bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesoscale, cyclonic eddies as larval fish habitat along the southeast United States shelf: a Lagrangian description of the zooplankton community
Authors: Govoni J. J. , Hare J. A. , Davenport E. D. , Chen M. H. , Marancik K. E.
Published: December 2009

Govoni, J. J., Hare, J. A., Davenport, E. D., Chen, M. H., and Marancik, K. E. 2010. Mesoscale, cyclonic eddies as larval fish habitat along the southeast United States shelf: a Lagrangian description of the zooplankton community. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 403–411. The Charleston Gyre region is characterized by continuous series of cyclonic eddies that propagate northeastwards before decaying or coalescing with the Gulf Stream south of Cape Hatteras, NC, USA. Over 5 d, chlorophyll-a concentration, zooplankton displacement volume, and zooplankton composition and abundance changed as the eddy moved to the northeast. Surface chlorophyll-a concentration decreased, and zooplankton displacement remained unchanged as the eddy propagated. Zooplankton taxa known to be important dietary constituents of larval fish increased in concentration as the eddy propagated. The concurrent decrease in chlorophyll-a concentration and static zooplankton displacement volume can be explained by initial stimulation of chlorophyll-a concentration by upwelling and nutrient enrichment near the eddy core and to possible grazing as zooplankton with short generation times and large clutch sizes increased in concentration. The zooplankton community did not change significantly within the 5 d that the eddy was tracked, and there was no indication of succession. Mesoscale eddies of the region are dynamic habitats as eddies propagate northeastwards at varying speeds within monthly periods. The abundance of zooplankton important to the diets of larval fish indicates that the region can provide important pelagic nursery habitat for larval fish off the southeast coast of the United States. A month of feeding and growth is more than half the larval duration of most fish spawned over the continental shelf of the southeastern United States in winter.
Occurrence of four‐spinedGasterosteus aculeatusin an isolated Croatian river population
Authors: Zanella L. N. , Zanella D. , Mrakov^ić M. , Miletić M. , Mustafić P. , Ćaleta M.
Published: December 2009

An isolated population of the three‐spined sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatusin Croatia was found to have a high incidence of specimens either having a fourth dorsal spine or showing remnants of a fourth spine. Juvenile individuals showed a 9·4% incidence of a fourth spine. The population was examined for asymmetry of the skeletal defensive complex in order to determine whether the additional spine could be the result of developmental instability, a response to predation or environmental conditions.
Further refinement of the non‐invasive procedure for measuring steroid production in the male three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus
Authors: Sebire M. , Katsiadaki I. , Scott A. P.
Published: December 2009

Measurement of steroids that are released into the water via the gills has previously been shown to be an effective way of studying the reproductive endocrinology of the male three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus without having to kill the fish. In the present paper, a previous observation on the existence of a compound other than 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) in water, which cross‐reacted in the 11‐KT radioimmunoassay was repeated. The amounts of this compound, however, were not sufficient to warrant a separation step prior to carrying out assay. The lack of association between androstenedione levels in water and those in plasma was also confirmed. For the first time, the amounts of testosterone released into the water were shown to be positively correlated with the amounts in plasma, the sampling procedure (placing the fish for 30 min in 50 ml water) had no effect on the rate of release of cortisol but caused a rapid drop in the rate of release of 11‐KT (which means that the fish should not be sampled twice in short succession), physical interaction between two nesting males (which was accompanied by aggression) significantly increased the rate of release of 11‐KT, androstenedione and testosterone (but not of cortisol) and the rate of release of 11‐KT was at its maximum between 2 and 4 h after exposure.
Rapid ecological speciation in three‐spined sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatusfrom Middleton Island, Alaska: the roles of selection and geographic isolation
Authors: Gelmond O. , Von Hippel F. A. , Christy M. S.
Published: December 2009

Morphological analysis of three‐spined sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatuscollected in Middleton Island, Alaska, was conducted in order to study how gene flow and selection interact during divergence. Middleton Island was uplifted by 3·4 m during the Great Alaska Earthquake in 1964; this event formed a series of new freshwater sites, triggering rapid evolution, and probably rapid speciation, inG. aculeatuspopulations that colonized them. The level of hybridization between the anadromous and the resident freshwater populations is reflected by the level of morphological variance of the resident freshwaterG. aculeatus. Therefore, geographic isolation of the sites from the sea (approximating gene flow) and ionic concentration of the water (reflecting selection pressures) were correlated with morphological variance of the resident freshwater populations. Geographic isolation was negatively correlated with morphological variance in a majority of the analysed traits. Both selection and gene flow surrogates were found to be important influences on variance in morphology, though selection had a larger effect, especially on armour traits. It was concluded that gene flow appeared to constrain ecological speciation, but even in the presence of gene flow the strong selection in the freshwater environment was apparently leading to rapid divergence.
Antitumor and anti‐angiogenesis immunity induced by CR‐SEREX‐identified Xenopus RHAMM
Authors: Yang Han Shuo , Zhang Dong Mei , Deng Hong Xin , Peng Feng , Wei Yu Quan
Published: December 2009

Immunization with xenogeneic antigens is an attractive approach to induce cross‐reactive humoral and cellular immunity to inhibit tumor growth or angiogenesis. To identify novel xenogenic targets for immunotherapy, we have developed a modified serological expression cloning (SEREX) strategy, termed Cross‐reactive SEREX (CR‐SEREX). Among 78 positive clones identified by CR‐SEREX, Xenopus receptor for hyaluronic‐acid‐mediated motility (xRHAMM) was most frequently identified (18 times), indicating the strongest immunogenic potential for xenogenic immunotherapy. A DNA vaccine based on xRHAMM effectively induced a protective antitumor immunity against local tumor and lung metastasis in B16 melanoma mouse models. Angiogenesis was inhibited and cell apoptosis was increased within tumors. Antitumor activity of xRHAMM worked through stimulation of an antigen‐specific cellular response as well as through a specific humoral response against RHAMM, as confirmed by the depletion of immune cell subsets in vivo. Thus, a xenogenic vaccine based on xRHAMM induced an effective immunity against B16 melanoma cells and endothelial cells. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 862–868)
Dominant‐negative derivative of EBNA1 represses EBNA1‐mediated transforming gene expression during the acute phase of Epstein–Barr virus infection independent of rapid loss of viral genome
Authors: Kariya Yumi , Hamatake Makiko , Urano Emiko , Yoshiyama Hironori , Shimizu Norio , Komano Jun
Published: December 2009

The oncogenic human herpes virus, the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), expresses EBNA1 in almost all forms of viral latency. EBNA1 plays a major role in the maintenance of the viral genome and in the transactivation of viral transforming genes, including EBNA2 and latent membrane protein (LMP‐1). However, it is unknown whether inhibition of EBNA1 from the onset of EBV infection disrupts the establishment of EBV’s latency and transactivation of the viral oncogenes. To address this, we measured EBV infection kinetics in the B cell lines BALL‐1 and BJAB, which stably express a dominant‐negative EBNA1 (dnE1) fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). The EBV genome was surprisingly unstable 1 week post‐infection: the average loss rate of EBV DNA from GFP‐ and GFP‐dnE1‐expressing cells was 53.4% and 41.0% per cell generation, respectively, which was substantially higher than that of an ‘established’oriP replicon (2–4%). GFP‐dnE1 did not accelerate loss of the EBV genome, suggesting that EBNA1‐dependent licensing of the EBV genome occurs infrequently during the acute phase of EBV infection. In the subacute phase, establishment of EBV latency was completely blocked in GFP‐dnE1‐expressing cells. In contrast, C/W promoter‐driven transcription was strongly restricted in GFP‐dnE1‐expressing cells at 2 days post‐infection. These data suggest that inhibition of EBNA1 from the onset of EBV infection is effective in blocking the positive feedback loop in the transactivation of viral transforming genes, and in eradicating the EBV genome during the subacute phase. Our results suggest that gene transduction of GFP‐dnE1 could be a promising therapeutic and prophylactic approach toward EBV‐associated malignancies.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 876–881)
The role of oxysterol binding protein‐related protein 5 in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Ishikawa Shinji , Nagai Youhei , Masuda Toshirou , Koga Yoshikatsu , Nakamura Tadahiko , Imamura Yu , Takamori Hiroshi , Hirota Masahiko , Funakosi Akihiro , Fukushima Masakazu , Baba Hideo
Published: December 2009

The expression of oxysterol binding protein‐related protein (ORP) 5 is related to invasion and a poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. ORP5 induced the expression of sterol response element binding protein (SREBP) 2 and activated the downstream gene of sterol response element. ChIP using SREBP2 antibody revealed that histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) was one of the downstream genes of SREBP2. The effect of HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) were analyzed according to the expression level of ORP5. The invasion rate and growth was suppressed in cells that strongly expressed ORP5 in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, but had less effect in cells weakly expressing ORP5, suggesting that when the potential of invasion and growth relies on the cholesterol synthesis pathway, it becomes sensitive to HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor. Furthermore, HDAC inhibitor, tricostatin A, induced the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog as well when ORP5 was suppressed or the cells were treated with statin. Treatment with both statin and tricostatin A showed a synergistic antitumor effect in cells that highly expressed ORP5. Therefore, in some pancreatic cancers, continuous ORP5 expression enhances the cholesterol synthesis pathway and this signal transduction regulates phosphatase and tensin homolog through HDAC5 expression. This is the first report to detail how the signal transduction of cholesterol synthesis is related to cancer invasion and why statins can suppress invasion and growth.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 898–905)
Silencing of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine inhibits the growth of human melanoma cells with G1 arrest induction
Authors: Horie Kazutaka , Tsuchihara Masami , Nakatsura Tetsuya
Published: December 2009

The overexpression of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is associated with increased aggressiveness and poor prognosis in malignant melanoma. Its roles and underlying mechanisms on melanoma cell growth, however, are not fully clarified. To validate the potential of SPARC as a therapeutic target, we examined the effect of the knockdown of SPARC with SPARC‐specific siRNA on the growth of human melanoma cell lines. SPARC siRNAs exerted a potent knockdown effect. Silencing of SPARC resulted in growth inhibition with G1 arrest accompanied by accumulation of p21, a G1 cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, in MeWo and CRL1579 cells. Moreover, the induction of p53 was observed in MeWo cells, but not in CRL1579 cells. Conditioned media containing SPARC from MeWo cells could not restore the growth of SPARC‐silenced MeWo cells. This result suggests that intracellular SPARC, but not secreted SPARC, is involved in cell proliferation. In addition, silencing of SPARC induced apoptosis in MeWo and CRL1579 cells. Furthermore, when MeWo cells in which SPARC expression was transiently knocked down by SPARC siRNA were implanted in nude mice, the tumor growth was suppressed. Our findings suggest that SPARC contributes to cell growth and could be a potential target molecule for melanoma therapy.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 913–919)
Serial analysis of gene expression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: ADAMTS16 is upregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sakamoto Naoya , Oue Naohide , Noguchi Tsuyoshi , Sentani Kazuhiro , Anami Katsuhiro , Sanada Yuichi , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Yasui Wataru
Published: December 2009

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. To identify potential diagnostic markers for ESCC and therapeutic targets for ESCC, we used Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) on one ESCC sample. We obtained a total of 14 430 tags, including 5765 that were unique. By comparing SAGE tags from the ESCC sample with those from normal human squamous esophagus, we found several genes that were differentially expressed between ESCC and normal squamous esophagus. Among these, we focused on the ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 16 (ADAMTS16) gene because quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed a high level of ADAMTS16 expression in eight out of 20 ESCC samples (40%), but not in 15 kinds of normal tissues. Western blot analysis also showed upregulation of ADAMTS16 protein in ESCC tissues. Furthermore, ADAMTS16 protein was detected in culture media from the TE5 esophageal cancer cell line. Knockdown of ADAMTS16 in TE5 cells inhibited both cell growth and invasion ability. Our present SAGE data provide a list of genes potentially associated with ESCC. ADAMTS16 could be a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for ESCC.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1038–1044)
Employing participatory surveys to monitor the illegal killing of elephants across diverse land uses in Laikipia–Samburu, Kenya
Authors: Kahindi Onesmas , Wittemyer George , King Juliet , Ihwagi Festus , Omondi Patrick , Douglas‐Hamilton Iain
Published: December 2009

Levels and trends of illegal killing of elephants are measured by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) programme in sites across Africa and Asia. In the mostly unprotected Laikipia–Samburu MIKE site in northern Kenya, elephant mortality data were collected using both standard law enforcement monitoring procedures, relying on patrolling, and participatory methods involving local communities. Qualitatively, traditional patrolling techniques were more successful in protected areas whereas participatory approaches provided more information outside protected areas, where elephant were most at risk from ivory poachers. A minimum of 35% of the 389 verified carcasses during 2001–2003 were illegally killed. In this baseline study, land uses ranked from highest to lowest by the proportion of illegally killed elephants (PIKE) were community conservation areas, government trust lands, forest reserves, private ranches, settlement areas and national reserves. PIKE trends derived from traditional and participatory data sources were similar across years and indicate elephants were at greater risk in regions outside government or privately patrolled areas. We suggest that PIKE is a useful index for comparing levels and trends in illegal killing of elephants, and that carcass ratios and presence/absence of tusks are useful proxy indicators of mortality and its causes.
Goal‐setting in paediatric rehabilitation: perceptions of parents and professional
Authors: Øien I. , Fallang B. , Østensjø S.
Published: December 2009

Background  In paediatric rehabilitation, there is a belief in goal‐setting as a fundamental component of decision‐making that encourages collaboration and motivation, and improves outcomes. This study aimed to explore parents' and professionals' perceptions of setting and implementing goals within a family centred rehabilitation programme for preschoolers with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods  Parents and service providers of 13 preschoolers with CP, classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System level I‐III, participated in two‐step focus group interviews.

Results  Three major themes emerged, each with two subthemes: (1) ‘Goals enhance competence’ with the subthemes ‘parents as drivers’, and ‘awareness through observation’; (2) ‘Goals direct attention’ with the subthemes ‘goals as valuable means’ and ‘collaboration through participation’, and (3) ‘Goals enter everyday life’ with the subthemes ‘goals as activities’ and ‘training vs. everyday practise’. A fourth theme ‘child perspective’ with the subthemes ‘follow‐up initiative’, ‘capture mastery’, and ‘create learning opportunities’ was both an exclusive theme and integrated in the other three main themes.

Conclusions  Active involvement of parents throughout the process of setting and implementing goals seemed to increase their feeling of competency and partnership with professionals. Concrete goals based on families' preferences and concerns, participatory observation, and discussions with professionals, came out as valuable means for practice of functional tasks within home environments.
Concurrent validity of the parent‐completed Ages and Stages Questionnaires, 2nd Ed. with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II in a low‐risk sample
Authors: Gollenberg A. L. , Lynch C. D. , Jackson L. W. , McGuinness B. M. , Msall M. E.
Published: December 2009

Background  This study assessed the concurrent validity of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) compared with Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID II) amongst children aged 24 months.

Methods  Data were collected from 53 infants and mothers who participated in the New York State Angler Cohort Child Development Study. Parents completed the 24‐month ASQ to assess communication, personal‐social, problem‐solving ability, and fine and gross motor control. The BSID II was administered by a clinical psychologist at the 24‐month home visit for cognitive and psychomotor assessment. The ASQ was scored using age‐specific norms of <2 SDs below any domain mean to define failure. A BSID II score of <85 indicated mild or severe delay, while a score of <70 suggested a severe delay.

Results  Scores on the ASQ communication and personal‐social domains were moderately correlated with the BSID II Mental Scale (R= 0.52, P < 0.001; R= 0.45, P < 0.01) and ASQ gross motor with the BSID II Motor Scale (R= 0.46, P < 0.01), whereas ASQ problem‐solving and fine motor domains were not significantly correlated with BSID II scores. The ASQ had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 87% at 24 months (n= 40) for severely delayed status.

Conclusions  Results suggest the ASQs provide a simple, valid, and cost‐effective method for clinicians and field‐based researchers to reduce the number of standardized assessments required to identify developmentally delayed infants at age 24 months. Future studies should further assess the validity of the ASQs in larger, more diverse populations of infants.
Evaluation of methods for estimating soil carbon dioxide efflux across a gradient of forest disturbance
Authors: SULLIVAN B. W. , DORE S. , KOLB T. E. , HART S. C. , MONTES‐HELU M. C.
Published: December 2009

Better understanding of variation in soil carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux caused by measurement techniques is needed, especially over gradients of site disturbance, to accurately estimate the global carbon cycle. We present soil CO2efflux data from a gradient of disturbance to ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosaC. Lawson var.scopulorumEngelm.) forests in northern Arizona, USA that were obtained using four different techniques: vented static chambers, a Licor 6400‐09, and soil CO2diffusion profiles using two different models (Moldrup, Millington–Quirk) to estimate soil gas diffusivity. We also compared soil CO2efflux measured by the Moldrup and Millington–Quirk diffusion profile methods to nighttime total ecosystem respiration (TER) data from an eddy covariance tower. We addressed four questions: (1) Does the use of a given method to measure soil CO2efflux bias results across a disturbance gradient? (2) Does the magnitude of difference between observed and modeled estimates of soil CO2differ between methods and across sites? (3) What is the spatial variability of each method at each site? (4) Which method is closest to the estimate of TER measured by the eddy covariance tower? Although soil CO2efflux varied significantly among methods the differences were consistent among sites. Measured and modeled total growing season fluxes were generally higher for the Licor 6400‐09 and Millington–Quirk diffusion gradient methods compared with static chamber and the Moldrup diffusion gradient methods. A power analysis showed that the larger static chamber was the most efficient method at sampling spatial variation in soil CO2efflux. Nighttime measurements of soil CO2efflux from the Moldrup diffusion gradient method were most strongly related to nighttime TER assessed with eddy covariance. The use of a single, well‐implemented method to measure soil CO2efflux is unlikely to create bias in comparisons across a gradient of forest disturbance.
Effects of storm frequency on dune vegetation
Authors: GORNISH ELISE S. , MILLER THOMAS E.
Published: December 2009

In the Gulf of Mexico, barrier islands absorb the majority of wind and wave action from storms, which modifies their dune morphology and vegetation dynamics. Storm frequency is predicted to increase as a result of climate change, yet the effects of this change on coastal ecosystems remain poorly understood. Using estimates of plant growth in storm and nonstorm years from long‐term census data describing the dynamics of dune vegetation on St. George Island, FL, we built a first‐order model that predicts how dune communities will respond to a change in storm frequency. It predicts that an increasing frequency of storms will result in a change in the vegetation across the dunes. The fore‐ and interdune communities are predicted to become more similar to one another through the dominance of a small number of common storm‐resilient species. Alternatively, the backdune community is predicted to become more distinct through an increase in rare species that represent primary succession. Finally, the model predicts that many species will not respond to an increase in the number of storms per year in the same manner in which they respond to current storm frequency. This model is beneficial both for the development of more complex approaches to predicting effects of climate change and for informing preventative management techniques.
Estimating carbon carrying capacity in natural forest ecosystems across heterogeneous landscapes: addressing sources of error
Authors: KEITH HEATHER , MACKEY BRENDAN , BERRY SANDRA , LINDENMAYER DAVID , GIBBONS PHILIP
Published: December 2009

Evaluating contributions of forest ecosystems to climate change mitigation requires well‐calibrated carbon cycle models with quantified baseline carbon stocks. An appropriate baseline for carbon accounting of natural forests at landscape scales is carbon carrying capacity (CCC); defined as the mass of carbon stored in an ecosystem under prevailing environmental conditions and natural disturbance regimes but excluding anthropogenic disturbance. Carbon models require empirical measurements for input and calibration, such as net primary production (NPP) and total ecosystem carbon stock (equivalent to CCC at equilibrium). We sought to improve model calibration by addressing three sources of errors that cause uncertainty in carbon accounting across heterogeneous landscapes: (1) data‐model representation, (2) data‐object representation, (3) up‐scaling. We derived spatially explicit empirical models based on environmental variables across landscape scales to estimate NPP (based on a synthesis of global site data of NPP and gross primary productivity, n=27), and CCC (based on site data of carbon stocks in natural eucalypt forests of southeast Australia, n=284). The models significantly improved predictions, each accounting for 51% of the variance. Our methods to reduce uncertainty in baseline carbon stocks, such as using appropriate calibration data from sites with minimal human disturbance, measurements of large trees and incorporating environmental variability across the landscape, have generic application to other regions and ecosystem types. These analyses resulted in forest CCC in southeast Australia (mean total biomass of 360 t C ha−1, with cool moist temperate forests up to 1000 t C ha−1) that are larger than estimates from other national and international (average biome 202 t C ha−1) carbon accounting systems. Reducing uncertainty in estimates of carbon stocks in natural forests is important to allow accurate accounting for losses of carbon due to human activities and sequestration of carbon by forest growth.
Recent drought stress leads to growth reductions in Larix sibirica in the western Khentey, Mongolia
Authors: DULAMSUREN CHOIMAA , HAUCK MARKUS , LEUSCHNER CHRISTOPH
Published: December 2009

Trends in air temperature and precipitation in the forest‐steppe ecotone of the western Khentey, northern Mongolia were studied and related to stem increment and shoot water relations in Mongolia's most common tree species, Siberian larch (Larix sibirica). The area has been subject to a significant increase of summer temperature and a decrease of summer precipitation during the last 47 years. Tree‐ring width series from >400 larch trees show a strongly decreasing annual increment since the 1940s. The onset of this decrease is independent of the age of the trees and, therefore, can be attributed to the increasing aridity in the 20th century. Simultaneously to the declining annual increment, regeneration of Siberian larch decreased as well; today regeneration is virtually lacking in the larch forests on mountain slopes of the western Khentey. Measurements of shoot water potentials during the growing season exhibited daily minimum water potentials close to the point of zero turgor for extended periods. The drought stress indicated by these results is in line with the current low annual increment. Trees in the forest interior were more severely stressed and grow more slowly than trees at the forest line to steppe. This is attributable to the recent increase in aridity, as the stand density and probably also the trees themselves in the forest interior are adapted to moister conditions, whereas the trees at the forest edge have always been exposed to a more extreme microclimate. The progressing increase in aridity during the 21st century that is predicted for the western Khentey, suggests a future decline of larch forests. A widespread increase of aridity predicted for most parts of the Mongolian forest belt, suggests even a supra‐regional decline of larch.
Photodegradation leads to increased carbon dioxide losses from terrestrial organic matter
Authors: RUTLEDGE SUSANNA , CAMPBELL DAVID I. , BALDOCCHI DENNIS , SCHIPPER LOUIS A.
Published: December 2009

CO2 production in terrestrial ecosystems is generally assumed to be solely biologically driven while the role of abiotic processes has been largely overlooked. In addition to microbial decomposition, photodegradation – the direct breakdown of organic matter (OM) by solar irradiance – has been found to contribute to litter mass loss in dry ecosystems. Previous small‐scale studies have shown that litter degradation by irradiance is accompanied by emissions of CO2. However, the contribution of photodegradation to total CO2 losses at ecosystems scales is unknown. This study determined the proportion of the total CO2 losses caused by photodegradation in two ecosystems: a bare peatland in New Zealand and a seasonally dry grassland in California. The direct effect of solar irradiance on CO2 production was examined by comparing daytime CO2 fluxes measured using eddy covariance (EC) systems with simultaneous measurements made using an opaque chamber and the soil CO2 gradient technique, and with night‐time EC measurements under the same soil temperature and moisture conditions. In addition, a transparent chamber was used to directly measure CO2 fluxes from OM caused by solar irradiance. Photodegradation contributed 19% of the annual CO2 flux from the peatland and almost 60% of the dry season CO2 flux from the grassland, and up to 62% and 92% of the summer mid‐day CO2 fluxes, respectively. Our results suggest that photodegradation may be important in a wide range of ecosystems with exposed OM. Furthermore, the practice of partitioning daytime ecosystem CO2 exchange into its gross components by assuming that total daytime CO2 losses can be approximated using estimates of biological respiration alone may be in error. To obtain robust estimates of global ecosystem–atmosphere carbon transfers, the contribution of photodegradation to OM decomposition must be quantified for other ecosystems and the results incorporated into coupled carbon–climate models.
Range dynamics of small mammals along an elevational gradient over an 80‐year interval
Authors: ROWE REBECCA J. , FINARELLI JOHN A. , RICKART ERIC A.
Published: December 2009

One expected response to observed global warming is an upslope shift of species elevational ranges. Here, we document changes in the elevational distributions of the small mammals within the Ruby Mountains in northeastern Nevada over an 80‐year interval. We quantified range shifts by comparing distributional records from recent comprehensive field surveys (2006–2008) to earlier surveys (1927–1929) conducted at identical and nearby locations. Collector field notes from the historical surveys provided detailed trapping records and locality information, and museum specimens enabled confirmation of species' identifications. To ensure that observed shifts in range did not result from sampling bias, we employed a binomial likelihood model (introduced here) using likelihood ratios to calculate confidence intervals around observed range limits. Climate data indicate increases in both precipitation and summer maximum temperature between sampling periods. Increases in winter minimum temperatures were only evident at mid to high elevations. Consistent with predictions of change associated with climate warming, we document upslope range shifts for only two mesic‐adapted species. In contrast, no xeric‐adapted species expanded their ranges upslope. Rather, they showed either static distributions over time or downslope contraction or expansion. We attribute these unexpected findings to widespread land‐use driven habitat change at lower elevations. Failure to account for land‐use induced changes in both baseline assessments and in predicting shifts in species distributions may provide misleading objectives for conservation policies and management practices.
Plant functional group identity differentially affects leaf and root decomposition
Authors: McLAREN JENNIE R. , TURKINGTON ROY
Published: December 2009

Losses of species and changes in the composition of plant communities are likely to influence numerous ecosystem functions. Changes in the plant‐soil interactions that control decomposition, in particular, could alter carbon and nutrient cycling in soils and further alter other ecosystem functions. The effects of plant communities on decomposition may depend both on the type of tissue being decomposed and also on the different stages of the decomposition process. We used an experimental design where single plant functional groups were removed from a northern grassland to examine the role of plant identity in determining both short‐term and long‐term above‐ and belowground decomposition rates. Plant removals were conducted across fertilization and fungicide treatments to examine environmental context‐dependency of functional group identity effects on decomposition. There were significant effects of plant functional group identity on aboveground decomposition, with the loss of grasses and forbs slowing decomposition, whereas the effects on belowground decomposition were rare and transient. Effects of plant identity on decomposition were consistent in both short‐ and long‐term decomposition studies indicating that the influences of identity on the decomposition environment remained consistent throughout the different stages of the decomposition process. Both fertilizer and fungicide treatments affected overall decomposition rate, but there were few interactions between these treatments and plant removals. Although current species loss is likely to be happening in concert with environmental changes, the role a species plays in determining ecosystem functions such as decomposition may not be context‐dependent in these northern environments, and this may provide greater predictive power in determining the effects of species loss with changing environments. Further, as plant identity shows significant effects on litter decomposition rates, the effects of current and predicted future biodiversity losses may depend specifically on which species are lost.
Erectile dysfunction and hormonal imbalance in morbidly obese male is reversed after gastric bypass surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Reis L. O. , Favaro W. J. , Barreiro G. C. , De Oliveira L. C. , Chaim E. A. , Fregonesi A. , Ferreira U.
Published: December 2009

The effects of weight loss on erectile function and hormones have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to measure the degree to which sexual function and in particular erectile function and hormonal environment change after substantial weight loss, surgically and non‐surgically induced in the morbidly obese male in a prospective randomized long‐term controlled trial. Furthermore, how surgery makes a difference when treating morbidly obese men was envisaged in this context. We prospectively studied 20 morbidly obese men for 24 months, divided into two groups: group A included 10 patients who underwent life style modifications (exercise and diet) for 4 months and subsequently gastric bypass, and another 10 patients in group B were kept on weekly follow‐up. None of the men were taking phosphodiesterase type‐5 inhibitors. All patients underwent International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)‐5 questionnaire, serum oestradiol, prolactin (PRL), luteinizing (LH) and follicle‐stimulating (FSH) hormones, free and total testosterone (FT and TT) at baseline (time 0), surgery – 4 months latter baseline (time 1) and final evaluation – 24 months (time 2). From times 0 to 1, group A presented a mean body mass index (BMI) reduction of 12.6 (p < 0.0001), whereas group B, 2.1 (p > 0.05). The BMI reductions between times 0 and 2 were 24.7 (p < 0.0001) and 0.7 (p > 0.05) for groups A and B respectively. BMI average between the two groups was similar at time 0 (p = 0.2142), and different at times 1 (p = 0.0033) and 2 (p < 0.0006). Increase in IIEF‐5 score (p = 0.0469), TT (p = 0.0349) and FSH levels (p = 0.0025), and reduction in PRL level (p < 0.0001) were observed in group A from times 0 to 2 and 1 to 2. There were no changes from times 0 to 1. Comparing groups A and B at time 2, IIEF‐5, TT and FT increased significantly in group A (p = 0.0224, 0.0043 and 0.0149 respectively). Surgery‐induced weight loss increased erectile function quality measured by IIEF‐5 questionnaire, increased TT, FT and FSH and reduced PRL levels. The hormonal impact verified could justify the improvement in erectile function. Lifestyle modifications impacted BMI without hormonal or sexual impact in morbidly obese. New studies are warranted in the field to support our data.
Bacillus subtilis ribonucleases J1 and J2 form a complex with altered enzyme behaviour
Authors: Mathy Nathalie , Hébert Agnès , Mervelet Peggy , Bénard Lionel , Dorléans Audrey , Li de la Sierra‐Gallay Inés , Noirot Philippe , Putzer Harald , Condon Ciarán
Published: December 2009

Ribonucleases J1 and J2 are recently discovered enzymes with dual 5′‐to‐3′ exoribonucleolytic/endoribonucleolytic activity that plays a key role in the maturation and degradation of Bacillus subtilis RNAs. RNase J1 is essential, while its paralogue RNase J2 is not. Up to now, it had generally been assumed that the two enzymes functioned independently. Here we present evidence that RNases J1 and J2 form a complex that is likely to be the predominant form of these enzymes in wild‐type cells. While both RNase J1 and the RNase J1/J2 complex have robust 5′‐to‐3′ exoribonuclease activity in vitro, RNase J2 has at least two orders of magnitude weaker exonuclease activity, providing a possible explanation for why RNase J1 is essential. The association of the two proteins also has an effect on the endoribonucleolytic properties of RNases J1 and J2. While the individual enzymes have similar endonucleolytic cleavage activities and specificities, as a complex they behave synergistically to alter cleavage site preference and to increase cleavage efficiency at specific sites. These observations dramatically change our perception of how these ribonucleases function and provide an interesting example of enzyme subfunctionalization after gene duplication.
An integrated regulatory network including two positive feedback loops to modulate the activity of σE in mycobacteria
Authors: Manganelli Riccardo , Provvedi Roberta
Published: December 2009

σE, one of the best characterized mycobacterial extracytoplasmic function sigma factors, is involved in virulence, surface stress response and modulation of the inflammatory response during infection. The regulation of its activity is very complex and involves transcriptional, translational and post‐translational control. Post‐translational regulation is controlled by RseA, an anti‐σ factor belonging to the zinc‐associated anti‐σ factor family. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Barik et al. demonstrate that RseA is a redox‐sensing protein that is able to bind σE only in reducing environment. Importantly, they describe a novel positive feedback loop responsible for σE release and activation following surface stress, due to ClpC1P2‐dependent proteolytic degradation of RseA, depending on its phosphorylation by the eukaryotic‐like Ser/Thr protein kinase PknB.
The ribonucleases J1 and J2 are essential for growth and have independent roles in mRNA decay in Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Bugrysheva Julia V. , Scott June R.
Published: December 2009

The paralogous ribonucleases J1 and J2, recently identified in Bacillus subtilis, have both endoribonucleolytic and 5′‐to‐3′ exoribonucleolytic activities and participate in degradation and regulatory processing of mRNA. RNases J1 and J2 have partially overlapping target specificities, but only RNase J1 is essential for B. subtilis growth. Because mRNA decay is important in regulation of virulence factors of Streptococcus pyogenes (the group A streptococcus, GAS), we investigated the role of these newly described RNases in GAS. We found that conditional mutants for both RNases J1 and J2 require induction for growth, so we conclude that, unlike the case in B. subtilis, both of these RNases are essential for GAS growth, and therefore their functions are not redundant. We compared decay of representatives of the two classes of messages we had previously identified: Class I, which decay rapidly in exponential and stationary phase of growth (hasA and gyrA), and Class II, which are stable in stationary phase and exhibit a biphasic decay curve in exponential phase (sagA and sda). We report that RNases J1 and J2 affect the rate of decay of Class I messages and the length of the first phase in decay of Class II messages.
Deletion of dop in Mycobacterium smegmatis abolishes pupylation of protein substrates in vivo
Authors: Imkamp Frank , Rosenberger Tobias , Striebel Frank , Keller Peter M. , Amstutz Beat , Sander Peter , Weber‐Ban Eilika
Published: December 2009

Proteasome‐bearing bacteria make use of a ubiquitin‐like modification pathway to target proteins for proteasomal turnover. In a process termed pupylation, proteasomal substrates are covalently modified with the small protein Pup that serves as a degradation signal. Pup is attached to substrate proteins by action of PafA. Prior to its attachment, Pup needs to undergo deamidation at its C‐terminal residue, converting glutamine to glutamate. This step is catalysed in vitro by Dop. In order to characterize Dop activity in vivo, we generated a dop deletion mutant in Mycobacterium smegmatis. In the Δdop strain, pupylation is severely impaired and the steady‐state levels of two known proteasomal substrates are drastically increased. Pupylation can be re‐established by complementing the mutant with either DopWt or a Pup variant carrying a glutamate at its ultimate C‐terminal position (PupGGE). Our data show that Pup is deamidated by Dop in vivo and that likely Dop alone is responsible for this activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a putative N‐terminal ATP‐binding motif is crucial for catalysis, as a single point mutation (E10A) in this motif abolishes Dop activity both in vivo and in vitro.
Overlapping repressor binding sites regulate expression of the Methanococcus maripaludis glnK1 operon
Authors: Lie Thomas J. , Hendrickson Erik L. , Niess Ulf M. , Moore Brian C. , Haydock Andrew K. , Leigh John A.
Published: December 2009

The euryarchaeal transcriptional repressor NrpR regulates a variety of nitrogen assimilation genes by 2‐oxoglutarate‐reversible binding to conserved palindromic operators. The number and positioning of these operators varies among promoter regions of regulated genes, suggesting NrpR can bind in different patterns. Particularly intriguing is the contrast between the nif and glnK1 promoter regions of Methanococcus maripaludis, where two operators are present but with different configurations. Here we study NrpR binding and regulation at the glnK1 promoter, where the two operator sequences overlap and occur on opposite faces of the double helix. We find that both operators function in binding, with a dimer of NrpR binding simultaneously to each overlapping operator. We show in vivo that the first operator plays a primary role in regulation and the second operator plays an enhancing role. This is the first demonstration of overlapping operators functioning in Archaea.
The prevalence of red cell antigens and antibodies in Malawi
Authors: M'baya B. , Mfune T. , Mogombo E. , Mphalalo A. , Ndhlovu D. , Knight R. C.
Published: December 2009

As there were no reliable data in Malawi for the prevalence of red cell alloantibodies or antigens in the population, a study was conducted to screen 1000 patients for the presence of antibodies and to type them for ABO, RhD, C, c, E, e and K antigens and to test 500 donors for these antigens plus Fya, Fyb, Jka, Jkb, S and s.

Red cell antibodies were identified in 11 patients [1.1%]; 2 were anti‐D, 2 anti‐S, 1 anti‐Lea+b and 6 anti‐M, 4 of which were found in non‐transfused males suggesting they might be naturally acquired.

The antigen frequencies found were similar to those previously published for Central Africa but 98.2% of donors were found to be Fy(a‐b‐). All patients tested were K negative and only three donors were found to be K positive, one being a Caucasian. Approximately 3.5% of Malawians are D negative, lower than the usual 8% quoted for Black Africans.

These data confirm the assumption that pre‐transfusion antibody screening is not currently required but that use of the indirect antiglobulin test in the cross‐match is necessary. Haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) appears to be rare, or under reported, in Malawi, and more work is needed to find the real incidence of this condition.
Treatment of canine generalized demodicosis with a ‘spot‐on’ formulation containing 10% moxidectin and 2.5% imidacloprid (Advocate®, Bayer Healthcare)
Authors: Mueller Ralf S. , Meyer Daniela , Bensignor Emmanuel , Sauter‐Louis Carola
Published: December 2009

In this multicentre study, the efficacy of a spot‐on formulation containing 10% imidacloprid and 2.5% moxidectin (Advocate®, Bayer HealthCare) was evaluated for the treatment of dogs with generalized demodicosis. The spot‐on was applied every 2 weeks. Secondary bacterial infections were diagnosed by clinical examination, cytology and bacterial culture as appropriate and treated with oral antibiotics. Improvement or deterioration was determined monthly by clinical scores and by assessing mite numbers on microscopy of skin scrapings. Seventy‐two dogs were included in the study. Fifty‐two dogs had juvenile‐onset demodicosis (mean of 11 months, range 2–24 months) and 20 dogs were adults at onset of disease (mean of 8.6 years, range 3.5–14 years). Twenty‐six dogs went into remission, three with adult‐onset demodicosis, 23 with juvenile‐onset. The latter group showed significantly higher remission rates (P = 0.0252). Time until remission varied from 4 to 32 weeks (mean of 12.5 weeks). Dogs with a clinical score of <45 at the beginning of the study showed a significantly better response to the treatment (P = 0.0004), with a remission rate of 71%. In contrast, only 24% of those dogs with a score >45 went into remission. Adverse effects were not observed. One of the dogs responding to treatment showed recurrence of the disease during a follow‐up period of 12 months. This study shows a better success rate of Advocate®in dogs with mild clinical signs, versus those with moderate to severe clinical signs.
Unravelling the skin barrier: a new paradigm for atopic dermatitis and house dust mites
Authors: Marsella Rosanna , Samuelson Don
Published: December 2009

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease caused by complex interactions between genetics and environmental factors. In human beings, impairment of the skin barrier is demonstrated and thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens and increased risk for allergic sensitization. Once inflammation is triggered, further impairment of the skin barrier occurs, leading to self‐perpetuating cycles of sensitizations. Canine AD appears to share many similarities with the human counterpart, clinically and immunologically. It is hypothesized that a primary defect of skin barrier function also exists in subsets of atopic dogs (e.g. in an experimental model using high IgE‐producing beagles), particularly in young dogs, and in sites predisposed to the development of lesions. This impairment is present in clinically normal skin, worsens with development of lesions and can be quantified by measurement of transepidermal water loss. Therefore, the distribution of lesions in AD may be linked to a primary skin barrier defect in those sites and not simply due to contact with allergens, and increased susceptibility to penetration of allergen may exist early in life. Ultrastructurally, transmission electron microscopy reveals that clinically normal skin in atopic dogs has abnormalities in lamellar body secretion and extracellular lamellar bilayer structure when compared with normal dogs. Development of lesions worsens these changes (e.g. widening of intercellular spaces, release of lamellar bodies, and disorganization of lipid lamellae). It is proposed that the paradigm of canine AD as primarily due to immunologic aberration (‘inside/outside’) should be shifted to include a primary defect in barrier function (‘outside/inside’).