bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Quantitative Trait Loci in Wheat for Flag Leaf Resistance to Stagonospora nodorum Blotch
Authors: Francki M. G. , Shankar M. , Walker E. , Loughman R. , Golzar H. , Ohm H.
Published: July 2011

Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB) is a significant disease in some wheat-growing regions of the world. Resistance in wheat to Stagonospora nodorum is complex, whereby genes for seedling, flag leaf, and glume resistance are independent. The aims of this study were to identify alternative genes for flag leaf resistance, to compare and contrast with known quantitative trait loci (QTL) for SNB resistance, and to determine the potential role of host-specific toxins for SNB QTL. Novel QTL for flag leaf resistance were identified on chromosome 2AS inherited from winter wheat parent ‘P92201D5’ and chromosome 1BS from spring wheat parent ‘EGA Blanco’. The chromosomal map position of markers associated with QTL on 1BS and 2AS indicated that they were unlikely to be associated with known host–toxin insensitivity loci. A QTL on chromosome 5BL inherited from EGA Blanco had highly significant association with markers fcp001 and fcp620 based on disease evaluation in 2007 and, therefore, is likely to be associated with Tsn1-ToxA insensitivity for flag leaf resistance. However, fcp001 and fcp620 were not associated with a QTL detected based on disease evaluation in 2008, indicating two linked QTL for flag leaf resistance with multiple genes residing on 5BL. This study identified novel QTL and their effects in controlling flag leaf SNB resistance.
Translocation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, the Zebra Chip Pathogen, in Potato and Tomato
Authors: Levy Julien , Ravindran Aravind , Gross Dennis , Tamborindeguy Cecilia , Pierson Elizabeth
Published: July 2011

Zebra Chip disease is a serious threat to potato production. The pathogen, the phloem-limited bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum,’ is vectored by the potato and tomato psyllid Bactericerca cockerelli to potato and tomato. Patterns of pathogen translocation through phloem in potato and tomato plants were examined to determine whether rate or direction of translocation vary by host species or potato cultivars. Two insects were given a 7-day inoculation access period on a single leaf. Weekly, leaves from upper-, middle-, and lower-tier branches were tested for the presence of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In tomato and potato, ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ was detected 2 to 3 weeks after infestation, most frequently in upper- and middle-tier leaves. In potato, the pathogen was detected in leaves on a second, noninfested stem when the stems remained joined via the tuber. Although rates of pathogen movement were similar among potato cultivars, symptoms developed earlier in more susceptible cultivars. Quantitative PCR indicated that bacterial titers were frequently low in tomato and potato samples (<20 genome units per nanogram of DNA). Results establish that, for improved detection, samples should include newly developing leaves and consider that, under low insect pressure, the pathogen may be undetectable by PCR until 3 weeks after infestation.
Nanocapillary electrophoretic electrochemical chip: towards analysis of biochemicals released by single cells
Authors: Wu Ren-Guei , Yang Chung-Shi , Cheing Ching-Chang , Tseng Fan-Gang
Published: July 2011

A novel nanocapillary electrophoretic electrochemical (Nano-CEEC) chip has been developed to demonstrate the possibility of zeptomole-level detection of neurotransmitters released from single living cells. The chip integrates three subunits to collect and concentrate scarce neurotransmitters released from single PC-12 cells, including a pair of targeting electrodes for single cells captured by controlling the surface charge density; a dual-asymmetry electrokinetic flow device for sample collection, pre-concentration and separation in a nanochannel; and an online electrochemical detector for zeptomole-level sample detection. This Nano-CEEC chip integrates a polydimethylsiloxane microchannel for cell sampling and biomolecule separation and a silicon dioxide nanochannel for sample pre-concentration and amperometric detection. The cell-capture voltage ranges from 0.1 to 1.5 V with a frequency of 1–10 kHz for PC-12 cells, and the single cell-capture efficiency is optimized by varying the duration of the applied field. All of the processes, from cell sampling to neurotransmitter detection, can be completed within 15 min. Catecholamines, including dopamine and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) released from coupled single cells, have been successfully detected using the Nano-CEEC chip. A detection limit of 30–75 zeptomoles was achieved, which is close to the levels released by a single neuron
in vitro
.
Ovalbumin‐specific immunoglobulins A and G levels at age 2 years are associated with the occurrence of atopic disorders
Authors: Kukkonen A. K. , Savilahti E. M. , Haahtela T. , Savilahti E. , Kuitunen M.
Published: July 2011

Background Humoral responses to food antigens may reflect the propensity of a child's immune system to develop tolerance to innocuous antigens. Early nutrition as well as probiotics may influence these immunological responses.

Objective To study the association of humoral responses to early food antigens with the administration of prebiotics and probiotics, with the occurrence of allergy, and with the length of exclusive breastfeeding.

Methods In a randomized double‐blind allergy prevention trial in high‐risk children, 1018 mothers took probiotics or placebo from the 36th week of gestation, and their newborn infants received probiotics and prebiotics or placebo during 6 months. At 2 and 5 years, we evaluated the cumulative incidence of allergic diseases (food allergy, eczema, asthma, rhinitis) and sensitization (skin prick test ⩾3 mm or serum antigen‐specific IgE>0.7 kU/L). In 688 infants at age 2, we measured in sera‐specific IgA, IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 antibody levels to cow's milk (CM), α‐casein (CAS), β‐lactoglobulin (BLG), and ovalbumin (OVA) with ELISA, and specific IgE levels to CM and hen's egg with UniCap.

Results Probiotic treatment (n=342) compared with placebo (n=346) showed no effect on serum food‐specific IgA, IgG, IgG1, or IgG4 concentrations at age 2. Atopic children had higher OVA‐IgA (P<0.001), OVA‐IgG (P=0.001), OVA‐IgG1 (P<0.001), and egg‐IgE but lower OVA‐IgG4/egg‐IgE ratio (P<0.001) than non‐atopic children. Longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding (⩾4 vs. <4 months) was associated with reduced CM‐ and CAS‐specific serum IgA (P<0.001) and IgG levels (P<0.001; P=0.003).

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance Allergy was associated with more intense IgA and IgG responses to OVA. Breastfeeding depressed humoral responses, whereas prebiotics and probiotics supplementation showed no immunomodulatory effect. The effect of probiotics on allergies is not mediated through food‐specific antibody responses. Furthermore, OVA‐specific IgA and IgG antibodies may help in assessing the risk for atopy. [Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00298337]

Cite this as: A. K. Kukkonen, E. M. Savilahti, T. Haahtela, E. Savilahti and M. Kuitunen, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 1414–1421.
The role of genetics and environment in the rise of childhood food allergy
Authors: Tan T. H.‐T. , Ellis J. A. , Saffery R. , Allen K. J.
Published: July 2011

Food allergy is a growing clinical and public health problem world‐wide. The rising incidence is occurring more rapidly than changes to the genome sequence would allow, but it is yet to be determined whether environmental factors might act in interaction with genetic risk. That is to say, are environmental factors more likely to affect those genetically at risk? Family history is a strong risk factor for the development of food allergy as it co‐aggregates with other atopic diseases and as such genetic factors do play an important role in food allergy risk. However, significant interest has now turned to the role of epigenetic modifications of the genome as the major mediator of gene–environment interaction. The consideration of the role of epigenetics in food allergy is likely to provide an insight into aetiological and biological disease mechanisms. This paper discusses the current state of knowledge regarding genetic and environmental risk factors for food allergy, and considers the potential for furthering our understanding of food allergy aetiology by examining the role of epigenetic variation.

Cite this as: T. H.‐T. Tan, J. A. Ellis, R. Saffery and K. J. Allen, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2012 (42) 20–29.
Multispecies comparison reveals that invasive and native plants differ in their traits but not in their plasticity
Authors: Godoy Oscar , Valladares Fernando , Castro‐Díez Pilar
Published: July 2011

1. Plastic responses to spatiotemporal environmental variation strongly influence species distribution, with widespread species expected to have high phenotypic plasticity. Theoretically, high phenotypic plasticity has been linked to plant invasiveness because it facilitates colonization and rapid spreading over large and environmentally heterogeneous new areas.

2. To determine the importance of phenotypic plasticity for plant invasiveness, we compare well‐known exotic invasive species with widespread native congeners. First, we characterized the phenotype of 20 invasive–native ecologically and phylogenetically related pairs from the Mediterranean region by measuring 20 different traits involved in resource acquisition, plant competition ability and stress tolerance. Second, we estimated their plasticity across nutrient and light gradients.

3. On average, invasive species had greater capacity for carbon gain and enhanced performance over a range of limiting to saturating resource availabilities than natives. However, both groups responded to environmental variations with high albeit similar levels of trait plasticity. Therefore, contrary to the theory, the extent of phenotypic plasticity was not significantly higher for invasive plants.

4. We argue that the combination of studying mean values of a trait with its plasticity can render insightful conclusions on functional comparisons of species such as those exploring the performance of species coexisting in heterogeneous and changing environments.
Evolution of eggshell structure during rapid range expansion in a passerine bird
Authors: Stein Laura R. , Badyaev Alexander V.
Published: July 2011

1. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and partial oxygen pressure can affect avian eggshell structure because gas exchange across the shell must allow sufficient water loss while preventing dehydration of the embryo. Studies of species with known chronology of colonization of novel environments provide a powerful insight into the relative importance of ecological factors shaping the evolution of eggshell structure.

2. Here, we examined changes in eggshell structure that accompanied rapid range expansion of house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) across North America. We analysed thickness and pore density in eggshells from three ecologically distinct populations: the native desert population in southwestern Arizona and two 30‐year‐old populations in the northwestern (north‐west Montana) and southeastern (south‐east Alabama) parts of the species’ range. We also conducted cross‐foster exchanges of freshly laid eggs within and between the northwestern and southeastern populations to examine consequences of population differences in eggshell structure on embryo development.

3. Eggshell structure was most distinct in a recently established population inhabiting higher humidity environment (southeastern Alabama), where eggs were the largest, eggshells the thickest and pore density the lowest. Populations that experienced highly distinct ambient temperatures (southwestern Arizona and northwestern Montana) nevertheless had similar eggshell structure. These results were corroborated by experiments where humidity differences between cross‐fostered nests had twice the effect on embryo survival compared to the effect of change in ambient temperature. Correspondingly, experimental egg exchanges between southeastern. Alabama and northwestern Montana populations were associated with fourfold increase in embryo mortality compared to within‐population egg exchanges.

4. We document rapid evolution of eggshell structure in response to colonization of novel environments and establish the relative importance of environmental factors on avian eggshells. We discuss these results in relation to population variation in incubation behaviour and its ability to shield eggshell structure from the selection exerted by novel environments.
On‐demand treatment of bleeds in haemophilia patients with inhibitors: strategies for securing and maintaining predictable efficacy with recombinant activated factor VII
Authors: SØRENSEN B. , DARGAUD Y. , KENET G. , LUSHER J. , MUMFORD A. , PIPE S. , TIEDE A.
Published: July 2011

Summary.  On‐demand therapy with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) can provide effective haemostasis for spontaneous bleeds in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. However, treatment approaches vary amongst physicians, positively or negatively affecting outcomes. A panel of physicians proposed recommendations for securing and maintaining predictable efficacy with rFVIIa, comparing these with ‘real‐life’ patient management, using a questionnaire circulated to other expert physicians from haemophilia care centres in Europe and the United States. For rFVIIa treatment of spontaneous bleeds in inhibitor patients, early intervention with the highest appropriate dose is recommended. Home‐based therapy can facilitate early intervention. If additional rFVIIa therapy is required after the initial dose, rFVIIa 90 μg kg−1 may be administered at 2–3 h intervals. Treatment should be tailored to bleed site/severity, recognizing the advantages of appropriate adjunct therapy. Questionnaire results suggested that many respondents adopted strategies in line with the recommendations. Most (36/46) recommended initial therapy within 1 h of bleed onset. rFVIIa 270 μg kg−1 was the most frequently prescribed/recommended initial dose for paediatric (aged ≤15 years; 22/44 respondents) and adult (aged >15 years; 23/44 respondents) patients. However, there may be opportunity for improved bleed management on occasion, with regard, for instance, to dosing and dose interval. To secure and maintain predictable efficacy with rFVIIa, judicious dose selection and treatment timing are important, together with adjunct therapy where necessary. As inhibitor patients present with different bleeding scenarios, a tailored treatment approach should be adopted.
The natural history of mild haemophilia: a 30‐year single centre experience
Authors: TAGLIAFERRI A. , DI PERNA C. , RICCARDI F. , PATTACINI C. , RIVOLTA G. F. , FRANCHINI M.
Published: July 2011

Summary.  Although up to 50% of all haemophilic patients followed at haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) are affected by a mild factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX) defect, published data regarding the natural history of these disorders are scarce. To fill this lack of information, a retrospective single centre study was conducted. All cases with mild haemophilia (75 A and 7 B) followed at the regional reference HTC of Parma were evaluated. The patients’ median age at diagnosis was 11.5 years and their median age at first bleeding was 5.5 years; 95% of patients had a history of haemorrhagic problems during their life. Twenty‐three percent of patients were infected by HCV, and none by HIV. Genetic analysis was performed in 80 patients (97% haemophilia A and 100% haemophilia B) and 21 different mutations were characterized. Eleven percent of patients had never received treatment, whereas 67% were treated with plasma‐derived or recombinant FVIII/FIX concentrates (4% developed inhibitors). desmopressin (DDAVP) was used in 80% of the haemophilia A patients. The response to DDAVP was closely related to the patients’ genetic profile, as 60% of non‐responders had a mutation in the F8 promoter region. Patients with mild haemophilia may experience a variety of medical problems, sometimes challenging for the physicians, during their lifetime. The HTCs play an important role in the management of these patients, whose diagnosis is often delayed. The HTCs should improve patients’ knowledge and consideration of their disease and encourage them to maintain regular contact with their haemophilia care provider.
Contribution of irrigation and cultivars to volatile profile and sensory attributes of selected virgin olive oils produced in Tunisia
Authors: Dabbou Samia , Brahmi Faten , Selvaggini Roberto , Chehab Hechmi , Dabbou Sihem , Taticchi Agnese , Servili Maurizio , Hammami Mohamed
Published: July 2011

Nowadays, a significant increase in intensively and irrigated managed olive orchards has occurred in Tunisia in the hope to increase the olive production. Aromatic profile with sensory analysis were considered in virgin olive oils from Arbequina, Coratina and Koroneiki cultivars grown intensively under three irrigation treatments (T1, T2 and T3 equivalent to 50%, 75% and 100% ETc.). Results showed that the aromatic quality depends first on the irrigation level applied and second on the cultivar. From sensory analysis, hay‐like and greasy were the principal off‐flavour detected. As the amount of supplied water increased, volatiles showed different behaviours depending on cultivar and the most important changes occurred in the release of the three alcohols ((E)‐2‐penten‐1‐ol, 1‐hexanol, (E)‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol and phenylethyl alcohol) and hexanal. The most effective by irrigation regimes in separating cultivars were (E)‐2‐hexenal, (Z)‐2‐penten‐1‐ol, (E)‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol, fruity, bitter and pungent sensory descriptors. In conclusion, the data obtained herein proved the heavy influence of the cultivar in comparison with irrigation regimes.
Caries increment over 2 years in preschool children: a life course approach
Authors: WONG M.C.M. , LU H.X. , LO E.C.M.
Published: July 2011

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; 22: 77–84

Background.  Longitudinal study to investigate how the dental caries in primary teeth progress with increasing age is still lacking.

Aims.  To describe the development of new caries over 2 years and to identify risk factors that can predict new caries development.

Design.  A random sample of preschool children aged 3–4 years was surveyed and followed up when they reached 5–6 years of age in Hong Kong. Dental caries status was assessed using the dmft index. Negative binomial regression was performed to investigate the factors collected at baseline that could predict the caries increment over 2 years.

Results.  Totally 358 children attended both examinations. The mean caries increment over 2 years was 0.9. Results of the negative binomial regression showed that children who used nursing bottles during sleep when they were young (P = 0.013), whose toothbrushing began after 12 months (P = 0.005), who took snack once or more daily (P < 0.001), and whose parents had 9 or fewer years of education attainment (P = 0.002) had significantly higher caries increment.

Conclusions.  New caries development of Hong Kong preschool children was low. Children’s feeding, snaking and brushing habits, and parents’ education attainment were the significant predictors for new caries development of preschool children.
Small‐scale fisheries of Peru: a major sink for marine turtles in the Pacific
Authors: Alfaro‐Shigueto Joanna , Mangel Jeffrey C. , Bernedo Francisco , Dutton Peter H. , Seminoff Jeffrey A. , Godley Brendan J.
Published: July 2011

1. Over the last few decades, evidence of marine vertebrate bycatch has been collected for a range of industrial fisheries. It has recently been acknowledged that large impacts may also result from similar interactions with small‐scale fisheries (SSF) due largely to their diffuse effort and large number of vessels in operation. Marine mammals, seabirds, turtles as well as some shark species have been reported as being impacted by SSF worldwide.

2. From 2000 to 2007, we used both shore‐based and onboard observer programmes from three SSF ports in Peru to assess the impact on marine turtles of small‐scale longline, bottom set nets and driftnet fisheries.

3. We reported a total of 807 sea turtles captured, 91·8% of which were released alive. For these three sites alone, we estimated c. 5900 turtles captured annually (3200 loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta, 2400 green turtles Chelonia mydas, 240 olive ridleys Lepidochelys olivacea and 70 leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea).

4. SSF in Peru are widespread and numerous (>100 ports, >9500 vessels, >37 000 fishers), and our observed effort constituted c. 1% of longline and net deployments. We suggest that the number of turtles captured per year is likely to be in the tens of thousands. Thus, the impacts of Peruvian SSF have the potential to severely impact sea turtles in the Pacific especially green, loggerhead and leatherback turtles.

5. Implications of the human use of turtle products as ‘marine bushmeat’ are also raised as an important issue. Although such utilization is illegal, it is difficult to foresee how it can be managed without addressing the constraints to the livelihoods of those depending almost entirely on coastal resources.

6. Syntheses and applications. Our analysis demonstrates that, despite logistical challenges, it is feasible to estimate the bycatch per unit of effort in SSF by combining methods that account for fishing effort and bycatch, such as using onboard and shore‐based observers. We highlight sea turtle bycatch in SSF in the southeast Pacific as a major conservation concern but also suggest possible paths for mitigation.
Long‐term trends in carnivore abundance using distance sampling in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Authors: Durant Sarah M. , Craft Meggan E. , Hilborn Ray , Bashir Sultana , Hando Justin , Thomas Len
Published: July 2011

1. Carnivores can have critical impacts on ecosystems, provide economic value through tourism and are often important flagships. However, their biological traits (e.g. low density, cryptic colouration and behaviour) make them difficult to monitor and hence wildlife managers rarely have access to reliable information on population trends, and long‐term information at the community level is almost completely lacking.

2. We use data from transect counts in the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania to examine trends in abundance for seven co‐existing carnivore species. Distance‐based transect counts between 2002 and 2005 are compared with adjusted data from fixed‐width transect counts across the same area in 1977 and 1986.

3. Distance‐based methods provided density indices for the seven most commonly seen carnivores: lionPanthera leo,spotted hyaenaCrocuta crocuta,golden jackalCanis aureus,black‐backed jackalCanis mesomelas,cheetahAcinonyx jubatus,side‐striped jackalCanis audustisand bat‐eared foxOtocyon megalotis. Detection curves were used to correct estimates from earlier fixed‐width transect counts.

4. Trend analyses detected significant declines in densities of golden and black‐backed jackal and bat‐eared fox, but found no significant changes in spotted hyaena, lion, cheetah and side‐striped jackal.

5. Overall, despite wide confidence intervals, we show that distance‐based data can be used effectively to detect long‐term trends and provide critical information for conservation managers. Power analysis demonstrated that for the most frequently seen species, spotted hyaena, golden jackal and lion, abrupt declines of up to 20% may be detectable through long‐term monitoring; however, for the remaining species, declines of 50% may only be detected half the time.

6. Synthesis and applications.Distance methods provide a tool for rapid counts and monitoring of several species of carnivores simultaneously in suitable habitats and can be combined with historical fixed‐width transect counts to test for changes in density. The method can provide key information to managers on long‐term population trends and sudden abrupt changes in population size across a carnivore community.
Assessing genetic risk in revegetation
Authors: Byrne Margaret , Stone Lynley , Millar Melissa A.
Published: July 2011

1. Revegetation can provide major environmental benefits in degraded landscapes, but there is also potential for negative impacts from genetic change in local native populations. Broad areas of revegetation may provide a large source of foreign genes in landscapes where small remnant native populations act as a sink. Genetic change from hybridisation can threaten population persistence and contribute to species extinction through genetic assimilation or demographic swamping.

2. Implementation of revegetation within a risk management framework allows identification of risk factors, analysis and evaluation of risk to inform decision‐making and management to minimise and mitigate the risk. Informed analysis and evaluation of genetic risk is important in revegetation because it will be difficult to control or reverse the impacts in natural ecosystems and they are often not expressed until the second generation or later.

3. A risk assessment protocol is presented based on evaluation of factors that influence the likelihood and consequences of adverse genetic change from revegetation arising through pollen dispersal.

4. The assessment is applicable to a broad range of revegetation activities and contributes to the development of informed decision‐making processes in implementation of revegetation systems and land use practices that protect and enhance biodiversity in degraded landscapes.

5. Synthesis and applications. Implementation of revegetation programmes within a risk management framework will help to ensure that significant environmental benefits are captured with minimal concomitant negative impacts on the surrounding biodiversity. A genetic risk protocol provides a tool for evaluation of potential adverse genetic impacts on native populations from revegetation and can be implemented in conjunction with weed risk assessment. Risk assessment as an integral part of evaluation of environmental impact for large‐scale revegetation programmes will contribute to the development of informed decision‐making processes in the implementation of revegetation systems, and ultimately, it will aid in the development of land uses that protect and enhance biodiversity in degraded landscapes.
Changes to booking, transfer criteria and procedures in birth centres in Australia from 1997–2007: a national survey
Authors: Laws Paula J , Lim Carylyn , Tracy Sally K , Dahlen Hannah , Sullivan Elizabeth A
Published: July 2011

Background.  Approximately 2% of women who give birth in Australia each year do so in a birth centre. A national study on birth centre procedures was conducted in 1997. There have been changes in the management of women in birth centres during the past 10 years and this may be due in part to changes in booking and transfer criteria.

Aims.  This study aimed to describe booking and transfer criteria and procedures available in birth centres in Australia in 2007 and to compare results with those of a previous national birth centre study undertaken in 1997.

Design.  Survey.

Methods.  Questionnaires were sent to 23 birth centres. Questions included: types of procedures, equipment and pain relief available and exclusion criteria for booking and transfer. Of the birth centres, 19 satisfied the inclusion criteria and 16 completed surveys.

Results.  Changes were noted in booking and transfer criteria and procedures for birth centres between 1997–2007. These included a decline in birth centres accepting postterm pregnancies, vaginal births after caesarean section and women who are obese. There were also reductions in the use of artificial rupture of membranes for augmentation of labour, forceps and opioids. Use of natural therapies was widespread in 2007. Increases in birth centres managing induction of labour and electronic fetal monitoring were also noted.

Conclusions.  The changes observed in birth centre practice reflect overall changes in maternity care in Australia from 1997–2007.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Findings of the study suggest that factors such as increasing obesity and limited admission for vaginal births after caesarean section may lead to proportionately more women being unable to access birth centres as their preferred place of birth.
Investigating factors associated with depression of vitiligo patients in Singapore
Authors: Chan Moon Fai , Chua Tse Lert , Goh Boon Kee , Aw Chen Wee Derrick , Thng Tien Guan Steven , Lee Sze Min
Published: July 2011

Aims.  To explore the depression level of a group of vitiligo patients in Singapore and to identify factors associated with depression.

Background.  Unlike most internal illness, skin disease is often immediately visible to others and therefore people suffers from dermatological conditions may suffer psychological consequences.

Design.  A descriptive survey was conducted during the period October 2009–August 2010 in Singapore; 145 vitiligo patients aged 21+  completed a structured questionnaire.

Methods.  Three main outcome variables were employed in the study: demographic characteristics, clinical and psychosocial outcomes.

Results.  Among the patients, 17·2% (n = 25) had been identified as depressed. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify a model to predict vitiligo patients who will have depression. The results showed that females (p = 0·05), aged below 50 years old (p = 0·016), having 5+ years of illness (p = 0·021) and with low self‐esteem (p = 0·002) and poor quality of life scores (p = 0·004) were significant risk factors for depression.

Conclusion.  Providing a suitable health care consultation for vitiligo patients may reduces depressive symptoms and maintaining their psychological health may be crucial for preventing suffering from depressive symptoms. Apart from the findings, these conclusions resonate with recent Singapore guidance on managing depression in vitiligo patients. This stresses the importance of prevention, early detection and stepped care with a multifaceted approach to management.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is important to regularly screen for depressive symptoms among vitiligo patients. Focusing on vitiligo patients with enhancing self‐esteem and improving quality of life should help in both the prevention and recognition of onset of depression among vitiligo patients.
Loss of Acute Satiety Response to Cholecystokinin in Pregnant Rats
Authors: Ladyman S. R. , Sapsford T. J. , Grattan D. R.
Published: July 2011

During pregnancy, food intake and fat mass are increased to meet the energy demands of the growing conceptus and to prepare for the subsequent demands of lactation. A state of leptin resistance develops during pregnancy in the rat, which can facilitate the increase in food intake despite pregnancy‐induced increases in leptin concentrations. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a satiety factor that is released from the gut during feeding and acts to terminate short‐term food intake. Circulating leptin concentrations can modulate the anorexic response to CCK; low leptin concentrations decrease the potency of CCK to reduce food intake. Because rats are leptin resistant by day 14 of pregnancy, it was hypothesised that the feeding response to CCK would be attenuated at that time. Nonpregnant and day 14 pregnant rats received an i.p. injection of CCK‐8 (3 μg/kg body weight) or vehicle directly before the start of the dark phase. Food intake was measured 30 min after lights out. Approximately 90 min after receiving either CCK‐8 or vehicle, rats were transcardially perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. Food intake was significantly decreased in CCK‐treated nonpregnant rats, although similar treatment did not reduce food intake in day 14 pregnant rats. CCK treatment lead to significant increased in c‐Fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in both nonpregnant and pregnant rats compared to vehicle treatment, although the number of CCK‐induced c‐Fos positive cells was significantly less in pregnant rat compared to nonpregnant rats. Although CCK treatment increased the number of c‐Fos positive cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus in nonpregnant rats, no significant increase was observed in these areas during pregnancy. These results indicate that pregnant rats are no longer responsive to the actions of CCK on short‐term food intake and that CCK action in the NTS is reduced during pregnancy.
Hybrid speciation in sparrows I: phenotypic intermediacy, genetic admixture and barriers to gene flow
Authors: HERMANSEN JO S. , SÆTHER STEIN A. , ELGVIN TORE O. , BORGE THOMAS , HJELLE ELIN , SÆTRE GLENN‐PETER
Published: July 2011

Homoploid hybrid speciation is thought to require unusual circumstances to yield reproductive isolation from the parental species, and few examples are known from nature. Here, we present genetic evidence for this mode of speciation in birds. Using Bayesian assignment analyses of 751 individuals genotyped for 14 unlinked, nuclear microsatellite loci, we show that the phenotypically intermediate Italian sparrow (Passer italiae) does not form a cluster of its own, but instead exhibits clear admixture (over its entire breeding range) between its putative parental species, the house sparrow (P. domesticus) and the Spanish sparrow (P. hispaniolensis). Further, the Italian sparrow possesses mitochondrial (mt) DNA haplotypes identical to both putative parental species (although mostly of house sparrow type), indicating a recent hybrid origin. Today, the Italian sparrow has a largely allopatric distribution on the Italian peninsula and some Mediterranean islands separated from its suggested parental species by the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, but co‐occurs with the Spanish sparrow on the Gargano peninsula in southeast Italy. No evidence of interbreeding was found in this sympatric population. However, the Italian sparrow hybridizes with the house sparrow in a sparsely populated contact zone in the Alps. Yet, the contact zone is characterized by steep clines in species‐specific male plumage traits, suggesting that partial reproductive isolation may also have developed between these two taxa. Thus, geographic and reproductive barriers restrict gene flow into the nascent hybrid species. We propose that an origin of hybrid species where the hybrid lineage gets geographically isolated from its parental species, as seems to have happened in this system, might be more common in nature than previously assumed.
Genetic and phenotypic variation across a hybrid zone between ecologically divergent tree squirrels (Tamiasciurus)
Authors: CHAVEZ ANDREAS S. , SALTZBERG CARL J. , KENAGY G. J.
Published: July 2011

A hybrid zone along an environmental gradient should contain a clinal pattern of genetic and phenotypic variation. This occurs because divergent selection in the two parental habitats is typically strong enough to overcome the homogenizing effects of gene flow across the environmental transition. We studied hybridization between two parapatric tree squirrels (Tamiasciurus spp.) across a forest gradient over which the two species vary in coloration, cranial morphology and body size. We sampled 397 individuals at 29 locations across a 600‐km transect to seek genetic evidence for hybridization; upon confirming hybridization, we examined levels of genetic admixture in relation to maintenance of phenotypic divergence despite potentially homogenizing gene flow. Applying population assignment analyses to microsatellite data, we found that Tamiasciurus douglasii and T. hudsonicus form two distinct genetic clusters but also hybridize, mostly within transitional forest habitat. Overall, based on this nuclear analysis, 48% of the specimens were characterized as T. douglasii, 9% as hybrids and 43% as T. hudsonicus. Hybrids appeared to be reproductively viable, as evidenced by the presence of later‐generation hybrid genotypes. Observed clines in ecologically important phenotypic traits—fur coloration and cranial morphology—were sharper than the cline of putatively neutral mtDNA, which suggests that divergent selection may maintain phenotypic distinctiveness. The relatively recent divergence of these two species (probably late Pleistocene), apparent lack of prezygotic isolating mechanisms and geographic coincidence of cline centres for both genetic and phenotypic variation suggest that environmental factors play a large role in maintaining the distinctiveness of these two species across the hybrid zone.
The Vibrio cholerae fatty acid regulatory protein, FadR, represses transcription of plsB, the gene encoding the first enzyme of membrane phospholipid biosynthesis
Authors: Feng Youjun , Cronan John E.
Published: July 2011

Glycerol‐3‐phosphate (sn‐glycerol‐3‐P, G3P) acyltransferase catalyses the first committed step in the biosynthesis of membrane phospholipids, the acylation of G3P to form 1‐acyl G3P (lysophosphatidic acid). The paradigm G3P acyltransferase is the Escherichia coli plsB gene product which acylates position‐1 of G3P using fatty acids in thioester linkage to either acyl carrier protein (ACP) or CoA as acyl donors. Although the E. coli plsB gene was discovered about 30 years ago, no evidence for transcriptional control of its expression has been reported. However A.E. Kazakov and co‐workers (J Bacteriol 2009; 191: 52–64) reported the presence of a putative FadR binding site upstream of the candidate plsB genes of Vibrio cholerae and three other Vibrio species suggesting that plsB might be regulated by FadR, a GntR family transcription factor thus far known only to regulate fatty acid synthesis and degradation. We report that the V. cholerae plsB homologue restored growth of E. coli strain BB26‐36 which is a G3P auxotroph due to an altered G3P acyltransferase activity. The plsB promoter was also mapped and the predicted FadR‐binding palindrome was found to span positions − 19 to − 35, upstream of the transcription start site. Gel shift assays confirmed that both V. cholerae FadR and E. coli FadR bound the V. cholerae plsB promoter region and binding was reversed upon addition of long‐chain fatty acyl‐CoA thioesters. The expression level of the V. cholerae plsB gene was elevated two‐ to threefold in an E. coli fadR null mutant strain indicating that FadR acts as a repressor of V. cholerae plsB expression. In both E. coli and V. cholerae the β‐galactosidase activity of transcriptional fusions of the V. cholerae plsB promoter to lacZ increased two‐ to threefold upon supplementation of growth media with oleic acid. Therefore, V. cholerae co‐ordinates fatty acid metabolism with 1‐acyl G3P synthesis.
Infertility, infertility treatment and behavioural problems in the offspring
Authors: Zhu Jin Liang , Obel Carsten , Basso Olga , Henriksen Tine B. , Bech Bodil H. , Hvidtjørn Dorte , Olsen Jørn
Published: July 2011

Zhu JL, Obel C, Basso O, Henriksen TB, Bech BH, Hvidtjørn D, Olsen J. Infertility, infertility treatment and behavioural problems in the offspring. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 466–477.

Behavioural patterns in children of infertile couples may be influenced by both the underlying causes of infertility and stress in the couples. Treatment procedures, such as culture media and manipulation of gametes and embryos, may also result in developmental problems. We examined behavioural problems in children as a function of infertility and infertility treatment, using data from three population‐based birth cohorts in Denmark (Aalborg‐Odense Birth Cohort, Aarhus Birth Cohort and Danish National Birth Cohort). Information on time to pregnancy and infertility treatment was collected during pregnancy. Children aged between 7 and 21 years were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The SDQ was completed by mothers in all cohorts and, in addition, by teachers in the Aarhus cohort and by children themselves in the Aalborg‐Odense cohort. Children born after a time to pregnancy of >12 months and no infertility treatment had a behavioural pattern similar to children of fertile parents. Teachers reported a higher total difficulties score for children born after infertility treatment, but no significant differences were seen on any subscales of the teachers' report, and neither the mothers nor the children reported any differences on the total difficulties score and the prosocial behaviour score. Our results are thus overall reassuring regarding behavioural problems in children born to infertile couples, regardless of infertility treatment.
Immunohistochemical characterization of lymphocyte and myeloid cell infiltrates in spirocercosis‐induced oesophageal nodules
Authors: DVIR E. , SCHOEMAN J. P. , CLIFT S. J. , McNEILLY T. N. , MELLANBY R. J.
Published: July 2011

Spirocerca lupi is a nematode that infects the dog’s oesophagus and promotes the formation of an inflammatory fibroblastic nodule that progresses to sarcoma in approximately 25% of cases. Spirocercosis‐associated oesophageal sarcoma is an excellent and under‐utilized spontaneous model of parasite‐associated malignancy. The inflammatory infiltrate of paraffin‐embedded, non‐neoplastic oesophageal nodules (n = 46), neoplastic nodules (n = 25) and normal oesophagus (n = 14) was examined by immunohistochemistry using MAC387 (myeloid cells), CD3 (T cells), Pax5 (B cells) and FoxP3 (T regulatory cells) antibodies. Myeloid cells predominated in 70% of nodules, in pockets around the worms’ migratory tracts and in necro‐ulcerative areas in neoplastic cases. T cells predominated in 23% of cases with a focal or diffuse distribution, in the nodule periphery. No significant differences were observed between neoplastic and non‐neoplastic stages. FoxP3+ cells were observed in low numbers, not significantly different from the controls. The inflammation in spirocercosis is characterized by pockets of pus surrounded by organized lymphoid foci. There was no evidence of a local accumulation of FoxP3+ cells, unlike many previous studies that have reported an increase in FoxP3+ T cells in both malignancies and parasite infections. The triggering factor(s) driving the malignant transformation of the spirocercosis‐associated chronic inflammatory nodule warrants further investigation.
A dicotyledon‐specific glutaredoxin GRXC1 family with dimer‐dependent redox regulation is functionally redundant with GRXC2
Authors: RIONDET CHRISTOPHE , DESOURIS JEAN PAUL , MONTOYA JOCELYNE GUILLEMINOT , CHARTIER YVETTE , MEYER YVES , REICHHELD JEAN‐PHILIPPE
Published: July 2011

The major known function of glutaredoxins (Grxs) is to reduce disulphide bridges. Recently, some have also been shown to interact with iron–sulphur clusters. These can be classified in two subgroups: class II Grx are found in all living organisms and are implicated in assembly of iron–sulphur clusters, while class I Grx are represented by only two members known to form a holodimer structure containing a cluster in vitro, but with an unknown function different from class II. Here, we report that in eukaryotic plants, GRXC1 (class I) orthologs are exclusively present in dicotyledonous plants, suggesting a specific function. Indeed, in Arabidopsis thaliana, reducing activity of recombinant GRXC1 is regulated by redox‐dependent stability of the cluster. In planta, GRXC1 has been found predominantly in a holodimeric form, indicating the presence of the cluster in vivo. This suggests that GRXC1 acts as a redox sensor, reducing downstream pathways under oxidative conditions. GRXC2, the closest homolog of GRXC1, is unable to form a cluster in vitro. Knock‐out mutants in grxc1 or grxc2 are aphenotypic, but the double mutant produces a lethal phenotype at an early stage after pollinization, suggesting that GRXC1 and GRXC2 share redundant and vital functions.
DRD1‐Pol V‐dependent self‐silencing of an exogenous silencer restricts the non‐cell autonomous silencing of an endogenous target gene
Authors: Dong Li , Liu Meng , Fang Yuan‐Yuan , Zhao Jian‐Hua , He Xiang‐Feng , Ying Xiao‐Bao , Zhang Yi‐Yue , Xie Qi , Chua Nam‐Hai , Guo Hui‐Shan
Published: July 2011

In plants, the exogenous transgene transcribing inverted‐repeat (exo‐IR) sequences produces double‐stranded RNAs that are processed by DCL4. The 21‐nt small interfering RNAs generated function as mobile signals to trigger non‐cell autonomous silencing of target endogenes in the neighboring 10–15 cells. The potential involvement of nuclear silencing pathway components in signal spreading or sensing in target cells is not clear. Here, we demonstrate that the exo‐IR silencer (exo‐Pdsi) is negatively autoregulated through methylation spreading, which acts in cis to reinforce the self‐silencing of the silencer. Mutations affecting nuclear proteins DRD1 and Pol V (NRPE1 or NRPD2) relieved exo‐Pdsi self‐silencing, resulting in higher levels of Pdsi transcripts, which increased the non‐cell autonomous silencing of endo‐PDS. Our results suggest that in an experimental silencing pathway, methylation spreading on a silencer transgene may not have a direct endogenous plant counterpart when the protein‐encoding gene is the target. DRD1‐Pol V‐dependent de novo methylation, by acting in cis to reinforce self‐silencing of exo‐IR, may play a role in restraining the inappropriate silencing of active protein‐coding genes in plants.
The E2F transcription factor family regulates CENH3 expression in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Heckmann Stefan , Lermontova Inna , Berckmans Barbara , De Veylder Lieven , Bäumlein Helmut , Schubert Ingo
Published: July 2011

To elucidate the epigenetic maintenance mechanism for functional plant centromeres, we studied transcriptional regulation of the centromere‐specific histone H3 variant CENH3 in Arabidopsis thaliana. We focused on the structure and activity of the CENH3 promoter (CENH3pro) and its regulation by E2F transcription factors. Use of CENH3pro::GUS reporter gene constructs showed that CENH3pro is active in dividing tissues, and that full expression in root meristems depends on intragenic regulatory elements within the second intron. Chromatin immunoprecipitation identified CENH3 as an E2F target gene. Transient co‐expression of a CENH3pro::GUS reporter gene construct with various E2F transcription factors in A. thaliana protoplasts showed that E2Fa and E2Fb (preferentially with dimerization protein DPb) activate CENH3pro. Stable over‐expression of E2Fa and E2Fb increased the CENH3 transcript level in planta, whereas over‐expression of E2Fc decreased the CENH3 transcript level. Surprisingly, mutation of the two E2F binding sites of CENH3pro, in particular the more upstream one (E2F2), caused an increase in CENH3pro activity, indicating E2F‐dependent transcriptional repression. CENH3pro repression may be triggered by the interplay of typical and atypical E2Fs in a cell cycle‐dependent manner, and/or by interaction of typical E2Fs with retinoblastoma‐related (RBR) protein. We speculate that E2Fs are involved in differential transcriptional regulation of CENH3 versus H3, as H3 promoters lack E2F binding motifs. E2F binding motifs are also present in human and Drosophila CENH3pro regions, thus cell cycle‐dependent transcriptional regulation of CENH3 may be highly conserved.