bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the maternal and pre‐adult host plant on adult performance and preference in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: McLEAN AILSA H. C. , FERRARI JULIA , GODFRAY H. C. J.
Published: March 2009

Abstract 1. The taxon known as the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, is composed of a series of host plant associated populations and is widely used as a model system to explore ecological speciation and the evolution of specialisation. It is thus important to know how maternal and pre‐adult experience influences host plant utilisation in this species.

2. The relative importance of the maternal and pre‐adult host plant for adult fecundity and host preference was investigated using three aphid clones collected from Lathyrus pratensis and maintained on Lathyrus or Vicia faba.

3. No significant effects of the maternal host plant on offspring fecundity were detected.

4. The host plant on which the aphid grew up influenced adult fecundity, although in a complex way that depended on both the adult host plant species and when after transfer to the test plant fecundity was assessed.

5. All three clones preferred to colonise Lathyrus over Vicia, and this preference was stronger for aphids raised on Lathyrus.

6. The significance of the results for studies of the evolution of specialisation and speciation that employ A. pisum is discussed.
Plant traits and wood fates across the globe: rotted, burned, or consumed?
Authors: CORNWELL WILLIAM K. , CORNELISSEN JOHANNES H. C. , ALLISON STEVEN D. , BAUHUS JÜRGEN , EGGLETON PAUL , PRESTON CAROLINE M. , SCARFF FIONA , WEEDON JAMES T. , WIRTH CHRISTIAN , ZANNE AMY E.
Published: March 2009

Wood represents the defining feature of forest systems, and often the carbon in woody debris has a long residence time. Globally, coarse dead wood contains 36–72 Pg C, and understanding what controls the fate of this C is important for predicting C cycle responses to global change. The fate of a piece of wood may include one or more of the following: microbial decomposition, combustion, consumption by insects, and physical degradation. The probability of each fate is a function of both the abiotic environment and the wood traits of the species. The wood produced by different species varies substantially in chemical, micro‐ and macro‐morphological traits; many of these characteristics of living species have ‘afterlife’ effects on the fate and turnover rate of dead wood. The colonization of dead wood by microbes and their activity depends on a large suite of wood chemical and anatomical traits, as well as whole‐plant traits such as stem‐diameter distributions. Fire consumption is driven by a slightly narrower range of traits with little dependence on wood anatomy. Wood turnover due to insects mainly depends on wood density and secondary chemistry. Physical degradation is a relatively minor loss pathway for most systems, which depends on wood chemistry and environmental conditions. We conclude that information about the traits of woody plants could be extremely useful for modeling and predicting rates of wood turnover across ecosystems. We demonstrate how this trait‐based approach is currently limited by oversimplified treatment of dead wood pools in several leading global C models and by a lack of quantitative empirical data linking woody plant traits with the probability and rate of each turnover pathway. Explicitly including plant traits and woody debris pools in global vegetation climate models would improve predictions of wood turnover and its feedback to climate.
Response of plants and the dominant microarthropod,Cryptopygus antarcticus, to warming and contrasting precipitation regimes in Antarctic tundra
Authors: DAY THOMAS A. , RUHLAND CHRISTOPHER T. , STRAUSS SARAH L. , PARK JI‐HYUNG , KRIEG MICHELLE L. , KRNA MATTHEW A. , BRYANT DAVID M.
Published: March 2009

We examined the influence of warming and supplemental precipitation on plant production and abundance of the dominant microarthropod, the springtailCryptopygus antarcticus(Collembola), in tundra dominated by the vascular plantsColobanthus quitensisandDeschampsia antarcticaalong the Antarctic Peninsula. Tundra cores were placed in plots near Palmer Station where they were warmed with infrared heaters in combination with receiving supplemental precipitation. Diel canopy air and soil temperatures and air vapor pressure deficits in warmed plots were elevated 0.8 °C, 2.2 °C and 0.13 kPa, respectively. After two growing seasons, total aboveground plant production was greater under warming as a result of enhanced production byC. quitensis, which more than offset declines in moss biomass. Total aboveground plant production was also greater under supplemental precipitation primarily as a result of enhanced moss production. Total aboveground plant production was greatest under the combination of warming and supplemental precipitation, primarily as a result of enhancedC. quitensisproduction.C. antarcticuswere more abundant in cores receiving supplemental precipitation and there was a strong treatment interaction; these springtails were most abundant in warmed cores receiving supplemental precipitation. Over 50% of the variability in the abundance ofC. antarcticuscould be explained by differences in aboveground plant biomass. However, plant production did not appear directly responsible for differences inC. antarcticusabundance; when we examinedC. antarcticusabundance per unit of aboveground plant biomass, differences in its abundance among treatments were still apparent implying these differences were not the direct result of plant biomass. The responses ofC. antarcticuswere consistent with its known moisture and thermal preferences, suggesting that abiotic factors played a dominant role in controlling its abundance. Precipitation regime had large impacts on warming responses and these were species specific, illustrating the importance of future precipitation regimes in predicting system responses to warming.
Cognate Hsp70 gene is induced during deep larval diapause in the moth Sesamia nonagrioides
Authors: Gkouvitsas T. , Kontogiannatos D. , Kourti A.
Published: March 2009

The complete cDNA sequences of Heat shock cognate protein 70 (SnoHsc70) and Heat shock protein 70 (SnoHsp70) were determined from the corn stalk borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lef.). They encode 653 amino acids (Hsc70) and 633 amino acids (Hsp70), with calculated molecular masses of 71.5 kDa and 70.2 kDa respectively. SnoHsc70 is constitutively expressed, and SnoHsp70 is heat‐inducible in non‐diapausing insects. SnoHsp70 is down regulated during diapause, while SnoHsc70 is induced as the larvae enter deep diapause. High temperature stress during diapause has no further effect on transcript levels of SnoHsc70. Our results show that SnoHsc70 may play important roles in assisting protein conformation during specific stages of diapause.
Identification of a new member of the PBAN family of neuropeptides from the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta
Authors: Choi M.‐Y. , Vander Meer R. K.
Published: March 2009

Neuropeptide hormones produced by neurosecretory cells in the central or peripheral nervous systems regulate various physiological and behavioral events during insect development and reproduction. PBAN/Pyrokinin is a major neuropeptide family, characterized by a 5‐amino‐acid C‐terminal sequence, FXPRLamide. This family of peptides has been implicated in regulating various physiological functions including, pheromone biosynthesis, muscle contraction, diapause induction or termination, melanization, and puparium formation in different insect species. In the present study, we report a new member of the PBAN family from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, Soi‐PBAN, composed of 26‐AA (GSGEDLSYGDAYEVDEDDHPLFVPRL). Three additional peptides were deduced from Soi‐PBAN cDNA: 15‐AA (TSQDIASGMWFGPRL), 8‐AA (QPQFTPRL) and 9‐AA (LPWIPSPRL), that correspond to diapause hormone (DH), β‐neuropeptide (NP), and γ‐NP, which are found in many lepidopteran moths. Five peptides, DH, α, β, γ NPs, and PBAN are encoded from PBAN genes of lepidopteran moths, but in the fire ant the α‐NP is missing. Each of the four synthetic peptides from the fire ant Soi‐PBAN cDNA showed significant pheromonotropic activity in a moth model, indicating that these peptides are cross‐reactive. Soi‐β‐NP induced the highest amount of pheromone production of the four peptides evaluated. The Soi‐DH homologue had the lowest pheromonotropic activity, but was still significantly greater than control values. When the deduced amino acid sequences (entire ORF domains) from Soi‐PBAN cDNA were compared with other known sequences, the fire ant was most similar to the honey bee, but phylogenetically distant from moth and beetle species. Soi‐PBAN (26‐AA) unlike the other three peptides shows a low degree of sequence identity with honeybee PBAN (33‐AA). Based on the amino acid sequences encoded from insect PBAN genes identified to date, neuropeptide diversity is correlated with the taxonomic or phylogenetic classification of Insecta. From the present study we report the first neuropeptide identified and characterized from the central nervous system of Formicidae.
Stability of bifidobacteria in powdered formula
Authors: Abe Fumiaki , Miyauchi Hirofumi , Uchijima Ayako , Yaeshima Tomoko , Iwatsuki Keiji
Published: March 2009

Two stability tests of bifidobacteria in powdered formula were conducted. In a strain comparison test, three kinds of bifidobacterial powders; Bifidobacterium longum BB536, Bifidobacterium breve M‐16V and Bifidobacterium infantis M‐63 powders, admixed in follow‐up formula were used. In a commercial product evaluation, powdered formulas for toddlers containing bifidobacteria sold in the Indonesian market were analysed. When the inactivation rate constant of each sample, which was used as an index of the loss rate, was determined from the stability tests, B. longum was the most stable strain. The mean inactivation rate constant of commercial products was significantly lower than those obtained in strain comparison, although the same strains (B. longum BB536 and B. breve M‐16V) were used. A possible reason was the lower water activity of commercial products compared to the follow‐up formula. Also, higher storage temperature yielded lower stability in all strains or samples, which obeys the Arrhenius theory.
Listeria growth under diffusional limitations in synthetic meats
Authors: Noriega Estefanía , Laca Adriana , Díaz Mario
Published: March 2009

Physicochemical properties of meat products make them susceptible to contamination by several pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. As reference of L. monocytogenes behaviour, the evolution of Listeria innocua growth was monitored at different positions within a κ‐carrageenan synthetic meat and visualised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microbial growth was also determined in a liquid medium, prepared with the same nutrients as the solid phase, and the effect of oxygen concentration, a fundamental parameter in meat preservation, was studied. To simulate microbial behaviour in the solid, results of kinetics in broth were incorporated to a diffusion‐reaction model that considers growth kinetics as a function of the local oxygen concentration. Data from the model have been then discussed, taking into account experimental data and SEM observations. This model, useful for food safety purposes, has been shown to provide a reasonably good simulation of experimental data in the structured synthetic meat.
Storage stability of a high dietary fibre powder from orange by‐products
Authors: Fernández‐López Juana , Sendra‐Nadal Esther , Navarro Casilda , Sayas Estrella , Viuda‐Martos Manuel , Alvarez José Angel Pérez
Published: March 2009

The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of storage time and conditions on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of a high dietary fibre powder (HDFP). HDFP for this study was manufactured from orange juice industry by‐products. The storage period was 11 months and samples were stored under vacuum or air exposure and under dark or light exposure. The HDFP is a stable product (based on chemical, microbiological and physicochemical properties) with large amounts of dietary fibre (71.62 ± 0.24 g 100 g−1dry sample) and polyphenols content (40.67 ± 0.45 mg g−1dry sample). Hesperidin is the major compound identified in HDFP (higher than 50% of total phenolic compounds). The packaging material used protects the HDFP only up to 6 months. After this time, the increase in moisture content decreases the quality of the product. The best storage conditions are packaging under vacuum and darkness. Both conditions preserve the colour of the fibres probably by means of avoiding pigment degradation.
Egg yolk protein modification by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis for improved functionalities
Authors: Wang Guang , Wang Tong
Published: March 2009

Delipidated egg yolk protein (EYP) is produced as a co‐product of egg yolk lecithin extraction. This EYP is expected to have poor functionality because of protein denaturation caused by ethanol treatment during lecithin extraction. Two food grade endo‐proteases were used to produce EYP hydrolysates (EYPh) with two degrees of hydrolysis (DH), 3% and 6%. Protein solubility was improved as DH increased. Solubility profiles for both EYP and EYPh were relatively less pH‐dependent compared with soy protein. Except for foaming capacity, EYPh showed improvement in foam stability, foaming speed, and foam density. Emulsion stability was improved for all EYPhs. Treatments at DH of 6% showed significant increase in emulsification capacity. We have shown quantitatively how controlled enzymatic hydrolysis can be applied to ethanol‐treated lipid‐free EYP to increase protein solubility, and thus to improve foaming and emulsification properties.
Screening of cereal varieties for antioxidant and radical scavenging properties applying various spectroscopic and thermoanalytical methods
Authors: Brindzová Lucia , Zalibera Michal , Šimon Peter , Čertík Milan , Takácsová Mária , Mikulajová Anna , Mikušová Lucia , Rapta Peter
Published: March 2009

Twenty varieties of four representative cereals, and sixteen varieties of six pseudocereals were investigated by different assays and analyses, covering the quantitative analysis of antioxidants, radical scavenging capacity (RSC) as well as total antioxidant capacity of cereals. The inter‐variety variability in antioxidant capacity was determined by four independent methods for evaluation of antioxidant activity including 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline)‐6‐sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrasyl (DPPH) tests, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)/spin‐trapping assay and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The antioxidant capacity of studied samples determined in ABTS test ranged from 0.70 to 7.33 mg Trolox g−1, in DPPH test from 1.31 to 54.79 mg Trolox g−1and RSC values from EPR/spin‐trapping assay varied from 0.27 to 13.52 mg Trolox g−1 dry matter. The best antioxidant capacity was found for buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.), where also the highest contents of total phenolics and exceptional thermal stability were observed.
Effect of fermentation time on the antioxidant activities of tempeh prepared from fermented soybean using Rhizopus oligosporus
Authors: Chang Chen‐Tien , Hsu Cheng‐Kuang , Chou Su‐Tze , Chen Ya‐Chen , Huang Feng‐Sheng , Chung Yun‐Chin
Published: March 2009

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fermentation time on the antioxidant activity of tempeh, a fermented product from soybean. Rhizopus oligosporus was used to ferment soybean for 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10 days. Lyophilised tempeh powder was extracted with hexane followed by petroleum ether, ether, 95% ethanol and water. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated with various models including α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐pricryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide‐scavenging activities, reducing power and inhibitory activity towards lipid peroxidation. The results revealed that tempeh showed greater antioxidant activities than unfermented soybean. On behalf of a DPPH scavenger, water extracts were as good as 95% ethanol extracts. In comparison of superoxide anion‐scavenging activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and reducing power, 95% ethanol extracts were superior to water extracts. Tempeh fermented with R. oligosporus for 10 days exhibited the highest antioxidant activities than the others.
Phenolic compound composition and antioxidant activity of fruits ofRubusandPrunusspecies from Croatia
Authors: Jakobek Lidija , Šeruga Marijan , Šeruga Bernarda , Novak Ivana , Medvidović‐Kosanović Martina
Published: March 2009

Two fraction, one containing flavonols, flavan‐3‐ols, phenolic acids and the other containing anthocyanins, were isolated fromRubus(red raspberry, blackberry) andPrunus(sweet cherry, sour cherry) fruits to study their phenol content by HPLC and antioxidant activity using the DPPH test. Raspberries and blackberries were characterised by catechins and ellagic acid derivatives; sour and sweet cherries by phenolic acids. All fruits had relatively high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins contributed more to the antioxidant activity of all fruits (∼90%) than flavonols, flavan‐3‐ols and phenolic acids (∼10%). A biphasic reaction was observed between DPPH•radicals and phenols, with ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ scavenging rates which might be important in the biological activity of these fruits. Sour cherries and blackberries which stand out with the highest total phenol content (1416 and 1040 mg kg−1) had also the strongest antioxidant activity (EC50 = 807 and 672 g of fruit per gram of DPPH) and can be considered as good source of dietary phenols.
A model of geographical, environmental and regional variation in vegetation composition of pyrogenic grasslands of Florida
Authors: Carr Susan C. , Robertson Kevin M. , Platt William J. , Peet Robert K.
Published: March 2009

Aim  To develop a landscape‐level model that partitions variance in plant community composition among local environmental, regional environmental, and purely spatial predictive variables for pyrogenic grasslands (prairies, savannas and woodlands) throughout northern and central Florida.

Location  North and central Florida, USA.

Methods  We measured plant species composition and cover in 271 plots throughout the study region. A variation‐partitioning model was used to quantify components of variation in species composition associated with the main and interaction effects of soil and topographic variables, climate variables and spatial coordinates. Partial correlations of environmental variables with community variation were identified using direct gradient analysis (redundancy analysis and partial redundancy analysis) and Monte Carlo tests of significance.

Results  Community composition was most strongly related to edaphic variables at local scales in association with topographic gradients, although geographically structured edaphic, climatic and pure spatial effects were also evident. Edaphic variables explained the largest portion of total variation explained (TVE) as a main effect (48%) compared with the main effects of climate (9%) and pure spatial factors (9%). The remaining TVE was explained by the interaction effect of climate and spatial factors (13%) and the three‐way interaction (22%). Correlation analyses revealed that the primary compositional gradient was related to soil fertility and topographic position corresponding to soil moisture. A second gradient represented distinct geographical separation between the Florida panhandle and peninsular regions, concurrent with differences in soil characteristics. Gradients in composition corresponded to species richness, which was lower in the Florida peninsula.

Main conclusions  Environmental variables have the strongest influence on the species composition of Florida pyrogenic grasslands at both local and regional scales. However, the limited distributions of many plant taxa suggest historical constraints on species distributions from one physiographical region to the other (Florida panhandle and peninsula), although this pattern is partially confounded by regionally spatially structured environmental variables. Our model provides insight into the relative importance of local‐ and regional‐scale environmental effects as well as possible historical constraints on floristic variation in pine‐dominated pyrogenic grasslands of the south‐eastern USA.
Altered brain activation during response inhibition in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: AYALON LIAT , ANCOLI‐ISRAEL SONIA , DRUMMOND SEAN PA
Published: March 2009

This study examined response inhibition during a Go–NoGo task in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Fourteen OSA patients and 14 controls were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Compared to controls, the OSA group showed more false positives (error of commission) during the NoGo trials with decreased brain activation in the left postcentral gyrus, cingulate gyrus and inferior parietal lobe, as well as right insula and putamen. This is consistent with previous findings of impaired performance and decreased brain activation in OSA patients during a working memory task, suggesting that compromised brain function in response to cognitive challenges may underlie some of the cognitive deficits seen in patients with OSA.
Women sleep objectively better than men and the sleep of young women is more resilient to external stressors: effects of age and menopause
Authors: BIXLER EDWARD O. , PAPALIAGA MARIA N. , VGONTZAS ALEXANDROS N. , LIN HUNG‐MO , PEJOVIC SLOBODANKA , KARATARAKI MARIA , VELA‐BUENO ANTONIO , CHROUSOS GEORGE P.
Published: March 2009

The aims of this study were to: (i) assess gender differences of objective sleep patterns in a general population sample; (ii) evaluate the effects of menopause and hormone treatment (HT) on the sleep of the same cohort; and (iii) examine gender differences in sleep resilience towards external stressors. The participants were (i) 1324 subjects without sleep complaints, recruited from the general population of Central Pennsylvania that spent one night in the sleep laboratory and (ii) 66 young, healthy volunteers whose sleep was disturbed during night four by an external stressor, i.e. 24‐h blood drawing (average of nights 2 and 3 versus night 4). Women compared with men in the general population sample had significantly higher percentage of sleep time, lower percentage of stage 1, and higher percentage of slow wave sleep. Also, menopause, in the absence of HT, was associated with prolonged sleep latency and decreased deep sleep. Finally, young, healthy women compared with men experienced less sleep disturbance because of blood draws as indicated by a significantly smaller change in per cent sleep time, and percentage of stage 1 sleep. These findings suggest that women without sleep complaints sleep objectively better across age than men and the sleep of young women is more resistant to external stressors. Also, gonadal hormones exert a beneficial effect on women’s sleep. This gender dimorphism in sleep regulation may have been to protect women from the demands of infant and child care, and in part, might contribute to women’s lower cardiovascular risks and greater longevity.
A missing sphincteric component of the gastro‐oesophageal junction in patients with GORD
Authors: Miller L. , Dai Q. , Vegesna A. , Korimilli A. , Ulerich R. , Schiffner B. , Brasseur J.
Published: March 2009

Abstract  It was recently shown that the tonic pressure contribution to the high‐pressure zone of the oesophago‐gastric segment (OGS) contains the contributions from three distinct components, two of which are smooth muscle intrinsic sphincter components, a proximal and a distal component [J Physiol 2007; 580.3: 961]. The aim of this study was to compare the pressure contributions from the three sphincteric components in normal subjects with those in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) patients. A simultaneous endoluminal ultrasound and manometry catheter was pulled through the OGS in 15 healthy volunteers and seven patients with symptomatic GORD, before and after administration of atropine. Pre‐atropine (complete muscle tone), postatropine (non‐muscarinic muscle tone plus residual muscarinic tone) and subtracted (pure muscarinic muscle tone) pressure contributions to the sphincter were averaged after referencing spatially to the right crural diaphragm and the pull‐through start position. In the normal group, the atropine‐resistant and atropine‐attenuated pressures identified the crural and two smooth muscle sphincteric components respectively. The subtraction pressure curve contained proximal and distal peaks. The proximal component moved with the crural sling between full inspiration and full expiration and the distal component coincided with the gastric sling‐clasp fibre muscle complex. The subtraction curve in the GORD patients contained only a single pressure peak that moved with the crural sphincter, while the distal pressure peak of the intrinsic muscle component, which was previously recognized in the normal subjects, was absent. We hypothesize that the distal muscarinic smooth muscle pressure component (gastric sling/clasp muscle fibre component) is defective in GORD patients.
Stratigraphy and tectonics of an Internal Unit of the southern Apennines: implications for the geodynamic evolution of the peri‐Tyrrhenian mountain belt
Authors: Ciarcia S. , Vitale S. , Di Staso A. , Iannace A. , Mazzoli S. , Torre M.
Published: March 2009

The Parasicilide succession is a key element of the southern Apennine orogen, being originally located in the distal portion of the Apulian palaeomargin, at the Neotethys ocean‐continent transition. The succession, presently included in the upper nappe complex of the thrust belt, has been described elsewhere as a `broken formation'. However, detailed investigations carried out in the Sele Valley point out that there the Parasicilide Unit is characterized by a coherent stratigraphy. Therefore, in the study area, these rocks form a coherent sheet of distal continental margin/oceanic sedimentary cover material included within the peri‐Tyrrhenian mountain belt. Stratigraphic and structural constraints obtained from both pre‐and syn‐orogenic deposits – the latter including both foredeep and thrust‐top basin sediments – suggest that the pre‐orogenic part of the Parasicilide succession subsided into the Apennine foredeep in the first part of the Burdigalian. The studied rocks were then involved in thrusting prior to late Burdigalian/early Langhian times.
Petroleum surface oil seeps from a Palaeoproterozoic petrified giant oilfield
Authors: Melezhik Victor A. , Fallick Anthony E. , Filippov Michail M. , Lepland Aivo , Rychanchik Dmitry V. , Deines Yuliya E. , Medvedev Pavel V. , Romashkin Alexander E. , Strauss Harald
Published: March 2009

Early Palaeoproterozoic rocks from the Onega Basin in Russian Fennoscandia contain evidence for substantial accumulation and preservation of organic matter (up to 75 wt% total organic carbon) with an estimated original petroleum potential comparable to a modern supergiant oilfield. The basin contains a uniquely preserved petrified oilfield including evidence of oil traps and oil migration pathways. Here, we report the discovery of the surface expression of a migration pathway, along which petroleum was flowing from the sub‐surface. This surface oil seep, the first occurrence ever reported from the Palaeoproterozoic, appears as original bitumen clasts redeposited in Palaeoproterozoic lacustrine turbidites. The δ13Corg of clastic pyrobitumen ranges between −35.4 and −36.0‰ (n = 14), which is within the range of interbed‐ and vein‐trapped fossil oil (−46 and −24‰), suggesting similar source. Biogenic organic matter, whose isotopic composition was modified during thermal maturation, is the likely source for the migrated hydrocarbon.
A review of allergen‐specific immunotherapy in human and veterinary medicine
Authors: Loewenstein Christine , Mueller Ralf S.
Published: March 2009

This article reviews allergen‐specific immunotherapy in human and veterinary medicine. Current hypotheses of possible mechanisms of actions are outlined. Indications, success rates, adverse effects and factors influencing outcome of therapy are discussed in humans, dogs, cats and horses.
Association of MIF promoter polymorphisms with childhood asthma in a northeastern Chinese population
Authors: Wu J. , Fu S. , Ren X. , Jin Y. , Huang X. , Zhang X. , Bai J. , Fu S.
Published: March 2009

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in pathogenesis of asthma. A high level of MIF has been detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum and sputum in asthma. Polymorphisms associated with inflammatory diseases exist in the promoter region of MIF, which alter its expression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between functional polymorphisms of MIF and childhood asthma in a northeastern Chinese population. The study consisted of a set of 41 trios and an independent sample set of 189 childhood asthma patients and 261 healthy controls. We genotyped MIF‐173G/C using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP). Additionally, MIF‐794CATT5–8 microsatellite polymorphism was genotyped by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). A statistically significant difference in the distribution of the MIF‐173C allele between patients and controls [P = 0.01, odds ratio (OR) = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–2.18] was observed. In addition, the frequency of the MIF‐173CC genotype was higher in asthmatic children (P < 0.01, OR = 3.37, 95% CI = 1.27–8.93). No difference in the distribution of CATT5–8 was found between patients and healthy controls. Haplotype analysis showed that only the MIFCATT7–173C haplotype was associated with greater susceptibility to childhood asthma (P = 0.03, OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.03–2.28). However, the transmission disequilibrium test confirmed a positive association between MIF‐173G/C and childhood asthma (P = 0.005), and the absence of an association between the MIF‐794CATT5–8 and the disease. These preliminary results suggest an association between the MIF‐173C allele and childhood asthma.
Single nucleotide polymorphism of interleukin‐1β associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Satoh T. , Pandey J. P. , Okazaki Y. , Asahi A. , Kawakami Y. , Ikeda Y. , Kuwana M.
Published: March 2009

To examine the role of genetic factors in development of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in association with Helicobacter pylori infection, gene polymorphisms within the loci for human leukocyte antigen class II, interleukin (IL)‐1β (−511), tumor necrosis factor‐β (+252), immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 heavy chain (+643), and Igκ light chain (+573) were determined in 164 adults with ITP and 75 healthy controls. Of these gene polymorphisms, the IL‐1β (−511) T allele was less frequently detected in H. pylori‐infected than in H. pylori‐uninfected (58% vs 81%, P = 0.01, odds ratio = 0.31) ITP patients diagnosed before age 50. These findings suggest that a single nucleotide polymorphism within the IL‐1β (−511) may affect susceptibility to early‐onset ITP associated with H. pylori infection.
Interleukin‐23 receptor gene polymorphisms is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in Chinese Han population
Authors: Chen Y. , Zhou B. , Peng Y. , Wang Y. , Li C. , Ding X. , He X. , Xu J. , Huang L. , Rao L.
Published: March 2009

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by ventricular chamber enlargement and systolic dysfunction with normal left ventricular wall thickness. The pathogenesis of DCM has been extensively investigated for many years, but it remains uncertain. Recently, many studies indicated that autoimmune mechanisms are likely to participate in the pathogenesis of DCM. Interleukin‐23 receptor (IL‐23R) gene polymorphisms have been previously found to be associated with autoimmune diseases. To assess the role of IL‐23R in DCM, we examined three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL‐23R gene, namely, rs1884444, rs11465817 and rs10889677. A total of 176 DCM patients and 216 controls were included in the study, and all SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. Our results showed that SNP rs10889677, but not rs1884444 and rs11465817, had association with DCM in Chinese Han population. The results suggest that IL‐23R polymorphisms appear to play an important role in the susceptibility of DCM in Chinese Han population.
Genetic determinants of HIV‐1 infection and progression to AIDS: susceptibility to HIV infection
Authors: Kaur G. , Mehra N.
Published: March 2009

Interindividual variability in susceptibility to HIV‐1 infection, its transmission, disease progression, and response to antiviral therapy has been attributed to host determinants and variability in multiple genes. Although most people exposed to the virus go on to develop full‐blown disease at variable intervals, a proportion of them, labeled as long‐term nonprogressors or exposed uninfected, possess ‘natural resistance’ to infection. A better understanding of genetic and immunologic basis of such a natural resistance to infection would bear important implications in designing therapeutic vaccine designs. The genetic variants that could influence susceptibility to HIV‐1 and limit AIDS vary in different populations and among individuals. Meta‐analyses of large cohort studies have identified numerous ‘AIDS restriction genes’ that regulate HIV cell entry (particularly chemokine coreceptors and their ligands), acquired and innate immunity (major histocompatibility complex, killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor, and cytokines), and others [tripartite interaction motif 5 α (TRIM5α) and apolipoprotein B mRNA‐editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide‐like 3G] that influence outcome of HIV infection. Studies carried out in the Indian population with regard to genetic polymorphisms in chemokine receptors have shown that (i) the protective CCR5 Δ32 variant is rare, (ii) CCR5HHE carrying *59402A is associated with increased likelihood of infection and development of AIDS, and (iii) the Indian population generally has low CCL3L1 copy numbers (∼2.3). These data have implications in developing screening tests that could identify people at higher or lower risk of infection and rate of disease progression, predict vaccine responsiveness in clinical trials and understand the pathogenic mechanisms.
Altered collagen II 263–272 peptide immunization induces inhibition of collagen‐induced arthritis through a shift toward Th2‐type response
Authors: Li R. , Li X. , Li Z.
Published: March 2009

To investigate the effects of altered collagen II (CII) peptide ligands in collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA), CIA rats were subcutaneously injected with an altered CII263–272 peptide ligand (APL, 100, 10, and 1 μg/dose, six dose each, twice a week), which had been identified by us as an inhibitory effect on CII‐specific T‐cell activation in vitro in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Clinical, radiographic, and histologic scores were evaluated. Serum level of interferon (IFN)‐γ was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and the numbers of interleukin (IL)‐4‐producing cells in vitro in memory responses to the APL were determined by enzyme‐linked immunospot. The results showed significantly reduced arthritis scores in CIA rats treated with 100 μg/dose of APL compared with those treated with phosphate buffered solution (PBS) and control peptide. The mean radiographic and histologic scores were also markedly lower in APL‐treated CIA rats. On day 35 after immunization, a significantly lower level of IFN‐γ in serum was found in APL‐treated rats, accompanied by increased numbers of IL‐4‐producing cells, indicating that APL treatment skewed the T helper (Th)1/Th2 balance toward Th2‐type response in vivo. Altered CII263–272 peptide ligand immunization induces inhibition of CIA through a shift toward Th2‐type response, suggesting that altered CII peptide might be a potential therapeutic target for RA.
Distribution of MICA diversity in the Chinese Han population by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing for exons 2–6
Authors: Zhu F. , Zhao H. , He Y. , Zhang W. , He J. , Xu X. , Yan L.
Published: March 2009

Major histocompatibility complex class I chain‐related gene A (MICA) is located 46 kb centromeric to HLA‐B locus and encodes a stress‐inducible protein. MICA allelic variation is thought to be associated with disease susceptibility and immune response to transplants. In this study, polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing (PCR‐SBT) method for MICA alleles has been established. Genomic DNAs from 100 healthy Chinese Han individuals were typed for MICA alleles by this method. The microsatellite polymorphism in the exon 5 of MICA gene, MICA*Del allele, and human leukocyte antigen‐B alleles was also detected by the polymerase chain reaction–GeneScan, polymerase chain reaction sequence‐specific primer, and PCR‐SBT methods, respectively. Fourteen MICA alleles were found in the population, with MICA*00801/04 having the highest frequency of 27.0%. MICA*A4, *A5, *A5.1, *A6, and *A9 microsatellites were identified. Two samples with HLA‐B*4801 were MICA*Del positive, with the frequency of 1.0%. The data showed that the new PCR‐SBT method for MICA alleles was reliable and Chinese Han population was distinct in distribution of MICA alleles.
Characterization of 104 novel alleles at the HLA‐A, ‐B, and ‐DRB1 loci from National Marrow Donor Program volunteer donors
Authors: Lazaro A. M. , Xiao Y. , Regenscheid A. , Ng J. , Hurley C. K. , Posch P. E.
Published: March 2009

One hundred and four novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are described from volunteer donors of the National Marrow Donor Program: 37 HLA‐A alleles, 37 HLA‐B alleles, and 30 HLA‐DRB1 alleles. Seventeen (∼16%) of the novel alleles were found in multiple individuals and likely are relatively common in the population. Seventy‐two (∼69%) of the 104 novel alleles are single nucleotide substitution variants when compared with their most homologous allele. Nine of these single nucleotide variants are silent substitutions and three create null alleles. The remaining novel alleles differ from their most similar allele by two to seven nucleotide substitutions. Some of the novel alleles encode amino acid changes at positions not previously reported to be polymorphic, such as codons 6 and 11 in HLA‐A alleles and codons 5, 105, and 141 in HLA‐B alleles. Interestingly, one of the novel HLA‐DRB1 alleles (*1471) has a change that is not the typical glycine/valine dimorphism at codon 86, which plays a key role in peptide binding to DR molecules. This is only the second DRB1 allele described that encodes an amino acid other than glycine or valine at this position.
Mitochondrial DNA sequence variations in some Italian wild boar populations
Authors: Lattuada L. , Quaglia F. , Iannelli F. , Gissi C. , Mantecca P. , Bacchetta R. , Polli M.
Published: March 2009

In order to investigate the relationships between Italian wild boar and major pig breeds, we studied the genetic variability of four wild boar populations in Italy (Arezzo, Pisa, Parma, Bergamo) using a 533‐bp fragment of the mitochondrial control region. Sixty‐nine wild boar samples were analysed, allowing the identification of 10 distinct haplotypes, which involve a total of 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Phylogenetic and network analyses were performed also considering several sequences of wild and domesticated forms available in the databases. The Bayesian phylogenetic tree and the Median‐Joining network analyses show three main groups: the Italian (IT), European (EU) and Asian (AS) clades. The IT clade corresponds to the Maremma endemic wild boar population and also includes Sardinian individuals, while the EU and AS groups include wild boars as well as domestic pig breeds. Only two individuals from Pisa cluster in the IT group, whereas two haplotypes from Bergamo cluster in the AS group and all other samples cluster in the EU clade. These findings suggest that in Italy wild boar populations have a mixed origin, both EU and AS, and that an interbreeding between wild and domesticated strains has probably occurred. Eight of the 10 wild boars coming from the Migliarino‐San Rossore‐Massaciuccoli Regional Park (Pisa) belong to H2 and H3 haplotypes, and cluster into the EU clade, suggesting that this regional park is not anymore exclusive of the endemic Maremma wild boar.
Cyclic genotyping strategies. III: A comparison of predictive methods for group genotyping
Authors: Macrossan P.E. , Kinghorn B.P. , Abbass H.A.
Published: March 2009

This paper provides an investigation into some of the key practical issues for minimizing the cost of DNA testing. Previous studies focused on maximizing the utility of genotyping by prioritizing individuals for genotyping. For logistical reasons, individuals may have to be genotyped in groups rather than individually, and the best group to genotype is expected to differ from the same‐sized group chosen when individuals are genotyped sequentially. In a calibration step, simulated populations and full knowledge of genotypes were used to discover the best group(s) to genotype. The characteristics of these groups were then targeted in an optimization step, using normally available information for group formation in targeted populations. Contrasts were made among predictive indices for: (i) individuals, with genotyping between each individual; (ii) individuals, with genotyping occurring group‐at‐a‐time; and (iii) groups, using group variables as criteria. The results of this investigation allow the determination of the value of moving from individual to group genotyping, reveal the favourable attributes of individuals for group formation, and lead to methods to form groups for genotyping. The approach used has applications in reducing genotyping costs in both experimental and commercial populations for both quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection and monitoring.
Artificial diets for rearing the coconut hispine beetle Brontispa longissima and its parasitoid Asecodes hispinarum
Authors: Ichiki R. T. , Dung D. T. , Takano S‐I. , Nakamura S.
Published: March 2009

We tested artificial diets for rearing the coconut hispine beetle, Brontispa longissima, a serious invasive pest of coconut (Cocos nucifera) in Southeast Asia. We examined three artificial diets that were identical except for their agar content. The survival rate from hatching to adult emergence was 26.0% when beetles were reared on a ‘soft diet’ (20 g/l agar), 16.0% on a ‘hard diet’ (40 g/l agar), and 41.0% on a ‘mixed diet’, in which the hard diet was used for the first instar and the soft diet for later instars. Females raised as larvae on the mixed diet and then as adults on the soft diet laid few eggs, which did not hatch. However, females reared on the mixed diet as larvae and then on fresh leaves as adults consistently laid eggs that hatched. We then examined the suitability of B. longissima larvae reared on the mixed diet as hosts for the larval parasitoid Asecodes hispinarum, a specialist parasitoid of this beetle. Of the oviposited hosts, 75.0% became mummified and 41.7% produced adult wasps. These results indicate that the mixed diet may be useful for rearing B. longissima larvae as hosts for the rearing of A. hispinarum.
Need to establish a national diagnostic capacity for foetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Authors: Mutch Raewyn , Peadon Elizabeth M , Elliott Elizabeth J , Bower Carol
Published: March 2009

Alcohol exposure in pregnancy can induce a broad range of physical and developmental defects in the child, collectively known as foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). In Australia, there are proven gaps in our knowledge and practice for recognising and diagnosing FASD. The challenge for the Australian health professional is agreeing on a model for diagnosing and treating FASD. The diagnostic method must be evidence based, sensitive and specific, and account for other exposures during pregnancy and early life events. Training in application of the diagnostic method needs to be readily available in metropolitan and regional Australia. The University of Washington FASD 4‐digit diagnostic code fulfils all of these best practice criteria, recommending itself as the method of choice.
Profound encephalopathy with complete recovery in three children with familial hemiplegic migraine
Authors: Hart Anthony R , Trinick Ruth , Connolly Daniel J , Mordekar Santosh R
Published: March 2009

We describe three cousins who presented with agitation, dysphasia and/or coma, and developed hemiplegia following initial onset of symptoms. Two cases followed minor head injuries, two were pyrexial and two were associated with neutrophilia. Two cases required ventilatory support on the intensive care unit. Magnetic resonance imaging in all three cases showed cortical swelling, and one had evidence of restricted water diffusion on diffusion‐weighted imaging, suggestive of ischaemia/infarction. A complete family history at the time of presentation would have led to an earlier diagnosis of profound encephalopathy in familial hemiplegic migraine, which would have enabled better prognostication of their clinical course and caused less distress for the families.
Arthritis and gum bleeding in two children
Authors: Vitale Agata , Torre Francesco La , Martini Giorgia , Calcagno Giuseppina , Fede Carmelo , Conti Giovanni , Chimenz Roberto , Zulian Francesco
Published: March 2009

In developed countries, scurvey is quite rare and can be seen in children with severely restricted diets, related to psychiatric or developmental problems. Clinical presentation can include arthralgias/arthritis, myalgias, hemarthrosis, purpura and ecchymosis.

We report two cases of nutritional vitamin C deficiency, who have been misdiagnosed as having rheumatologic diseases, and promptly resolved with vitamin C treatment. Both patents did not have the classic radiological features described in scurvey, such as the Wimberger ring or the white lines of Frankel. Magnetic resonance imaging clearly showed areas of hemorrhage at bony and subperiasteal level. This imaging procedure, therefore, should be recommended especially in the doubtful cases.

The two patients described herein should alert pediatricians to consider scurvey although rare, as a potential source of “rheumatological” manifestations in children, especially in the industrialized courtries where in appropriate vitamin intake is often underestimated.
Changing patterns in interventional bronchoscopy
Authors: ZIAS Nikolaos , CHRONEOU Alexandra , GONZALEZ Anne V. , GRAY Anthony W. , LAMB Carla R. , RIKER David R. , BEAMIS Jr John F.
Published: March 2009

Background and objective:  Many interventional tools for airway disorders can now be delivered via flexible bronchoscopy (FB), including neodymium‐yttrium aluminium garnet laser, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation, cryotherapy, balloon dilatation and metal or hybrid stents. Comparison of outcomes for patients undergoing rigid bronchoscopy (RB) with those treated using FB highlights the usefulness of the FB approach.

Methods:  A retrospective medical record review of all interventional bronchoscopy procedures performed at Lahey Clinic over the past 8 years was conducted. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the procedure used, that is, RB (251 patients), and FB (161 patients) groups. Patients with malignancies were included as a separate subgroup, comprising 178 RB and 117 FB patients. For every procedure, the location of the lesion, patient survival from the first interventional procedure performed, and in patients with malignancy, additional treatments received such as chemotherapy and radiation were recorded.

Results:  Ninety per cent of RB procedures were performed in patients with tracheal or main stem lesions, while over half the patients undergoing FB had more distal lesions. A trend towards increasing use of FB for interventional procedures in recent years was noted.

Conclusions:  FB is a valuable alternative to RB for treating less advanced malignant disease or distal airway lesions.