bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of patch encounter rate on patch residence time of female parasitoids increases with patch quality
Authors: MURATORI FRÉDÉRIC , BOIVIN GUY , HANCE THIERRY
Published: February 2008

Abstract 1. For animal species that forage on patchily distributed resources, patch time allocation is of prime importance to their reproductive success. According to Charnov’s marginal value theorem (MVT), the rate of patch encounter should influence negatively the patch residence time: as the rate of patch encounter decreases, the patch residence time increases. Moreover, the MVT predicts that animals should stay longer in high quality patches.

2. Using the aphid parasitoid Aphidius rhopalosiphi (Hymenoptera: Aphidiinae), the effects of these two factors (patch encounter rate and host density) were combined in order to test if the increment in patch residence time for a given decrease in patch encounter rate was larger for high quality patches than for low quality patches.

3. The results show a significant effect of the interaction between the two factors. In high host density patches, parasitoids spent more time if they experienced a low patch encounter rate, while in low host density patches, patch encounter rate had no significant effect on the patch residence time. This suggests that the response of A. rhopalosiphi females to patch encounter rate varied with host density in the patch. Moreover, the same interaction effect was observed for the number of ovipositor contacts on aphids.

4. Parasitoid females can use patch encounter rate to estimate patch density in the habitat but the effect of this estimate on their patch residence time is modulated by patch quality. Staying longer in a patch when patches are rare is more advantageous when the fitness gained by doing so is large. In low quality patches, the expected fitness gain is small and the female may gain more by leaving and taking her chance at finding another patch.
Long‐term trends in streamflow from semiarid rangelands: uncovering drivers of change
Authors: WILCOX BRADFORD P. , HUANG YUN , WALKER JOHN W.
Published: February 2008

In the last 100 years or so, desertification, degradation, and woody plant encroachment have altered huge tracts of semiarid rangelands. It is expected that the changes thus brought about significantly affect water balance in these regions; and in fact, at the headwater‐catchment and smaller scales, such effects are reasonably well documented. For larger scales, however, there is surprisingly little documentation of hydrological change. In this paper, we evaluate the extent to which streamflow from large rangeland watersheds in central Texas has changed concurrent with the dramatic shifts in vegetation cover (transition from pristine prairie to degraded grassland to woodland/savanna) that have taken place during the last century. Our study focused on the three watersheds that supply the major tributaries of the Concho River – those of the North Concho (3279 km2), the Middle Concho (5398 km2), and the South Concho (1070 km2). Using data from the period of record (1926–2005), we found that annual streamflow for the North Concho decreased by about 70% between 1960 and 2005. Not only did we find no downtrend in precipitation that might explain this reduced flow, we found no corresponding change in annual streamflow for the other two watersheds (which have more karst parent material). When we analyzed trends in baseflow (contributions from groundwater) and stormflow (runoff events linked to specific precipitation events), however, we found that in spite of large increases in woody plants, baseflow for all the watersheds has remained essentially consistent or has increased slightly since 1960. At the same time, stormflows were of smaller magnitude. Animal numbers have declined precipitously in the latter half of the last century. We suggest that these lower stormflows result from generally higher soil infiltrability due to generally improving range condition. There is no indication that the decline in streamflow is related to diminished groundwater flows caused by extraction of subsurface water by woody plants.
Catalase supplementation on thawed bull spermatozoa abolishes the detrimental effect of oxidative stress on motility and DNA integrity
Authors: Fernández‐Santos M. R. , Domínguez‐Rebolledo A. E. , Esteso M. C. , Garde J. J. , Martínez‐Pastor F.
Published: February 2008

The potential protective effect of catalase supplementation during in vitro culture of frozen/thawed bull spermatozoa was investigated. Frozen/thawed semen collected from three fighting bulls was diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and incubated at 37 °C under different experimental conditions: Control, Catalase (CAT) (200 U/mL), Oxidant (OXI) (100 μmFe2+/1 mmascorbate), and Catalase + Oxidant (CAT/OXI). We assessed sperm motility, acrosomal integrity, viability and chromatin status (SCSA®) at 0, 2 and 6 h of incubation. Our results showed that catalase abolished the effect of the oxidant, protecting spermatozoa against reactive oxygen species, and improving both sperm motility and chromatin status during incubation. The OXI treatment significantly reduced the percentage of motile sperm after 6 h of incubation. The statistical model also showed that there were differences in sperm motility between CAT/OXI (20.8 ± 2.9%) and OXI (11.6 ± 7.6%) (p < 0.001). There were no significant effects of OXI on sperm viability, acrosomal status or proportion of abnormal tails. %DFI (spermatozoa with moderate or high DNA Fragmentation Index) was significantly higher on OXI (p < 0.001). Catalase prevented DNA fragmentation even in the presence of the oxidant (%DFI: 30.3 ± 0.8% OXI vs. 17.4 ± 0.7% CAT/OXI). We conclude that catalase supplementation after thawing could protect bull spermatozoa against oxidative stress, and it could improve media used for processing thawed spermatozoa.
The aetiology of sperm protamine abnormalities and their potential impact on the sperm epigenome
Authors: Carrell Douglas T. , Emery Benjamin R. , Hammoud Sue
Published: February 2008

During the elongating spermatid stage of spermatogenesis, there is a step‐wise replacement of nuclear histones with protamines 1 and 2. In fertile men, the ratio of protamine 1/protamine 2 (P1/P2) is within the narrow range of 0.8–1.2. Ratios above or below that range are associated with infertility, exhibiting a wide range of defects including decreased sperm counts, morphology, fertilization ability, and embryo implantation capacity. In this review, we highlight studies evaluating potential causes of abnormal protamine expression, including the sequencing of genes relevant to protamine expression in both affected patients and controls. While the variants of the protamine genes themselves do not appear to be responsible for most observed defects, variants of the Contrin gene, a transcription factor and translation repressor, appear to be contributory to some cases of abnormal expression. Additionally, we explore the potential effects of abnormal protamine replacement on the epigenome of human sperm. Ongoing studies are evaluating the role of retained histones and DNA methylation in sperm, which may be affected in sperm with aberrant protamine replacement. This important area of epigenetic research has profound clinical implications.
A hypothesis on physiological alterations during plant ontogenesis governing susceptibility of winter barley to ramularia leaf spot
Authors: Schützendübel A. , Stadler M. , Wallner D. , Von Tiedemann A.
Published: February 2008

The occurrence and epidemic spread of ramularia leaf spot (RLS) caused by Ramularia collo‐cygni was studied with relation to the plant age‐dependent alterations in the antioxidative defence systems in the leaves during mature stages of field‐grown winter barley. The breakdown of enzymatic activities of dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase in the two uppermost fully expanded leaf layers correlated well with a decrease in the pool of the non‐enzymatic antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione. The general decline in the antioxidative systems occurred between 31 May and 8 June after ear emergence stages and preceded the first visible symptoms of RLS. The activities of peroxidases corresponded to an increase in phenolics and lignification which seemed to enhance the infectivity of the fungus rather than to protect the plant. The first R. collo‐cygni conidia were trapped in the field about 4 weeks before the latent infection was first detected by ELISA, and 5 weeks before the first disease symptoms became visible. Both the counts of airborne conidia and the weather data recorded between April and June suggest that neither inoculum nor the weather conditions are limiting factors for infection by R. collo‐cygni at earlier growth stages of barley. It is concluded that the relatively late development of RLS in the field in mid June is governed by the significant degradation of the antioxidative protection systems in the leaves of barley at the onset of ripening stages, rather than by environmental factors or the availability of airborne inoculum.
The maize (Zea maysL.)roothairless3gene encodes a putative GPI‐anchored, monocot‐specific, COBRA‐like protein that significantly affects grain yield
Authors: Hochholdinger Frank , Wen Tsui‐Jung , Zimmermann Roman , Chimot‐Marolle Patricia , Da Costa e Silva Oswaldo , Bruce Wesley , Lamkey Kendall R. , Wienand Udo , Schnable Patrick S.
Published: February 2008

Therth3(roothairless 3) mutant is specifically affected in root hair elongation. We report here the cloning of therth3gene via a PCR‐based strategy (amplification of insertion mutagenized sites) and demonstrate that it encodes a COBRA‐like protein that displays all the structural features of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Genes of theCOBRAfamily are involved in various types of cell expansion and cell wall biosynthesis. Therth3gene belongs to a monocot‐specific clade of theCOBRAgene family comprising two maize and two rice genes. While the rice (Oryza sativa) geneOsBC1L1appears to be orthologous torth3based on sequence similarity (86% identity at the protein level) and maize/rice synteny, the maize (Zea maysL.)rth3‐likegene does not appear to be a functional homolog ofrth3based on their distinct expression profiles. Massively parallel signature sequencing analysis detectedrth3expression in all analyzed tissues, but at relatively low levels, with the most abundant expression in primary roots where the root hair phenotype is manifested.In situhybridization experiments confinerth3expression to root hair‐forming epidermal cells and lateral root primordia. Remarkably, in replicated field trials involving near‐isogenic lines, therth3mutant conferred significant losses in grain yield.
Influence of disturbance and nutrient enrichment on early successional fouling communities in an oligotrophic marine system
Authors: Canning‐Clode João , Kaufmann Manfred , Molis Markus , Wahl Martin , Lenz Mark
Published: February 2008

Disturbance and productivity are often cited as the main factors determining temporal and spatial patterns in species distribution and the diversity of communities. A field experiment was conducted to test the role of these factors in the structuring of early successional fouling communities in a nutrient limited system at the south coast of Madeira Island. Macro‐benthic sessile communities, established on artificial settlement substrata, were manipulated and surveyed over a 9‐week period. We applied mechanical disturbances of four different frequencies crossed with three levels of inorganic nutrient enrichment. Fertilization enhanced community diversity by favouring the establishment and growth of macroalgae. Disturbance reduced diversity by eliminating species – but only at the highest nutrient level. This is explained by a multiple‐stressor model; species most sensitive to nutrient deficiency (only present in the highest enrichment treatment) were simultaneously the most sensitive to disturbance.
Radiation‐induced angiosarcoma of the rectum: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Ahmad A. , Jamieson T. , Balsitis M. , Diament R.
Published: February 2008

We report a case of rectal angiosarcoma after prostatic radiotherapy, illustrating diagnostic difficulty. Awareness of this potential diagnosis is important with increasing use of radiotherapy in the treatment of pelvic cancers.
Trans‐sacral (Kraske) approach for gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the lower rectum: old procedure for a new disease
Authors: Gervaz P. , Huber O. , Bucher P. , Sappino P. , Morel P.
Published: February 2008

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) of the lower rectum are rare cancers from mesenchymatous origin, which are characterized by; 1) the absence of metastases in loco‐regional lymph nodes; and 2) a tendency to grow opposite to the intestinal lumen. Thus, the two preferred surgical approaches for rectal adenocarcinomas (i.e. abdominal and transanal) are inappropriate for GISTs, due to: 1) the uselessness of total mesorectal excision; and 2) to the difficulty to locate the tumour with a transanal approach. We report here a case of a large GIST of the lower rectum which was successfully treated with a posterior trans‐sacral approach. Lower rectum GISTs are good indications for the Kraske procedure, and this relatively new disease entity may contribute to the reintroduction of an old procedure into the armamentarium of 21st century colorectal surgeons.
PANTHEISM RECONSTRUCTED: ECOTHEOLOGY AS A SUCCESSOR TO THE JUDEO‐CHRISTIAN, ENLIGHTENMENT, AND POSTMODERNIST PARADIGMS
Authors: Grula John W.
Published: February 2008

The Judeo‐Christian, Enlightenment, and postmodernist paradigms have become intellectually and ethically exhausted. They are obviously failing to provide a conceptual framework conducive to eliminating some of humanity's worst scourges, including war and environmental destruction. This raises the issue of a successor, which necessitates a reexamination of first principles, starting with our concept of God. Pantheism, which is differentiated from panentheism, denies the existence of a transcendent, supernatural creator and instead asserts that God and the universe are one and the same. Understood via intuition, modern cosmology, and other natural sciences, it offers an alternative worldview that posits the divine and sacred nature of the universe/creation. By asserting the fallacy of the creator/creation dichotomy and any attempts to anthropomorphize or personalize God, pantheism precludes hubris stemming from erroneous notions of divine favoritism. The links between Judeo‐Christianity and the Enlightenment are traced and a case made that the latter has resulted in the equally erroneous and hubristic notion of human ascendancy to a Godlike status, with the concept of progress providing a secular version of the Christian belief in salvation. By reestablishing the natural sciences’metanarrative, even as it asserts the divinity of the material universe, pantheism simultaneously demotes postmodernism and reconciles science with religion. Pantheism provides a theological foundation for deep ecology and also stakes out a viable third position in relation to the ongoing dispute between advocates of intelligent design and the scientific establishment.
A NEW MODEL FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
Authors: Bulmer Fiona
Published: February 2008

The experience of the use of direct payments in social services has shown that giving people cash to purchase their own care dramatically improves the quality of service they receive. If this model of giving individuals the purchasing power to meet their own needs were applied across public services, the quality and cost effectiveness of those services could be transformed.
DEFINING, MEASURING AND DEFENDING LIBERTY: A REVIEW OF THE QUALITY OF FREEDOM BY MATTHEW H. KRAMER AND NORMS OF LIBERTY: A PERFECTIONIST BASIS FOR NON‐PERFECTIONIST POLITICS BY DOUGLAS B. RASMUSSEN AND DOUGLAS J. DEN UYL
Authors: Sternberg Elaine
Published: February 2008

The Quality of Freedom offers a precise, meticulously argued, non‐moralised understanding of socio‐political liberty as physical unforeclosedness. Norms of Liberty: A Perfectionist Basis for Non‐Perfectionist Politics presents an innovative ‘metanormative defence’ of negative liberty rights that does not depend on atomism, a social contract or self‐ownership.
A REVIEW OF THE COLLECTED WORKS OF F. A. HAYEK: VOLUME II, THE ROAD TO SERFDOM: TEXT AND DOCUMENTS – THE DEFINITIVE EDITION, EDITED BY BRUCE CALDWELL1
Authors: Blundell John
Published: February 2008

The latest volume in The Collected Works of F. A. Hayek is the best yet. The Introduction is a delight and the Appendix of related documents is fabulous and fascinating. The long effort to produce the collection has therefore been very worthwhile.
Hours of Work and Gender Identity: Does Part‐time Work Make the Family Happier?
Authors: BOOTH ALISON L. , VAN OURS JAN C.
Published: February 2008

Taking into account interdependence within the family, we investigate the relationship between part‐time work and family wellbeing. We use panel data from the Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. We find that part‐time women are more satisfied with working hours than full‐time women, and that women's life satisfaction is increased if their partners work full‐time. Male partners' life satisfaction is unaffected by their partners' market hours but is increased if they themselves are working full‐time. Our results are consistent with the gender identity hypothesis.
Stagnation and Change in Irish Penal Policy
Authors: O'DONNELL IAN
Published: February 2008

Abstract: Anyone with even a cursory interest in the prison system of the Republic of Ireland will be struck by how quickly one arrives at the frontiers of knowledge. Getting the measure of penal policy issues is not so much a question of weighing up competing claims for understanding and sifting the accumulated evidence, as attempting to paint a crude, and hopefully not too distorted, picture of a landscape that is mostly in shadows. Where there is a measure of illumination it is often dim. Notwithstanding the lack of baseline information, the government has embarked on a programme of prison expansion. Interestingly, while the total number behind bars has grown, the population of sentenced prisoners has changed little, a fact that has gone largely unnoticed despite its implications for penal planning.
The Community Dimension of Community Penalties
Authors: BOTTOMS ANTHONY
Published: February 2008

Abstract:The recent history of probation supervision in England and Wales has seen a significant reduction in its links to residential communities; but, by contrast, visible ‘Community Payback’ is now a key feature of unpaid work penalties. This article considers why these contrasting developments are occurring simultaneously. It argues that the dominant reason for the evolution of the ‘Community Payback’ scheme is governmental preference for aspects of the ideology of the ‘new market state’ (Bobbitt 2002). However, it is contended that a more appropriate policy framework, capable of application to both unpaid work and probation supervision, would be a dual emphasis, in a community context, on: (i) civil renewal and community engagement; and (ii) offender rehabilitation.
Power intermittency, redundancy and tidal phasing around the United Kingdom
Authors: HARDISTY JACK
Published: February 2008

The tidal resource is large in north‐western European waters and a number of axial flow, vertical rotor and oscillating hydroplane schemes are approaching full‐scale design and construction. However, the intermittency of the output from such devices that only generate electricity during the flood and ebb suggests that back‐up generating capacity would be required with the associated inbuilt redundancy. Basic, shallow water tidal theory is reviewed and it is shown that carefully sized tidal stream installations in the Clyde, Tees, Humber, Severn, Menai Straits and the Mersey can utilise the phase locked occurrence of tidal flow and provide a more or less regular and continuous supply of electrical power to the National Grid. Estimates are given for the required capacity of the installations and a scheme is proposed by which an installed capacity of little more than, for example, 200 MW can provide a continuous supply of about 45 MW from these sites, thus achieving a significant and uninterrupted contribution to the Government's 2010 and 2020 targets.
A touch of TRALI
Authors: Davis Amanda , Mandal Rajni , Johnson Matthew , Makar Robert , Stowell Christopher , Dzik Sunny
Published: February 2008

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a leading cause of transfusion‐associated morbidity and mortality. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Canadian Consensus Conference definitions of TRALI exclude cases of mild TRALI. As a result, many cases of mild TRALI are likely to be missed. Three cases are reported in which patients experienced the acute onset of breathlessness in association with transfusion of blood components containing human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies reactive with recipient HLA antigens. Despite the sudden onset of a pulmonary syndrome in association with transfusion, clinicians caring for these patients did not consider TRALI, and no case would meet recent consensus definitions. Nevertheless, supporting clinical and serologic evidence for TRALI was found in each case. Benefits in recognizing mild cases of TRALI include quantifying the true incidence of TRALI, understanding the physiology of mild versus severe TRALI, and preventing subsequent cases of TRALI due to donors found to have HLA antibodies.
Autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells cryopreserved with 5 and 10 percent dimethyl sulfoxide alone give comparable hematopoietic reconstitution after transplantation
Authors: Akkök Çiğdem A. , Liseth Knut , Nesthus Ingerid , Løkeland Turid , Tefre Kari , Bruserud Øystein , Abrahamsen Jenny F.
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated decreased apoptosis and necrosis in peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) cryopreserved with 5 percent instead of 10 percent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). This study was carried out to investigate whether these in vitro findings were supported by clinical data concerning hematopoietic engraftment after autologous stem cell transplantations with PBPCs cryopreserved with 5 and 10 percent DMSO.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: During a 6‐year period, 103 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM; n = 58) and lymphoma (n = 45) were transplanted with autologous PBPCs. Throughout the first part of the period cells were cryopreserved with 10 percent DMSO and later with 5 percent. A retrospective comparison was carried out of the clinical results for these two groups.

RESULTS: No significant difference in median time to neutrophil and platelet (PLT) engraftment was demonstrated for MM and lymphoma patients transplanted with PBPCs cryopreserved with 5 or 10 percent DMSO. Time until neutrophil counts of more than 0.5 × 109 per L was 10 days both for the 5 and 10 percent MM groups and 12 days for both the 5 and the 10 percent lymphoma patients. Median time until stable PLT counts of more than 20 × 109 per L was 11 days in all four groups. In addition, transfusion requirements and duration of days admitted to hospital did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSION: The routines for cryopreservation of autografts vary considerably between transplantation centers, and this makes it difficult to compare different clinical studies. Our results suggest that cryopreservation with 5 percent DMSO alone followed by storage in nitrogen is a simple, highly standardized, and safe procedure for cryopreservation of autologous stem cell graft.
Association of cord blood platelet characteristics and hematopoietic progenitor cells
Authors: Eskola Mikko , Rekunen Sari , Aroviita Pekka , Möttönen Sari , Hiilesmaa Vilho , Sainio Susanna , Kekomäki Riitta
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Total nucleated cell (TNC) dose is associated with neutrophil and platelet (PLT) engraftment after cord blood (CB) transplantation and thus is used for selection of CB for banking. The goal of this study was to evaluate the internal relationships of CB PLT characteristics, TNC, and the hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) content of CB units.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: HPC and TNC counts of 167 CB units processed with an automated cell separation system were compared with CB PLT count and mean PLT volume (MPV). Megakaryocyte progenitors (CFU‐MK) were cultured from a subset of units (n = 24).

RESULTS: PLT concentration correlated with MPV (r = −0.39), which was also associated with both TNC and total CD34+ cells before and after processing (r = 0.37 and 0.35 and r = 0.41 and 0.42, respectively). In addition, MPV was associated with HPC counts in the CB unit. The p value was less than 0.001 for all associations. PLT count was inversely associated with markers of hematopoietic potential. Median removal of PLTs during processing was 62 percent (range, 40%‐84%). All 24 CB units of the subset exhibited CFU‐MK growth. In multivariate linear regression analysis, MPV improved prediction of the HPC content of the CB unit compared to prediction with CB volume and nucleated cell concentration only.

CONCLUSION: Mean PLT volume correlated with current markers of CB hematopoietic potential and is potentially useful for evaluating CB collections for banking. The question of the clinical significance of PLT characteristics in CB transplantation remains unanswered.
Improved postthaw viability and in vitro functionality of peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cells after cryopreservation with a theoretically optimized freezing curve
Authors: Tijssen Marloes R. , Woelders Henri , De Vries‐van Rossen Ada , Van Der Schoot C. Ellen , Voermans Carlijn , Lagerberg Johan W.M.
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: The freezing curve currently used for the cryopreservation of peripheral blood stem cell transplants (PBSCTs) has been determined empirically. Although the use of cryopreserved PBSCTs is successful and usually leads to rapid hematopoietic recovery, the freeze‐thawing process is known to induce a significant degree of cell death. Furthermore, the infusion of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), used to protect the cells against damage induced by freezing, can cause morbidity. Therefore, optimizing the current cryopreservation protocol (with 10% DMSO and a slow linear cooling curve) with theoretically optimized freezing curves and a lower DMSO concentration might improve the recovery after transplantation.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A theoretical model was used to predict optimal freezing curves for 5 and 10 percent DMSO. CD34+‐selected and ‐unselected PBSCs were cryopreserved with the current or the new freezing curves. Postthaw quality was evaluated by cell viability, colony formation, and megakaryocyte outgrowth.

RESULTS: With 10 percent DMSO, the use of the predicted optimal freezing curve resulted in increased postthaw viability of CD34+ cells, colony formation, and megakaryocyte outgrowth. Lowering the DMSO concentration to 5 percent resulted in improved postthaw viability and functionality, which was not further improved by use of the theoretically optimized freezing curve.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the current cryopreservation method for PBSCTs can be improved by either lowering the DMSO concentration to 5 percent or by using the theoretically optimized freezing curve. Infusion of less DMSO and more viable cells might improve the outcome of PBSCT.
Transfusion‐related immunomodulation due to peripheral blood dendritic cells expressing the CD200 tolerance signaling molecule and alloantigen
Authors: Clark David A. , Gorczynski Reginald M. , Blajchman Morris A.
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: The transfusion of allogeneic blood products containing white cells (WBCs) has been reported to reduce resistance to infection, stimulate the growth of some types of tumors in animal models, and prevent abortion of allogeneic embryos in the CBAxDBA/2 murine model.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this study, the issue explored was whether allogeneic BALB/c whole blood given to C57Bl/6 mice by tail vein after injection of syngeneic FSL‐10 fibrosarcoma cells increased the number of lung nodules enumerated on Day 21. The effect on the tumor growth–promoting effect produced by allogeneic BALB/c whole blood was then examined by exposure of the allogeneic BALB/c blood to various monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). The antibodies added to the BALB/c blood included anti‐murine CD200 antibodies, anti‐lymphoid dendritic cell (DC) antibodies (DEC205), or anti‐myeloid DC (anti‐CD11c) antibodies.

RESULTS: The tumor growth–promoting effect of the allogeneic BALB/c blood was abrogated by the addition to the BALB/c blood of MoAb either to myeloid DCs (anti‐CD11c) or to the CD200 tolerance signaling molecule, but not by adding MoAb to lymphoid DCs (DEC205). BALB/c blood also was shown to increase the percentage of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β+ splenocytes detected in recipient mice, on Day 12 after transfusion. This effect was abrogated by adding anti‐CD200 antibody to the BALB/c donor blood. Moreover, physiologic concentrations of TGF‐β, but not interleukin‐10, were shown to stimulate, in cell culture experiments, the proliferation of syngeneic FSL‐10 sarcoma cells.

CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that the mechanism of the tumor growth–promoting effect of allogeneic blood is mediated by a highly potent population of peripheral blood DCs expressing the CD200 tolerance signaling molecule. These data also indicate that tumor cell growth can be mediated by the stimulation of TGF‐β–producing cells and that TGF‐β may act by tumor cell growth stimulation, rather than by host immunosuppression.
Multiple Pathways Regulate Endocytic Coat Disassembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Optimal Downstream Trafficking
Authors: Toret Christopher P. , Lee Linda , Sekiya‐Kawasaki Mariko , Drubin David G.
Published: February 2008

Recently, a pathway involving the highly choreographed recruitment of endocytic proteins to sites of clathrin/actin‐mediated endocytosis has been revealed in budding yeast. Here, we investigated possible roles for candidate disassembly factors in regulation of the dynamics of the endocytic coat proteins Sla2p, Ent1p, Ent2p, Sla1p, Pan1p and End3p, each of which has mammalian homologues. Live cell imaging analysis revealed that in addition to the synaptojanin, Sjl2p, the Ark1p and Prk1p protein kinases, the putative Arf GTPase‐activating protein, Gts1p and the Arf GTPase‐interacting protein, Lsb5p, also arrive at endocytic sites late in the internalization pathway, consistent with roles in coat disassembly. Analysis of coat dynamics in various mutant backgrounds revealed that multiple pathways, including the ones mediated by an Arf guanosine triphosphatase and a synaptojanin, facilitate efficient disassembly of different endocytic coat proteins. In total, at least four separate processes are important for disassembly of endocytic complexes and efficient downstream trafficking of endocytic cargo.
Oral lichen planus: controversies surrounding malignant transformation
Authors: Gonzalez‐Moles MA , Scully C , Gil‐Montoya JA
Published: February 2008

Studies of the malignant potential of oral lichen planus (OLP) have been hampered by inconsistencies in the diagnostic criteria used for OLP, the criteria adopted to identify a true case of malignant transformation in OLP, the risk factors for malignant transformation and the optimum management of patients to ensure the early diagnosis of transformation. Consensus remains elusive, and leading workers in this field have recently published conflicting reports on the malignant potential of OLP and on the important question of the advisability of excluding patients with epithelial dysplasia or a tobacco habit from studies on this issue. The present review outlines these debates and proposes a possible a molecular basis for the malignant transformation in this disease.
What Am I Drinking? The Effects of Serving Facts Information on Alcohol Beverage Containers
Authors: BUI MY , BURTON SCOT , HOWLETT ELIZABETH , KOZUP JOHN
Published: February 2008

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with numerous adverse health conditions and is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Unlike manufacturers of most other packaged food and beverage products, alcohol beverage producers are not required to disclose product nutrition information. This situation may soon change. On July 31, 2007, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau proposed a rule that will require a Serving Facts panel containing a statement that includes levels of calories, carbohydrates, fat, and alcohol content on all alcohol beverage containers. The primary purpose of this research was to test predictions and provide insight regarding consumers’ potential responses to the provision of Serving Facts information on alcohol beverage labels. Implications of the results for public policy makers and consumer welfare are offered.
Vascular loops causing otological symptoms: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chadha N.K. , Weiner G.M.
Published: February 2008

Objective of review:  To determine evidence for a relationship between vascular loops in contact with the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) and otological symptoms.

Type of review:  Systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies.

Search strategy:  Comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Clinical Evidence and Cochrane Central Register of Trials. Reference lists cross‐referenced and authors contacted for missing data. No language restrictions.

Evaluation methods:  Included studies: (1) compared symptoms in subjects with a vascular loop contacting CN VIII to subjects without (inter‐subject control); (2) compared the prevalence of vascular loop in contact with CN VIII in symptomatic ears to contra‐lateral asymptomatic ears (intra‐subject control). Study quality systematically appraised.

Results:  Five case–control studies included. A statistically significant association was demonstrated for the prevalence of vascular loops in contact with CN VIII, with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss: pooled odds ratio (OR) 2.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5–2.6]. No association was demonstrated for non‐pulsatile tinnitus. A highly significant association with vascular loops was shown in subjects having pulsatile tinnitus, with pooled OR: 78.8 (95% CI: 10.9–821.8).

Conclusions:  Vascular loops in contact with CN VIII are a normal variant. Subjects with unilateral hearing loss were twice as likely to have these vascular loops in the symptomatic ear, than in the asymptomatic ear. Subjects with pulsatile tinnitus were 80 times more likely to have a contacting vascular loop than patients with non‐pulsatile tinnitus, suggesting in some cases a causal relationship exists for pulsatile tinnitus, where surgical intervention may be occasionally indicated.
Stability of Gorenstein categories
Authors: Sather-Wagstaff Keri Ann , Sharif Tirdad , White Diana
Published: February 2008

We show that an iteration of the procedure used to define the Gorenstein projective modules over a commutative ring R yields exactly the Gorenstein projective modules. Specifically, given an exact sequence of Gorenstein projective R‐modules such that the complexes HomR(G, H) and HomR(H, G) are exact for each Gorenstein projective R‐module H, the module Coker is Gorenstein projective. The proof of this result hinges upon our analysis of Gorenstein subcategories of abelian categories.
Nucleosome Positioning and Histone H3 Acetylation Are Independent Processes in the
Aspergillus nidulans prnD-prnB
Bidirectional Promoter
Authors: Reyes-Dominguez Yazmid , Narendja Frank , Berger Harald , Gallmetzer Andreas , Fernandez-Martin Rafael , Garcia Irene , Scazzocchio Claudio , Strauss Joseph
Published: February 2008

In
Aspergillus nidulans
, proline can be used as a carbon and nitrogen source, and its metabolism requires the integration of three signals, including proline induction and nitrogen and carbon metabolite derepression. We have previously shown that the bidirectional promoter in the
prnD-prnB
intergenic region undergoes drastic chromatin rearrangements such that proline induction leads to the loss of positioned nucleosomes, whereas simultaneous carbon and nitrogen metabolite repression results in the partial repositioning of these nucleosomes. In the proline cluster, the inhibition of deacetylases by trichostatin A leads to partial derepression and is associated with a lack of nucleosome positioning. Here, we investigate the effect of histone acetylation in the proline cluster using strains deleted of essential components of putative
A. nidulans
histone acetyltransferase complexes, namely,
gcnE
and
adaB
, the orthologues of the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae GCN5
and
ADA2
genes, respectively. Surprisingly, GcnE and AdaB are not required for transcriptional activation and chromatin remodeling but are required for the repression of
prnB
and
prnD
and for the repositioning of nucleosomes in the divergent promoter region. Chromatin immunoprecipitation directed against histone H3 lysines K9 and K14 revealed that GcnE and AdaB participate in increasing the acetylation level of at least one nucleosome in the
prnD-prnB
intergenic region during activation, but these activities do not determine nucleosome positioning. Our results are consistent with a function of GcnE and AdaB in gene repression of the proline cluster, probably an indirect effect related to the function of CreA, the DNA-binding protein mediating carbon catabolite repression in
A. nidulans
.
Roles of Effectors in XylS-Dependent Transcription Activation: Intramolecular Domain Derepression and DNA Binding
Authors: Domínguez-Cuevas Patricia , Marín Patricia , Busby Stephen , Ramos Juan L. , Marqués Silvia
Published: February 2008

XylS, an AraC family protein, activates transcription from the benzoate degradation pathway Pm promoter in the presence of a substrate effector such as 3-methylbenzoate (3MB). We developed a procedure to obtain XylS-enriched preparations which proved suitable to analyze its activation mechanism. XylS showed specific 3MB-independent binding to its target operator, which became strictly 3MB dependent in a dimerization-defective mutant. We demonstrated that the N-terminal domain of the protein can make linker-independent interactions with the C-terminal domain and inhibit its capacity to bind DNA. Interactions are hampered in the presence of 3MB effector. We propose two independent roles for 3MB in XylS activation: in addition to its known influence favoring protein dimerization, the effector is able to modify XylS conformation to trigger N-terminal domain intramolecular derepression. We also show that activation by XylS involves RNA polymerase recruitment to the Pm promoter as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. RNA polymerase switching in Pm transcription was reproduced in in vitro transcription assays. All σ
32
-, σ
38
-, and σ
70
-dependent RNA polymerases were able to carry out Pm transcription in a rigorous XylS-dependent manner, as demonstrated by the formation of open complexes only in the presence of the regulator.
Selectivity of auxin for induction and growth of callus from excised embryo of spring and winter wheat
Authors: Zhou M. D. , Lee T. T.
Published: February 2008

The callus-promoting activity of most commonly known as well as some rarely tested auxins was compared with that of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for in vitro culture of the excised embryo of spring and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cv. Chinese Spring and cv. Fredrick. Different auxins in a concentration range from 1 to 50 μM showed widely different activities. Also the two wheat cultivars responded differently to the auxins. When rapid callus formation with limited root growth was used as the basis for comparison, 2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid (2-MCPP), α-naphthaleneacetic acid, 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba), 4-amino-3,5,6,trichloropicolinic acid (picloram), γ-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxypropionic acid, in the order of effectiveness, were superior to 2,4,-D for callus induction from the embryo of 'Chinese Spring,' although the concentration required was higher than that of 2,4-D. For the winter wheat 'Fredrick,' however, only picloram, dicamba, and 2-MCPP performed as well as 2,4-D. All auxins tested promoted shoot growth; 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxypropionic acid was most effective for 'Chinese Spring,' whereas picloram was most effective for 'Fredrick.'
Ultrastructure of hyperparasitism of Coniothyrium minitans on sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Huang H. C. , Kokko E. G.
Published: February 2008

Transmission electron microscopy revealed that hyphae of the hyperparasite Coniothyrium minitans invade sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, resulting in the destruction and disintegration of the sclerotium tissues. The dark-pigmented rind tissue is more resistant to invasion by the hyperparasite than the unpigmented cortical and medullary tissues. Evidence from cell wall etching at the penetration site suggests that chemical activity is required for hyphae of C. minitans to penetrate the thick, melanized rind walls. The medullary tissue infected by C. minitans shows signs of plasmolysis, aggregation, and vacuolization of cytoplasm and dissolution of the cell walls. While most of the hyphal cells of C. minitans in the infected sclerotium tissue are normal, some younger hyphal cells in the rind tissue were lysed and devoid of normal contents.
Initiation and development of latent infections by Rhabdocline parkeri on Douglas-fir
Authors: Stone Jeffrey K.
Published: February 2008

Quantitative estimates of frequencies of latent infections by Rhabdocline parkeri Sherw. on Douglas-fir were obtained by direct microscopy of cleared needles from three half-sib trees. The infections are intracellular and are confined to a single epidermal cell until the onset of needle senescence, a period of 2 – 5 years. Infection frequencies varied widely among trees but increase logarithmically with needle age on all three trees. Differences in infection frequencies among trees were not demonstrably related to levels of infestation by Contarinia spp., a needle-galling dipteran. Active colonization of the needle resumes at the onset of needle senescence, beginning with the production of haustoria in cells adjacent to the original infection sites. Rapid colonization of the needle and sporulation of R. parkeri coincide with needle abscission, occurring before substantial colonization of the needles by saprophytic fungi. Saprophytic fungi colonized needles rapidly following abscission, but R. parkeri was recoverable in culture from needles up to 35 days after abscission.
Detection of heavy metals in oak mycorrhizae of northeastern Pennsylvania forests, using x-ray microanalysis
Authors: Wasserman J. L. , Mineo L. , Majumdar S. K. , Tyne C. Van
Published: February 2008

A survey of red and white oak mycorrhizae, using semi-quantitative x-ray microanalysis, has shown a significant difference in heavy-metal deposition between the forest-grown oaks on acidic (mor) and neutral (mull) soils. There are significantly higher levels of nickel, iron, aluminum, and copper within oak roots of Pocono (mor) forests than of Lehigh Valley (mull) forests. The Pocono oak roots were taken from acidic soils derived from sandstone, shales, and conglomerate parent rock materials, while Lehigh Valley oak roots were removed from neutral soils derived from carbonate-rich limestone and dolomite. Chemical analysis of these soils demonstrated higher plant-available heavy-metal content in the acidic soils. Digital line profiles indicated that heavy metals, especially nickel and iron, were concentrated in the peripheral mycorrhizal mantle region of cross-sectioned roots. Since nickel and other heavy metals are known to be toxic to fungi and plant tissues, the high concentrations of metals may be responsible for the decreased frequencies of advantageous ectomycorrhizal associations in oaks growing under certain acid-stressed conditions.
Rapport des sexes, effort et succès de reproduction chez Rubus chamaemorus, plante herbacée vivace dioïque de distribution subarctique
Authors: Dumas Pascale , Maillette Lucie
Published: February 2008

Studies published on the reproductive success of dioecious species concentrate on the role of sex ratios and pollinator behaviour. In the case of Rubus chamaemorus L., a circumboreal dioecious species, we hypothesized that flower survival and biomass allocation to reproductive tissues, which are climate dependent, also influence fruit production. Only 0.05% of total biomass is allocated to reproduction, whereas 94% goes to underground organs responsible for vegetative propagation. Many male (28 – 51%) and female flower buds (35 – 54%) and young fruits (24–51%) die prematurely mainly because of the climate; fruit production then becomes independent from initial female flower density. The scarcity of female flowers at most sites (except near open water) limits fruit production. The limited sexual reproduction would allow cloudberry to maintain somatic resources, thereby increasing the longevity of individuals and their chance of encountering the climatic conditions required for reproductive success. Such a strategy is adaptive in a variable climate like that of the subarctic. Furthermore, the reduced importance of sexual reproduction would diminish the need to optimize sex ratios. Other selective pressures (e.g., competition) would then favour male clones in most sites, in spite of the unproductive pollen excess.
Blebbistatin inhibits the chemotaxis of vascular smooth muscle cells by disrupting the myosin II-actin interaction
Authors: Wang Hong Hui , Tanaka Hideyuki , Qin Xiaoran , Zhao Tiejun , Ye Li-Hong , Okagaki Tuyoshi , Katayama Takeshi , Nakamura Akio , Ishikawa Ryoki , Thatcher Sean E. , Wright Gary L. , Kohama Kazuhiro
Published: February 2008

Blebbistatin is a myosin II-specific inhibitor. However, the mechanism and tissue specificity of the drug are not well understood. Blebbistatin blocked the chemotaxis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) toward sphingosylphosphorylcholine (IC50= 26.1 ± 0.2 and 27.5 ± 0.5 μM for GbaSM-4 and A7r5 cells, respectively) and platelet-derived growth factor BB (IC50= 32.3 ± 0.9 and 31.6 ± 1.3 μM for GbaSM-4 and A7r5 cells, respectively) at similar concentrations. Immunofluorescence and fluorescent resonance energy transfer analysis indicated a blebbistatin-induced disruption of the actin-myosin interaction in VSMCs. Subsequent experiments indicated that blebbistatin inhibited the Mg2+-ATPase activity of the unphosphorylated (IC50= 12.6 ± 1.6 and 4.3 ± 0.5 μM for gizzard and bovine stomach, respectively) and phosphorylated (IC50= 15.0 ± 0.6 μM for gizzard) forms of purified smooth muscle myosin II, suggesting a direct effect on myosin II motor activity. It was further observed that the Mg2+-ATPase activities of gizzard myosin II fragments, heavy meromyosin (IC50= 14.4 ± 1.6 μM) and subfragment 1 (IC50= 5.5 ± 0.4 μM), were also inhibited by blebbistatin. Assay by in vitro motility indicated that the inhibitory effect of blebbistatin was reversible. Electron-microscopic evaluation showed that blebbistatin induced a distinct conformational change (i.e., swelling) of the myosin II head. The results suggest that the site of blebbistatin action is within the S1 portion of smooth muscle myosin II.