bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A crucial role for HVEM and BTLA in preventing intestinal inflammation
Authors: Steinberg Marcos W. , Turovskaya Olga , Shaikh Raziya B. , Kim Gisen , McCole Declan F. , Pfeffer Klaus , Murphy Kenneth M. , Ware Carl F. , Kronenberg Mitchell
Published: June 2008

The interaction between the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member LIGHT and the TNF family receptor herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) co-stimulates T cells and promotes inflammation. However, HVEM also triggers inhibitory signals by acting as a ligand that binds to B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), an immunoglobulin super family member. The contribution of HVEM interacting with these two binding partners in inflammatory processes remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of HVEM in the development of colitis induced by the transfer of CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells into recombination activating gene (Rag)−/− mice. Although the absence of HVEM on the donor T cells led to a slight decrease in pathogenesis, surprisingly, the absence of HVEM in the Rag−/− recipients led to the opposite effect, a dramatic acceleration of intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, the critical role of HVEM in preventing colitis acceleration mainly involved HVEM expression by radioresistant cells in the Rag−/− recipients interacting with BTLA. Our experiments emphasize the antiinflammatory role of HVEM and the importance of HVEM expression by innate immune cells in preventing runaway inflammation in the intestine.
A unique B2 B cell subset in the intestine
Authors: Shimomura Yasuyo , Ogawa Atsuhiro , Kawada Mayumi , Sugimoto Ken , Mizoguchi Emiko , Shi Hai-Ning , Pillai Shiv , Bhan Atul K. , Mizoguchi Atsushi
Published: June 2008

Over 80% of the body's activated B cells are located in mucosal sites, including the intestine. The intestine contains IgM+ B cells, but these cells have not been characterized phenotypically or in terms of their developmental origins. We describe a previously unidentified and unique subset of immunoglobulin M+ B cells that present with an AA4.1−CD21−CD23− major histocompatibility complex class IIbright surface phenotype and are characterized by a low frequency of somatic hypermutation and the potential ability to produce interleukin-12p70. This B cell subset resides within the normal mucosa of the large intestine and expands in response to inflammation. Some of these intestinal B cells originate from the AA4.1+ immature B2 cell pool in the steady state and are also recruited from the recirculating naive B cell pool in the context of intestinal inflammation. They develop in an antigen-independent and BAFF-dependent manner in the absence of T cell help. Expansion of these cells can be induced in the absence of the spleen and gut-associated lymphoid tissues. These results describe the existence of an alternative pathway of B cell maturation in the periphery that gives rise to a tissue-specific B cell subset.
Position‐specific residue preference features around the ends of helices and strands and a novel strategy for the prediction of secondary structures
Authors: Duan Mojie , Huang Min , Ma Chuang , Li Lun , Zhou Yanhong
Published: June 2008

It has been many years since position‐specific residue preference around the ends of a helix was revealed. However, all the existing secondary structure prediction methods did not exploit this preference feature, resulting in low accuracy in predicting the ends of secondary structures. In this study, we collected a relatively large data set consisting of 1860 high‐resolution, non‐homology proteins from the PDB, and further analyzed the residue distributions around the ends of regular secondary structures. It was found that there exist position‐specific residue preferences (PSRP) around the ends of not only helices but also strands. Based on the unique features, we proposed a novel strategy and developed a tool named E‐SSpred that treats the secondary structure as a whole and builds models to predict entire secondary structure segments directly by integrating relevant features. In E‐SSpred, the support vector machine (SVM) method is adopted to model and predict the ends of helices and strands according to the unique residue distributions around them. A simple linear discriminate analysis method is applied to model and predict entire secondary structure segments by integrating end‐prediction results, tri‐peptide composition, and length distribution features of secondary structures, as well as the prediction results of the most famous program PSIPRED. The results of fivefold cross‐validation on a widely used data set demonstrate that the accuracy of E‐SSpred in predicting ends of secondary structures is about 10% higher than PSIPRED, and the overall prediction accuracy (Q3 value) of E‐SSpred (82.2%) is also better than PSIPRED (80.3%). The E‐SSpred web server is available at http://bioinfo.hust.edu.cn/bio/tools/E‐SSpred/index.html.
Pain relief model for a COX‐2 inhibitor in patients with postoperative dental pain
Authors: Rohatagi Shashank , Kastrissios Helen , Sasahara Kunihiro , Truitt Kenneth , Moberly James B. , Wada Russell , Salazar Daniel E.
Published: June 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Modelling and simulation are being increasingly used to support decision‐making in new drug development.

• Novel modelling methods are required to capture the complexity of multiple end‐points for a disease and to address questions such as dose selection in various populations.

• The focus of this study was to present a novel pain relief model to address such questions.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• New contributions of this work to the literature include:

 (a) application of pain relief models to COX‐2 inhibitors

 (b) modelling of the time to meaningful pain relief

 (c) scaling pain relief data from Westerners to Japanese

 (d) use of multiple dose–response curves to facilitate dose selection decisions.

AIM To develop a pain relief model for a cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitor, CS‐706, that permits prediction of doses for acute pain relief in Japanese and Western populations.

METHODS A categorical response model was developed to describe the probability of pain relief (PR) over time for a Phase 2a study. Models were also developed to describe patient's use of rescue medication and onset of pain relief.

RESULTS The placebo response was described by a first‐order increase in PR that achieved a stable response after 4 h. The effect of CS‐706 on PR was described using an Emax model; the plasma concentration of CS‐706 producing 50% of the maximum response was estimated to be 87 ng ml−1, the median peak plasma concentration achieved after a 50‐mg oral dose. The probability of rescue medication (REMD) decreased over time and was a function of the last observed PR score. This probability was < 16% for patients with a PR score ≥2. The probability of experiencing meaningful PR was 98% in patients who did not require REMD and 47% in those who required REMD. For patients who did not require REMD, the median onset time of meaningful pain relief (TMPR) decreased with increasing doses. In patients who required REMD, there was a saturable decline in TMPR, with the greatest improvement occurring from placebo to 50‐mg doses.

CONCLUSIONS The set of models developed permitted compilation of multiple dose–response curves for dose selection of CS‐706 in Westerners and facilitated scaling of doses to a Japanese population.
Management of low‐grade cervical abnormalities detected at screening: which method do women prefer?
Authors: Whynes D. K. , Woolley C. , Philips Z. ,   for the TOMBOLA Group
Published: June 2008

Objective:  To establish whether women with low‐grade abnormalities detected during screening for cervical cancer prefer to be managed by cytological surveillance or by immediate colposcopy.

Methods:  TOMBOLA (Trial of Management of Borderline and Other Low‐grade Abnormal smears) is a randomized controlled trial comparing alternative management strategies following the screen‐detection of low‐grade cytological abnormalities. At exit, a sample of TOMBOLA women completed a questionnaire eliciting opinions on their management, contingent valuations (CV) of the management methods and preferences. Within‐trial quality of life (EQ‐5D) data collected for a sample of TOMBOLA women throughout their follow‐up enabled the comparison of self‐reported health at various time points, by management method.

Results:  Once management had been initiated, self‐reported health in the colposcopy arm rose relative to that in the surveillance arm, although the effect was short‐term only. For the majority of women, the satisfaction ratings and the CV indicated approval of the management method to which they had been randomized. Of the minority manifesting a preference for the method which they had not experienced, relatively more would have preferred colposcopy than would have preferred surveillance.

Conclusions:  The findings must be interpreted in the light of sample bias with respect to preferences, whereby enthusiasm for colposcopy was probably over‐represented amongst trial participants. The study suggests that neither of the management methods is preferred unequivocally; rather, individual women have individual preferences, although many would be indifferent between methods.
Cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality by albuminuria and decreased glomerular filtration rate in patients with vascular disease
Authors: Vlek A. L. M. , Van Der Graaf Y. , Spiering W. , Algra A. , Visseren F. L. J. ,   the SMART study group
Published: June 2008

Objectives.  Albuminuria and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but do not necessarily coexist and have different pathophysiological mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate separate and combined effects of decreased eGFR and albuminuria on the occurrence of vascular diseases and mortality in patients with vascular disease.

Design.  Prospective cohort study.

Setting.  University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Subjects and main outcome measures.  2600 patients with vascular disease were followed for vascular events, vascular and all‐cause mortality. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) according to eGFR (MDRD) and albuminuria (albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio >3 mg mmol−1).

Results.  In this population, 14.0% had albuminuria, 15.6% had eGFR <60 ml min−1 1.73 m−2 and 5.2% had both. Nonalbuminuric decreased eGFR and albuminuria with normal eGFR generated moderately increased risks on all outcomes. eGFR <60 ml min−1 1.73 m−2 without albuminuria mainly influenced the risk of vascular events (HR 1.50; 1.05–2.15) whilst albuminuria with eGFR ≥60 ml min−1 1.73 m−2 principally affected all‐cause mortality (HR 1.53; 1.04–2.26). The combination of eGFR <60 ml min−1 1.73 m−2 and albuminuria was associated with an increased risk for vascular events (HR 2.27; 1.54–3.34), vascular mortality (HR 2.22; 1.40–3.52) and all‐cause mortality (HR 1.84; 1.25–2.69). Comparable results were found in additional analyses amongst 759 diabetic patients.

Conclusions.  The combination of decreased eGFR with albuminuria is associated with the highest risks of vascular events, vascular and all‐cause mortality in patients with vascular diseases. To adequately estimate vascular risk associated with impaired renal function, both eGFR and urinary albumin should be considered.
Comparing the neurocognitive effects of 40 h sustained wakefulness in patients with untreated OSA and healthy controls
Authors: WONG KEITH K. H. , MARSHALL NATHANIEL S. , GRUNSTEIN RONALD R. , DODD MICHAEL J. , ROGERS NAOMI L.
Published: June 2008

We hypothesized that individuals with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) would exhibit greater vulnerability to sleep deprivation than healthy controls, due to the additional neurobiological ‘load’ of chronic sleep fragmentation. After baseline sleep with 8 h time in bed, participants remained awake for 40 h. Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT, mean slowest 10% 1/RT), AusEd Driving Simulator task (steering and speed deviation), and subjective sleepiness (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, KSS) were assessed every 2 h. Nonlinear mixed‐effects models were used to characterize individual differences in baseline/average performance, the linear effect of increasing hours awake, circadian amplitude and phase. Eight participants with untreated OSA with mean (SD) age 44.6 (8.4), apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) 49.8 (24.7), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) 11.9 (4.8) and nine healthy controls age 27.8 (3.7), AHI 4.5 (2.7), ESS 7.3 (2.1) completed the protocol. Baseline KSS was significantly higher (1.4 units, P = 0.03) in the OSA group and there was a trend toward lower baseline speed deviation on the AusEd (P = 0.05). After adjusting for the significant effects of accumulated time awake, circadian amplitude and phase (all P < 0.005), there was no difference in performance decrements between those with and without sleep apnea in PVT, driving simulator performance and subjective sleepiness (P > 0.5). Random‐effects modeling confirmed the presence of significant inter‐individual variability in vulnerability to sleep deprivation. Patients with OSA did not respond differently to sleep deprivation than healthy controls. As expected, total sleep deprivation led to significant worsening in performance and subjective sleepiness in both groups.
Diversification on an ecologically constrained adaptive landscape
Authors: WELLBORN GARY A. , BROUGHTON RICHARD E.
Published: June 2008

We used phylogenetic analysis of body‐size ecomorphs in a crustacean species complex to gain insight into how spatial complexity of ecological processes generates and maintains biological diversity. Studies of geographically widespread species ofHyalellaamphipods show that phenotypic evolution is tightly constrained in a manner consistent with adaptive responses to alternative predation regimes. A molecular phylogeny indicates that evolution ofHyalellaecomorphs is characterized by parallel evolution and by phenotypic stasis despite substantial levels of underlying molecular change. The phylogeny suggests that species diversification sometimes occurs by niche shifts, and sometimes occurs without a change in niche. Moreover, diversification in theHyalellaecomorphs has involved the repeated evolution of similar phenotypic forms that exist in similar ecological settings, a hallmark of adaptive evolution. The evolutionary stasis observed in clades separated by substantial genetic divergence, but existing in similar habitats, is also suggestive of stabilizing natural selection acting to constrain phenotypic evolution within narrow bounds. We interpret the observed decoupling of genetic and phenotypic diversification in terms of adaptive radiation on an ecologically constrained adaptive landscape, and suggest that ecological constraints, perhaps acting together with genetic and functional constraints, may explain the parallel evolution and evolutionary stasis inferred by the phylogeny.
Molecular evidence for broad‐scale distributions in bdelloid rotifers: everything is not everywhere but most things are very widespread
Authors: FONTANETO DIEGO , BARRACLOUGH TIMOTHY G. , CHEN KIMBERLY , RICCI CLAUDIA , HERNIOU ELISABETH A.
Published: June 2008

The Baas‐Becking's hypothesis, also known by the term ‘everything is everywhere’ (EisE), states that microscopic organisms such as bacteria and protists are globally distributed and do not show biogeographical patterns, due to their high dispersal potential. We tested the prediction of the EisE hypothesis on bdelloid rotifers, microscopic animals similar to protists in size and ecology that present one of the best cases among animals for the plausibility of global dispersal. Geographical range sizes and patterns of isolation by distance were estimated for global collections of the genera Adineta and Rotaria, using different taxonomic units: (i) traditional species based on morphology, (ii) the most inclusive monophyletic lineages from a cytochrome oxidase I phylogeny comprising just a single traditional species, and (iii) genetic clusters indicative of independently evolving lineages. Although there are cases of truly cosmopolitan distribution, even at the most finely resolved taxonomic level, most genetic clusters are distributed at continental or lower scales. Nevertheless, although ‘everything is not everywhere’, bdelloid rotifers do display broad distributions typical of those of other microscopic organisms. Broad dispersal and large population sizes might be factors lessening the evolutionary cost of long‐term abstinence from sexual reproduction in this famous group of obligate parthenogens.
Influence of habitat discontinuity, geographical distance, and oceanography on fine‐scale population genetic structure of copper rockfish (Sebastes caurinus)
Authors: JOHANSSON M. L. , BANKS M. A. , GLUNT K. D. , HASSEL‐FINNEGAN H. M. , BUONACCORSI V. P.
Published: June 2008

The copper rockfish is a benthic, nonmigratory, temperate rocky reef marine species with pelagic larvae and juveniles. A previous range‐wide study of the population‐genetic structure of copper rockfish revealed a pattern consistent with isolation‐by‐distance. This could arise from an intrinsically limited dispersal capability in the species or from regularly–spaced extrinsic barriers that restrict gene flow (offshore jets that advect larvae offshore and/or habitat patchiness). Tissue samples were collected along the West Coast of the contiguous USA between Neah Bay, WA and San Diego, CA, with dense sampling along Oregon. At the whole‐coast scale (~2200 km), significant population subdivision (FST = 0.0042), and a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distance were observed based on 11 microsatellite DNA loci. Population divergence was also significant among Oregon collections (~450 km, FST = 0.001). Hierarchical amova identified a weak but significant 130‐km habitat break as a possible barrier to gene flow within Oregon, across which we estimated that dispersal (Nem) is half that of the coast‐wide average. However, individual‐based Bayesian analyses failed to identify more than a single population along the Oregon coast. In addition, no correlation between pairwise population genetic and geographical distances was detected at this scale. The offshore jet at Cape Blanco was not a significant barrier to gene flow in this species. These findings are consistent with low larval dispersal distances calculated in previous studies on this species, support a mesoscale dispersal model, and highlight the importance of continuity of habitat and adult population size in maintaining gene flow.
Multiple population structure of the giant mottled eel, Anguilla marmorata
Authors: MINEGISHI YUKI , AOYAMA JUN , TSUKAMOTO KATSUMI
Published: June 2008

The population structure of the giant mottled eel, Anguilla marmorata, was investigated with mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA analyses using 449 specimens from 13 localities throughout the species range. Control region F‐statistics indicated the North Pacific (Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Sulawesi), South Pacific (Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea), eastern Indian Ocean (Sumatra), western Indian Ocean (Réunion, Madagascar), Ambon, and Guam regions were significantly different (ΦST = 0.131–0.698, P < 0.05) while only a few differences were observed between localities within the South Pacific. These regions were roughly clustered in the neighbour‐joining tree, although Ambon individuals were mainly divided into North and South Pacific groups. Analysis with eight microsatellite loci showed almost identical results to those of the control region, except no genetic difference was observed between the western and eastern Indian Ocean (FST = 0.009, P > 0.05). The Bayesian cluster analysis of the microsatellite data detected two genetic groups. One included four North Pacific localities, and the other included eight localities in the South Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Guam, but Ambon individuals were evenly assigned to these two groups. These results showed that A. marmorata has four genetically different populations (North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Guam region). The North Pacific population is fully panmictic whereas the South Pacific and Indian Ocean populations have a metapopulation structure. Interestingly, Guam was suggested to be inhabited by a reproductive population restricted to that region, and the individuals from the North and South Pacific populations co‐exist in Ambon.
Deep supercooling xylem parenchyma cells of katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) contain flavonol glycosides exhibiting high anti‐ice nucleation activity
Authors: KASUGA JUN , HASHIDOKO YASUYUKI , NISHIOKA ATSUSHI , YOSHIBA MEGUMI , ARAKAWA KEITA , FUJIKAWA SEIZO
Published: June 2008

Xylem parenchyma cells (XPCs) of boreal hardwood species adapt to sub‐freezing temperatures by deep supercooling to maintain a liquid state of intracellular water near −40 °C. Our previous study found that crude xylem extracts from such tree species exhibited anti‐ice nucleation activity to promote supercooling of water. In the present study, thus, we attempted to identify the causative substances of supercooling. Crude xylem extracts from katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), of which XPCs exhibited deep supercooling to −40 °C, were prepared by methanol extraction. The crude extracts were purified by liquid–liquid extraction and then by silica gel column chromatography. Although all the fractions obtained after each purification step exhibited some levels of anti‐ice nucleation activity, only the most active fraction was retained to proceed to the subsequent level of purification. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of a fraction with the highest level of activity revealed four peaks with high levels of anti‐ice nucleation activity in the range of 2.8–9.0 °C. Ultraviolet (UV), mass and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra revealed that these four peaks corresponded to quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐glucoside (Q3G), kaempferol‐7‐O‐β‐glucoside (K7G), 8‐methoxykaempferol‐3‐O‐β‐glucoside (8MK3G) and kaempferol‐3‐O‐β‐glucoside (K3G). Microscopic observations confirmed the presence of flavonoids in cytoplasms of XPCs. These results suggest that diverse kinds of anti‐ice nucleation substances, including flavonol glycosides, may have important roles in deep supercooling of XPCs.
Complex phenotypic profiles leading to ozone sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants
Authors: OVERMYER KIRK , KOLLIST HANNES , TUOMINEN HANNELE , BETZ CHRISTIAN , LANGEBARTELS CHRISTIAN , WINGSLE GUNNAR , KANGASJÄRVI SAIJALIISA , BRADER GÜNTER , MULLINEAUX PHIL , KANGASJÄRVI JAAKKO
Published: June 2008

Genetically tractable model plants offer the possibility of defining the plant O3 response at the molecular level. To this end, we have isolated a collection of ozone (O3)‐sensitive mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. Mutant phenotypes and genetics were characterized. Additionally, parameters associated with O3 sensitivity were analysed, including stomatal conductance, sensitivity to and accumulation of reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, stress gene‐expression and the accumulation of stress hormones. Each mutant has a unique phenotypic profile, with O3 sensitivity caused by a unique set of alterations in these systems. O3 sensitivity in these mutants is not caused by gross deficiencies in the antioxidant pathways tested here. The rcd3 mutant exhibits misregulated stomata. All mutants exhibited changes in stress hormones consistent with the known hormonal roles in defence and cell death regulation. One mutant, dubbed re‐8, is an allele of the classic leaf development mutant reticulata and exhibits phenotypes dependent on light conditions. This study shows that O3 sensitivity can be determined by deficiencies in multiple interacting plant systems and provides genetic evidence linking these systems.
Next generation of elevated [CO2] experiments with crops: a critical investment for feeding the future world
Authors: AINSWORTH ELIZABETH A. , BEIER CLAUS , CALFAPIETRA CARLO , CEULEMANS REINHART , DURAND‐TARDIF MYLENE , FARQUHAR GRAHAM D. , GODBOLD DOUGLAS L. , HENDREY GEORGE R. , HICKLER THOMAS , KADUK JÖRG , KARNOSKY DAVID F. , KIMBALL BRUCE A. , KÖRNER CHRISTIAN , KOORNNEEF MAARTEN , LAFARGE TANGUY , LEAKEY ANDREW D. B. , LEWIN KEITH F. , LONG STEPHEN P. , MANDERSCHEID REMY , MCNEIL DAVID L. , MIES TIMOTHY A. , MIGLIETTA FRANCO , MORGAN JACK A. , NAGY JOHN , NORBY RICHARD J. , NORTON ROBERT M. , PERCY KEVIN E. , ROGERS ALISTAIR , SOUSSANA JEAN‐FRANCOIS , STITT MARK , WEIGEL HANS‐JOACHIM , WHITE JEFFREY W.
Published: June 2008

A rising global population and demand for protein‐rich diets are increasing pressure to maximize agricultural productivity. Rising atmospheric [CO2] is altering global temperature and precipitation patterns, which challenges agricultural productivity. While rising [CO2] provides a unique opportunity to increase the productivity of C3 crops, average yield stimulation observed to date is well below potential gains. Thus, there is room for improving productivity. However, only a fraction of available germplasm of crops has been tested for CO2 responsiveness. Yield is a complex phenotypic trait determined by the interactions of a genotype with the environment. Selection of promising genotypes and characterization of response mechanisms will only be effective if crop improvement and systems biology approaches are closely linked to production environments, that is, on the farm within major growing regions. Free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments can provide the platform upon which to conduct genetic screening and elucidate the inheritance and mechanisms that underlie genotypic differences in productivity under elevated [CO2]. We propose a new generation of large‐scale, low‐cost per unit area FACE experiments to identify the most CO2‐responsive genotypes and provide starting lines for future breeding programmes. This is necessary if we are to realize the potential for yield gains in the future.
Differential Effects of a Saturated and a Monounsaturated Fatty Acid on MHC Class I Antigen Presentation
Authors: Shaikh S. R. , Mitchell D. , Carroll E. , Li M. , Schneck J. , Edidin M.
Published: June 2008

Lipid overload, associated with metabolic disorders, occurs when fatty acids accumulate in non‐adipose tissues. Cells of these tissues use major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules to present antigen to T cells in order to eliminate pathogens. As obesity is associated with impaired immune responses, we tested the hypothesis that the early stages of lipid overload with saturated fatty acids (SFA) alters MHC class I antigen presentation. Antigen presenting cells (APC) were treated with either the saturated palmitic acid (PA), abundant in the high fat Western diet, or the monounsaturated oleic acid (OA), a component of the Mediterranean diet. PA‐treatment lowered APC lysis by activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes and inhibited APC ability to stimulate naïve T cells. Inhibition of immune responses with PA was due to a significant reduction in MHC class I surface expression, inhibition in the rate of APC–T‐cell conjugation, and lowering of plasma membrane F‐actin levels. OA‐treatment had no effect on antigen presentation and upon exposure with PA, prevented the phenotypic effects of PA. OA‐treatment conferred protection against changes in antigen presentation by accumulating fatty acids into triglyceride‐rich lipid droplets of APC. Our findings establish for the first time a link between the early stages of lipid overload and antigen presentation and suggest that dietary SFA could impair immunity by affecting MHC I‐mediated antigen presentation; this could be prevented, paradoxically, by accumulation of triglycerides rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.
Hypolipidaemic effects of potato protein and fish protein in pigs
Authors: Spielmann J. , Kluge H. , Stangl G. I. , Eder K.
Published: June 2008

This study was performed to assess the effects of potato protein and fish protein on concentrations of lipids in plasma and lipoproteins and the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in pigs used as an animal model. Therefore, 27 young male pigs with an average body weight of 22 kg were fed diets supplemented with protein extracted from potatoes (containing 849 g protein/kg dry matter), Alaska Pollack fillet as a source of fish protein (containing 926 g crude protein/kg dry matter) or casein which was used as control, for 3 weeks. Diets were formulated to supply identical amounts of each protein to the pigs by the three protein sources, namely 116 g/day in first week and 150 g/day in the second and third week. Pigs fed potato protein had lower concentrations of cholesterol in plasma and LDL than pigs fed casein (p < 0.05); no effect was observed on concentrations of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Pigs fed fish protein had lower cholesterol concentrations in plasma, LDL and HDL, and lower triglyceride concentrations in triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins than pigs fed casein (p < 0.05). mRNA concentrations of genes involved in bile acid synthesis and cholesterol uptake were higher in pigs fed fish protein than in pigs fed casein (p < 0.05); no effect on these genes was observed in pigs fed potato protein. Expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation was not altered by fish protein. In conclusion, this study shows that fish protein and potato protein lower plasma cholesterol concentrations in pigs. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of fish protein might be in part caused by a stimulation of bile acid synthesis; the reason for the hypocholesterolaemic effect of potato protein requires further elucidation.
Characterization and Pathogenic Relationships of Rhizoctonia solani Isolates in a Potato–Rice System and their Sensitivity to Fungicides
Authors: Thind Tarlochan S. , Aggarwal Rohit
Published: June 2008

Potato is planted after rice in several parts of Punjab in India and both crops are attacked by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn. Potato tubers showing black scurf and rice plants affected by sheath blight were collected from different regions of the state and the isolates of R. solani so obtained were studied to determine their variability and to ascertain their cross‐infectivity and response to fungicides. Potato isolates of R. solani did not infect rice plants but some rice isolates were weakly pathogenic on potato, the sclerotia being less firmly attached on tuber surface, indicating a possible unsuccessful attempt of rice isolates to infect potato. Rice isolates (66.6%) grew faster (>20 mm colony growth per 24 h) than those of the potato isolates (15–20 mm growth rate per 24 h). Hyphal width of isolates from both hosts varied from 7.2 to 12.1 μm. Colony growth of most potato isolates (61.2%) was appressed, whereas that of most rice isolates (53.3%) was fluffy. Rice isolates (73.3%) formed larger sclerotia (1.5–2.0 mm in diameter) than those of the potato isolates (0.5–1.0 mm in diameter). Anastomosis studies indicated that potato isolates belonged to AG‐3 and AG‐5 groups while rice isolates belonged to the AG‐1‐1‐A group. Representative R. solani isolates from the two hosts showed significant variation in response to fungicides (i.e. carbendazim, carboxin, pencycuron, propiconazole and validamycin) based on their ED50 and ED90 values.
Evaluation of Compost Amendments for Control of Vascular Wilt Diseases
Authors: Markakis Emmanouil A. , Tjamos Sotirios E. , Chatzipavlidis Iordanis , Antoniou Polymnia P. , Paplomatas Epaminondas J.
Published: June 2008

Vascular wilt fungal pathogens cause heavy economic losses to a wide range of crops; amongst them are Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) and Verticillium dahliae Kleb. Several strategies for controlling these pathogens have been introduced, such as soil solarization, resistant rootstocks and biological control. In this study, the suppressive ability of seven different compost amendments and the plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium Paenibacillus alvei K165 (with proven activity against V. dahliae) were tested against FOM in melon and V. dahliae in eggplant. It was shown that K165 had a suppressive effect against the pathogens in all experiments. On the contrary, the composts exhibited a narrow spectrum of effectiveness against the pathogens. Two composts were effective against V. dahliae and one against FOM. Moreover, we investigated the potential of the various compost samples and K165 to induce resistance in an Arabidopsis thaliana–V. dahliae or FOM model system. It was demonstrated that three composts and K165 were effective against V. dahliae; whereas, one compost and K165 were effective against FOM. In a naturally V.dahliae infested field, the ability of K165 to enhance the suppressive effect of one of the compost amendments, was evaluated. It was demonstrated that fortification of the compost with strain K165 significantly reduced disease severity, whereas the single application of the compost was not sufficient to significantly protect the plants.
Factors Affecting Biological Control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by Fungal Antagonists
Authors: Huang Hung‐Chang , Erickson R. Scott
Published: June 2008

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of soil moisture (9, 16 or 24% w/w) and temperature (5, 15, 20 or 25°C) on the control of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by five fungal agents in sterile and natural field soil. All five biocontrol agents were effective in reducing the survival of sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum in sterile soil under dry (9% moisture) or wet (24% moisture) conditions at 20°C, but only Coniothyrium minitans was effective in natural soil. Coniothyrium minitans was the most effective in reducing sclerotial viability at the temperature range of 15–25°C. Trichoderma virens was effective against sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum to a lesser extent than C. minitans, and in non‐autoclaved soil, it performed best at 25°C. Although Epicoccum purpurascens, Talaromyces flavus and Trichothecium roseum were effective against sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum in some instances, they were less effective than C. minitans and T. virens. Sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum conditioned for myceliogenic germination were more vulnerable to attack by the biocontrol agents than dormant sclerotia. The implications are discussed with respect to enhancement of biological control of crop diseases caused by S. sclerotiorum in different geographic regions.
Diversity and temporal variation of peracarid fauna (Crustacea: Peracarida) in the shallow subtidal of a sandy beach: Playa América (Galicia, NW Spain)
Authors: Moreira Juan , Gestoso Loreto , Troncoso Jesús S.
Published: June 2008

Peracarids (Crustacea: Peracarida) are an important component of soft‐sediment faunas and are considered good indicators of quality of water and sediments. Nevertheless, little is known about diversity of peracarid crustaceans on the shallow subtidal sediments of Playa América, a sandy beach in the Ensenada de Baiona (Galicia, NW Spain). Therefore, the peracarid fauna of its shallow subtidal zone was studied in a fine‐sand site at 4‐m depth from February 1996 to February 1997. Monthly sampling yielded a total of 4753 individuals belonging to 60 species. Amphipods were dominant in number of individuals and species followed by cumaceans. The assemblage showed a stable composition in species through the year and was numerically dominated by a few species, namely the amphipods Siphonoecetes kroyeranus and Microprotopus maculatus and the cumacean Pseudocuma longicorne. These species showed large monthly fluctuations in abundance, with maximal values between summer and autumn.
The ignored but common nemertine Psammamphiporus elongatus from the Galician beaches (Spain), affected by the Prestige oil spill
Authors: Herrera‐Bachiller Alfonso , García‐Corrales Pedro , Roldán Carmen , Junoy Juan
Published: June 2008

Nemerteans have been recorded in several studies of the sandy beaches, but usually these specimens have been only regarded as members of the Phylum, with no attempt at identification at any taxonomic level. This lack of identification is partly because of the sampling procedures used to collect beach macroinfauna. Nemerteans are fragile and need special care. They must be isolated and observed in vivo before using histological procedures, which must be employed for the taxonomical studies. This study deals with a sandy beach hoplonemertean, Psammamphiporus elongatus (Stephenson 1911), only known for seven specimens from the Firth of Clyde (UK). This species is recorded for the first time from the Galician sandy beaches (NW Spain) where it reaches its maximum abundance. The species is described and illustrated and new data on its morphology and ecology are provided. The species was apparently affected by the ‘Prestige’ oil spill, and would be a good indicator of beach quality.
The sandy beach macrofauna of Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia)
Authors: Pérez‐Domingo Silvia , Castellanos Carolina , Junoy Juan
Published: June 2008

This study describes the macrofauna of the three beaches situated in central Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia): Ouderef, Gabès and Zarrat. The Gulf of Gabès has the largest tides in the Mediterranean and the beaches showed a wide intertidal zone. The beaches were sampled once during the spring low tides of June 2005. A transect was extended at each beach, from above the drift line to below the swash line at five sampled levels; at each level six 0.05 m2 replicates were taken to a depth of 30 cm and sieved through a 1‐mm mesh, and the organisms collected and preserved. The three beaches showed a different physical environment. Sediment type was medium sand at the steeper Ouderef beach, fine sands at Gàbes beach, and very fine sands at the flatter Zarrat beach. The total number of species collected was 31: 12 crustaceans, 10 polychaetes, four molluscs and five insects. The supralittoral and mediolittoral zones were very different. The supralittoral zone was dominated by Talitrus saltator and insects. The most abundant mediolittoral species were the amphipod crustacean Bathyporeia guilliamsoniana at Ouderef beach (23069 ind.m−1), the surf clam Donax trunculus at Gabès beach (60711 ind.m−1) and the spionid polychaete Scolelepis mesnili at Zarrat beach (18345.6 ind.m−1).
Structure and distribution of the benthic macrofauna on a Northwest African sandy beach close to a freshwater river discharge
Authors: Chaouti Abdellatif , Colombini Isabella , Fallaci Mario , Gagnarli Elena , Chelazzi Lorenzo , Bayed Abdellatif
Published: June 2008

The effects of the freshwater discharge of the Oued Sebou River on the macroinfauna, was studied on the sandy beach of Mehdia through the analysis of the abiotic parameters and of the macrozoobenthos. In autumn 2002 and spring 2003, three beach sites, each with two transects, localized at 50, 3500 and 5720 m from the river mouth respectively, were studied. Positive correlations were recorded for beach slope and pH whereas negative ones were obtained for organic matter content and salinity at increasing distances from the river mouth. Significant differences between beach sites and seasons occurred for median grain size, organic matter content and pH. For each beach site, mean macroinfauna abundance varied between 30 and 100 ind.·m−2 and in spring there was a significant correlation between this parameter and the increasing distance from the river mouth. No significant correlation was instead found between species richness and the increasing distance, although the farthest beach site from the mouth had the highest number of species during both seasons. The results indicated the importance of organic matter content and salinity for the macrofaunal abundance whereas the diversity indices were more affected by beach slope and grain size. The results showed that there was no clear spatial trend in compound indices of the macrofauna across the sampled sites and the influence of the river discharge of Sebou River did not seem to be significant and consistent on the macrobenthos of this mesotidal shore. Comparison with microtidal shores revealed the influence of the tidal excursion and swell characteristics on the response of the benthic structures of sandy beaches to discharges of freshwater.
Assessing inter‐beach differences in semi‐terrestrial arthropod assemblages on Maltese pocket sandy beaches (Central Mediterranean)
Authors: Deidun Alan , Schembri Patrick J.
Published: June 2008

The distinctiveness of macrofaunal assemblages on different sandy beaches in the Maltese Islands was previously suggested by different single‐season studies. A multi‐seasonal sampling programme using pitfall trapping was implemented on four Maltese beaches to test the occurrence of this phenomenon. A total of 29,302 individuals belonging to 191 species were collected over a 2‐year period, during which the beaches were sampled once per calendar season. A total of 77 species were recorded from single Maltese beaches only, of which nine were psammophiles. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling analyses of pitfall trap species‐abundance data resulted in a weak separation pattern, with samples grouping mainly in terms of beach and island rather than in terms of season or year of sampling, No physical variable could conclusively explain these patterns. It is concluded that although operating on Maltese beaches, macrofaunal assemblage distinctiveness is weaker than originally thought and can be attributed to the presence/absence or abundance of just a few psammophilic species. It is postulated that this phenomenon may be related to the ‘pocket beach’ nature of Maltese beaches, where headlands on either side of the beach to a large extent prevent the occurrence of longshore currents, resulting in semi‐isolation of the populations of psammophilic species. A large number of single‐beach records reported in this study highlight the high degree of beta diversity and spatial heterogeneity of Maltese beaches, and the conservation importance of the individual beach macrofaunal assemblages.
Can sandy beach molluscs show an endogenously controlled circatidal migrating behaviour? Hints from a swash rig experiment
Authors: Vanagt Thomas , Vincx Magda , Degraer Steven
Published: June 2008

Many macrofaunal species inhabiting exposed sandy beaches are dependent on the swash for their nutrition and migration and are highly adapted to the harsh physical conditions of the swash. The most important physical factors that determine the distribution and behaviour of swash related fauna, next to the swash itself, are sediment grain size and beach slope. Crucial swash parameters are swash period and swash velocity. Studying the influence of these factors on the animals in the field is often very difficult and it is almost impossible to identify which factor causes what effect. Crucial knowledge about the direct role of the swash itself is lacking. Therefore, a device that generates swash waves on an artificial beach under laboratory conditions was designed: the swash rig. In the swash rig, full and independent control on sediment grain size, beach slope, swash velocity and swash period is present. This will allow us to do a variety of experiments on the influence of each of these factors, independently or combined, on swash fauna. In one such experiment, Olivella semistriata– a dominant surfing gastropod on Ecuadorian sandy beaches – was placed in the swash rig during rising and falling tide and subjected – under constant conditions – to an equal wave regime. During falling tide, and in absence of any tidal cue, almost all specimens moved downshore, as they would in the field; hardly any specimens moved upshore. During upcoming tide, however, there was noticeable upward migration in the swash rig, and half of the runs showed a net upward migration. Contrary to the common understanding that the behaviour of sandy beach molluscs is entirely environmentally driven, this experiment hints at the presence of an endogenous circatidal clock, which is used to direct the tidal migration of the species.
Responses of talitrid amphipods to a gradient of recreational pressure caused by beach urbanization
Authors: Veloso V. G. , Neves G. , Lozano M. , Perez‐Hurtado A. , Gago C. G. , Hortas F. , Garcia Garcia F.
Published: June 2008

Demands for public outdoor recreation and urbanization are a potential source of environmental disturbances, particularly on sandy beaches. These habitats have therefore experienced rapid degradation worldwide. Talitrid amphipods, which are common inhabitants of sandy beaches, are probably good indicators of such disturbances. In this study, we evaluated the responses of the two amphipods Talitrus saltator and Atlantorchestoidea brasiliensis to human pressure on Spanish and a Brazilian beach, hypothesizing that disregarding species differences, their population sizes will decline under urbanized conditions. The Barra da Tijuca (Brazil) and Levante (Spain) beaches have mixed landscapes with varying levels of development, and each has a protected area (MPA) adjacent to urbanized sites. Numbers of talitrids as well as visitors were compared among sites on each beach. Talitrids were most abundant at the protected sites. This was true of both beaches, even though temporal patterns of human activity were quite different, with Levante experiencing sharp declines in the number of visitors during its harsh winter. Urbanized sites did not experience high Talitrid densities even during a period of low human pressure. On this basis, T. saltator and A. brasiliensis were considered good indicators of urbanization and recreational activities on sandy beaches. MPAs were found to be very important for the successful conservation of the talitrid populations. A feasible method of managing human pressure and thereby conserving beach biodiversity therefore seems to be the establishment of beach MPAs.
Ecological effects of coastal armoring on sandy beaches
Authors: Dugan Jenifer E. , Hubbard David M. , Rodil Iván F. , Revell David L. , Schroeter Stephen
Published: June 2008

Use of coastal armoring is expected to escalate in response to the combination of expanding human populations, beach erosion, and sea level rise along the coasts. To provide a conceptual framework, we developed hypotheses concerning the ecological effects of beach habitat loss associated with coastal armoring. As beaches narrow in response to armoring, dry upper intertidal zones should be lost disproportionately, reducing the habitat types available and the diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates. Predators, such as shorebirds, could respond to a combination of (i) habitat loss; (ii) decreased accessibility at high tides; and (iii) reduced prey availability on armored beaches. To examine those predictions, zone widths and the distribution and abundance of macroinvertebrates and birds were compared on paired armored and unarmored segments of narrow bluff‐backed beaches in southern California. Our results supported the predictions and revealed some unexpected effects of armoring on birds. Dry upper beach zones were lacking and mid‐beach zones were narrower (>2 times) year‐round on armored segments compared to adjacent unarmored segments. The abundance, biomass and size of upper intertidal macroinvertebrates were also significantly lower on armored segments. Shorebirds, most of which were foraging, responded predictably with significantly lower species richness (two times) and abundance (>3 times) on armored segments. Gulls and other birds (including seabirds), which use beaches primarily for roosting, were also significantly lower in abundance (>4 times and >7 times respectively) on armored segments, an important unexpected result. Given the accelerating pressures on sandy beaches from coastal development, erosion and rising sea levels, our results indicate that further investigation of ecological responses to coastal armoring is needed for the management and conservation of these ecosystems.