ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) regeneration rate at high CO2. RuBP regeneration rate in turn is determined by either the chloroplast electron transport capacity to generate NADPH and ATP or the activity of Calvin cycle enzymes involved in regeneration of RuBP. Here, transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum ‘W38’) expressing an antisense gene directed at the transcript of either the Rieske iron-sulfur protein of the cytochrome (Cyt) b  6/f complex or the δ-subunit of chloroplast ATP synthase have been used to investigate the effect of a reduction of these complexes on chloroplast electron transport rate (ETR). Reductions in δ-subunit of ATP synthase content did not alter chlorophyll, Cyt b  6/f complex, or Rubisco content, but reduced ETR estimated either from measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence or CO2 assimilation rates at high CO2. Plants with low ATP synthase content exhibited higher nonphotochemical quenching and achieved higher ETR per ATP synthase than the wild type. The proportional increase in ETR per ATP synthase complex was greatest at 35°C, showing that the ATP synthase activity can vary in vivo. In comparison, there was no difference in the ETR per Cyt b  6/f complex in plants with reduced Cyt b  6/f content and the wild type. The ETR decreased more drastically with reductions in Cyt b  6/f complex than ATP synthase content. This suggests that chloroplast ETR is more limited by Cyt b  6/f than ATP synthase content and is a potential target for enhancing photosynthetic capacity in crops.
Serine Protease Inhibitors Specifically Defend Solanum nigrum against Generalist Herbivores but Do Not Influence Plant Growth and Development
Authors: Hartl Markus , Giri Ashok P. , Kaur Harleen , Baldwin Ian T.
Published: December 2010

Solanaceaeous taxa produce diverse peptide serine proteinase inhibitors (SPIs), known antidigestive defenses that might also control endogenous plant proteases. If and how a plant coordinates and combines its different SPIs for the defense against herbivores and if these SPIs simultaneously serve developmental functions is unknown. We examine Solanum nigrum's SPI profile, comprising four different active inhibitors, of which the most abundant proved to be novel, to understand their functional specialization in an ecological context. Transcript and activity characterization revealed tissue-specific and insect-elicited accumulation patterns. Stable and transient gene silencing of all four SPIs revealed different specificities for target proteinases: the novel SPI2c displayed high specificity for trypsin and chymotrypsin, while two other SPI2 homologs were highly active against subtilisin. In field and lab experiments, we found all four SPIs to display herbivore- and gene-specific defensive properties, with dissimilar effects on closely related species. However, we did not observe any clear developmental phenotype in SPI-silenced plants, suggesting that SPIs do not play a major role in regulating endogenous proteases under the conditions studied. In summary, specific single SPIs or their combinations defend S. nigrum against generalist herbivores, while the defense against herbivores specialized on SPI-rich diets requires other unknown defense mechanisms.
A Recycling-Defective Vacuolar Sorting Receptor Reveals an Intermediate Compartment Situated between Prevacuoles and Vacuoles in Tobacco
Authors: Foresti Ombretta , Gershlick David C. , Bottanelli Francesca , Hummel Eric , Hawes Chris , Denecke Jürgen
Published: December 2010

Plant vacuolar sorting receptors (VSRs) display cytosolic Tyr motifs (YMPL) for clathrin-mediated anterograde transport to the prevacuolar compartment. Here, we show that the same motif is also required for VSR recycling. A Y612A point mutation in Arabidopsis thaliana VSR2 leads to a quantitative shift in VSR2 steady state levels from the prevacuolar compartment to the trans-Golgi network when expressed in Nicotiana tabacum. By contrast, the L615A mutant VSR2 leaks strongly to vacuoles and accumulates in a previously undiscovered compartment. The latter is shown to be distinct from the Golgi stacks, the trans-Golgi network, and the prevacuolar compartment but is characterized by high concentrations of soluble vacuolar cargo and the rab5 GTPase Rha1(RabF2a). The results suggest that the prevacuolar compartment matures by gradual receptor depletion, leading to the formation of a late prevacuolar compartment situated between the prevacuolar compartment and the vacuole.
Key points in dermoscopic diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma and seborrheic keratosis in Japanese
Authors: TAKENOUCHI Tatsuya
Published: December 2010

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and seborrheic keratosis (SK) are representative pigmented skin tumors, and they are differentiated as non‐melanocytic lesions in the two‐step dermoscopy algorithm proposed by the Consensus Net Meeting on Dermoscopy. Because most BCC in Japanese patients are pigmented clinically, dermoscopy plays an important role in their differential diagnosis. The dermoscopic criteria for BCC include the lack of a pigment network and the presence of at least one positive feature for BCC, such as large blue‐gray ovoid nests, multiple blue‐gray globules, leaf‐like areas, spoke wheel areas, arborizing vessels and ulceration. Whereas various dermoscopic features are seen in SK, comedo‐like openings, milia‐like cysts, and fissures and ridges are especially important features. It is necessary for clinicians to consider the pathological conditions causing the dermoscopic features of BCC and SK. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of each feature should be taken into consideration to ensure an accurate dermoscopic diagnosis.
Trichoscopy for common hair loss diseases: Algorithmic method for diagnosis
Authors: INUI Shigeki
Published: December 2010

In recent years, the usefulness of trichoscopy (scalp dermoscopy) has been reported for hair loss diseases. Here, characteristic trichoscopic features of common hair loss diseases are described using a DermLite II pro or Epilight eight. Characteristic trichoscopic features of alopecia areata are black dots, tapering hairs (exclamation mark hairs), broken hairs, yellow dots and short vellus hairs. In androgenetic alopecia (AGA), hair diameter diversity (HDD), perifollicular pigmentation/peripilar sign and yellow dots are trichoscopically observed. In all cases of AGA and female AGA, HDD more than 20%, which corresponds to vellus transformation, can be seen. In cicatricial alopecia (CA), the loss of orifices, a hallmark of CA, and the associated changes including perifollicular erythema or scale and hair tufting were observed. Finally, an algorithmic method for trichoscopic diagnosing is proposed.
Key points in dermoscopic differentiation between lentigo maligna and solar lentigo
Authors: TANAKA Masaru , SAWADA Mizuki , KOBAYASHI Ken
Published: December 2010

A clinical diagnosis of lentigo maligna at an early stage is often difficult even for experienced dermatologists. Differential diagnoses would include solar lentigo, early lesions of seborrheic keratosis, lichen planus‐like keratosis, pigmented actinic keratosis and melanocytic nevus. Dermoscopy has been shown to have higher diagnostic accuracy, especially in the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions, in the past two decades. To aim of the present study was to review the diagnostic key points on dermoscopy in the published work to differentiate lentigo maligna from other differential diagnoses and reassess these important features on dermoscopy for specificity by describing the findings in detail. Diagnostic key points for lentigo maligna/lentigo maligna melanoma on dermoscopy are asymmetrical pigmented follicular openings, rhomboidal structures, annular‐granular structures and gray pseudo‐network. Lentigo maligna, at first, seems to occur as asymmetrical pigmented follicular openings and/or annular‐granular structures, then expand and develop into the rhomboidal structures. Annular‐granular structures and gray pseudo‐network seem to be observed also in regressive areas of solar lentigo/initial seborrheic keratosis, lichen planus‐like keratosis and pigmented actinic keratosis. The four important criteria on dermoscopy for the diagnosis of lentigo maligna have been reviewed, and the former two criteria seem to be more specific, but it might be difficult to recognize these findings without misinterpretation. The latter two seem to be not so specific as they would also be demonstrated in other pigmented epidermal lesions, although the distribution of the structures in these disorders would be inclined to be more homogeneous than that of lentigo maligna.
What dermoscopy tells us about nevogenesis
Authors: ZALAUDEK Iris , CATRICALÀ Caterina , MOSCARELLA Elvira , ARGENZIANO Giuseppe
Published: December 2010

The evolution of nevi is a complex process involving several constitutional and environmental factors. Although histopathology is the gold standard for the diagnosis and classification of melanocytic nevi, the widespread use of in vivo diagnostic technologies such as dermoscopy and more recently of reflectance confocal microscopy, has enriched profoundly our knowledge regarding the morphological variability of nevi in different stages of their evolution. In addition, significant progress has been made in our understanding of genetic alterations and molecular pathways involved in the formation of melanocytic tumors. All this newly acquired knowledge increasingly questions whether morphologically different nevi are also histiogenetically different. In this article, we intend to extract some of the salient points from published clinical and molecular studies on melanocytic tumors and attempt to assimilate them into an integrative concept of nevogenesis.
Key point in dermoscopic differentiation between early nail apparatus melanoma and benign longitudinal melanonychia
Authors: KOGA Hiroshi , SAIDA Toshiaki , UHARA Hisashi
Published: December 2010

Longitudinal melanonychia presents in various conditions including neoplastic and reactive disorders. It is much more frequently seen in non‐Caucasians than Caucasians. While most cases of nail apparatus melanoma start as longitudinal melanonychia, melanocytic nevi of the nail apparatus also typically accompany longitudinal melanonychia. Identifying the suspicious longitudinal melanonychia is therefore an important task for dermatologists. Dermoscopy provides useful information for making this decision. The most suspicious dermoscopic feature of early nail apparatus melanoma is irregular lines on a brown background. Evaluation of the irregularity may be rather subjective, but through experience, dermatologists can improve their diagnostic skills of longitudinal melanonychia, including benign conditions showing regular lines. Other important dermoscopic features of early nail apparatus melanoma are micro‐Hutchinson’s sign, a wide pigmented band, and triangular pigmentation on the nail plate. Although there is as yet no solid evidence concerning the frequency of dermoscopic follow up, we recommend checking the suspicious longitudinal melanonychia every 6 months. Moreover, patients with longitudinal melanonychia should be asked to return to the clinic quickly if the lesion shows obvious changes. Diagnosis of amelanotic or hypomelanotic melanoma affecting the nail apparatus is also challenging, but melanoma should be highly suspected if remnants of melanin granules are detected dermoscopically.
This article has been retracted: Curcumin targets Akt cell survival signaling pathway in HTLV‐I‐infected T‐cell lines
Authors: Tomita Mariko , Matsuda Takehiro , Kawakami Hirochika , Uchihara Jun‐nosuke , Okudaira Taeko , Masuda Masato , Ohshiro Kazuiku , Mori Naoki
Published: December 2010

This article has been retracted at the request of Editor‐in‐Chief & Author.

The following article from Cancer Science: Tetsuro Nakazato, Taeko Okudaira, Chie Ishikawa, Shinji Nakama, Shigeki Sawada, Mariko Tomita, Jun‐nosuke Uchihara, Naoya Taira, Masato Masuda, Yuetsu Tanaka, Kazuiku Ohshiro, Nobuyuki Takasu, Naoki Mori. Anti‐adult T‐cell leukemia effects of a novel synthetic retinoid, Am80 (Tamibarotene), Cancer Science 2008; 99: 2286–2294, (doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2008.00917.x), published online on 1 September 2008 on Wiley Interscience (http://www.interscience.wiley.com), now Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Yusuke Nakamura, and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd. All authors wish to retract this paper due to inappropriate image utilization in three of the figures within the article.

Yusuke Nakamura Editor‐in‐Chief Cancer Science
This article has been retracted: Epstein–Barr virus‐encoded latent membrane protein 1 activates β‐catenin signaling in B lymphocytes
Authors: Tomita Mariko , Dewan Md. Zahidunnabi , Yamamoto Naoki , Kikuchi Akira , Mori Naoki
Published: December 2010

This article has been retracted at the request of Editor‐in‐Chief & Author.

The following article from Cancer Science: Mariko Tomita, Zahidunnabi Dewan, Naoki Yamamoto, Akira Kikuchi and Naoki Mori. Epstein–Barr virus‐encoded latent membrane protein 1 activates β‐catenin signaling in B lymphocytes, Cancer Science 2009; 100: 807–812, (doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2009.01121.x), published online on 20 March 2009 on Wiley Interscience (http://www.interscience.wiley.com), now Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Yusuke Nakamura, and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd. All authors wish to retract this paper due to repeated use of images in the same gel in two figures within the article.

Yusuke Nakamura Editor‐in‐Chief Cancer Science
Clinical immunology review series: an approach to desensitization
Authors: Krishna M T , Huissoon A P
Published: December 2010

Allergen immunotherapy describes the treatment of allergic disease through administration of gradually increasing doses of allergen. This form of immune tolerance induction is now safer, more reliably efficacious and better understood than when it was first formally described in 1911. In this paper the authors aim to summarize the current state of the art in immunotherapy in the treatment of inhalant, venom and drug allergies, with specific reference to its practice in the United Kingdom. A practical approach has been taken, with reference to current evidence and guidelines, including illustrative protocols and vaccine schedules. A number of novel approaches and techniques are likely to change considerably the way in which we select and treat allergy patients in the coming decade, and these advances are previewed.
Increased frequency of immunoglobulin (Ig)A-secreting cells following Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9 engagement in patients with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Giordani L , Quaranta M G , Marchesi A , Straface E , Pietraforte D , Villani A , Malorni W , Del Principe D , Viora M
Published: December 2010

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis affecting mainly infants and children. Human B cells express Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9, whose natural ligands are unmethylated cytosine–guanine dinucleotide (CpG) motifs characteristic of bacterial DNA. The aim of this study was to clarify the pathogenesis of KD analysing the activation status of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), focusing on B lymphocyte activation and functions. Ten patients and 10 age-matched healthy donors were recruited from the Bambino Gesù Hospital of Rome, Italy and enrolled into this study. We determined phenotype profile and immunoglobulin (Ig) production of PBMC from KD patients and age-matched controls. We found that the frequency of CD19+ B lymphocytes and CD19+/CD86+ activated B lymphocytes from KD patients during the acute phase before therapy was increased significantly. Moreover, B lymphocytes of acute-phase KD patients were more prone to CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) activation compared with the age-matched controls, as assessed by a significant increase of the number of IgA-secreting cells (SC). In the same patients we found a marked increase of IgM, IgG, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production compared with the control group. In addition, in two convalescent KD patients, conventional treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) restored the normal frequency of CD19+ B cells, the number of IgA-, IgM- and IgG-SC and the production of IL-6 and TNF-α. Our findings indicate that the percentages of peripheral B lymphocytes of acute-phase KD patients are increased and are prone to bacterial activation in terms of increased numbers of IgA-SC and increased production of IL-6 and TNF-α inflammatory cytokines. Thus, our data support the hypothesis of an infectious triggering in KD.
ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17) is naturally processed through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules and is a potential immunotherapeutic target in breast, ovarian and prostate cancers
Authors: Sinnathamby G , Zerfass J , Hafner J , Block P , Nickens Z , Hobeika A , Secord A A , Lyerly H K , Morse M A , Philip R
Published: December 2010

Selection of suitable antigens is critical for the development of cancer vaccines. Most desirable are over-expressed cell surface proteins that may serve as targets for both antibodies and T cells, thus maximizing a concerted immune response. Towards this goal, we characterized the relevance of tumour necrosis factor-α-converting enzyme (ADAM17) for such targeted therapeutics. ADAM17 is one of the several metalloproteinases that play a key role in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling and has recently emerged as a new therapeutic target in several tumour types. In the present study, we analysed the expression profile of ADAM17 in a variety of normal and cancer cells of human origin and found that this protein is over-expressed on the surface of several types of cancer cells compared to the normal counterparts. Furthermore, we analysed the presentation of a human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted epitope from ADAM17 protein to specific T cells established from normal donors as well as ovarian cancer patients. Our analysis revealed that the HLA-A2-restricted epitope is processed efficiently and presented by various cancer cells and not by normal cells. Tumour-specific T cell activation results in the secretion of both interferon-γ and granzyme B that can be blocked by HLA-A2 specific antibodies. Collectively, our data present evidence that ADAM17 can be a potential target antigen to devise novel immunotherapeutic strategies against ovarian, breast and prostate cancer.
Serum amyloid A induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and proliferation of fibroblast
Authors: Hatanaka E , Dermargos A , Armelin H A , Curi R , Campa A
Published: December 2010

Serum amyloid A (SAA) levels are elevated highly in acute phase response and elevated slightly and persistently in chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Given that fibroblasts exert profound effects on progression of inflammatory chronic diseases, the aim of this study was to investigate the response of fibroblasts to SAA. A dose-dependent increase in O2- levels was observed by treatment of fibroblasts with SAA (r = 0·99 and P ≤ 0·001). In addition, the expression of p47-phox was up-regulated by SAA (P < 0·001) and diphenyliodonium (DPI), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor, reduced the release of O2- by 50%. Also, SAA raised fibroblast proliferation (P < 0·001) and this effect was completely abolished by the addition of anti-oxidants (P < 0·001). These findings support the notion that, in chronic inflammatory sites, SAA activated fibroblast proliferation and ROS production.
Sequence of arrival determines plant‐mediated interactions between herbivores
Authors: Erb Matthias , Robert Christelle A.M. , Hibbard Bruce E. , Turlings Ted C.J.
Published: December 2010

1. Induced changes in plant quality can mediate indirect interactions between herbivores. Although the sequence of attack by different herbivores has been shown to influence plant responses, little is known about how this affects the herbivores themselves.

2. We therefore investigated how induction by the leaf herbivore Spodoptera frugiperda influences resistance of teosinte (Zea mays mexicana) and cultivated maize (Zea mays mays) against root‐feeding larvae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. The importance of the sequence of arrival was tested in the field and laboratory.

3. Spodoptera frugiperda infestation had a significant negative effect on colonization by D. virgifera larvae in the field and weight gain in the laboratory, but only when S. frugiperda arrived on the plant before the root herbivore. When S. frugiperda arrived after the root herbivore had established, no negative effects on larval performance were detected. Yet, adult emergence of D. virgifera was reduced even when the root feeder had established first, indicating that the negative effects were not entirely absent in this treatment.

4. The defoliation of the plants was not a decisive factor for the negative effects on root herbivore development, as both minor and major leaf damage resulted in an increase in root resistance and the extent of biomass removal was not correlated with root‐herbivore growth. We propose that leaf‐herbivore‐induced increases in feeding‐deterrent and/or toxic secondary metabolites may account for the sequence‐specific reduction in root‐herbivore performance.

5. Synthesis. Our results demonstrate that the sequence of arrival can be an important determinant of plant‐mediated interactions between insect herbivores in both wild and cultivated plants. Arriving early on a plant may be an important strategy of insects to avoid competition with other herbivores. To fully understand plant‐mediated interactions between insect herbivores, the sequence of arrival should be taken into account.
Seed availability constrains plant species sorting along a soil fertility gradient
Authors: Foster Bryan L. , Questad Erin J. , Collins Cathy D. , Murphy Cheryl A. , Dickson Timothy L. , Smith Val H.
Published: December 2010

1. Spatial variation in species composition within and among communities may be caused by deterministic, niche‐based species sorting in response to underlying environmental heterogeneity as well as by stochastic factors such as dispersal limitation and variable species pools. An important goal in ecology is to reconcile deterministic and stochastic perspectives of community assembly and to assess the contribution of each class of processes to community dynamics and structure.

2. We present an 8‐year field experiment of grassland secondary succession that documents plant community differentiation in response to an experimental gradient of nitrogen (N) fertilization, factorially crossed with a manipulation of the available species pool achieved using a multi‐species seed sowing treatment. We evaluate the hypothesis, adapted from meta‐community theory, that seed availability limits the contribution of niche‐based, species sorting to patterns of community variation along an environmental gradient.

3. The magnitude of species sorting and community differentiation observed in response to N fertilization (measured as N effect size on multivariate community composition) became progressively more distinct and more statistically significant over time in experimental plots as succession proceeded. However, this response was significantly more pronounced among plots that had been exposed to experimentally enriched propagule pools.

4. Synthesis. Our findings support the hypothesis that dispersal limitations and species pools can mediate the contribution of niche‐based, species–environment sorting to plant community development and limit the extent to which underlying resource gradients become deterministically expressed in patterns of vegetation composition. We suggest that continued habitat destruction and fragmentation in the former prairie landscape where this study was conducted would further reduce native species pools and habitat connectivity, diminishing opportunities for species–environment sorting and compromising the capacity of these grassland systems to respond to environmental change.
Stories from the streets: people's experiences of homelessness
Authors: WILLIAMS S. , STICKLEY T.
Published: December 2010

Accessible summary

This is a narrative research study examining how people talk about their experiences of homelessness. Eight people experiencing homelessness were interviewed. They were each asked to tell their stories of homelessness. The research focused upon how participants' experiences have affected their identity claims and their mental health.

The qualitative data were thematically analysed and the following themes are reported: identity, family breakdown, rejection and stigma, illicit substances and hope.

People's identities have been affected by their experiences, and because of the trauma and indignity of homelessness, their identities have had to be reshaped. Experiences of homelessness negatively affect people's sense of identity to destructive proportions.

Experiences of homelessness may have profound effects upon people's sense of identity both personally and socially. Helping people to find appropriate shelter must be a main priority for those working with people who are homeless as warmth and safety are basic human needs. Mental health nurses also need to address those factors that affect individual identity, such as loss of social role and loss of belonging. By working with people to help them to access education and employment, we are also helping them to improve the quality of their lives, support their mental health, helping to improve their status, social networks, personal identity and role. Nurses need to work with homeless people with warm human acceptance and understanding.

This study explores how people speak about their experiences of homelessness, and how these experiences have affected their identity claims and their mental health. The mental health of the homeless population is a growing concern for the UK government and non‐governmental agencies. There is however, little research looking at the mental health needs of homeless people and their experiences. For this study, a qualitative, narrative approach was used. Eight people were interviewed who described themselves as homeless. The subsequent data were analysed through a narrative analysis process paying particular attention to how people construct their identities. Although each participant is homeless, they speak about their experiences very differently. People's identities have been affected by their experiences, and because of the trauma and indignity of homelessness, their identities have had to be reshaped. While it might be considered normal for people's identities to relate to families and occupation, homeless people construct identities around illness, drugs and exclusion. Experiences of homelessness negatively affect people's sense of identity to destructive proportions. Nevertheless, participants demonstrate a way of coping by forming strong opinions about policy and service provision.
The DNA‐binding activity of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae LexA orthologue NG1427 is modulated by oxidation
Authors: Schook Paul O. P. , Stohl Elizabeth A. , Criss Alison K. , Seifert H. Steven
Published: December 2010

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a human‐specific organism that is not usually exposed to UV light or chemicals but is likely to encounter reactive oxygen species during infection. Exposure of N. gonorrhoeae to sublethal hydrogen peroxide revealed that the ng1427 gene was upregulated sixfold. N. gonorrhoeae was thought to lack an SOS system, although NG1427 shows amino acid sequence similarity to the SOS response regulator LexA from Escherichia coli. Similar to LexA and other S24 peptidases, NG1427 undergoes autoproteolysis in vitro, which is facilitated by either the gonococcal or E. coli RecA proteins or high pH, and autoproteolysis requires the active and cleavage site residues conserved between LexA and NG1427. NG1427 controls a three gene regulon: itself; ng1428, a Neisseria‐specific, putative integral membrane protein; and recN, a DNA repair gene known to be required for oxidative damage survival. Full NG1427 regulon de‐repression requires RecA following methyl methanesulphonate or mitomycin C treatment, but is largely RecA‐independent following hydrogen peroxide treatment. NG1427 binds specifically to the operator regions of the genes it controls, and DNA binding is abolished by oxidation of the single cysteine residue encoded in NG1427. We propose that NG1427 is inactivated independently of RecA by oxidation.
A primary care level algorithm for identifying HIV‐infected adolescents in populations at high risk through mother‐to‐child transmission
Authors: Ferrand Rashida A. , Weiss Helen A. , Nathoo Kusum , Ndhlovu Chiratidzo E. , Mungofa Stanley , Munyati Shungu , Bandason Tsitsi , Gibb Diana M. , Corbett Elizabeth L.
Published: December 2010

Objective  To present an algorithm for primary‐care health workers for identifying HIV‐infected adolescents in populations at high risk through mother‐to‐child transmission.

Methods  Five hundred and six adolescent (10–18 years) attendees to two primary care clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe, were recruited. A randomly extracted ‘training’ data set (n = 251) was used to generate an algorithm using variables identified as associated with HIV through multivariable logistic regression. Performance characteristics of the algorithm were evaluated in the remaining (‘test’) records (n = 255) at different HIV prevalence rates.

Results  HIV prevalence was 17%, and infection was independently associated with client‐reported orphanhood, past hospitalization, skin problems, presenting with sexually transmitted infection and poor functional ability. Classifying adolescents as requiring HIV testing if they reported >1 of these five criteria had 74% sensitivity and 80% specificity for HIV, with the algorithm correctly predicting the HIV status of 79% of participants. In low‐HIV‐prevalence settings (<2%), the algorithm would have a high negative predictive value (≥99.5%) and result in an estimated 60% decrease in the number of people needing to test to identify one HIV‐infected individual, compared with universal testing.

Conclusions  Our simple algorithm can identify which individuals are likely to be HIV infected with sufficient accuracy to provide a screening tool for use in settings not already implementing universal testing policies among this age‐group, for example immigrants to low‐HIV‐prevalence countries.
Factors associated with positive attitudes toward organ donation in Arab Americans
Authors: Padela Aasim I. , Rasheed Shoaib , Warren Gareth J. W. , Choi Hwajung , Mathur Amit K.
Published: December 2010

Padela AI, Rasheed S, Warren GJW, Choi H, Mathur AK. Factors associated with positive attitudes toward organ donation in Arab Americans. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 800–808. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Background:  The demand for transplantable organ continues to exceed supply, particularly in minority patient populations. We explored the factors influencing organ donation attitude within the Arab American community.

Methods:  Secondary data analysis from a face‐to‐face survey administered in late 2003 to 1016 adults from a representative population‐based sample on Greater Detroit Arab Americans.

Results:  Christian Arab Americans were more likely than Muslim Arab Americans, and women more than men, to believe organ donation after death was justifiable. Higher educational attainment and income, as well as greater acculturation into American society, were associated with greater odds of believing organ donation to be justified. Self‐reported health status and level of psychological distress and health insurance status were not associated with beliefs about organ donation.

Conclusions:  A multifaceted approach toward increasing organ donation rates in this growing population requires targeted community‐health care system collaborations involving religious and civic leaders using Arabic language and culturally sensitive media.

Summary:  Arab Americans represent a growing population about which little is known in regard to organ donation and transplantation. This population is not specifically captured within national and local transplantation databases, and little empiric work has assessed attitudes and barriers toward organ donation and transplantation within this community. Our work represents the first to use a representative population‐based sample to explore the modifiable and non‐modifiable characteristics of those who believe cadaveric organ donation to be justified.
Stevens–Johnson syndrome after Mycoplasma pneumonia infection in pediatric post‐liver transplant recipient: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Tomaino J. , Keegan T. , Miloh T. , Kerkar N. , Mercer S. , Birge M. , Rocca J. , Suchy F. , Arnon R.
Published: December 2010

Tomaino J, Keegan T, Miloh T, Kerkar N, Mercer S, Birge M, Rocca J, Suchy F, Arnon R. Stevens–Johnson syndrome after Mycoplasma pneumonia infection in pediatric post‐liver transplant recipient: case report and review of the literature.

Abstract:  Although Mycoplasma pneumonia infection is relatively common among school‐aged children, it rarely leads to SJS. Herein, we report a seven‐yr‐old girl who presented with a Mycoplasma pneumonia infection that progressed to SJS five months after liver transplant. We suggest that children presenting with symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumonia infection in the immunosuppressed post‐liver transplant setting be properly diagnosed and treated rapidly, as well as observed for symptoms of SJS and potentially serious extrapulmonary complications.
Reduced‐intensity conditioning for alternative donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with dyskeratosis congenita
Authors: Nishio Nobuhiro , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Ohashi Haruhiko , Doisaki Sayoko , Muramatsu Hideki , Hama Asahito , Shimada Akira , Yagasaki Hiroshi , Kojima Seiji
Published: December 2010

Nishio N, Takahashi Y, Ohashi H, Doisaki S, Muramatsu H, Hama A, Shimada A, Yagasaki H, Kojima S. Reduced‐intensity conditioning for alternative donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with dyskeratosis congenita. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15:161–166. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  DC is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome mainly characterized by nail dystrophy, abnormal skin pigmentation, and oral leukoplakia. Bone marrow failure is the most common cause of death in patients with DC. Because previous results of HSCT with a myeloablative regimen were disappointing, we used a reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen for two patients with classic DC, and one patient with cryptic DC who harbored the TERT mutation. Graft sources included two mismatched‐related bone marrow (BM) donors and one unrelated BM donor. Successful engraftment was achieved with few regimen‐related toxicities in all patients. They were alive 10, 66, and 72 months after transplantation, respectively. Long‐term follow‐up is crucial to determine the late effects of our conditioning regimen.
Relationships of non‐structural carbohydrates accumulation and translocation with yield formation in rice recombinant inbred lines under two nitrogen levels
Authors: Pan Junfeng , Cui Kehui , Wei Dong , Huang Jianliang , Xiang Jing , Nie Lixiao
Published: December 2010

Stem non‐structural carbohydrates (NSCs) and its relationship with yield formation was investigated under low nitrogen (LN) and normal nitrogen (NN) treatments, using 46 recombinant inbred lines from Zhenshan 97 × Minghui 63 (Oryza sativa). Apparent contribution of transferred NSC to grain yield (ACNSC) ranged from approximately 1 to 28% under LN and from 1 to 15% under NN. Concentration and total mass of NSC in stem (TMNSC) at heading, apparent transferred mass of NSC (ATMNSC) and ACNSC were larger under LN compared with NN. However, there was no significant difference in the apparent ratio of transferred NSC from stems to grain (ARNSC). ATMNSC was positively correlated with grain yield, 1000‐grain weight and ACNSC under both nitrogen levels, whereas ARNSC was highly correlated with harvest index and ACNSC. Leaf area contributed more strongly to grain yield compared with ATMNSC under both LN and NN. ATMNSC showed larger direct effects on grain yield under LN compared with NN. TMNSC at heading, small vascular bundles (SVBs) and spikelets per m2 under LN had positive direct effects on ATMNSC. SVB and spikelets per m2 under LN had larger and positive direct effects, and large vascular bundles had negative direct effects on ARNSC. TMNSC at heading and SVB under LN had positive direct effects on ACNSC. In brief, LN supply increased stem NSC accumulation and translocation to developing grain. Components of the source‐sink‐flow system showed different effects on NSC translocation and contribution to yield formation, depending on genotype and nitrogen level.