bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global impact of protein arginine phosphorylation on the physiology of
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Elsholz Alexander K. W. , Turgay Kürşad , Michalik Stephan , Hessling Bernd , Gronau Katrin , Oertel Dan , Mäder Ulrike , Bernhardt Jörg , Becher Dörte , Hecker Michael , Gerth Ulf
Published: April 2012

Reversible protein phosphorylation is an important and ubiquitous protein modification in all living cells. Here we report that protein phosphorylation on arginine residues plays a physiologically significant role. We detected 121 arginine phosphorylation sites in 87 proteins in the Gram-positive model organism
Bacillus subtilis
in vivo. Moreover, we provide evidence that protein arginine phosphorylation has a functional role and is involved in the regulation of many critical cellular processes, such as protein degradation, motility, competence, and stringent and stress responses. Our results suggest that in
B. subtilis
the combined activity of a protein arginine kinase and phosphatase allows a rapid and reversible regulation of protein activity and that protein arginine phosphorylation can play a physiologically important and regulatory role in bacteria.
A core subunit of Polycomb repressive complex 1 is broadly conserved in function but not primary sequence
Authors: Beh Leslie Y. , Colwell Lucy J. , Francis Nicole J.
Published: April 2012

Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins mediate heritable gene silencing by modifying chromatin structure. An essential PcG complex, PRC1, compacts chromatin and inhibits chromatin remodeling. In
Drosophila melanogaster
, the intrinsically disordered C-terminal region of PSC (PSC-CTR) mediates these noncovalent effects on chromatin, and is essential for viability. Because the PSC-CTR sequence is poorly conserved, the significance of its effects on chromatin outside of
Drosophila
was unclear. The absence of folded domains also made it difficult to understand how the sequence of PSC-CTR encodes its function. To determine the mechanistic basis and extent of conservation of PSC-CTR activity, we identified 17 metazoan PSC-CTRs spanning chordates to arthropods, and examined their sequence features and biochemical properties. PSC-CTR sequences are poorly conserved, but are all highly charged and structurally disordered. We show that active PSC-CTRs—which bind DNA tightly and inhibit chromatin remodeling efficiently—are distinguished from less active ones by the absence of extended negatively charged stretches. PSC-CTR activity can be increased by dispersing its contiguous negative charge, confirming the importance of this property. Using the sequence properties defined as important for PSC-CTR activity, we predicted the presence of active PSC-CTRs in additional diverse genomes. Our analysis reveals broad conservation of PSC-CTR activity across metazoans. This conclusion could not have been determined from sequence alignments. We further find that plants that lack active PSC-CTRs instead possess a functionally analogous PcG protein, EMF1. Thus, our study suggests that a disordered domain with dispersed negative charges underlies PRC1 activity, and is conserved across metazoans and plants.
Cellular mechanism for selective vertical transmission of an obligate insect symbiont at the bacteriocyte–embryo interface
Authors: Koga Ryuichi , Meng Xian-Ying , Tsuchida Tsutomu , Fukatsu Takema
Published: April 2012

Many insects are associated with obligate symbiotic bacteria, which are localized in specialized cells called bacteriocytes, vertically transmitted through host generations via ovarial passage, and essential for growth and reproduction of their hosts. Although vertical transmission is pivotal for maintenance of such intimate host–symbiont associations, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the process are largely unknown. Here we report a cellular mechanism for vertical transmission of the obligate symbiont
Buchnera
in the pea aphid
Acyrthosiphon pisum
. In the aphid body,
Buchnera
cells are transmitted from maternal bacteriocytes to adjacent blastulae at the ovariole tips in a highly coordinated manner. By making use of symbiont-manipulated strains of
A. pisum
, we demonstrated that the facultative symbiont
Serratia
is, unlike
Buchnera
, not transmitted from maternal bacteriocytes to blastulae, suggesting a specific mechanism for
Buchnera
transmission. EM observations revealed a series of exo-/endocytotic processes operating at the bacteriocyte–blastula interface:
Buchnera
cells are exocytosed from the maternal bacteriocyte, temporarily released to the extracellular space, and endocytosed by the posterior syncytial cytoplasm of the blastula. These results suggest that the selective
Buchnera
transmission is likely attributable to
Buchnera
-specific exocytosis by the maternal bacteriocyte, whereas both
Buchnera
and
Serratia
are nonselectively incorporated by the endocytotic activity of the posterior region of the blastula. The sophisticated cellular mechanism for vertical transmission of
Buchnera
must have evolved to ensure the obligate host–symbiont association, whereas facultative symbionts like
Serratia
may coopt the endocytotic component of the mechanism for their entry into the host embryos.
Simultaneous mastering of two abstract concepts by the miniature brain of bees
Authors: Avarguès-Weber Aurore , Dyer Adrian G. , Combe Maud , Giurfa Martin
Published: April 2012

Sorting objects and events into categories and concepts is a fundamental cognitive capacity that reduces the cost of learning every particular situation encountered in our daily lives. Relational concepts such as “same,” “different,” “better than,” or “larger than”—among others—are essential in human cognition because they allow highly efficient classifying of events irrespective of physical similarity. Mastering a relational concept involves encoding a relationship by the brain independently of the physical objects linked by the relation and is, therefore, consistent with abstraction capacities. Processing several concepts at a time presupposes an even higher level of cognitive sophistication that is not expected in an invertebrate. We found that the miniature brains of honey bees rapidly learn to master two abstract concepts simultaneously, one based on spatial relationships (above/below and right/left) and another based on the perception of difference. Bees that learned to classify visual targets by using this dual concept transferred their choices to unknown stimuli that offered a best match in terms of dual-concept availability: their components presented the appropriate spatial relationship and differed from one another. This study reveals a surprising facility of brains to extract abstract concepts from a set of complex pictures and to combine them in a rule for subsequent choices. This finding thus provides excellent opportunities for understanding how cognitive processing is achieved by relatively simple neural architectures.
The Pretexts and Reasons for the Allied Invasion of Iran in 1941
Authors: Kozhanov Nikolay A.
Published: April 2012

During the last 65 years, European, American and Russian historians have often tried to study the reasons which led to the Allied invasion of Iran on 25 August 1941. For a long period, the main obstacle was the limited access to official documentary sources. Gradually, British and Russian archives started to declassify their documents concerning the events of August 1941. That, in turn, caused a new wave of publications on this topic. Unfortunately, even with newly available sources, modern researchers were frequently unable to grasp the whole picture, emphasizing only one reason for the invasion or even exaggerating its importance. This paper attempts to analyze the most common explanations of the reasons for the occupation of Iran offered by different historians and try to find out which of these causes impelled the Allies to invade Iran. The research paid special attention to existing Russian primary and secondary sources on the issue which are less well known to English readers. Important information found in them allows events related to the Allied occupation of Iran in 1941 to be described from a relatively new angle.
Why don't Russians fear the Chinese? The Chinese factor in the self-identification process of Russia
Authors: Curanović Alicja
Published: April 2012

Historically speaking, the self-identification process of Russia has revolved around the West–East axis. However, there has been a considerable asymmetry in the impact of these two poles. In this article I will argue that “the West” was a dominating concept in the self-narration of Russians and “the East” was mostly a function of the interaction between Russia and the West. The difference in the level of attention and emotions which Russia manifests towards the West and the East has been caused by the religious factor, which was crucial for shaping Russia's identity and her sense of uniqueness. While the West and Western Christianity presented a challenge to the Orthodox fundamentals of Russia's self-image, China was neutral in terms of religious identity. The negligible importance of the religious factor added to rationality in Russian policy towards China. In the article I analyze the Chinese factor in Russia's self-identification process in the context of Moscow's attitude towards the West and the East by using two main elements: identity and fear. Comparing the historical pattern with the present one, I attempt to determine the consequences of these two factors for the Russian Federation.
Effects of doping and indium inclusions on the structural and optical properties of InN thin films grown by MOCVD
Authors: Liu H F , Liu W , Dolmanan S B , Tripathy S , Chua S J , Chi D Z
Published: April 2012

High-resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD), Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) are used to investigate the structural and optical properties of InN thin films grown by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD). They reveal that the phonon frequency ϖ (in cm−1) of

varies with residual biaxial strains ε
xx
(in %) induced by Mg doping, Zn doping and In inclusions as ϖ = 488.9–43.9 × ε
xx
, relating to a Raman factor of 10.8 cm−1 GPa−1. They also reveal a strong correlation between PL energies and electron concentrations due to bandgap renormalization and band-filling effects. The evolution of HRXRD, due to chemical etching, provides evidence that the In inclusions not only appear on the surface and/or at grain boundaries but are also embedded in the InN crystals. Optical absorptions and PL spectra exhibit no apparent changes upon chemical etching, confirming the absence or minor effect of coupling on In-related plasmonic resonance and/or interband transitions, especially for those In inclusions present on the surface and/or at the grain boundaries of InN.
Optimum excitation photon energy for CdSe–ZnS core–shell quantum dot based luminescence imaging
Authors: Mukherjee Amlan , Ghosh Sandip
Published: April 2012

The authors present a comparative study of photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and absorption spectra of CdSe–ZnS core–shell quantum dot ensembles, with mean core diameters ranging from 2.6 to 7.2 nm. The larger dots show a threshold phenomenon wherein for excitation photon energy greater than a value E
th, the PLE and absorption spectra diverge abruptly. Beyond E
th the PLE signal tends to decrease while absorption continues to increase. Results are compared with electronic structure calculations based on a spherical core–shell potential model. One finds that E
th matches with the minimum photon energy required to create holes with energy equal to the core–shell potential energy barrier for holes. These holes, more exposed to shell surface defects, are likely to be lost through non-radiative pathways thereby reducing luminescence. Part of the increase in absorption at higher energies can be attributed to normally forbidden transitions, whose oscillator strength is shown to increase with increase in the transition energy.
Growth competition between semiconducting Ge1−x
Mn
x
nanocolumns and metallic Mn5Ge3 clusters
Authors: Le Thi-Giang , Dau Minh-Tuan , Le Thanh Vinh , Nam D N H , Petit Matthieu , Michez Lisa A , Nguyen Van-Khiem , Nguyen Manh-An
Published: April 2012

Structural and magnetic characterizations have been combined to investigate the growth kinetics of Ge
1−x

Mn

x
diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) on Ge(001) substrates by means of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We have identified the growth process window allowing stabilization of a high Curie temperature (T

C
) nanocolumn phase and provide evidence that the growth of semiconducting Ge
1−x

Mn

x
nanocolumns and metallic Mn
5
Ge
3 clusters is a competing process. Due to a continuous increase of the Mn concentration inside nanocolumns, induced by Mn segregation along the growth direction from the interface toward the film surface, nanocolumns become unstable when the Mn concentration reaches a value of ∼40 at.% then transform into Mn
5
Ge
3 clusters. We propose a real-time approach to realize stacked layers consisting of nanocolumns separated by a Ge barrier layer, allowing exploitation of the effect of giant magneto-resistance in multilayer structures
Synthesis of silver nanoparticle using D. carota extract
Authors: Umadevi M , Shalini S , Bindhu M R
Published: April 2012

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (NPs) using D. carota extract was investigated for various concentrations of D. carota extract. The aqueous silver ions were reduced into silver NPs when they interacted with D. carota extract. The silver NPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. XRD measurements show that the average size of silver NPs was 20 nm. UV-visible spectra show that the surface plasmon resonance peak of silver is observed at 415 nm. FTIR measurements indicate the presence in D. carota extract of ascorbic acid which is responsible for reducing and capping bioreduced silver NPs. TEM measurement shows that most silver NPs are spherical in shape.
The classification of minimal product-quotient surfaces with 𝑝_{𝑔}=0
Authors: Bauer I. , Pignatelli R.
Published: April 2012

A product-quotient surface is the minimal resolution of the singularities of the quotient of a product of two curves by the action of a finite group acting separately on the two factors. We classify all minimal product-quotient surfaces of general type with geometric genus 0: they form 72 families. We show that there is exactly one product-quotient surface of general type whose canonical class has positive selfintersection which is not minimal, and describe its

(
−
1
)

(-1)

-curves. For all of these surfaces the Bloch conjecture holds.
Evaluation of external operculum loop tags to individually identify cage‐cultured Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus in commercial research trials
Authors: Sykes P. J. , Stryhn H. , McClure C. A. , Brooking C. L. , Hammell K. L.
Published: April 2012

The growth, survival and tag retention of double‐tagged [external FT4 lock‐on (FT4) and internal passive integrated transponder (PIT)‐tagged] Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus were compared to internal PIT‐tagged controls in a randomized trial. The objective was to assess the suitability of these tags for monitoring the performance of individual fish in longitudinal trials under commercial cage‐culture conditions in the lower Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada. The FT4 tags were chosen due to their similarity to tags used by investigators to track H. hippoglossus in the wild. A subset of the population randomly received an external FT4 tag inserted through the operculum and were monitored over a 1105 day period. The specific growth rate of FT4‐tagged fish was significantly reduced in the first sea summer with no significant difference observed for the remainder of the trial. The differential growth in the first sea summer created a relative size advantage, permitting controls to increase in size significantly faster than FT4 fish in all subsequent periods. The FT4 tags did not significantly influence survival under normal commercial cage‐culture conditions. Results, however, suggest that the survival of FT4‐tagged H. hippoglossus may be compromised during stressful handling events. Tag retention of FT4 tags was acceptable with 76% of tags remaining at the end of the 1105 day trial. FT4 tags proved to be an effective method to identify individual H. hippoglossus, with the caveat that they seriously bias productivity measures in commercial research trials.
Constraints and facilitators to participation in physical activity in teenagers with Developmental Co‐ordination Disorder: an exploratory interview study
Authors: Barnett A. L. , Dawes H. , Wilmut K.
Published: April 2012

Background  Despite their movement difficulties, youngsters with Developmental Co‐ordination Disorder (DCD) generally have sufficient capability for physical activity. However, they tend to be less physically active and less physically fit than their well co‐ordinated age peers. The aim of this study was to use qualitative research methods to understand which factors constrain and facilitate participation in physical activity in teenagers with DCD, in order to help inform future health promotion programmes.

Method  Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight teenagers with DCD (aged 13–15) and their parents. The interviews focused on how much physical activity was typically undertaken by the child and the perceived constraints and facilitators to being physically active. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to categorical‐content analysis.

Results  Half of the children and all but one of the parents reported that the children did little physical activity. Although most children disliked competitive team games, they reported many physical activities that they did enjoy and they reported wanting to be more physically active. Perceived internal constraints to participation included poor motor skill, lack of motivation and reports of fatiguing easily. Perceived external constraints included difficulty travelling to activities, negative comments from peers and teachers' lack of understanding of DCD.

Conclusions  Reports of low levels of physical activity support previous literature and are a cause for concern for this group. The teenagers expressed the desire to be more active, yet the interviews revealed both personal and environmental constraints to engagement in physical activity. It is clear that these factors interact in a dynamic way and that teachers, schools and communities play an important role in creating a motivational environment for youngsters with DCD to engage in physical activity and learn to maintain an active lifestyle as they move into adulthood.
Quality of life domains affected in children with developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Zwicker J. G. , Harris S. R. , Klassen A. F.
Published: April 2012

The quality of life (QOL) of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is largely unknown, but evidence suggests that multiple QOL domains are affected by the disorder. While DCD is primarily considered a motor disorder, multiple studies have reported psychological and social concerns in children with this condition. Our primary aim was to present the current state of the evidence regarding the physical, psychological, and social QOL domains that can be affected in children with DCD. Systematic review of articles from seven databases through November 2010 (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, CDSR, DARE) was conducted. Search terms included developmental coordination disorder, dyspraxia, quality of life, life satisfaction, well‐being, activities of daily living, and participation. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full‐text articles. Studies meeting the following criteria were selected: (1) sample comprised solely of individuals with coordination difficulties consistent with DCD; (2) outcome measures related to physical, psychological, or socials domains of QOL; and (3) articles published in English. Data were extracted by one author and verified by a second. Outcomes were categorized according to physical, psychological and social domains of QOL and study quality was rated by case definitions of DCD based on diagnostic criteria as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – 4th edition. Forty‐one articles were included. Most studies reported significantly poorer results in physical, psychological and social functioning in children with DCD compared with peers. Despite the impact of DCD on multiple domains, only one study used a QOL measure as an outcome. Although DCD impacts several QOL domains, the QOL of children with this disorder remains largely unknown. The next critical step is for clinicians and researchers to use QOL measures to gather information on how DCD may affect the QOL of children with this disorder.
CCR3 induced‐p42/44 MAPK activation protects against staurosporine induced‐DNA fragmentation but not apoptosis in airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Markwick L. J. , Clements D. , Roberts M. E. , Ceresa C. C. , Knox A. J. , Johnson S. R.
Published: April 2012

Background

Chemokine receptors (CCRs) are expressed on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. As their ligands are present in the airways in asthma, we hypothesized that ASM CCR activation could promote the increase in ASM mass seen in patients with chronic asthma.

Objective

To determine which CCRs are expressed by ASM cells and their potential functional relevance to the chronic airway changes seen in asthma.

Methods

CCR expression in primary ASM cell cultures and airway biopsies from patients with and without asthma was examined by RT‐PCR, fluorescence‐activated cell sorting and immunohistochemistry. ASM p42/44 MAPK activity, proliferation, migration and apoptosis were examined by western blotting, thymidine incorporation, transwell assay and TUNEL assay respectively.

Results

CCR3 was the most frequently expressed CCR protein and was present on 79 ± 14% of cells. CX3CR1 and CXCR6 were present on 6% and 11% of cells respectively. CCR3 ligands CCL11 and CCL24 caused rapid activation of p42/44 MAPK but not Akt. CCR3 activation did not affect ASM proliferation, migration or VEGF secretion. DNA fragmentation detected by TUNEL staining could be induced by staurosporine and Fas activation although only Fas activation resulted in caspase 3 cleavage. CCL11 and CCL24 protected ASM cells against DNA fragmentation dependent upon p42/44 MAPK activity only via caspase 3 independent pathways. CCR3 was expressed in the smooth muscle and epithelium in the airways of patients with and without asthma. Smooth muscle cell DNA fragmentation in the airways of patients with stable asthma and controls was very uncommon.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

CCR3 is strongly expressed by ASM cells in vitro and in vivo. Protection against cell death by CCR3 activation is dependent on p42/44 MAPK but does not affect caspase 3 mediated apoptosis.
Breeding for the future: what are the potential impacts of future frost and heat events on sowing and flowering time requirements for Australian bread wheat (Triticum aestivium) varieties?
Authors: Zheng Bangyou , Chenu Karine , Fernanda Dreccer M. , Chapman Scott C.
Published: April 2012

Extreme climate, especially temperature, can severely reduce wheat yield. As global warming has already begun to increase mean temperature and the occurrence of extreme temperatures, it has become urgent to accelerate the 5–20 year process of breeding for new wheat varieties, to adapt to future climate. We analyzed the patterns of frost and heat events across the Australian wheatbelt based on 50 years of historical records (1960–2009) for 2864 weather stations. Flowering dates of three contrasting‐maturity wheat varieties were simulated for a wide range of sowing dates in 22 locations for ‘current’ climate (1960–2009) and eight future scenarios (high and low CO2 emission, dry and wet precipitation scenarios, in 2030 and 2050). The results highlighted the substantial spatial variability of frost and heat events across the Australian wheatbelt in current and future climates. As both ‘last frost’ and ‘first heat’ events would occur earlier in the season, the ‘target’ sowing and flowering windows (defined as risk less than 10% for frost (<0 °C) and less than 30% for heat (>35 °C) around flowering) would be shifted earlier by up to 2 and 1 month(s), respectively, in 2050. A short‐season variety would require a shift in target sowing window 2‐fold greater than long‐ and medium‐season varieties by 2050 (8 vs. 4 days on average across locations and scenarios, respectively), but would suffer a lesser decrease in the length of the vegetative period (4 vs. 7 days). Overall, warmer winters would shorten the wheat season by up to 6 weeks, especially during preflowering. This faster crop cycle is associated with a reduced time for resource acquisition, and potential yield loss. As far as favourable rain and modern equipment would allow, early sowing and longer season varieties (i.e. in current climate) would be the best strategies to adapt to future climates.
High‐grade B cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with blastoid features: an unusual morphological subgroup associated frequently with BCL2 and/or MYC gene rearrangements and a poor prognosis
Authors: Kanagal‐Shamanna Rashmi , Medeiros L Jeffrey , Lu Gary , Wang Sa A , Manning John T , Lin Pei , Penn Gerald M , Young Ken H , You M James , Vega Francisco , Bassett Roland , Miranda Roberto N
Published: April 2012

Kanagal‐Shamanna R, Medeiros L J, Lu G, Wang S A, Manning J T, Lin P, Penn G M, Young K H, You M J, Vega F, Bassett R & Miranda R N  (2012) Histopathology 61, 945–954

High‐grade B cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with blastoid features: an unusual morphological subgroup associated frequently with BCL2 and/or MYC gene rearrangements and a poor prognosis

Aims:  A subset of B cell lymphomas with blastoid features do not fit either as B lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukaemia or blastoid mantle cell lymphoma. Their classification is challenging, even with complete clinicopathological and genetic information. At a haematopathology workshop, experts had suggested the term ‘high‐grade B cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with blastoid features’, and recommended further studies.

Methods and results:  We describe the clinicopathological, immunophenotypic and cytogenetic findings of 24 high‐grade B cell lymphomas, unclassifiable, with blastoid features. Fifteen patients presented de novo and seven patients had a history of lymphoma. Twenty patients (83%) presented with nodal disease. All tumours expressed pan‐B cell antigens and 17 (89%) of 19 tumours assessed had a germinal centre B cell immunophenotype. Ten (63%) of 16 tumours assessed by fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) had MYC rearrangement, 13 of 18 (72%) carried IGH‐BCL2 and nine of 15 (60%) had both (double‐hit lymphoma). The median overall survival was 1.1 years. Using 2008 World Health Organization criteria, 15 cases were classified as B cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphoma, and nine as DLBCL, small centroblastic variant.

Conclusion:  High‐grade B cell lymphomas, unclassifiable, with blastoid features are clinically aggressive with poor survival. Most neoplasms have a germinal centre B cell phenotype. MYC rearrangements and IGH‐BCL2 are common, and ∼60% are double‐hit lymphomas.
KRAS mutation is present in a small subset of primary urinary bladder adenocarcinomas
Authors: Alexander Riley E , Lopez‐Beltran Antonio , Montironi Rodolfo , MacLennan Gregory T , Post Kristin M , Bilbo Sarah A , Jones Timothy D , Huang Wenbin , Rao Qiu , Sen Joyashree D , Meehan Kari , Cornwell Anita , Miravalle Leticia , Cheng Liang
Published: April 2012

Alexander R E, Lopez‐Beltran A, Montironi R, MacLennan G T, Post K M, Bilbo S A, Jones T D, Huang W, Rao Q, Sen J D, Meehan K, Cornwell A, Miravalle L & Cheng L  (2012) Histopathology KRAS mutation is present in a small subset of primary urinary bladder adenocarcinomas

Aims:  To determine whether KRAS mutations occur in primary bladder adenocarcinoma.

Methods and results:  Twenty‐six cases of primary urinary bladder adenocarcinoma were analysed. DNA was extracted from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue and amplified with shifted termination assay technology, which recognizes wild‐type or mutant target sequences and selectively extends detection primers with labelled nucleotides. A mutation in KRAS was found in three (11.5%) of 26 primary bladder adenocarcinomas. Two of these three cases exhibited a G13D mutation, whereas the remaining case contained a mutation in G12V. None of the ten cases of urothelial carcinoma with glandular differentiation displayed KRAS mutation. Colonic adenocarcinoma contained a KRAS mutation in 18 (33%) of 55 cases. There was no distinct difference with regard to grade, stage or outcome according to the limited clinicopathological data available. However, the two youngest patients, aged 32 and 39 years, in our study group, with a mean population age of 61 years, were found to have mutations in KRAS.

Conclusions:  KRAS mutations are present in a small subset of primary urinary bladder adenocarcinomas. Future clinical trials for treatment of bladder adenocarcinoma, employing targeted therapies similar to those used for treatment of colon cancer, may also benefit from the predictive implications of KRAS mutational testing.
Sperm chromatin integrity may predict future fertility for unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion patients
Authors: Zhang Lihong , Wang Leiguang , Zhang Xingqi , Xu Guanzhao , Zhang Wei , Wang Kehua , Wang Qiuju , Qiu Yi , Li Juan , Gai Ling
Published: April 2012

The pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is multi‐factorial, complex and poorly understood. In the present study, semen parameters, including sperm chromatin integrity, sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology, were compared between 111 men whose partners had a history of unexplained RSA (RSA group) and 30 healthy fertile men (control group). The RSA group was further separated into three subgroups, depending on their reproductive outcome during the 12 months after they were enrolled in the study: the pregnancy subgroup consisted of 43 men whose partners achieved a successful pregnancy up to at least the 24th week of gestation; the abortion subgroup included 31 men whose partners experienced further abortions; and the infertile subgroup had 37 men whose partners did not have any positive pregnancy test after regular, unprotected intercourse. Significantly lower proportion of sperm with normal morphology was found in the abortion subgroup (14.7 ± 4.3%) than in the control group (17.5 ± 5.0%). Sperm concentrations were significantly lower in the infertile subgroup (55.7 ± 24.1%) than in the controls (68.6 ± 27.8%). The rates of abnormal sperm chromatin integrity were significantly higher in the abortion (16.7 ± 7.7%) and infertile (16.3 ± 6.6%) subgroups, compared to the control group (13.0 ± 4.4%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the subsequent reproductive outcome of the 111 RSA patients was negatively correlated to the rates of abnormal sperm chromatin integrity. In conclusion, sperm chromatin integrity, sperm morphology, and sperm concentration were associated with future reproductive outcome of RSA patients. The sperm chromatin integrity was a significant predictor for future abortion and infertility.
High prevalence of androgen deficiency and abnormal lipid profile in infertile men with non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Bobjer J. , Naumovska M. , Giwercman Y.L. , Giwercman A.
Published: April 2012

In men with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA), the risk of hypogonadism is often overlooked. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) may increase this risk. The objective of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of hypogonadism in NOA‐patients, the impact of TESE on hormone balance and the association between testosterone deficiency and dyslipidaemia. Men with NOA who had undergone TESE during the period 2004–2009 were eligible. Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone <10 nmol/L and/or LH >10 IU/L and/or ongoing androgen replacement therapy. Sixty‐five consecutive men who had undergone TESE owing to NOA and from whom post‐TESE serum testosterone levels measured before 1100 h were available. Furthermore, 141 fertile men served as controls. Serum concentrations of testosterone, LH and lipids were assessed. Odds ratios (OR) for biochemical hypogonadism were calculated. Pre‐ and post‐TESE hormone levels were compared. Lipid profile was related to testosterone levels. Hypogonadism was found in 47% (95% CI, 0.36, 0.59) of the NOA‐men. As compared with fertile controls, the OR for hypogonadism post‐TESE was 17 (95% CI 6.6–45). Serum LH (p = 0.03), but not testosterone (p = 0.43), differed significantly pre‐ and post‐TESE. Compared with eugonadal NOA‐men, the OR for having deviations in lipid profile was 3.3 (95% CI 1.3–8.8) for the hypogonadal NOA‐men. NOA‐men are at very high risk of androgen deficiency, which even in young subjects is associated with dyslipidaemia. Medical management of these men should therefore include endocrinological evaluation and follow‐up after completion of infertility treatment.
Foaming, gelling and rheological properties of egg albumen as affected by the housing system and the age of laying hens
Authors: Alamprese Cristina , Casiraghi Ernestina , Rossi Margherita
Published: April 2012

The aim of this work was to study the foaming, gelling and rheological properties of albumen as simultaneously affected by the housing system (i.e. conventional cage, organic and barn) and the age of layers (27, 30, 35, 43, 53 and 68 weeks). Significant effects of the two considered factors and of their interactions were found for almost all the studied properties. In particular, with the increasing of the hen age, a loss in albumen consistency and a weakening of the albumen gel structure were observed. As regards the housing system, differences observed, even if statistically significant, were little and unlikely to have a real effect on technological performances of the eggs when used as food ingredients. Significant correlations amongst technological properties of albumen and its pH and protein content were also found.
Agricultural intensification drives landscape‐context effects on host–parasitoid interactions in agroecosystems
Authors: Jonsson Mattias , Buckley Hannah L. , Case Bradley S. , Wratten Steve D. , Hale Roddy J. , Didham Raphael K.
Published: April 2012

1. Agricultural land use threatens ecosystem services such as biological control by natural enemies because of simplification of habitat structure and intensification of disturbance and agrochemical inputs. Low parasitism rates of agricultural pests have typically been attributed to a lack of resources for parasitoids in highly simplified landscapes, but this could be confounded by the nearly ubiquitous correlation between landscape complexity and the cover of intensively farmed agricultural crops.

2. Here, we disentangle the mechanisms driving landscape‐scale effects on host–parasitoid interactions by taking advantage of a landscape modification gradient in which the diversity of habitat types and annual crop cover in the landscape were uncorrelated. We quantified herbivore densities and parasitism and hyperparasitism rates on two important crop pests (aphids and Plutella xylostella) across 30 landscapes. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to test whether land‐use intensity (insecticide application and habitat disturbance) or resource availability for parasitoids (floral resources and alternative host plants) was mediating the effects of habitat diversity and annual crop cover on the landscape.

3. Rates of primary‐ and hyperparasitism of aphids and primary parasitism of P. xylostella decreased with increasing annual crop cover, whereas decreasing habitat diversity in the landscape had little effect on parasitism rates. These effects were mediated almost entirely by greater habitat disturbance and greater frequency of insecticide application, rather than by changes in resource availability.

4. Parasitoids were more sensitive to intensive farming practices than were their herbivore hosts, and in turn hyperparasitoids were more sensitive than were primary parasitoids. This supports the theoretical prediction that higher trophic levels should be increasingly sensitive to the disturbances associated with land‐use change.

5. Synthesis and applications. Our work suggests that increased land‐use intensity (e.g. higher insecticide inputs and greater levels of disturbance associated with increasing area of annual crops) has been underestimated as a driver of landscape effects on host–parasitoid interactions. These findings have important implications for the maintenance of ecosystem services such as biological control. The promotion of low‐intensity farming practices that limit the extent and frequency of agrochemical inputs and habitat disturbances will be essential for the maintenance of effective biological control by parasitoids in agroecosystems.
Low levels of food involvement and negative affect reduce the quality of diet in women of lower educational attainment
Authors: Jarman M. , Lawrence W. , Ntani G. , Tinati T. , Pease A. , Black C. , Baird J. , Barker M. ,   the SIH Study Group
Published: April 2012

Background:  Women of lower educational attainment tend to have poorer quality diets and lower food involvement (an indicator of the priority given to food) than women of higher educational attainment. The present study reports a study of the role of food involvement in the relationship between educational attainment and quality of diet in young women.

Methods:  The first phase uses six focus group discussions (n = 28) to explore the function of food involvement in shaping the food choices of women of lower and higher educational attainment with young children. The second phase is a survey that examines the relationship between educational attainment and quality of diet in women, and explores the role of mediating factors identified by the focus group discussions.

Results:  The focus groups suggested that lower food involvement in women of lower educational attainment might be associated with negative affect (i.e. an observable expression of negative emotion), and that this might mean that they did not place a high priority on eating a good quality diet. In support of this hypothesis, the survey of 1010 UK women found that 14% of the effect of educational attainment on food involvement was mediated through the woman’s affect (P ≤ 0.001), and that 9% of the effect of educational attainment on quality of diet was mediated through food involvement (P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions:  Women who leave school with fewer qualifications may have poorer quality diets than women with more qualifications because they tend to have a lower level of food involvement, partly attributed to a more negative affect. Interventions to improve women’s mood may benefit their quality of diet.
Gossypol‐enhanced P450 gene pool contributes to cotton bollworm tolerance to a pyrethroid insecticide
Authors: TAO XIAO‐YUAN , XUE XUE‐YI , HUANG YONG‐PING , CHEN XIAO‐YA , MAO YING‐BO
Published: April 2012

Cotton plants accumulate phytotoxins, including gossypol and related sesquiterpene aldehydes, to resist insect herbivores and pathogens. To counteract these defensive plant secondary metabolites, cotton bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera) elevate their production of detoxification enzymes, including cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s). Besides their tolerance to phytotoxin, cotton bollworms have quickly developed resistance to deltamethrin, a widely used pyrethroid insecticide in cotton field. However, the relationship between host plant secondary metabolites and bollworm insecticide resistance is poorly understood. Here, we show that exogenously expressed CYP6AE14, a gossypol‐inducible P450 of cotton bollworm, has epoxidation activity towards aldrin, an organochlorine insecticide, indicating that gossypol‐induced P450s participate in insecticide metabolism. Gossypol‐ingested cotton bollworm larvae showed higher midgut P450 enzyme activities and exhibited enhanced tolerance to deltamethrin. The midgut transcripts of bollworm larvae administrated with different phytochemicals and deltamethrin were then compared by microarray analysis, which showed that gossypol and deltamethrin induced the most similar P450 expression profiles. Gossypol‐induced P450s exhibited high divergence and at least five of them (CYP321A1, CYP9A12, CYP9A14, CYP6AE11 and CYP6B7) contributed to cotton bollworm tolerance to deltamethrin. Knocking down one of them, CYP9A14, by plant‐mediated RNA interference (RNAi) rendered the larvae more sensitive to the insecticide. These data demonstrate that generalist insects can take advantage of secondary metabolites from their major host plants to elaborate defence systems against other toxic chemicals, and impairing this defence pathway by RNAi holds a potential for reducing the required dosages of agrochemicals in pest control.
The rice hydroperoxide lyase OsHPL3 functions in defense responses by modulating the oxylipin pathway
Authors: Tong Xiaohong , Qi Jinfeng , Zhu Xudong , Mao Bizeng , Zeng Longjun , Wang Baohui , Li Qun , Zhou Guoxin , Xu Xiaojing , Lou Yonggen , He Zuhua
Published: April 2012

As important signal molecules, jasmonates (JAs) and green leaf volatiles (GLVs) play diverse roles in plant defense responses against insect pests and pathogens. However, how plants employ their specific defense responses by modulating the levels of JA and GLVs remains unclear. Here, we describe identification of a role for the rice HPL3 gene, which encodes a hydroperoxide lyase (HPL), OsHPL3/CYP74B2, in mediating plant‐specific defense responses. The loss‐of‐function mutant hpl3‐1 produced disease‐resembling lesions spreading through the whole leaves. A biochemical assay revealed that OsHPL3 possesses intrinsic HPL activity, hydrolyzing hydroperoxylinolenic acid to produce GLVs. The hpl3‐1 plants exhibited enhanced induction of JA, trypsin proteinase inhibitors and other volatiles, but decreased levels of GLVs including (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol. OsHPL3 positively modulates resistance to the rice brown planthopper [BPH, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)] but negatively modulates resistance to the rice striped stem borer [SSB, Chilo suppressalis (Walker)]. Moreover, hpl3‐1 plants were more attractive to a BPH egg parasitoid, Anagrus nilaparvatae, than the wild‐type, most likely as a result of increased release of BPH‐induced volatiles. Interestingly, hpl3‐1 plants also showed increased resistance to bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae). Collectively, these results indicate that OsHPL3, by affecting the levels of JA, GLVs and other volatiles, modulates rice‐specific defense responses against different invaders.
Histone H1 affects gene imprinting and DNA methylation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Rea Matthew , Zheng Wenguang , Chen Ming , Braud Christopher , Bhangu Drutdaman , Rognan Tara N. , Xiao Wenyan
Published: April 2012

Imprinting, i.e. parent‐of‐origin expression of alleles, plays an important role in regulating development in mammals and plants. DNA methylation catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases plays a pivotal role in regulating imprinting by silencing parental alleles. DEMETER (DME), a DNA glycosylase functioning in the base‐excision DNA repair pathway, can excise 5‐methylcytosine from DNA and regulate genomic imprinting in Arabidopsis. DME demethylates the maternal MEDEA (MEA) promoter in endosperm, resulting in expression of the maternal MEA allele. However, it is not known whether DME interacts with other proteins in regulating gene imprinting. Here we report the identification of histone H1.2 as a DME‐interacting protein in a yeast two‐hybrid screen, and confirmation of their interaction by the in vitro pull‐down assay. Genetic analysis of the loss‐of‐function histone h1 mutant showed that the maternal histone H1 allele is required for DME regulation of MEA, FWA and FIS2 imprinting in Arabidopsis endosperm but the paternal allele is dispensable. Furthermore, we show that mutations in histone H1 result in an increase of DNA methylation in the maternal MEA and FWA promoter in endosperm. Our results suggest that histone H1 is involved in DME‐mediated DNA methylation and gene regulation at imprinted loci.
Evaluation of vascular lesions using circulating endothelial cells in renal transplant patients
Authors: Wen Jiqiu , Chen Jisong , Ji Shu‐Ming , Cheng Dongrui , Liu Zhi‐hong
Published: April 2012

Objective

To investigate the correlation between circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and vascular lesions in renal allografts.

Methodology

Sixty‐two renal transplant patients were divided into four groups according to biopsy data. CECs were isolated from peripheral blood with anti‐CD136‐coated immunomagnetic Dynabeads and counted by microscopy during biopsy. CEC numbers were compared in each group, as well as the correlation between CECs and C4d and vascular changes in different groups.

Result

CECs counts were higher in the acute rejection (AR) with endarteritis group than in the normal group (p < 0.01), acute tubular necrosis (ATN) group (p < 0.01) and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) group (p < 0.01), there were no difference among ATN, normal and CAN) group (p = 0.587). There was no difference among the normal group without hyaline, normal group with hyaline and CAN with hyaline group. An increasing CECs count was related to C4d‐positive AR (p = 0.008; κ score = 0.519) and infiltration of inflammatory cells (p = 0.002, κ score = 0.573) in proximal tubule cells (PTCs). The CECs count decreased after intensive therapy in five patients (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Elevation of the CEC count in blood was related to endarteritis. Elevation of CEC count was related to C4d deposition and infiltration of inflammatory cells in PTCs.
Pivotal role of the AREB/ABF‐SnRK2 pathway in ABRE‐mediated transcription in response to osmotic stress in plants
Authors: Fujita Yasunari , Yoshida Takuya , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko
Published: April 2012

Water availability is one of the main limiting factors for plant growth and development. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) fulfills a critical role in coordinating the responses to reduced water availability as well as in multiple developmental processes. Endogenous ABA levels increase in response to osmotic stresses such as drought and high salinity, and ABA activates the expression of many genes via ABA‐responsive elements (ABREs) in their promoter regions. ABRE‐binding protein/ABRE‐binding factor (AREB/ABF) transcription factors (TFs) regulate the ABRE‐mediated transcription of downstream target genes. Three subclass III sucrose non‐fermenting‐1 related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) protein kinases (SRK2D/SnRK2.2, SRK2E/SnRK2.6/OST1 and SRK2I/SnRK2.3) phosphorylate and positively control the AREB/ABF TFs. Substantial progress has been made in our understanding of the ABA‐sensing system mediated by Pyrabactin resistance1/PYR1‐like/regulatory components of ABA receptor (PYR/PYL/RCAR)‐protein phosphatase 2C complexes. In addition to PP2C‐PYR/PYL/RCAR ABAreceptor complex, the AREB/ABF‐SnRK2 pathway, which is well conserved in land plants, was recently shown to play a major role as a positive regulator of ABA/stress signaling through ABRE‐mediated transcription of target genes implicated in the osmotic stress response. This review focuses on current progress in the study of the AREB/ABF‐SnRK2 positive regulatory pathway in plants and describes additional signaling factors implicated in the AREB/ABF‐SnRK2 pathway. Moreover, to help promote the link between basic and applied studies, the nomenclature and phylogenetic relationships between the AREB/ABFs and SnRK2s are summarized and discussed.