bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomy and Mechanical and Hydraulic Needs of Woody Climbers Contrasted with Subshrubs on the Island of Cyprus
Authors: Crivellaro Alan , McCulloh Katherine , Andrew Jones F. , Lachenbruch Barbara
Published: March 2013

Climbers and self-supporting woody plants have different constraints on their stems. Although plants of both growth forms need wood that functions mechanically and hydraulically, climbers have a lower need for mechanical self-support and an elevated need for hydraulic conductance to enable longer-distance water transport. We sampled all the woody climbers (10 species) and most of the woody subshrubs (25 species) of the island of Cyprus in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, to characterize their vessel and fiber anatomies relative to hydraulic and mechanical function. Consistent with their lower need for self-support, on average the climbers had lower wood density than did the subshrubs (0.44 g/cm3 ± 0.15 vs. 0.59 g/cm3 ± 0.20, means ± s.d.) and had a lower proportion of their cross section devoted to fibers (29% ± 11 vs. 49% ± 15). Consistent with climbers’ need for higher hydraulic conductance and total plant height, climbers had vessel sizes and frequencies closer to the theoretical packing limit than did subshrubs. Lastly, we grouped species within a growth form by site water availability (dry vs. wet site), site temperature (cold vs. hot site), site water equability (low vs. high), and xylem ring porosity (ring porous, semi-ring porous or diffuse porous). Climbers had different vessel lumen diameters or vessel frequencies for six of these eight groupings, whereas subshrubs showed no such differences, illustrating the wide variation in climber wood structure compared to the relatively conservative anatomy of the subshrubs.
Wood anatomy and technological properties of an endangered species: Picconia Azorica (Oleaceae)
Authors: Ferreira Raquel Caetano , Monaco Angela Lo , Picchio Rodolfo , Schirone Avra , Vessella Federico , Schirone Bartolomeo
Published: March 2013

Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl. is an Azorean endemic species of the Oleaceae, exploited over centuries and recently classified as endangered. It suffers from reduction and fragmentation of its habitat, and from competition with exotic species. Wood anatomy was examined and compared with Picconia excelsa, enhancing our knowledge about the genus Picconia which contains only these two species. Macroscopic and technological characterizations by colour, pH, wood density, compression and bending strengths, shrinkages, static quality factor, ash content and Higher Heating Value were investigated and compared with other Oleaceae and other hardwoods. At the anatomical level, P. azorica does not differ from P. excelsa, except for the number of vessels and rays per mm2 and the ray type. The technological features support the profitable use of P. azorica for the furniture industry instead of biomass production. Because of its valuable wood, P. azorica might be reconsidered and its properties emphasized to combat the species’ decline and to encourage the restoration of its habitat.
Screening various variables of Cellular Anatomy of Scots pines in Subarctic Finland for Climatic Signals
Authors: Seo Jeong-Wook , Eckstein Dieter , Jalkanen Risto
Published: March 2013

This exploratory study on Scots pine in subarctic Finland was aimed at identifying the climatic signal(s) ‘archived’ in cellular anatomy and tree-ring variables, such as diameter and wall thickness of tracheids, or early- and latewood width, respectively. For this purpose, these variables were measured in increment cores year by year from 1961–2008 and compared to each other. According to the low values of some statistical descriptors (e.g., expressed population signal and mean sensitivity) the cell-anatomical variables could, in fact, not be expected to be useful climatic proxies. Nevertheless, they turned out to significantly reflect other climatic signals than the tree-ring variables did. The tree-ring variables responded positively to temperature in July and August, whereas the cell-anatomical variables responded positively to temperature in December and January, prior to the growing season. These encouraging findings provide a strong rationale for further studies, and for enlarging the statistical sample size.
Microfibril Angle Distribution of Poplar Tension Wood
Authors: Lautner Silke , Zollfrank Cordt , Fromm Jörg
Published: March 2013

Tension wood of poplar (Populus nigra) branches was studied by lightand electron microscopy. The characteristic features of tension wood such as wider growth rings, reduced vessel density and higher gross density were confirmed by our results. Based on a novel combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and image analysis, involving Fourier transformation, the orientation of cellulose microfibrils in the S2- and G-layer was determined. Within the G-layer microfibril angle (MFA) was parallel to the growth axis (0°). However, in the S2 it was 13° in tension wood fibres and 4° in normal wood fibres. With the exception of the relatively low fibril angle in the S2 of tension wood fibres (13°) the results are in good agreement with those of the literature.
Microtome Sectionioning of small plant stems without Embedding
Authors: Schweingruber Fritz H.
Published: March 2013

A user-friendly and rapid technique is described and illustrated to produce high-quality sections of small plant stems, such as those of Arabidopsis, without embedding.
Two new species of Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae) from Subtropical Highland Grasslands of Southern Brazil
Authors: AITA ADRIANA M. , CHAUVEAU OLIVIER , SOUZA-CHIES TATIANA T. , EGGERS LILIAN
Published: March 2013

Sisyrinchium antemeridianum and S. flabellatum are two new species of Sisyrinchium sect. Hydastylus that occur in the high altitude grasslands of Southern Brazil, in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Sisyrinchium antemeridianum can be distinguished from similar species by the conspicuous rhizome with remnants of old leaves and flowers with larger tepals and longer, connate filaments. Sisyrinchium flabellatum has a distinctive equitant phyllotaxis and a lax inflorescence of numerous flowers with small, typically reflexed tepals. Both species are endemic to the Highlands of Southern Brazil. Morphological descriptions, illustrations and ecological information for both plants are presented.
An annotated checklist of parasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from the Galápagos Islands
Authors: PALMA RICARDO L. , PECK STEWART B.
Published: March 2013

We list all described species and subspecies of parasitic lice from theGalápagos Islands, based on literature and specimen records. A total of eight families, 47 genera, and 104 species and subspecies of parasitic lice are listed, of which 26 are new species records and eight are new genus records. Also, we report 17 new host-louse associations. The checklist includes 17 endemic species (16 from birds, one from a mammal), 79 native species and subspecies (78 from birds, one from a mammal), and eight species and subspecies (five from birds, three from mammals) introduced by human agency. Nine species assigned in error to theGalápagos Islandsin the literature are discussed and deleted from the fauna. For each valid species and subspecies we give information on its taxonomic history, type material, host associations, geographic distribution, biogeographical status, systematic relationships, and relevant literature references. We also give a brief summary of louse biology, and an account of the history of louse collecting, expeditions, collections, and research relating toGalápagos Islandslice. We include a host-parasite list, and a list of hosts which breed in theGalápagos Islandsbut without lice recorded from them. Also, we formally designate four lectotypes from the Kellogg Collection.
New glass sponges (Porifera: Hexactinellida) from deep waters of the central Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Authors: REISWIG HENRY M. , STONE ROBERT P.
Published: March 2013

Hexactinellida from deep-water communities of the central Aleutian Islands, Alaska, are described. They were mostly collected by the remotely operated vehicle 'Jason II' from 494–2311 m depths during a 2004 RV 'Roger Revelle' expedition, but one shallow-water species collected with a shrimp trawl from 155 m in the same area is included. The excellent condition of the ROV-collected specimens enabled valuable redescription of some species previously known only from badly damaged specimens. New taxa include one new genus and eight new species in five families. Farreidae consist of two new species, Farrea aleutiana and F. aspondyla. Euretidae consists of only Pinulasma fistulosum n. gen., n. sp. Tretodictyidae include only Tretodictyum amchitkensis n. sp. Euplectellidae consists of only the widespread species Regadrella okinoseana Ijima, reported here over 3,700 km from its closest previously known occurrence. The most diverse family, Rossellidae, consists of Aulosaccus ijimai (Schulze), Aulosaccus schulzei Ijima, Bathydorus sp. (young stage not determinable to species), Caulophacus (Caulophacus) adakensis n. sp., Acanthascus koltuni n. sp., Staurocalyptus psilosus n. sp., Staurocalyptus tylotus n. sp. and Rhabdocalyptus mirabilis Schulze. We present argument for reinstatement of the abolished rossellid subfamily Acanthascinae and return of the subgenera Staurocalyptus Ijima and Rhabdocalyptus Schulze to their previous generic status. These fauna provides important complexity to the hard substrate communities that likely serve as nursery areas for the young stages of commercially important fish and crab species, refuge from predation for both young and adult stages, and also as a focal source of prey for juvenile and adult stages of those same species.
The Eurasian species of Xyela (Hymenoptera, Xyelidae): taxonomy, host plants and distribution
Authors: BLANK STEPHAN M. , SHINOHARA AKIHIKO , ALTENHOFER EWALD
Published: March 2013

The 28 Eurasian species of Xyela Dalman, 1819 are revised based on material of ca 7,500 imagines including about 10 % reared specimens. Larvae of Eurasian Xyela usually are monophagous and feed inside the staminate cones of pines (Pinus spp., Pinaceae). Based on the reared material, on identification by barcoding and on additional collection observations, the larval host associations for the Xyela species are summarized and additional biological observations are noted. An illustrated key to the species and distribution maps are presented. Eight species are described as new: X. altenhoferi Blank, sp. nov. (Croatia), X. heldreichii Blank, sp. nov. (Albania, Greece), X. koraiensis Blank & Shinohara, sp. nov. (Russia, South Korea), X. peuce Blank, sp. nov. (Bulgaria), X. pumilae Blank & Shinohara, sp. nov. (Japan), X. rasnitsyni Blank & Shinohara, sp. nov. (China, Russia, South Korea), X. sibiricae Blank, sp. nov. (Mongolia, Russia), and X. uncinatae Blank, sp. nov. (Andorra, France, Spain, Switzerland). For the other species redescriptions are given. A lectotype is designated for X. longula Dalman, 1819, and neotypes are designated for X. graeca J.P.E.F. Stein, 1876 and Pinicola julii Brébisson, 1818. The following new synonymies are proposed: X. lii Xiao, 1988, syn. nov. of X. sinicola Maa, 1947; X. nigroabscondita Haris & Gyurkovics, 2011, syn. nov. of X. lugdunensis (Berland, 1943); and X. suwonae Ryu & Lee, 1992, syn. nov. of X. ussuriensis Rasnitsyn, 1965.
A Meteorological Analysis of Important Contributors to the 1999–2005 Canadian Prairie Drought
Authors: Hryciw Lisa M. , Atallah Eyad H. , Milrad Shawn M. , Gyakum John R.
Published: March 2013

Drought is a complex natural hazard that is endemic to the Canadian prairies. The 1999–2005 Canadian prairie drought, which had great socioeconomic impacts, was meteorologically unique in that it did not conform to the traditional persistent positive Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern and west coast ridging paradigm normally associated with prairie drought. The purpose of this study is to diagnose the unique synoptic-scale mechanisms responsible for modulating subsidence during this drought. Using 30-day running means of the percent of normal precipitation from station data, key severe dry periods during 1999–2005 are identified. Analysis of the mean fields from reanalysis data shows that these dry events can be grouped into three upper-level flow categories: amplified warm, amplified cold, and zonal. Amplified warm cases match the traditional ridging paradigm, while amplified cold and zonal cases elucidate the fact that cold-air advection and downsloping flow, respectively, can also be important subsidence mechanisms during a Canadian prairie drought. In all, the 1999–2005 drought was more meteorologically complex on the synoptic scale than previous historic prairie droughts. Finally, a brief historical perspective shows that the drought was centered in 2001–02 and was not as severe as historical droughts, suggesting that societal vulnerability also played a substantial role in the impacts of the 1999–2005 drought.
On Mass Conservation in High-Order High-Resolution Rigorous Remapping Schemes on the Sphere
Authors: Erath Christoph , Lauritzen Peter H. , Tufo Henry M.
Published: March 2013

It is the purpose of this short article to analyze mass conservation in high-order rigorous remapping schemes, which contrary to flux-based methods, relies on elaborate integral constraints over overlap areas and reconstruction functions. For applications on the sphere these integral constraints may be violated primarily as a result of inexact or ill-conditioned integration and the authors propose a generic, local, and multitracer efficient method that guarantees that the integral constraints are satisfied in discrete space irrespective of the accuracy of the numerical integration method and slight inaccuracies in the computation of overlap areas. The authors refer to this method as enforcement of consistency as it is based on integral constraints valid in continuous space. The consistency enforcement method is illustrated in idealized transport tests with the Conservative Semi-Lagrangian Multitracer scheme (CSLAM) in the High Order Method Modeling Environment (HOMME) where the analytic integrals, which were found to be ill conditioned at certain resolutions and flow conditions, have been replaced with robust quadrature. This violates mass conservation; however, with the consistency enforcement method, mass conservation is inherent even with low-order quadrature and renders rigorous remap schemes such as CSLAM (which was previously limited to gnomonic cubed-sphere grids) mass conservative on any spherical grid.
Explaining differences in ministerial ménages à trois: multiple bargains in Belgium and Denmark
Authors: de Visscher Christian , Salomonsen Heidi Houlberg
Published: March 2013

While special advisers play an important role in most Western governments, the research on the subject is limited. This article aims to explain variations in the ménage à trois relationships between ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers in two different politico-administrative systems. The theoretical starting point is to conceptualize and explain such trilateral relationships as multiple Public Service Bargains. We find that the differences in Public Service Bargains generate differences in these ménages à trois relationships, resulting in different types of functional differentiation as well as differences in the degree of cooperation vis-à-vis conflict. These differences are primarily the result of differences in the interests as well as formal, institutional rules and the competencies of the actors involved. The empirical data include documents as well as interviews with and questionnaires completed by senior civil servants. The countries compared are Belgium and Denmark.

Points for practitioners

Our study confirms that it is important for a ‘ménage à trois’ (ministers, special advisers, SCSs) ‘… to spell out the terms of the bargain applying to political advisers (…)’ ( Hood and Lodge, 2006 : 128) in order to regulate the relationship between special advisers and SCSs and avoid potential conflicts among them. In addition, the study shows that the number of political appointments plays a role in the relationship. Finally, the study shows that clear differences in the competencies brought to the bargain by the two types of agent may ensure cooperation and mutual respect, whereas an overlapping of competencies may cause rivalry.
More, More, More
Authors: Burris Christopher T. , Rempel John K. , Munteanu Armand R. , Therrien Patrick A.
Published: March 2013

Self-expansion without regard for others’ well-being may represent the dark side of an otherwise healthy motive. Guided by Amoebic Self-Theory (AST), we developed the Engulfing Self Scale (ESS) to measure acquisitive tendencies across AST’s three domains of the self. Four studies revealed that bodily engulfment appeared generally benign, and that the problematic aspects of social engulfment were generally restricted to interpersonal contexts. Spatial-symbolic engulfment motivation was linked to a breadth of problematic indices such as psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychological entitlement, social dominance orientation, economic system justification, greed, and valuation of power. It also predicted reluctance to expose a cheating group leader when doing so would threaten one’s own positive outcomes, greater justification of a looter’s behavior when prompted take his or her perspective, and greater justification of self-serving reward allocations after defeating an ostensible competitor. Spatial-symbolic engulfment may be a motivational fountainhead for behaviors that negate others’ well-being.
Agency and Facial Emotion Judgment in Context
Authors: Ito Kenichi , Masuda Takahiko , Man Wai Li Liman
Published: March 2013

Past research showed that East Asians’ belief in holism was expressed as their tendencies to include background facial emotions into the evaluation of target faces more than North Americans. However, this pattern can be interpreted as North Americans’ tendency to downplay background facial emotions due to their conceptualization of facial emotion as volitional expression of internal states. Examining this alternative explanation, we investigated whether different types of contextual information produce varying degrees of effect on one’s face evaluation across cultures. In three studies, European Canadians and East Asians rated the intensity of target facial emotions surrounded with either affectively salient landscape sceneries or background facial emotions. The results showed that, although affectively salient landscapes influenced the judgment of both cultural groups, only European Canadians downplayed the background facial emotions. The role of agency as differently conceptualized across cultures and multilayered systems of cultural meanings are discussed.
Revolution in the Event: The Problem of Kairós
Authors: Boer Roland
Published: March 2013

This article undertakes a dual task. The first is to argue that the various positions of major Marxist thinkers on revolution may be gathered under the common framework of kairós, understood as a resolutely temporal term relating to the critical time, the opportune moment that appears unexpectedly and must be seized. The second task is to question the nature of kairós in terms of its biblical, class and economic residues. An investigation of the use of the term in classical Greece reveals that it refers to both time and place, designating primarily what is in the right time and correct place. Given the class identifications of the Greek writers who deal with kairós and their subtle defences of their propertied, ruling class status, the term becomes problematic in light of these associations that trail behind it. In response, I seek to develop the political implications of the true opposite of kairós, namely ákairos, what is ill-timed and in the wrong place.
Surveying the Moral Landscape
Authors: Janoff-Bulman Ronnie , Carnes Nate C.
Published: March 2013

We present a new six-cell Model of Moral Motives that applies a fundamental motivational distinction in psychology to the moral domain. In addition to moral motives focused on the self or another, we propose two group-based moralities, both communal in orientation, but reflecting distinct moral motives (Social Order/Communal Solidarity vs. Social Justice/Communal Responsibility) as well as differences in construals of group entitativity. The two group-based moralities have implications for intragroup homogeneity as well as intergroup conflict. Our model challenges the conclusions of Haidt and colleagues that only conservatives (not liberals) are group oriented and embrace a binding morality. We explore the implications of this new model for politics in particular and for the self-regulation versus social regulation of morality more generally.
Intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms contribute to maintain the JAK/STAT pathway aberrantly activated in T-type large granular lymphocyte leukemia
Authors: Teramo Antonella , Gattazzo Cristina , Passeri Francesca , Lico Albana , Tasca Giulia , Cabrelle Anna , Martini Veronica , Frezzato Federica , Trimarco Valentina , Ave Elisa , Boscaro Elisa , Piazza Francesco , Facco Monica , Trentin Livio , Semenzato Gianpietro , Zambello Renato
Published: March 2013

Key Points

In T-LGLL, autologous LGL-depleted PBMCs release high levels of IL-6 contributing to the constitutive STAT3 activation in leukemic LGL. Leukemic LGLs show SOCS3 down-modulation, which is responsible for lack of the negative feedback mechanism controlling STAT3 activation.
The dimeric structure of factor XI and zymogen activation
Authors: Geng Yipeng , Verhamme Ingrid M. , Smith Stephen B. , Sun Mao-fu , Matafonov Anton , Cheng Qiufang , Smith Stephanie A. , Morrissey James H. , Gailani David
Published: March 2013

Key Points

FXI must be a dimer for normal activation by fXIIa but not for activation by thrombin or autoactivation. Poly-P is a cofactor for activation of coagulation fXI by fXIIa and thrombin and supports fXI autoactivation.
Consistency of linkage disequilibrium between Chinese and Nordic Holsteins and genomic prediction for Chinese Holsteins using a joint reference population
Authors: Zhou Lei , Ding Xiangdong , Zhang Qin , Wang Yachun , Lund Mogens S , Su Guosheng
Published: March 2013

Background

In China, the reference population of genotyped Holstein cattle is relatively small with to date, 80 bulls and 2091 cows genotyped with the Illumina 54 K chip. Including genotyped Holstein cattle from other countries in the reference population could improve the accuracy of genomic prediction of the Chinese Holstein population. This study investigated the consistency of linkage disequilibrium between adjacent markers between the Chinese and Nordic Holstein populations, and compared the reliability of genomic predictions based on the Chinese reference population only or the combined Chinese and Nordic reference populations.

Methods

Genomic estimated breeding values of Chinese Holstein cattle were predicted using a single-trait GBLUP model based on the Chinese reference dataset, and using a two-trait GBLUP model based on a joint reference dataset that included both the Chinese and Nordic Holstein data.

Results

The extent of linkage disequilibrium was similar in the Chinese and Nordic Holstein populations and the consistency of linkage disequilibrium between the two populations was very high, with a correlation of 0.97. Genomic prediction using the joint versus the Chinese reference dataset increased reliabilities of genomic predictions of Chinese Holstein bulls in the test data from 0.22, 0.15 and 0.11 to 0.51, 0.47 and 0.36 for milk yield, fat yield and protein yield, respectively. Using five-fold cross-validation, reliabilities of genomic predictions of Chinese cows increased from 0.15, 0.12 and 0.15 to 0.26, 0.17 and 0.20 for milk yield, fat yield and protein yield, respectively.

Conclusions

The linkage disequilibrium between the two populations was very consistent and using the combined Nordic and Chinese reference dataset substantially increased reliabilities of genomic predictions for Chinese Holstein cattle.
Structured association analysis leads to insight into Saccharomyces cerevisiaegene regulation by finding multiple contributing eQTL hotspots associated with functional gene modules
Authors: Curtis Ross E , Kim Seyoung , Woolford Jr John L , Xu Wenjie , Xing Eric P
Published: March 2013

Background

Association analysis using genome-wide expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data investigates the effect that genetic variation has on cellular pathways and leads to the discovery of candidate regulators. Traditional analysis of eQTL data via pairwise statistical significance tests or linear regression does not leverage the availability of the structural information of the transcriptome, such as presence of gene networks that reveal correlation and potentially regulatory relationships among the study genes. We employ a new eQTL mapping algorithm, GFlasso, which we have previously developed for sparse structured regression, to reanalyze a genome-wide yeast dataset. GFlasso fully takes into account the dependencies among expression traits to suppress false positives and to enhance the signal/noise ratio. Thus, GFlasso leverages the gene-interaction network to discover the pleiotropic effects of genetic loci that perturb the expression level of multiple (rather than individual) genes, which enables us to gain more power in detecting previously neglected signals that are marginally weak but pleiotropically significant.

Results

While eQTL hotspots in yeast have been reported previously as genomic regions controlling multiple genes, our analysis reveals additional novel eQTL hotspots and, more interestingly, uncovers groups of multiple contributing eQTL hotspots that affect the expression level of functional gene modules. To our knowledge, our study is the first to report this type of gene regulation stemming from multiple eQTL hotspots. Additionally, we report the results from in-depth bioinformatics analysis for three groups of these eQTL hotspots: ribosome biogenesis, telomere silencing, and retrotransposon biology. We suggest candidate regulators for the functional gene modules that map to each group of hotspots. Not only do we find that many of these candidate regulators contain mutations in the promoter and coding regions of the genes, in the case of the Ribi group, we provide experimental evidence suggesting that the identified candidates do regulate the target genes predicted by GFlasso.

Conclusions

Thus, this structured association analysis of a yeast eQTL dataset via GFlasso, coupled with extensive bioinformatics analysis, discovers a novel regulation pattern between multiple eQTL hotspots and functional gene modules. Furthermore, this analysis demonstrates the potential of GFlasso as a powerful computational tool for eQTL studies that exploit the rich structural information among expression traits due to correlation, regulation, or other forms of biological dependencies.
QTL meta-analysis provides a comprehensive view of loci controlling partial resistance to Aphanomyces euteichesin four sources of resistance in pea
Authors: Hamon Céline , Coyne Clarice J , McGee Rebecca J , Lesné Angélique , Esnault Robert , Mangin Pierre , Hervé Marie , Le Goff Isabelle , Deniot Gwenaëlle , Roux-Duparque Martine , Morin Gérard , McPhee Kevin E , Delourme Régine , Baranger Alain , Pilet-Nayel Marie-Laure
Published: March 2013

Background

Development of durable plant genetic resistance to pathogens through strategies of QTL pyramiding and diversification requires in depth knowledge of polygenic resistance within the available germplasm. Polygenic partial resistance to Aphanomyces root rot, caused byAphanomyces euteiches,one of the most damaging pathogens of pea worldwide, was previously dissected in individual mapping populations. However, there are no data available regarding the diversity of the resistance QTL across a broader collection of pea germplasm. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of Aphanomyces root rot resistance QTL in the four main sources of resistance in pea and compared their genomic localization with genes/QTL controlling morphological or phenological traits and with putative candidate genes.

Results

Meta-analysis, conducted using 244 individual QTL reported previously in three mapping populations (Puget x 90–2079, Baccara x PI180693 and Baccara x 552) and in a fourth mapping population in this study (DSP x 90–2131), resulted in the identification of 27 meta-QTL for resistance toA. euteiches. Confidence intervals of meta-QTL were, on average, reduced four-fold compared to mean confidence intervals of individual QTL. Eleven consistent meta-QTL, which highlight seven highly consistent genomic regions, were identified. Few meta-QTL specificities were observed among mapping populations, suggesting that sources of resistance are not independent. Seven resistance meta-QTL, including six of the highly consistent genomic regions, co-localized with six of the meta-QTL identified in this study for earliness and plant height and with three morphological genes (Af, A, R). Alleles contributing to the resistance were often associated with undesirable alleles for dry pea breeding. Candidate genes underlying six main meta-QTL regions were identified using colinearity between the pea andMedicago truncatulagenomes.

Conclusions

QTL meta-analysis provided an overview of the moderately low diversity of loci controlling partial resistance toA. euteichesin four main sources of resistance in pea. Seven highly consistent genomic regions with potential use in marker-assisted-selection were identified. Confidence intervals at several main QTL regions were reduced and co-segregation among resistance and morphological/phenological alleles was identified. Further work will be required to identify the best combinations of QTL for durably increasing partial resistance toA. euteiches.
Is the prediction of prognosis not improved by the seventh edition of the TNM classification for colorectal cancer? Analysis of the surveilla006Ece, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database
Authors: Gao Peng , Song Yong-xi , Wang Zhen-ning , Xu Ying-ying , Tong Lin-lin , Sun Jing-xu , Yu Miao , Xu Hui-mian
Published: March 2013

Background

Whether the 7th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system (AJCC-7) is a successful revision remains debatable. We aimed to compare the predictive capacity of the AJCC-7 for colorectal cancer with the 6th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system (AJCC-6).

Methods

The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) dataset consisting of 158,483 records was used in this study. We evaluated the predictive capacity of the two editions of the staging system using Harrell’s C index and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC).

Results

There was a significant prognostic difference between patients at stage IIB and IIC (P < 0.001). Stage III patients with similar prognoses were adequately sub-grouped in the same stage according to AJCC-7. The Harrell’s C index revealed a value of 0.7692 for AJCC-7, which was significantly better than 0.7663 for AJCC-6 (P < 0.001). BIC analysis provided consistent results (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that AJCC-7 is superior to the AJCC-6 staging system in predictive capacity.
Dichotomous roles for the orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 in breast cancer
Authors: Llopis Shawn , Singleton Brittany , Duplessis Tamika , Carrier Latonya , Rowan Brian , Williams Christopher
Published: March 2013

Background

NR4A orphan nuclear receptors are involved in multiple biological processes which are important in tumorigenesis such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and glucose utilization. The significance of NR4A family member NURR1 (NR4A2) in breast cancer etiology has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the impact of NURR1 expression on breast transformation, tumor growth, and breast cancer patient survival.

Methods

We determined the expression of NURR1 in normal breast versus breast carcinoma in tissue microarrays (immunohistochemistry), tissue lysates (immunoblot), and at the mRNA level (publically available breast microarrays). In addition NURR1 expression was compared among breast cancer patients in cohorts based on p53 expression, estrogen receptor α expression, tumor grade, and lymph node metastases. Kaplan-Meier survival plots were used to determine the correlation between NURR1 expression and relapse free survival (RFS). Using shRNA-mediated silencing, we determined the effect of NURR1 expression on tumor growth in mouse xenografts.

Results

Results from breast cancer tissue arrays demonstrate a higher NURR1 expression in the normal breast epithelium compared to breast carcinoma cells (p ≤ 0.05). Among cases of breast cancer, NURR1 expression in the primary tumors was inversely correlated with lymph node metastases (p ≤ 0.05) and p53 expression (p ≤ 0.05). Clinical stage and histological grade were not associated with variation in NURR1 expression. In gene microarrays, 4 of 5 datasets showed stronger mean expression of NURR1 in normal breast as compared to transformed breast. Additionally, NURR1 expression was strongly correlated with increase relapse free survival (HR = 0.7) in a cohort of all breast cancer patients, but showed no significant difference in survival when compared among patients whom have not been treated systemically (HR = 0.91). Paradoxically, NURR1 silenced breast xenografts showed significantly decreased growth in comparison to control, underscoring a biphasic role for NURR1 in breast cancer progression.

Conclusions

NURR1 function presents a dichotomy in breast cancer etiology, in which NURR1 expression is associated with normal breast epithelial differentiation and efficacy of systemic cancer therapy, but silencing of which attenuates tumor growth. This provides a strong rationale for the potential implementation of NURR1 as a pharmacologic target and biomarker for therapeutic efficacy in breast cancer.
Maternal dietary intake of nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines and selected birth defects in offspring: a case-control study
Authors: Huber John C , Brender Jean D , Zheng Qi , Sharkey Joseph R , Vuong Ann M , Shinde Mayura U , Griesenbeck John S , Suarez Lucina , Langlois Peter H , Canfield Mark A , Romitti Paul A , Weyer Peter J ,   the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: March 2013

Background

Dietary intake of nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines can increase the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds in the stomach. Results from animal studies suggest that these compounds might be teratogenic. We examined the relationship between maternal dietary intake of nitrates, nitrites (including plant and animal sources as separate groups), and nitrosamines and several types of birth defects in offspring.

Methods

For this population-based case–control study, data from a 58-question food frequency questionnaire, adapted from the short Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire and administered as part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), were used to estimate daily intake of dietary nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines in a sample of 6544 mothers of infants with neural tube defects (NTD)s, oral clefts (OC)s, or limb deficiencies (LD)s and 6807 mothers of unaffected control infants. Total daily intake of these compounds was divided into quartiles based on the control mother distributions. Odds ratios (OR)s and 95% confidence intervals (CI)s were estimated using logistic regression; estimates were adjusted for maternal daily caloric intake, maternal race-ethnicity, education, dietary folate intake, high fat diet (> 30% of calories from fat), and state of residence.

Results

While some unadjusted ORs for NTDS had 95% (CI)s that excluded the null value, none remained significant after adjustment for covariates, and the effect sizes were small (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] <1.12). Similar results were found for OCs and LDs with the exception of animal nitrites and cleft lip with/without cleft palate (aORs and CIs for quartile 4 compared to quartile 1 =1.24; CI=1.05-1.48), animal nitrites and cleft lip (4th quartile aOR=1.32; CI=1.01-1.72), and total nitrite and intercalary LD (4th quartile aOR=4.70; CI=1.23-17.93).

Conclusions

Overall, odds of NTDs, OCs or LDs did not appear to be significantly associated with estimated dietary intake of nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosamines.
Species-specific multiplex PCR for the diagnosis of Brucella ovis, Actinobacillus seminis, and Histophilus somni infection in rams
Authors: Moustacas Valéria S , Silva Teane MA , Costa Luciana F , Xavier Mariana N , Carvalho Custódio A , Costa Érica A , Paixão Tatiane A , Santos Renato L
Published: March 2013

Background

Infectious ovine epididymitis results in substantial economic losses worldwide due to reproductive failure and culling of breeders. The most common causative agents of these infections are Brucella ovis, Actinobacillus seminis, and Histophilus somni. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Brucella ovis, Actinobacillus seminis, and Histophilus somni with species-specific primers applied to biological samples for molecular diagnosis of these infections.

Results

The multiplex assay was capable of detecting B. ovis, A. seminis, and H. somni DNA simultaneously from genomic bacterial DNA samples and pool of semen samples from experimentally infected rams. The method was highly specific since it did not amplify DNA from other bacterial species that can potentially cause epididymitis in rams as well as species phylogenetically related to B. ovis. All negative control samples were negative in PCR multiplex assay. Urine can be used as an alternative to semen samples.

Conclusions

The species-specific multiplex PCR assay developed in this study can be successfully used for the detection of three of the most common bacterial causes of ovine epididymitis.
Primary pleural squamous cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as localized mesothelioma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Lin Xiao-Ming , Chi Chuang , Chen Jun , Liu Yu , Li Peng , Yang Yi
Published: March 2013

Primary pleural squamous cell carcinoma is very rare, and there is a lack of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. An asymptomatic 75-year-old man was referred to us after a right pleural nodule was found on computed tomography during a routine health examination. He underwent surgery for his pleural tumor twice over the following 2 years. Histopathological examination eventually led to a diagnosis of primary pleural squamous cell carcinoma.
Structural evaluation and bioethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with biodegraded triploid poplar
Authors: Wang Kun , Yang Haiyan , Wang Wei , Sun Run-cang
Published: March 2013

Background

Pretreatment is a key step to decrease the recalcitrance of lignocelluloses and then increase the digestibility of cellulose in second-generation bioethanol production. In this study, wood chips from triploid poplar were biopretreated with white rot fungus Trametes velutina D10149. The effects of incubation duration on delignification efficiency and structural modification of cellulose were comparably studied, as well as the digestibility of cellulose by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF).

Results

Although microbial pretreatments did not significantly introduce lignin degradation, the data from SSF exhibited higher cellulose conversion (21-75% for biopretreated samples for 4–16 weeks) as compared to the untreated poplar (18%). In spite of the essential maintain of crystallinity, the modification of lignin structure during fungal treatment undoubtedly played a key role in improving cellulose bioconversion rates. Finally, the ethanol concentration of 5.16 g/L was detected in the fermentation broth from the cellulosic sample biodegraded for 16 weeks after 24 h SSF, achieving 34.8% cellulose utilization in poplar.

Conclusion

The potential fungal pretreatment with Trametes velutina D10149 was firstly explored in this study. It is found that the biopretreatment process had a significant effect on the digestibility of substrate probably due to the removal and unit variation of lignin, since the crystallinities of substrates were rarely changed. Additional investigation is still required especially to improve the selectivity for lignin degradation and optimize the digestibility of cellulose.
Program on immunization and cold chain monitoring: the status in eight health districts in Cameroon
Authors: Ateudjieu Jérôme , Kenfack Bruno , Nkontchou Blaise Wakam , Demanou Maurice
Published: March 2013

Background

Cold chain monitoring is a precondition to ensure immunization quality, efficacy and safety. In Cameroon, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has National Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that describes the vaccines, the cold chain system and equipment, its use and recommended procedures to control and monitor the temperatures and the cold chain. This study was conducted to assess the status of cold chain in eight health districts in Cameroon.

Findings

The study was carried out in eight health districts out of fifty with poor immunization coverage rate. Data were collected using a validated form by observation and consultation of related documents. District Health Services (DHS) and four Integrated. Health Centers (IHC) randomly selected were targeted per health district. Forty health facilities were included. Twenty eight (70.0%) had at least one functional refrigerator for EPI activities. The power supply was reported to be permanent in 7 (20.6%) out of 34. (85.0%) health facilities with access to power supply. The temperature monitoring chart was pasted on 27 (96.4%) of the cold chain equipment. On 16 (59.3%) of these charts, the temperature was recorded twice daily as recommended. Seven (25.9%) of 27 refrigerators assessed had temperature out of the recommended range of 2 to 8°C. Almost 23.30% of health centers did not received any supervision on cold chain monitoring during a vaccination campaign.

Conclusion

This study documents failure of the cold chain maintenance and questions the efficacy and safety of vaccines administered during EPI activities in Cameroun. These findings indicate that appropriate actions are needed to ensure monitoring of EPI cold chain in the country.
Intestinal microbiota, probiotics and mental health: from Metchnikoff to modern advances: part III – convergence toward clinical trials
Authors: Bested Alison C , Logan Alan C , Selhub Eva M
Published: March 2013

Rapid scientific and technological advances have allowed for a more detailed understanding of the relevance of intestinal microbiota, and the entire body-wide microbiome, to human health and well-being. Rodent studies have provided suggestive evidence that probiotics (e.g. lactobacillus and bifidobacteria) can influence behavior. More importantly, emerging clinical studies indicate that the administration of beneficial microbes, via supplementation and/or fecal microbial transplant (FMT), can influence end-points related to mood state (glycemic control, oxidative status, uremic toxins), brain function (functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI), and mental outlook (depression, anxiety). However, despite the advances in the area of gastro-biological psychiatry, it becomes clear that there remains an urgent need to explore the value of beneficial microbes in controlled clinical investigations. With the history explored in this series, it is fair to ask if we are now on the cusp of major clinical breakthroughs, or are we merely in the quicksand of Autointoxication II?
Clusterin Decreases Hepatic SREBP-1c Expression and Lipid Accumulation
Authors: Seo Hye-Young , Kim Mi-Kyung , Jung Yun-A , Jang Byoung Kuk , Yoo Eun-Kyung , Park Keun-Gyu , Lee In-Kyu
Published: March 2013

Hepatic steatosis is emerging as the most important cause of chronic liver disease and is associated with the increasing incidence of obesity with insulin resistance. Sterol regulatory binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) is a master regulator of lipogenic gene expression in the liver. Hyperinsulinemia induces SREBP-1c transcription through liver X receptor (LXR), specificity protein 1, and SREBP-1c itself. Clusterin, an 80-kDa disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein, has been functionally implicated in several physiological processes including lipid transport; however, little is known about its effect on hepatic lipogenesis. The present study examined whether clusterin regulates SREBP-1c expression and lipid accumulation in the liver. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of clusterin inhibited insulin- or LXR agonist-stimulated SREBP-1c expression in cultured liver cells. In reporter assays, clusterin inhibited SREBP-1c promoter activity. Moreover, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of clusterin in the livers of mice fed a high-fat diet inhibited hepatic steatosis through the inhibition of SREBP-1c expression. Reporter and gel shift assays showed that clusterin inhibits SREBP-1c expression via the repression of LXR and specificity protein 1 activity. This study shows that clusterin inhibits hepatic lipid accumulation through the inhibition of SREBP-1c expression and suggests that clusterin is a negative regulator of SREBP-1c expression and hepatic lipogenesis.
TGF-β Effects on Prostate Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion Are Mediated by PGE2 through Activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway
Authors: Vo BaoHan T. , Morton Derrick , Komaragiri Shravan , Millena Ana C. , Leath Chelesie , Khan Shafiq A.
Published: March 2013

TGF-β plays an important role in the progression of prostate cancer. It exhibits both tumor suppressor and tumor-promoting activities. Correlations between cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 overexpression and enhanced production of prostaglandin (PG)E2 have been implicated in cancer progression; however, there are no studies indicating that TGF-β effects in prostate cancer cells involve PGE2 synthesis. In this study, we investigated TGF-β regulation of COX-1 and COX-2 expression in prostate cancer cells and whether the effects of TGF-β on cell proliferation and migration are mediated by PGE2. COX-1 protein was ubiquitously expressed in prostate cells; however, COX-2 protein levels were detected only in prostate cancer cells. TGF-β treatment increased COX-2 protein levels and PGE2 secretion in PC3 cells. Exogenous PGE2 and PGF2α had no effects on cell proliferation in LNCaP, DU145, and PC3 cells whereas PGE2 and TGF-β induced migration and invasive behavior in PC3 cells. Only EP2 and EP4 receptors were detected at mRNA levels in prostate cells. The EP4-targeting small interfering RNA inhibited PGE2 and TGF-β-induced migration of PC3 cells. TGF-β and PGE2 induce activation of PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway as indicated by increased AKT, p70S6K, and S6 phosphorylation. Rapamycin completely blocked the effects of TGF-β and PGE2 on phosphorylation of p70S6K and S6 but not on AKT phosphorylation. PGE2 and TGF-β induced phosphorylation of AKT, which was blocked by antagonists of PGE2 (EP4) receptors (L161982, AH23848) and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) in PC3 cells. Pretreatment with L161982 or AH23848 blocked the stimulatory effects of PGE2 and TGF-β on cell migration, whereas LY294002 or rapamycin completely eliminated PGE2, TGF-β, and epidermal growth factor-induced migration in PC3 cells. We conclude that TGF-β increases COX-2 levels and PGE2 secretion in prostate cancer cells which, in turn, mediate TGF-β effects on cell migration and invasion through the activation of PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.