bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alteration of cyanobacterial sugar and amino acid metabolism by overexpression hik8, encoding a KaiC‐associated histidine kinase
Authors: Osanai Takashi , Shirai Tomokazu , Iijima Hiroko , Kuwahara Ayuko , Suzuki Iwane , Kondo Akihiko , Hirai Masami Yokota
Published: November 2014

Cyanobacteria possess circadian clocks consisting of KaiABC proteins, and circadian rhythm must closely relate to the primary metabolism. A histidine kinase, SasA, interacts with KaiC to transduce circadian signals and widely regulates transcription in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942, although the involvement of SasA in primary metabolism has not been demonstrated at metabolite levels. Here, we generated a strain overexpressing hik8 (HOX80), an orthologue of SasA in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. HOX80 grew slowly under light conditions and lost viability under continuous dark conditions. Transcript levels of genes related to sugar catabolism remained higher in HOX80 under dark conditions. Metabolomic analysis revealed that under light conditions, glycogen was undetectable in HOX80, and there were decreased levels of metabolites of sugar catabolism and increased levels of amino acids, compared with those in the wild‐type strain. HOX80 exhibited aberrant degradation of SigE proteins after a light‐to‐dark transition and immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that Hik8 directly interacts with KaiC1. The results of this study demonstrate that overexpression of hik8 widely alters sugar and amino acid metabolism, revealing the involvement of Hik8 in primary metabolism under both light and dark conditions in this cyanobacterium.
The archaeal lipidome in estuarine sediment dominated by members of the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotal Group
Authors: Meador Travis B. , Bowles Marshall , Lazar Cassandre S. , Zhu Chun , Teske Andreas , Hinrichs Kai‐Uwe
Published: November 2014

The anoxic sediments of the White Oak River estuary comprise a distinctive sulfate–methane transition zone (SMTZ) and natural enrichment of the archaea affiliated with the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotal Group (MCG). Archaeal biphytanes were generally depleted in 13C, with δ13C values being less than –35‰, indicative of production by active sedimentary archaeal populations. Multivariate analysis of the downcore distributions of 63 lipid biomarkers identified three major groups of lipids that were enriched in the surface, SMTZ or subsurface depths. Intact polar lipids with phosphatidylglycerol headgroups and glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers containing one, two or three cyclopentane rings were enriched at the base of the SMTZ and likely represent the accumulated product of a small but active ANME‐1 community. The recently identified butanetriol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (BDGT), which increased relatively to other lipids with depth, were correlated with the relative abundance of MCG in archaeal 16S rRNA clone libraries, and were 13C depleted throughout the depth profile, suggesting BDGT lipids as putative biomarkers of an MCG community that may either be autotrophic or feeding on 13C‐depleted organic substrates transported by porewater.
Effect of microsatellite selection on individual and population genetic inferences: an empirical study using cross‐specific and species‐specific amplifications
Authors: Queirós J. , Godinho R. , Lopes S. , Gortazar C. , de la Fuente J. , Alves P. C.
Published: November 2014

Although whole‐genome sequencing is becoming more accessible and feasible for nonmodel organisms, microsatellites have remained the markers of choice for various population and conservation genetic studies. However, the criteria for choosing microsatellites are still controversial due to ascertainment bias that may be introduced into the genetic inference. An empirical study of red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations, in which cross‐specific and species‐specific microsatellites developed through pyrosequencing of enriched libraries, was performed for this study. Two different strategies were used to select the species‐specific panels: randomly vs. highly polymorphic markers. The results suggest that reliable and accurate estimations of genetic diversity can be obtained using random microsatellites distributed throughout the genome. In addition, the results reinforce previous evidence that selecting the most polymorphic markers leads to an ascertainment bias in estimates of genetic diversity, when compared with randomly selected microsatellites. Analyses of population differentiation and clustering seem less influenced by the approach of microsatellite selection, whereas assigning individuals to populations might be affected by a random selection of a small number of microsatellites. Individual multilocus heterozygosity measures produced various discordant results, which in turn had impacts on the heterozygosity‐fitness correlation test. Finally, we argue that picking the appropriate microsatellite set should primarily take into account the ecological and evolutionary questions studied. Selecting the most polymorphic markers will generally overestimate genetic diversity parameters, leading to misinterpretations of the real genetic diversity, which is particularly important in managed and threatened populations.
In situ expression of nitrite‐dependent anaerobic methane oxidation proteins by Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera co‐occurring with expressed anammox proteins in a contaminated aquifer
Authors: Hanson Buck T. , Madsen Eugene L.
Published: November 2014

Deciphering the in situ activities of microorganisms is essential for understanding the biogeochemical processes occurring in complex environments. Here, we used environmental metaproteomics to obtain information about the identity of subsurface microbial populations in coal tar‐contaminated groundwater and the metabolic processes they catalyze. Metaproteomic libraries (two shotgun and seven slices from one SDS‐PAGE gel) were generated from replicate samples of microbial biomass. Peptide fragment analysis using nano‐liquid chromatography (LC)‐mass spectrometry (MS)/MS of the three protein pools generated a total of 95 725 mass spectra. When analyzed using mascot v.2.3.02 and searched against the NCBInr bacterial database [confidence interval 99% (P < 0.01)], a total of 1 270 proteins had at least two peptide matches. Replication of identified proteins across the three libraries was low (3.3%); however, in each library, the most frequently identified protein host was Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera (15, 12 and 62 proteins for each shotgun and the gel‐slice library respectively). Remarkably, eight of the nine proteins in the nitrite‐dependent anaerobic methane oxidation pathway were found. Additionally, 39 proteins were matched to known anammox bacteria including hydroxylamine and hydrazine oxidase. Metaproteomics thus revealed a microbial population, closely related to Ca. Methylomirabilis oxyfera, actively engaged in nitrite‐dependent anaerobic methane oxidation and likely competing for nitrite with anammox bacteria.
Dissolved organic monomer partitioning among bacterial groups in two oligotrophic lakes
Authors: Pérez María Teresa , Rofner Carina , Sommaruga Ruben
Published: November 2014

Understanding how resource partitioning works among taxa is crucial in explaining coexistence and competition within a community. Here, we assessed resource partitioning among freshwater bacterial groups from two oligotrophic lakes using four types of organic substrates as compound models. Substrate uptake patterns were examined by microautoradiography combined with catalysed reporter deposition fluorescent in situ hybridization. Four large taxonomic groups were found in the lakes, but Actinobacteria (AcI lineage) and Betaproteobacteria (R‐BTcluster) dominated the bacterial assemblage. Monomers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus were preferred over the ones containing only carbon. All groups were able to incorporate amino acids, adenosine triphosphate and glucose. However, acetate was only taken up by ∼ 10–12% of bacteria, and its uptake was not detected in Cytophaga‐Flavobacteria. Apart from acetate, the contribution of a particular bacterial group to the uptake of a substrate was proportional to its relative abundance. In both lakes, we detected substrate partitioning between AcI Actinobacteria, which was overrepresented in glucose and acetate utilization, and R‐BT Betaproteobacteria, which dominated amino acid uptake. Our results strongly point to physiological niche separation of those bacterial groups in alpine lakes.
Draft whole‐genome sequence of the antibiotic‐producing soil isolate Pseudomonas sp. strain 250J
Authors: Molina‐Santiago Carlos , Udaondo Zulema , Ramos Juan‐Luis
Published: November 2014

Bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas are becoming increasing well known for their ability to produce a wide range of antimicrobial compounds. In a large‐scale screening for antibiotic producers, we identified a soil isolate that uses 4‐hydroxyphenylacetate as the sole carbon source, Pseudomonas sp. strain 250J, which produces cyclic lipodepsipeptides of the xantholysin family during the stationary phase of growth. The closest relatives of this strain are Pseudomonas mosselii, Pseudomonas soli and Pseudomonas entomophila. Sequencing of the 250J genome allowed us to find the genes relevant to antibiotic production, those which allow utilization of 4‐hydroxyphenylacetate as a sole carbon source and a set of genes potentially involved in biocontrol.
Different bulk and active bacterial communities in cryoconite from the margin and interior of the Greenland ice sheet
Authors: Stibal Marek , Schostag Morten , Cameron Karen A. , Hansen Lars H. , Chandler David M. , Wadham Jemma L. , Jacobsen Carsten S.
Published: November 2014

Biological processes in the supraglacial ecosystem, including cryoconite, contribute to nutrient cycling within the cryosphere and may affect surface melting, yet little is known of the diversity of the active microbes in these environments. We examined the bacterial abundance and community composition of cryoconite over a melt season at two contrasting sites at the margin and in the interior of the Greenland ice sheet, using sequence analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction of coextracted 16S rDNA and rRNA. Significant differences were found between bulk (rDNA) and potentially active (rRNA) communities, and between communities sampled from the two sites. Higher concentrations of rRNA than rDNA were detected at the interior site, whereas at the margin several orders of magnitude less rRNA was found compared with rDNA, which may be explained by a lower proportion of active bacteria at the margin site. The rRNA communities at both sites were dominated by a few taxa of Cyanobacteria and Alpha‐ and/or Betaproteobacteria. The bulk alpha diversity was higher in the margin site community, suggesting that local sources may be contributing towards the gene pool in addition to long distance transport.
Immunoreactivity of the 14F7 Mab raised against N‐Glycolyl GM3 Ganglioside in retinoblastoma tumours
Authors: Torbidoni Ana Vanesa , Scursoni Alejandra , Camarero Sandra , Segatori Valeria , Gabri Mariano , Alonso Daniel , Chantada Guillermo , de Dávila María Teresa G.
Published: November 2014

Introduction

The identification of molecules expressed selectively on the surface of retinoblastoma cells would allow applying targeted therapies. The Ganglioside, N‐Glycolyl‐GM3 (NeuGc‐GM3), is an attractive candidate, as it has been detected in other paediatric neuroectodermic tumours, and it is not expressed in human normal tissues. The 14F7 antibody recognizes specifically the ganglioside NeuGc‐GM3.

Purpose

To characterize the expression of NeuGc‐GM3 in retinoblastoma cell lines and in retinoblastoma tumours using the 14F7 monoclonal antibody.

Methods

We studied WERI‐Rb1 and Y79 cell lines, 24 retinoblastoma primary tumours from unilateral and bilateral cases and two bone marrow biopsies from metastatic retinoblastoma. Tumours were classified into three groups: non‐invasive (n = 13), invasive (n = 9) and metastatic (n = 2). Three eyes enucleated because of non‐tumoural conditions were used as controls. Cell lines and tumour sections were studied by immunohistochemistry using the 14F7 antibody. NeuGc‐GM3 expression was evaluated by analysing the percentage of positive tumoural cells and the staining intensity. These parameters were analysed comparatively among the three groups.

Results

Both retinoblastoma cell lines showed immunoreactivity to NeuGc‐GM3 but WERI‐Rb1 presented higher intensity than Y79. All the tumours studied showed strong immunoreactivity to NeuGc‐GM3 with no significant differences among groups. In both bone marrow specimens, NeuGc‐GM3 immunoreactivity was observed in retinoblastoma cells. In bilaterally enucleated cases, NeuGc‐GM3 immunoreactivity was not altered before and after chemotherapy. Non‐tumoural retinas were negative.

Conclusions

NeuGc‐GM3 is highly expressed in retinoblastoma cell lines, tumours and metastatic cells to the bone marrow, and it is not detectable in control eyes. There were no significant differences in the immunoreactivity to 14F7 among tumours from different disease stages. Its immunoreactivity did not change after chemotherapy.
Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modelling of intravenous and oral topiramate and its effect on phonemic fluency in adult healthy volunteers
Authors: Ahmed Ghada F. , Marino Susan E. , Brundage Richard C. , Pakhomov Serguei V. S. , Leppik Ilo E. , Cloyd James C. , Clark Annie , Birnbaum Angela K.
Published: November 2014

Aims

The aim was to develop a quantitative approach that characterizes the magnitude of and variability in phonemic generative fluency scores as measured by the Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) test in healthy volunteers after administration of an oral and a novel intravenous (IV) formulation of topiramate (TPM).

Methods

Nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling was used to describe the plasma TPM concentrations resulting from oral or IV administration. A pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK‐PD) model was developed sequentially to characterize the effect of TPM concentrations on COWA with different distributional assumptions.

Results

Topiramate was rapidly absorbed, with a median time to maximal concentration of 1 h and an oral bioavailability of ∼100%. Baseline COWA score increased by an average of 12% after the third administration on drug‐free sessions. An exponential model described the decline of COWA scores, which decreased by 14.5% for each 1 mg l−1 increase in TPM concentration. The COWA scores were described equally well by both continuous normal and Poisson distributions.

Conclusions

This analysis quantified the effect of TPM exposure on generative verbal fluency as measured by COWA. Repetitive administration of COWA resulted in a better performance, possibly due to a learning effect. The model predicts a 27% reduction in the COWA score at the average observed maximal plasma concentration after a 100 mg dose of TPM. The single‐dose administration of relatively low TPM doses and narrow range of resultant concentrations in our study were limitations to investigating the PK‐PD relationship at higher TPM exposures. Hence, the findings may not be readily generalized to the broader patient population.
Digging deeper into the link between socio‐cognitive ability and social relationships
Authors: Mizokawa Ai , Koyasu Masuo
Published: November 2014

In this commentary on ‘Friendlessness and theory of mind: A prospective longitudinal study’ by Fink, Begeer, Peterson, Slaughter, and de Rosnay (Brit. J. Dev. Psychol, 2015; 33, 1–17) we reconsider the link between early mastery of theory of mind (ToM) and social relationships by focusing on connections with other related areas of socio‐cognitive ability such as emotional competence, ToM development across age, and the effect of interventions.
A Phase II trial of Belinostat (PXD101) in patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral or cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Foss Francine , Advani Ranjana , Duvic Madeleine , Hymes Kenneth B. , Intragumtornchai Tanin , Lekhakula Arnuparp , Shpilberg Ofer , Lerner Adam , Belt Robert J. , Jacobsen Eric D. , Laurent Guy , Ben‐Yehuda Dina , Beylot‐Barry Marie , Hillen Uwe , Knoblauch Poul , Bhat Gajanan , Chawla Shanta , Allen Lee F. , Pohlman Brad
Published: November 2014

Belinostat is a pan‐histone deacetylase inhibitor with antitumour and anti‐angiogenic properties. An open label, multicentre study was conducted in patients with peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) or cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) who failed ≥1 prior systemic therapy and were treated with belinostat (1000 mg/m2 intravenously ×5 d of a 21‐d cycle). The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Patients with PTCL (n = 24) had received a median of three prior systemic therapies (range 1–9) and 40% had stage IV disease. Patients with CTCL (n = 29) had received a median of one prior skin‐directed therapy (range 0–4) and four prior systemic therapies (range 1–9); 55% had stage IV disease. The ORRs were 25% (PTCL) and 14% (CTCL). Treatment‐related adverse events occurred in 77% of patients; nausea (43%), vomiting (21%), infusion site pain (13%) and dizziness (11%) had the highest incidence. Treatment‐related serious adverse events were Grade 5 ventricular fibrillation; Grade 4 thrombocytopenia; Grade 3 peripheral oedema, apraxia, paralytic ileus and pneumonitis; and Grade 2 jugular vein thrombosis. Belinostat monotherapy was well tolerated and efficacious in patients with recurrent/refractory PTCL and CTCL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00274651.
A Critical Evaluation of the Gamma‐Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Model of Absence Seizures
Authors: Venzi Marcello , Di Giovanni Giuseppe , Crunelli Vincenzo
Published: November 2014

Typical absence seizures (ASs) are nonconvulsive epileptic events which are commonly observed in pediatric and juvenile epilepsies and may be present in adults suffering from other idiopathic generalized epilepsies. Our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of ASs has been greatly advanced by the availability of genetic and pharmacological models, in particular the γ‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) model which, in recent years, has been extensively used in studies in transgenic mice. GHB is an endogenous brain molecule that upon administration to various species, including humans, induces not only ASs but also a state of sedation/hypnosis. Analysis of the available data clearly indicates that only in the rat does there exist a set of GHB‐elicited behavioral and EEG events that can be confidently classified as ASs. Other GHB activities, particularly in mice, appear to be mostly of a sedative/hypnotic nature: thus, their relevance to ASs requires further investigation. At the molecular level, GHB acts as a weak GABA‐B agonist, while the existence of a GHB receptor remains elusive. The pre‐ and postsynaptic actions underlying GHB‐elicited ASs have been thoroughly elucidated in thalamus, but little is known about the cellular/network effects of GHB in neocortex, the other brain region involved in the generation of ASs.
Effect of Sex and Age Interactions on Functional Outcome after Stroke
Authors: Kim Tae‐Hee , Vemuganti Raghu
Published: November 2014

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Experimental and clinical studies showed that sex and age play an important role in deciding the outcome after stroke. At younger ages, males were shown to have a higher risk for stroke than females. However, this trend reverses in older ages particularly when females reach menopause. Many preclinical studies indicate that steroid hormones modulate the age‐dependent differential stroke outcome. In addition, patterns of cell death pathways activated following cerebral ischemia are distinct between males and females, but independent of steroid hormones. Recent studies also indicate that microRNAs play important roles in mediating sex‐specific stroke outcome by regulating stroke‐related genes. This review discusses the contribution of sex and age to outcome after stroke with particular emphasis on the experimental studies that examined the effects of steroid hormones, differential cell death pathways, and involvement of sex‐specific microRNAs following cerebral ischemia. Current understanding of the role of thrombolytic agents in stroke therapy is also discussed.
Safety and efficacy of pre‐incisional peritonsillar lornoxicam in paediatric post‐tonsillectomy pain: a prospective double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, split‐body clinical study
Authors: Abdel‐Ghaffar H.S. , Abdel‐Azeem H.G. , Roushdy M.M.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To evaluate the risk of peri‐operative bleeding and re‐intervention with peritonsillar lornoxicam infiltration in paediatric tonsillectomy.

Design

Prospective, randomised, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, split‐body study.

Setting

University hospital.

Participants

A total of 68 patients (7–15 years), ASA I–II, scheduled for tonsillectomy divided into two groups (n = 34) to receive bilateral peritonsillar saline infiltration (placebo group) or peritonsillar saline infiltration in one tonsil (placebo side) and 8 mg lornoxicam in the other tonsil (intervention side; study group). Drugs were administered after induction of anaesthesia and before start of surgery.

Main outcome measures

Intra‐operative and postoperative bleeding score, platelet aggregometry before and 30 min after study drug administration, the verbal rating pain scale, time to first postoperative analgesic request, total analgesic consumption during 1st 24 h postoperative and adverse effects were evaluated.

Results

The difference in bleeding score between groups did not reach our definition of statistical significance (P < 0.05). Platelet aggregometry tests did not change significantly with time between groups. Lower postoperative pain scores, longer time to first analgesic request (372.76 ± 82.15 versus 64.89 ± 25.76 min P < 0.001) and lower paracetamol consumption (421.76 ± 125.63 versus 690.29 ± 141.47 mg, P < 0.001) were recorded in study group compared with control group. No patient required hospital re‐admission or re‐operation because of postoperative tonsillar bed bleeding.

Conclusions

The lack of significant complications suggests that pre‐incisional peritonsillar lornoxicam followed by intravenous paracetamol rescue analgesia may be safe for tonsillectomy in children. To avoid conflict with intra‐operative bleeding, postoperative infiltration of lornoxicam is recommended.
Effect of fragmentation on predation pressure of insect herbivores in a north temperate deciduous forest ecosystem
Authors: MAGUIRE DOROTHY Y. , NICOLE THOMAS , BUDDLE CHRISTOPHER M. , BENNETT ELENA M.
Published: November 2014

1. Forest fragmentation affects many ecosystem processes by spatially altering relationships among organisms. Herbivory by arthropods is an important ecosystem processes in forests that fragmentation alters by changing relationships among herbivores, their predators, and their hosts. The relative importance of these factors remains unclear.

2. It was tested whether the exclusion of vertebrate predators affected the arthropod abundance or amounts of herbivory in a fragmented, deciduous forest landscape in southern Quebec. Differences in the abundance of arthropod herbivores and amounts of herbivory in forest patches with different landscape characteristics (small isolated patches versus large connected ones), on sugar maple saplings with or without exclosures that restricted access by large vertebrate predators were measured.

3. Saplings protected from predators with exclosures had greater abundances of all arthropods (herbivores and invertebrate predators) than those without, indicating potential top‐down effects of vertebrate predators on arthropods. Analysis of effect sizes between exclosure treatments and controls suggests the magnitude of predation effects may be affected by fragmentation.

4. Strong top‐down effects of predators on arthropods, and weak effects of fragmentation on predation or amounts of herbivory were found. As a result, herbivory may be regulated by factors other than vertebrate predation in this system.
Effects of soil nutrients on the sequestration of plant defence chemicals by the specialist insect herbivore, Danaus plexippus
Authors: TAO LEILING , HUNTER MARK D.
Published: November 2014

1. Although anthropogenic nitrogen (N) enrichment has significantly changed the growth, survival and reproduction of herbivorous insects, its effects on the defensive sequestration of secondary chemicals by insect herbivores are less well understood. Previous studies have shown that soil nutrient availability can affect sequestration directly through changing concentrations of plant defence chemicals, or indirectly through altering growth rates of herbivores. There has been less exploration of how nutrient deposition affects the consumption of secondary chemicals and subsequent sequestration efficiency. In the current study, the overall effect of soil N availability on cardenolide sequestration by the monarch caterpillar Danaus plexippus was examined. Specifically, the effects of soil nutrient availability on growth, consumption, excretion and sequestration efficiency of cardenolides by D. plexippus larvae fed on the tropical milkweed Asclepias curassavica were measured.

2. The results showed that soil N and phosphorus (P) fertilisation significantly reduced caterpillar growth rate and the sequestration efficiency of cardenolides by monarch caterpillars feeding on A. curassavica. The lowered sequestration efficiency was accompanied by higher concentrations of cardenolides in frass. Although the total cardenolide contents of caterpillars were lower under high N or P fertilisation levels, caterpillar cardenolide concentrations were constant across fertilisation treatments because of lower growth rates (and therefore lower body mass) under high fertilisation. It is concluded that anthropogenic N deposition may have multiple effects on insect herbivores, including their ability to defend themselves from predators with sequestered plant defences.
Higher investment in flight morphology does not trade off with fecundity estimates in a poleward range‐expanding damselfly
Authors: THERRY LIEVEN , BONTE DRIES , STOKS ROBBY
Published: November 2014

1. Evolutionary increases in dispersal‐related traits are frequently documented during range expansions. Investment in flight‐related traits is energetically costly and a trade‐off with fecundity may be expected during range expansion.

2. However, in contrast to wing‐dimorphic species, this trade‐off is not general in wing‐monomorphic species. In the absence of a dispersal‐‐fecundity trade‐off, an increased investment in clutch size at the expansion front is expected possibly at a cost of reduced offspring size.

3. The study evaluated investment in female flight morphology and fecundity‐related traits (clutch size, hatchling size) and potential trade‐offs among these traits in replicated populations of the poleward range‐expanding damselfly Coenagrion scitulum.

4. Females at the expansion front had a higher relative thorax length, indicating an increased investment in flight; this can be explained by spatial sorting of dispersal ability or in situ natural selection at the expansion front. Edge females produced larger hatchlings, however, this pattern was totally driven by the population‐specific thermal larval regimes and could not be attributed to the range expansion per se. By contrast, clutch sizes did not differ between core and edge populations. There was no signal of a dispersal–fecundity trade‐off either for a trade‐off between clutch size and hatchling size.

5. These results indicate that evolution of a higher dispersal ability at the expansion front of C. scitulum does not trade off with investment in fecundity, hence a dispersal–fecundity trade‐off is unlikely to slow down range expansion of this species.
Interleukin‐10 inhibits autonomous myelopoiesis in patients with myelofibrosis
Authors: Geissler Klaus , Jäger Eva , Öhler Leopold , Gisslinger Heinz , Jäger Ulrich , Lechner Klaus
Published: November 2014

The spontaneous formation of colony‐forming units granulocyte/macrophage (CFU‐GM) in semisolid cultures has been shown to be due to the endogenous release of cytokines and/or to the hypersensitivity of cells against growth factors. We have reported that increased autonomous CFU‐GM growth is an in vitro characteristic of myelofibrosis (MF) which may reflect aberrant hematopoiesis in vivo. Because of its cytokine synthesis‐inhibiting action, we speculated that interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) may inhibit pathological overproduction of myeloid cells in MF by suppression of autonomous myelopoiesis. In this study, IL‐10 significantly inhibited autonomous CFU‐GM formation in vitro from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB MNC) in 10 of 11 patients with MF tested. In all patients, there was a mean inhibition of 69% ranging from 35% to 100%. Suppression of autonomous CFU‐GM formation by IL‐10 was dose dependent and reversible by the addition of anti‐IL‐10 antibodies. Our results indicate that IL‐10 is a potentially useful molecule to affect aberrant myelopoiesis in patients with MF.
Effects of elevated ozone concentration on CH4 and N2O emission from paddy soil under fully open‐air field conditions
Authors: Tang Haoye , Liu Gang , Zhu Jianguo , Kobayashi Kazuhiko
Published: November 2014

We investigated the effects of elevated ozone concentration (E‐O3) on CH4 and N2O emission from paddies with two rice cultivars: an inbred Indica cultivar Yangdao 6 (YD6) and a hybrid one II‐you 084 (IIY084), under fully open‐air field conditions in China. A mean 26.7% enhancement of ozone concentration above the ambient level (A‐O3) significantly reduced CH4 emission at tillering and flowering stages leading to a reduction of seasonal integral CH4 emission by 29.6% on average across the two cultivars. The reduced CH4 emission is associated with O3‐induced reduction in the whole‐plant biomass (−13.2%), root biomass (−34.7%), and maximum tiller number (−10.3%), all of which curbed the carbon supply for belowground CH4 production and its release from submerged soil to atmosphere. Although no significant difference was detected between the cultivars in the CH4 emission response to E‐O3, a larger decrease in CH4 emission with IIY084 (−33.2%) than that with YD6 (−7.0%) was observed at tillering stage, which may be due to the larger reduction in tiller number in IIY084 by E‐O3. Additionally, E‐O3 reduced seasonal mean NOx flux by 5.7% and 11.8% with IIY084 and YD6, respectively, but the effects were not significant statistically. We found that the relative response of CH4 emission to E‐O3 was not significantly different from those reported in open‐top chamber experiments. This study has thus confirmed that increasing ozone concentration would mitigate the global warming potential of CH4 and suggested consideration of the feedback mechanism between ozone and its precursor emission into the projection of future ozone effects on terrestrial ecosystem.
Political Geographies of ‘Food Security’ and ‘Food Sovereignty’
Authors: Hopma Justa , Woods Michael
Published: November 2014

This review article situates the development of national and global food security discourses in their historical and political context. Geographical imaginations of ‘food security’ have shifted from a national to a global scale and, in some instances, back again. The dominant conceptualisation of food security, consolidated by the FAO Rome Summit on World Food Security, presents food security as a scientific problem rather than a political problem. ‘Food sovereignty’, on the other hand, is a counter‐hegemonic discourse that questions the organisation of the current food system and calls for its transformation. From the global food security perspective, nation states are an obstacle to food security. Out‐dated agricultural economies of the global south need to be improved through the adoption of biotechnology developed by scientists and corporations in the global north. Food sovereignty by contrast emphasises principles of rights and social justice over economics and technology. This article presents the different analyses of the problem and critically examines the internal assumptions of both discourses. We argue that the progression of the ‘food security’ debate will have clear geopolitical consequences with respect to the distribution of power in the global agri‐food system and with regard to the autonomy of local communities and nation states.
Metabolites as novel biomarkers for childhood obesity‐related traits in Mexican–American children
Authors: Farook V. S. , Reddivari L. , Chittoor G. , Puppala S. , Arya R. , Fowler S. P. , Hunt K. J. , Curran J. E. , Comuzzie A. G. , Lehman D. M. , Jenkinson C. P. , Lynch J. L. , DeFronzo R. A. , Blangero J. , Hale D. E. , Duggirala R. , Vanamala J.
Published: November 2014

Background/Objectives

Although newer approaches have identified several metabolites associated with obesity, there is paucity of such information in paediatric populations, especially among Mexican–Americans (MAs) who are at high risk of obesity. Therefore, we performed a global serum metabolite screening in MA children to identify biomarkers of childhood obesity.

Methods

We selected 15 normal‐weight, 13 overweight and 14 obese MA children (6–17 years) and performed global serum metabolite screening using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadruple orthogonal acceleration time of flight tandem micro mass spectrometer. Metabolite values were analysed to assess mean differences among groups using one‐way analysis of variance, to test for linear trend across groups and to examine Pearson's correlations between them and seven cardiometabolic traits (CMTs): body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, homeostasis model of assessment‐insulin resistance, triglycerides and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Results

We identified 14 metabolites exhibiting differences between groups as well as linear trend across groups with nominal statistical significance. After adjustment for multiple testing, mean differences and linear trends across groups remained significant (P < 5.9 × 10−5) for L‐thyronine, bradykinin and naringenin. Of the examined metabolite‐CMT trait pairs, all metabolites except for 2‐methylbutyroylcarnitine were nominally associated with two or more CMTs, some exhibiting significance even after accounting for multiple testing (P < 3.6 × 10−3).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this study – albeit pilot in nature – is the first study to identify these metabolites as novel biomarkers of childhood obesity and its correlates. These findings signify the need for future systematic investigations of metabolic pathways underlying childhood obesity.
Magnesium Isotopic Compositions of International Geological Reference Materials
Authors: Teng Fang‐Zhen , Li Wang‐Ye , Ke Shan , Yang Wei , Liu Sheng‐Ao , Sedaghatpour Fatemeh , Wang Shui‐Jiong , Huang Kang‐Jun , Hu Yan , Ling Ming‐Xing , Xiao Yan , Liu Xiao‐Ming , Li Xiao‐Wei , Gu Hai‐Ou , Sio Corliss K. , Wallace Debra A. , Su Ben‐Xun , Zhao Li , Chamberlin Johnnie , Harrington Melissa , Brewer Aaron
Published: November 2014

Magnesium isotopic compositions are reported for twenty‐four international geological reference materials including igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, as well as phlogopite and serpentine minerals. The long‐term reproducibility of Mg isotopic determination, based on 4‐year analyses of olivine and seawater samples, was ≤ 0.07‰ (2s) for δ26Mg and ≤ 0.05‰ (2s) for δ25Mg. Accuracy was tested by analysis of synthetic reference materials down to the quoted long‐term reproducibility. This comprehensive dataset, plus seawater data produced in the same laboratory, serves as a reference for quality assurance and inter‐laboratory comparison of high‐precision Mg isotopic data.
Change in quality of life of people with dementia recently admitted to long‐term care facilities
Authors: Beerens Hanneke C. , Zwakhalen Sandra M.G. , Verbeek Hilde , Ruwaard Dirk , Ambergen Antonius W. , Leino‐Kilpi Helena , Stephan Astrid , Zabalegui Adelaida , Soto Maria , Saks Kai , Bökberg Christina , Sutcliffe Caroline L. , Hamers Jan P.H. ,   the RightTimePlaceCare Consortium
Published: November 2014

Aim

To assess which factors are associated with change in quality of life of people with dementia who have recently been admitted to long‐term care facilities.

Background

Many people with dementia will be admitted to long‐term care facilities at some point during their disease. It is currently unknown which factors are associated with improvement and/or deterioration of quality of life immediately following admission.

Design

An observational and longitudinal survey.

Methods

Data on 343 people with dementia who have been recently admitted to long‐term care facilities across eight European countries were collected between November 2010–April 2012. Quality of life was assessed by people with dementia and their proxies using the ‘Quality of Life‐Alzheimer's Disease scale’. Explanatory variables included cognitive status, comorbidities, activities of daily living, depressive symptoms and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Descriptive and multilevel regression analyses were performed.

Results

Better cognitive abilities at baseline were associated with a decrease in self‐reported quality of life. Greater dependency and more depressive symptoms at baseline were associated with declined proxy‐reported quality of life. Furthermore, an increased dependency and an increase of depressive symptoms between baseline and follow‐up were associated with a decreased proxy‐reported quality of life. On an individual level, three groups were identified, namely people whose quality of life: (1) decreased; (2) stayed the same; and (3) increased.

Conclusion

Cognitive functioning, functional rehabilitation and treatment of depressive symptoms should receive special attention. However, quality of life of people with dementia does not necessarily decrease after institutionalization.
The Labour Party and Europe from Brown to Miliband: Back to the Future?
Authors: Schnapper Pauline
Published: November 2014

This article analyzes British Labour Party leaders' discourses on Europe since 2007 – that is, after Tony Blair left power. Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband are analyzed in relation to one of the traditional attitudes of the party since the 1950s. It is argued that two trends in attitudes to European integration among Labour leaders can be identified. One is wariness of European integration for fear that Britain could lose its Commonwealth links and its global outlook. The other is seeing strong engagement in the European Community as crucial to Britain's political and economic future. Blair followed these steps, at least rhetorically, in aiming to strengthen British leadership in the EU. Brown and Miliband, though sharing a broad support for the EU, both emphasized the failings of the EU and shared their earlier predecessors' preference for a ‘global’ Britain.
Efficacy and safety of luseogliflozin added to various oral antidiabetic drugs in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Seino Yutaka , Inagaki Nobuya , Haneda Masakazu , Kaku Kohei , Sasaki Takashi , Fukatsu Atsushi , Ubukata Michito , Sakai Soichi , Samukawa Yoshishige
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Two studies were carried out to investigate the efficacy and safety of luseogliflozin added to existing oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled with OAD monotherapy.

Materials and Methods

In the trial involving add‐on to sulfonylureas (study 03‐1), patients were randomly assigned to receive luseogliflozin 2.5 mg or a placebo for a 24‐week double‐blind period, followed by a 28‐week open‐label period. In the open‐label trial involving add‐on to other OADs; that is, biguanides, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, glinides and α‐glucosidase inhibitors (study 03‐2), patients received luseogliflozin for 52 weeks.

Results

In study 03‐1, luseogliflozin significantly decreased glycated hemoglobin at the end of the 24‐week double‐blind period compared with the placebo (–0.88%, P < 0.001), and glycated hemoglobin reduction from baseline at week 52 was –0.63%. In study 03‐2, luseogliflozin added to other OADs significantly decreased glycated hemoglobin from baseline at week 52 (–0.52 to –0.68%, P < 0.001 for all OADs). Bodyweight reduction was observed in all add‐on therapies, even with agents associated with weight gain, such as sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones. Most adverse events were mild in severity. When added to a sulfonylurea, incidences of hypoglycemia during the double‐blind period were 8.7% and 4.2% for luseogliflozin and placebo, respectively, but no major hypoglycemic episodes occurred. The frequency and incidences of adverse events of special interest for sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and adverse events associated with combined OADs were acceptable.

Conclusions

Add‐on therapies of luseogliflozin to existing OADs improved glycemic control, reduced bodyweight and were well tolerated in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. These trials were registered with the Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center (add on to sulfonylurea: JapicCTI‐111507; add on to other OADs: JapicCTI‐111508).
Symbiotic bacteria enable olive flies (Bactrocera oleae) to exploit intractable sources of nitrogen
Authors: Ben‐Yosef M. , Pasternak Z. , Jurkevitch E. , Yuval B.
Published: November 2014

Insects are often associated with symbiotic micro‐organisms, which allow them to utilize nutritionally marginal diets. Adult fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) associate with extracellular bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae) that inhabit their digestive tract. These flies obtain nutrients by foraging for plant exudates, honeydew and bird droppings scattered on leaves and fruit – a nutritional niche which offers ample amounts of carbohydrates, but low quantities of available nitrogen. We identified the bacteria resident in the gut of the olive fly (Bactrocera oleae) – a worldwide pest of olives and examined their contribution to nitrogen metabolism in the adult insect. By suppressing bacteria in the gut and monitoring female fecundity, we demonstrate that bacteria contribute essential amino acids and metabolize urea into an available nitrogen source for the fly, thus significantly elevating egg production. In an ecological context, bacteria were found to be beneficial to females subsisting on bird droppings, but not on honeydew – two natural food sources. We suggest that a main gut bacterium (Candidatus Erwinia dacicola) forms an inseparable, essential part of this fly's nutritional ecology. The evolution of this symbiosis has allowed adult flies to utilize food substrates which are low or imbalanced in assimilable nitrogen and thereby to overcome the nitrogen limitations of their natural diet.
The roles of geography and founder effects in promoting host‐associated differentiation in the generalist bogus yucca moth Prodoxus decipiens
Authors: Darwell C. T. , Fox K. A. , Althoff D. M.
Published: November 2014

There is ample evidence that host shifts in plant‐feeding insects have been instrumental in generating the enormous diversity of insects. Changes in host use can cause host‐associated differentiation (HAD) among populations that may lead to reproductive isolation and eventual speciation. The importance of geography in facilitating this process remains controversial. We examined the geographic context of HAD in the wide‐ranging generalist yucca moth Prodoxus decipiens. Previous work demonstrated HAD among sympatric moth populations feeding on two different Yucca species occurring on the barrier islands of North Carolina, USA. We assessed the genetic structure of P. decipiens across its entire geographic and host range to determine whether HAD is widespread in this generalist herbivore. Population genetic analyses of microsatellite and mtDNA sequence data across the entire range showed genetic structuring with respect to host use and geography. In particular, genetic differentiation was relatively strong between mainland populations and those on the barrier islands of North Carolina. Finer scale analyses, however, among sympatric populations using different host plant species only showed significant clustering based on host use for populations on the barrier islands. Mainland populations did not form population clusters based on host plant use. Reduced genetic diversity in the barrier island populations, especially on the derived host, suggests that founder effects may have been instrumental in facilitating HAD. In general, results suggest that the interplay of local adaptation, geography and demography can determine the tempo of HAD. We argue that future studies should include comprehensive surveys across a wide range of environmental and geographic conditions to elucidate the contribution of various processes to HAD.
Male body size and condition affects sperm number and production rates in mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki
Authors: O'Dea R. E. , Jennions M. D. , Head M. L.
Published: November 2014

Sperm number is an important predictor of paternity when there is sperm competition. Sperm number is often measured as maximum sperm reserves, but in species where mating is frequent, males will often be replenishing their reserves. Thus, variation in how quickly males can produce sperm is likely to be important in determining male success in sperm competition. Despite this, little is known about how male size, body condition or diet affects sperm production rates. We counted sperm number in large and small Gambusia holbrooki (eastern mosquitofish) after 3 weeks on either a high or low food diet. Sperm number was significantly higher in both larger males and in well‐fed males. We then stripped ejaculates again either 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days later to investigate subsequent sperm production. The rate of sperm replenishment was influenced by an interaction between size and diet. Large, well‐fed males had consistently high levels of sperm available over the 5 days (i.e. rapid replenishment), whereas small poorly fed males showed consistently low levels of sperm availability over the 5 days (i.e. slow replenishment). In contrast, large, poorly fed and small, well‐fed males increased their sperm numbers over the first 3 days (i.e. intermediate replenishment). Our study highlights that when mating is frequent and sperm competition is high, size and condition dependence of maximal sperm number and of sperm production rate might both contribute to variation in male reproductive success.