bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis of human adrenal vein corticosteroids before and after adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation
Authors: Nakamura Yasuhiro , Rege Juilee , Satoh Fumitoshi , Morimoto Ryo , Kennedy Michael R. , Ahlem Clarence N. , Honma Seijiro , Sasano Hironobu , Rainey William E.
Published: December 2011

Context  Although steroid hormones produced by the adrenal gland play critical roles in human physiology, a detailed quantitative analysis of the steroid products has not been reported. The current study uses a single methodology (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, LC‐MS/MS) to quantify ten corticosteroids in adrenal vein (AV) samples pre‐ and post‐adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation.

Design/methods  Three men and six women with a diagnosis of an adrenal aldosterone‐producing adenoma (APA) were included in the study. Serum was collected from the iliac vein (IV) and the AV contralateral to the diseased adrenal. Samples were collected, before and after administration of ACTH. LC‐MS/MS was then used to quantify serum concentrations of unconjugated corticosteroids and their precursors.

Results  Prior to ACTH stimulation, the four most abundant steroids in AV were cortisol (90%), cortisone (4%), corticosterone (3%) and 11‐deoxycortisol (0·8%). Post‐ACTH administration, cortisol remained the major adrenal product (79%); however, corticosterone became the second most abundantly produced adrenal steroid (11%) followed by pregnenolone (2·5%) and 17α‐hydroxypregnenolone (2%). ACTH significantly increased the absolute adrenal output of all ten corticosteroids measured (P < 0·05). The four largest post‐ACTH increases were pregnenolone (300‐fold), progesterone (199‐fold), 17α‐hydroxypregnenolone (187‐fold) and deoxycorticosterone (82‐fold).

Conclusion  Using LC‐MS/MS, we successfully measured 10 corticosteroids in peripheral and AV serum samples under pre‐ and post‐ACTH stimulation. This study demonstrates the primary adrenal steroid products and their response to ACTH.
Mycorrhiza changes plant volatiles to attract spider mite enemies
Authors: Schausberger Peter , Peneder Stefan , Jürschik Simone , Hoffmann Daniela
Published: December 2011

1. Indirect induced plant defence via emission of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPV) to recruit natural enemies of herbivores is a ubiquitous phenomenon, but whether and how emission of above‐ground HIPVs is adaptively modulated by below‐ground mutualistic micro‐organisms is unknown.

2. We investigated the effects of the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae on chemical composition of HIPVs emitted by bean plants Phaseolus vulgaris attacked by spider mites, Tetranychus urticae, using proton‐transfer mass spectrometry, and attraction of the spider mites’ natural enemy, the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis, to these HIPVs using a Y‐tube olfactometer.

3. Mycorrhiza significantly changed the HIPV composition. Most notably, it increased the emission of β‐ocimene and β‐caryophyllene, two compounds synthesized de novo upon spider mite attack. The constitutively emitted methyl salicylate was increased by spider mite infestation but decreased by mycorrhiza.

4. The predators responded strongly to HIPVs emitted by plants infested for 6 days and preferred HIPVs of mycorrhizal plants to those of non‐mycorrhizal plants. In contrast, they were less responsive and indiscriminative to mycorrhization when exposed to volatiles emitted by non‐infested plants and plants infested by spider mites for 1 or 3 days.

5. Our study provides a key example of an adaptive indirect HIPV‐mediated interaction of a below‐ground micro‐organism with an above‐ground carnivore.
Precipitation variability and fire influence the temporal dynamics of soil CO2 efflux in an arid grassland
Authors: Vargas Rodrigo , Collins Scott L. , Thomey Michell L. , Johnson Jennifer E. , Brown Renee F. , Natvig Donald O. , Friggens Michael T.
Published: December 2011

Climate models suggest that extreme rainfall events will become more common with increased atmospheric warming. Consequently, changes in the size and frequency of rainfall will influence biophysical drivers that regulate the strength and timing of soil CO2 efflux – a major source of terrestrial carbon flux. We used a rainfall manipulation experiment during the summer monsoon season (July–September) to vary both the size and frequency of precipitation in an arid grassland 2 years before and 2 years after a lightning‐caused wildfire. Soil CO2 efflux rates were always higher under increased rainfall event size than under increased rainfall event frequency, or ambient precipitation. Although fire reduced soil CO2 efflux rates by nearly 70%, the overall responses to rainfall variability were consistent before and after the fire. The overall sensitivity of soil CO2 efflux to temperature (Q10) converged to 1.4, but this value differed somewhat among treatments especially before the fire. Changes in rainfall patterns resulted in differences in the periodicity of soil CO2 efflux with strong signals at 1, 8, and 30 days. Increased rainfall event size enhanced the synchrony between photosynthetically active radiation and soil CO2 efflux over the growing season before and after fire, suggesting a change in the temporal availability of substrate pools that regulate the temporal dynamics and magnitude of soil CO2 efflux. We conclude that arid grasslands are capable of rapidly increasing and maintaining high soil CO2 efflux rates in response to increased rainfall event size more than increased rainfall event frequency both before and after a fire. Therefore, the amount and pattern of multiple rain pulses over the growing season are crucial for understanding CO2 dynamics in burned and unburned water‐limited ecosystems.
Predicting species responses to climate change: demography and climate microrefugia in California valley oak (Quercus lobata)
Authors: Mclaughlin BLAIR C. , Zavaleta ERIKA S.
Published: December 2011

Anticipating species movement under climate change is a major focus in conservation. Bioclimate models are one of the few predictive tools for adaptation planning, but are limited in accounting for (i) climatic tolerances in preadult life stages that are potentially more vulnerable to warming; and (ii) local‐scale movement and use of climatic refugia as an alternative or complement to large‐scale changes in distribution. To assess whether these shortfalls can be addressed with field demographic data, we used California valley oak (Quercus lobata Nee), a long‐lived species with juvenile life stages known to be sensitive to climate. We hypothesized that the valley oak bioclimate model, based on adults, would overpredict the species' ability to remain in the projected persisting area, due to higher climate vulnerability of young life stages; and underpredict the potential for the species to remain in the projected contracting area in local‐scale refugia. We assessed the bioclimate model projections against actual demographic patterns in natural populations. We found that saplings were more constricted around surface water than adults in the projected contracting area. We also found that the climate envelope for saplings is narrower than that for adults. Saplings disappeared at a summer maximum temperature 3 °C below that associated with adults. Our findings indicate that rather than a complete shift northward and upward, as predicted by the species bioclimate model, valley oaks are more likely to experience constriction around water bodies, and eventual disappearance from areas exceeding a threshold of maximum temperature. Ours is the first study we know of to examine the importance of discrete life stage climate sensitivities in determining bioclimate modeling inputs, and to identify current climate change‐related constriction of a species around microrefugia. Our findings illustrate that targeted biological fieldwork can be central to understanding climate change‐related movement for long‐lived, sessile species.
Healthcare expenditures for males with haemophilia and employer‐sponsored insurance in the United States, 2008
Authors: GUH S. , GROSSE S. D. , McALISTER S. , KESSLER C. M. , SOUCIE J. M.
Published: December 2011

Summary.  Although hemophilia has a potentially high economic impact, published estimates of health care costs for Americans with hemophilia are sparse and non‐specific as to the non‐bleeding complications of the disease. The objective of this study is to estimate average annual health care expenditures for people with hemophilia covered by employer‐sponsored insurance, stratified according to the influence of age, type of hemophilia [A (factor VIII deficiency) versus B (factor IX)], presence of neutralizing alloantibody inhibitors and exposure to blood‐borne viral infections. Data from the MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Research Databases were used for the period 2002–2008 to identify cases of hemophilia and to estimate mean and median medical expenditures during 2008. A total of 1,164 males with hemophilia were identified with continuous enrollment during 2008, 933 with hemophilia A and 231 with hemophilia B. Mean health care expenditures were $155,136 [median $73,548]. Mean costs for 30 (3%) males with an inhibitor were 5 times higher than for males without an inhibitor, approximately $697,000 [median $330,835] and $144,000 [median $73,321], respectively. Clotting factor concentrate accounted for 70%–82% of total costs. Average costs for 207 adults with HCV or HIV infection were 1.5 times higher than those for adults without infection. Hemophilia treatment is costly, particularly for individuals with neutralizing alloantibody inhibitors who require bypassing agents. Efforts to understand the cause of inhibitors are needed so that prevention strategies can be implemented and the excess costs resulting from this serious complication of hemophilia care can be avoided.
Factor X deficiency and pregnancy: preconception counselling and therapeutic options
Authors: NANCE D. , JOSEPHSON N. C. , PAULYSON‐NUNEZ K. , JAMES A. H.
Published: December 2011

Summary.  Women with factor X deficiency (FXD) who want to become pregnant face uncertain risks to themselves and to an unborn infant from haemorrhagic complications during pregnancy and at parturition. Women with FXD may also experience difficulty achieving pregnancy secondary to haemorrhagic symptoms of the reproductive organs. Case reports describe differences in bleeding phenotypes and pregnancy outcomes that are not easily correlated with prepregnancy bleeding symptoms or factor X levels. The aim of this article is to identify factors for consideration and information to assist the physician in counselling women with FXD who want to become pregnant, and to offer guidelines for management where appropriate. We identified cases of pregnancy among women with FXD and their outcomes from the literature; 15 women with 24 pregnancies were identified and 18 were successful. The women in this small cohort did not have an increased rate of spontaneous abortion, (8.3% vs. 13.5% in the general US population) but did have a 2.5‐fold increased risk of preterm labour (37.5% vs. 12.2% in the general US population). The role of prophylaxis to control reproductive haemorrhagic symptoms, including haemorrhagic complications of pregnancy has not yet been defined, but use of prophylaxis may allow more women to be able to attempt pregnancy. Women who had access to a tertiary care centre with a multidisciplinary team including an obstetrician with high‐risk obstetric training, a haematologist, a perinatologist, and access to a reference laboratory and blood bank were able in most cases to successfully deliver healthy, term infants.
How haematological cancer nurses experience the threat of patients’ mortality
Authors: Leung Doris , Esplen Mary Jane , Peter Elizabeth , Howell Doris , Rodin Gary , Fitch Margaret
Published: December 2011

leung d., esplen m.j., peter e., howell d., rodin g. & fitch m. (2012) How haematological cancer nurses experience the threat of patients’ mortality. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(10), 2175–2184.

Aim.  This article explores how cancer nurses experienced the threat of patients’ mortality on malignant haematology units of one institution in Ontario, Canada.

Background.  Although patients with cancer are living longer with bone marrow transplantations, still they face possibilities of dying due to complications from treatment and their disease.

Methods.  Interpretive phenomenology guided the process. Nineteen front‐line Registered Nurses were purposively recruited from two inpatient bone marrow transplant units. Focused observations and individual interviews were analysed. Data were collected from April to August 2007.

Results.  The major findings emphasized nurses’ internal conflict related to their simultaneous need to help patients fight their disease and to prepare them for the possibility of letting go. The authors used the terms ‘letting go’, not to reflect nurses’ intents to abandon life but to release patients from perceived norms of the ‘curative culture’. Nurses experienced ‘bursting the bubble of hope’ by circumstances not in their control, and were often not certain whether or not to respond and how to respond to the distress of patients and families about death and dying. When feeling reassured of meeting patients’ and families’ expectations, nurses enabled patients and families to let go when further treatment was futile, prevented technological intrusions, and helped patients have ‘easier’ deaths.

Conclusion.  Results suggest enhancing nurses’ capacity to negotiate more effectively the contradictory clinical tasks of fighting disease and preparing patients for the end of life. In this regard, nurses may minimize patients’ distress by providing opportunities for them to share their fears and have them validated.
Dementia and relationships: experiences of partners in minority ethnic communities
Authors: Botsford Julia , Clarke Charlotte L. , Gibb Catherine E.
Published: December 2011

botsford j., clarke c.l. & gibb c.e. (2012) Dementia and relationships: experiences of partners in minority ethnic communities. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(10), 2207–2217.

Aim.  This article is a report of a study aimed at examining the experiences of partners of people with dementia in two minority ethnic communities.

Background.  Cultural background is important in how people perceive the effects of dementia and respond to them. To date there has been little research on the experiences of minority ethnic partners in the UK.

Method.  Using a constructivist grounded theory approach data collection took place in London, England, over an 18‐month period between 2007 and 2009. A total of 43 in‐depth interviews were conducted with seven Greek Cypriot and six African Caribbean partners of people with dementia.

Findings.  The outcomes of the study revealed partners of people with dementia engaged in an ongoing process of ‘redefining relationships’. Greek Cypriot partners tended to emphasize family relationships whilst African Caribbean partners tended to view themselves primarily as an individual or as part of a couple.

Conclusion.  Increased understanding of how dementia is experienced by partners of people from specific ethnic groups with dementia can equip nurses to give culturally appropriate advice and support. The study findings suggest that ethnicity alone cannot account for individual responses to dementia in a partner, and therefore awareness of cultural factors needs to be balanced with sensitivity to the unique life experience and relationships of the individuals.
Forecasting plant community impacts of climate variability and change: when do competitive interactions matter?
Authors: Adler Peter B. , Dalgleish Harmony J. , Ellner Stephen P.
Published: December 2011

1. A change in a climate variable may alter a species’ abundance not only through a direct effect on that species’ vital rates, but also through ‘indirect’ effects mediated by species interactions. While recent work has highlighted cases in which indirect effects overwhelm the direct effects of climate, we lack robust generalizations to predict the strength of indirect effects.

2. For communities dominated by non‐trophic interactions, we propose that the potential for indirect effects of climate change declines with the strength of stabilizing niche differences.

3. We tested this hypothesis by analysing an empirically parameterized four species population model. We quantified negative frequency dependence in population growth rates as a measure of stabilizing niche differences and projected the sensitivity of each species to direct and indirect effects of climate perturbations.

4. Consistent with our hypothesis, species’ sensitivities to indirect effects decreased rapidly with increasing stabilization by niche differences.

5. Synthesis. Information about niche differences can identify species sensitive to indirect effects of climate change and determine when multispecies forecasting approaches are necessary. However, practical application of this generalization will require methods to predict niche differences from easily collected data.
Positive effect of shade on plant growth: amelioration of stress or active regulation of growth rate?
Authors: Semchenko Marina , Lepik Mari , Götzenberger Lars , Zobel Kristjan
Published: December 2011

1. While plant competition for light has received considerable attention, the facilitative effect that shading can have on plants and the role of species‐specific adaptations in mediating this phenomenon are still poorly understood. Evidence is accumulating, however, that positive interactions can play as important a role in community structuring as has been shown for competition.

2. We examined interspecific variation in growth responses to shade using 46 temperate grassland species grown for 10 weeks in a common garden under identical soil conditions but at different levels of shading. The importance of morphological plasticity and habitat preference as species traits determining the net effect of shading on plant growth was tested.

3. Moderate shade (50% daylight) had, on average, a net facilitative effect on plant mass. Plant growth in the 25% daylight treatment was not significantly different from that in full daylight, and it was only when 90% of natural light was made unavailable that shaded plants attained a significantly lower dry mass than plants in full daylight.

4. Species that exhibited the most pronounced reduction in specific leaf area and increased allocation to roots in full compared with 50% daylight were least facilitated by shading. This finding supports the hypothesis that morphological plasticity is an important trait determining the strength of facilitative interactions.

5. The growth response to shade was also dependent on species’ ecological optima, with species characteristic of nutrient‐poor or dry habitats most facilitated by shade. Greater growth enhancement by shade in grassland stress‐tolerant plants is surprising because such species frequently occupy unproductive vegetation with little shade and should therefore be adapted to high irradiance. This result calls into question the notion that a positive effect of shade on growth always reflects stress amelioration.

6. Synthesis.Our study demonstrates a widespread ability of plant species to decouple growth from resource availability and challenges our understanding of the processes determining plant productivity.
Review: The development of family quality of life concepts and measures
Authors: Samuel P. S. , Rillotta F. , Brown I.
Published: December 2011

Historically, intervention programmes in intellectual and developmental disabilities have targeted the individual's special needs independent of the family and environmental context. This trend has been changing over the past two decades. This paper presents a literature review on changing trends in family support and the development of family quality of life (FQOL) and intellectual disability from a construct to a theory. The evolution of research in quality of life from the perspective of the individual with the disability to the family is described. A description of the development of FQOL measures is included, specifically an introduction and comparison of the two leading comprehensive initiatives on measuring FQOL – international FQOL project and the FQOL initiative of the Beach Center on Disability, in the USA. This paper provides the conceptual background and context to the other papers presented in this special issue, which focus on FQOL measurement in specific contexts.
Examination of the communication interface between students with severe to profound and multiple intellectual disability and educational staff during structured teaching sessions
Authors: Bunning K. , Smith C. , Kennedy P. , Greenham C.
Published: December 2011

Background  Individuals with severe to profound and multiple intellectual disability (S‐PMID) tend to function at the earlier stages of communication development. Variable and highly individual means of communicating may present challenges to the adults providing support in everyday life. The current study aimed to examine the communication interface between students with S‐PMID and educational staff.

Method  An in‐depth, observational study of dyadic interaction in a class within the secondary part of a special school was conducted. The designated educational level was Key Stage 3 under the National Curriculum of England, which is typically for children from age 11 to 14 years attending a state school. There were four student–teacher dyads in the class. The students had multiple impairments with severely limited communication skills. Video capture of dyadic interaction was conducted during five English lessons and sampled to 2.5 min per dyad per lesson. The video footage was transcribed into standard orthography, detailing the vocal and non‐vocal aspects. A coding framework guided by the principles of structural‐functional linguistics was used to determine the nature of dyadic interaction, comprising linguistic moves, functions and communicative modalities. The relative contributions of student and teacher to the interaction were examined.

Results  Significant differences were found between the students and educational staff on the majority of the measures. The teachers dominated the interaction, occupying significantly more turns than the students. Teacher turns contained significantly more initiations and follow‐up moves than the students, who used more response moves. Teacher communication mainly served the functions of requesting and information giving. Feedback and scripted functions were also significantly greater among teacher turns, with only limited occurrence among the students. Self‐ or shared‐expression was greatest among the students. The modalities of speech, touch, singing and objects were used by the teachers for the purpose of communication, whereas vocalisation and gesture were used by the students.

Conclusions  Despite differences in the availability of communication skills, both student and teacher were able to make their respective contributions to the interaction during classroom activity. Features of the student–teacher interface retained critical features seen in studies of more able individuals with intellectual disability. Scaffolding provided by teachers appears to be relevant to the communicative contributions of individuals functioning at the earliest stages of communication. The coding framework based on structural‐functional linguistics provides some new potential for examining and enhancing the communication interface between individuals with S‐PMID and the people who support them.
Modelling the concentration–time relationship in milk from cattle administered an intramammary drug
Authors: WHITTEM T. , WHITTEM J. H. , CONSTABLE P. D.
Published: December 2011

Whittem, T., Whittem, J. H., Constable, P. D. Modelling the concentration–time relationship in milk from cattle administered an intramammary drug. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35, 460–471.

Antimicrobial drugs are often infused directly through the streak canal into the bovine udder for the treatment or prevention of mastitis. These infusions have two major problems: drug residues in milk and variable antimicrobial efficacy. Both problems are influenced by the pharmacokinetics of intramammary delivery and elimination of drugs. This pharmacokinetics does not conform to the assumptions of traditional first‐order mamillary pharmacokinetic models. To help understand drug delivery into and elimination from the udder, a new approach to pharmacokinetic modelling of the udder is proposed. This new model was used to predict the movement of drug within the udder and the concentrations of drug achieved within physiological compartments of the udder. These predictions were examined using computer modelling. The model was evaluated using data from in vivo intramammary infusion of cefuroxime. The model predicts that changes in milking efficiency (residual volume), milk productivity and milking frequency can impact both the drug residue persistence and the time that milk drug concentrations exceed the minimum inhibitory concentrations for pathogens. The model provides a new tool for future evaluation of intramammary dosing studies.
Synergism between ammonia and phenols for Hybomitra tabanids in northern and temperate Canada
Authors: MIHOK S. , LANGE K.
Published: December 2011

Baits for tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) were tested in the Northwest Territories (60 °N) and Ontario (45 °N) using Nzi traps. Tests targeted ammonia, phenols/cow urine and octenol. About 200 000 tabanids were captured in 15 experiments with a maximum capture of 4182 in one trap in 1 day. In the Northwest Territories, phenols, urine and octenol were effective single baits for only some species. At both locations, adding ammonia to an unbaited or an octenol‐baited trap had no effect on catches. By contrast, catches were increased for several species when ammonia was combined with phenols or urine. In Ontario, including ammonia in various baits increased catches by 1.5‐ to 3.4‐fold relative to octenol alone for three Hybomitra and one Tabanus species. Synergism between ammonia and phenols was clearly demonstrated for the dominant Hybomitra species in Ontario (Hybomitra lasiophthalma), but not for the dominant species in the Northwest Territories (Hybomitra epistates). In five other northern Hybomitra species, baits of ammonia and/or octenol in combination with phenols resulted in a 1.7‐ to 4.1‐fold increase in catch relative to an unbaited trap. Further tests of ammonia as a synergist for biting flies may prove useful in, for example, tsetse, which respond strongly to phenols.
Effects of forest plantations on the genetic composition of conspecific native Aleppo pine populations
Authors: STEINITZ O. , ROBLEDO‐ARNUNCIO J. J. , NATHAN R.
Published: December 2011

Afforestation is a common and widespread management practice throughout the world, yet its implications for the genetic diversity of native populations are still poorly understood. We examined the effect of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) plantations on the genetic composition of nearby conspecific native populations. We focused on two native populations in Israel with different levels of isolation from the surrounding plantations and compared the genetic diversity of naturally established young trees within the native populations with that of local native adults, using nine nuclear microsatellite markers. We found that the genetic composition of the recruits was significantly different from that of local adults in both populations, with allelic frequency changes between generations that could not be ascribed to random drift, but rather to substantial gene flow from the surrounding planted Aleppo pine populations. The more isolated population experienced a lower gene‐flow level (22%) than the less isolated population (49%). The genetic divergence between native populations at the adult‐tree stage (Fst = 0.32) was more than twice as high as that of the young trees naturally established around native adults (Fst = 0.15). Our findings provide evidence for a rapid genetic homogenization process of native populations following the massive planting efforts in the last decades. These findings have important implications for forest management and nature conservation and constitute a warning sign for the risk of translocation of biota for local biodiversity.
Genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations in Spain and their genetic relationships with cultivated grapevines
Authors: DE ANDRÉS M. T. , BENITO A. , PÉREZ‐RIVERA G. , OCETE R. , LOPEZ M. A. , GAFORIO L. , MUÑOZ G. , CABELLO F. , MARTÍNEZ ZAPATER J. M. , ARROYO‐GARCÍA R.
Published: December 2011

The wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, considered as the ancestor of the cultivated grapevine, is native from Eurasia. In Spain, natural populations of V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris can still be found along river banks. In this work, we have performed a wide search of wild grapevine populations in Spain and characterized the amount and distribution of their genetic diversity using 25 nuclear SSR loci. We have also analysed the possible coexistence in the natural habitat of wild grapevines with naturalized grapevine cultivars and rootstocks. In this way, phenotypic and genetic analyses identified 19% of the collected samples as derived from cultivated genotypes, being either naturalized cultivars or hybrid genotypes derived from spontaneous crosses between wild and cultivated grapevines. The genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations was similar than that observed in the cultivated group. The molecular analysis showed that cultivated germplasm and wild germplasm are genetically divergent with low level of introgression. Using a model‐based approach implemented in the software structure, we identified four genetic groups, with two of them fundamentally represented among cultivated genotypes and two among wild accessions. The analyses of genetic relationships between wild and cultivated grapevines could suggest a genetic contribution of wild accessions from Spain to current Western cultivars.
Specificity of motor components in the dual flagellar system of Shewanella putrefaciens CN‐32
Authors: Bubendorfer Sebastian , Held Susanne , Windel Natalie , Paulick Anja , Klingl Andreas , Thormann Kai M.
Published: December 2011

Bacterial flagellar motors are intricate nanomachines in which the stator units and rotor component FliM may be dynamically exchanged during function. Similar to other bacterial species, the gammaproteobacterium Shewanella putrefaciens CN‐32 possesses a complete secondary flagellar system along with a corresponding stator unit. Expression of the secondary system occurs during planktonic growth in complex media and leads to the formation of a subpopulation with one or more additional flagella at random positions in addition to the primary polar system. We used physiological and phenotypic characterizations of defined mutants in concert with fluorescent microscopy on labelled components of the two different systems, the stator proteins PomB and MotB, the rotor components FliM1 and FliM2, and the auxiliary motor components MotX and MotY, to determine localization, function and dynamics of the proteins in the flagellar motors. The results demonstrate that the polar flagellum is driven by a Na+‐dependent FliM1/PomAB/MotX/MotY flagellar motor while the secondary system is rotated by a H+‐dependent FliM2/MotAB motor. The components were highly specific for their corresponding motor and are unlikely to be extensively swapped or shared between the two flagellar systems under planktonic conditions. The results have implications for both specificity and dynamics of flagellar motor components.
Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐Induced Signalling by Transforming Growth Factor‐β in Human Mononuclear Phagocytes
Authors: Wu M. , Aung H. , Hirsch C. S. , Toossi Z.
Published: December 2011

Tuberculosis (TB) is associated with excessive production and bioactivation of transforming growth factor bets (TGF‐β) in situ. Here, modification of expression of components of plasminogen/plasmin pathway in human monocytes (MN) by inhibitors of TGF‐β signalling was examined. Smad3 siRNA effectively inhibited TGF‐β‐induced urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Agents known to interfere with TGF‐β signalling, including the Smad inhibitors SIS3 and erythromycin derivatives, and ALK5 receptor inhibitor (SB 431542) in inhibition of uPAR expression in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) were examined. Inhibition by SIS3 only inhibited uPAR mRNA significantly. SIS3 may prove to be an effective adjunct to TB therapy.
The association between allogeneic perioperative blood transfusion on tumour recurrence and survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer
Authors: De Oliveira G. S. , Schink J. C. , Buoy C. , Ahmad S. , Fitzgerald P. C. , McCarthy R. J.
Published: December 2011

Objective: To evaluate the association between perioperative blood transfusion on the recurrence and survival of patient with advanced ovarian cancer.

Background: Cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer can be an extensive procedure often requiring allogeneic blood transfusions. Blood transfusions can have detrimental effects on immune function which can lead to a decrease in the organism ability to detect and destroy metastasis.

Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort investigation. Patients with advanced ovarian cancer (stage III) undergoing cytoreductive surgery were stratified by the need for perioperative blood transfusion. Allogeneic transfusions were non‐leucodepleted. Primary outcome included time to recurrence and survival. Data were extracted from the gynaecology oncology database at Northwestern University. Times to event outcomes were evaluated by constructing Kaplan–Meyer curves and Cox regression.

Results: The charts of 136 subjects were evaluated. Seventy‐six received blood transfusion. Median [95% confidence interval (CI)] time to recurrence for the non‐transfusion group was longer, i.e. 17 (6–27) months, compared to 11 (8–14) months for the transfused group (P = 0·03). Median (95% CI) survival following surgery was longer in the non‐transfused group, i.e. 58 (43–73) months, compared to 36 (28–44) months for the transfused group (P = 0·04). Cox regression showed that transfused subjects had shorter median times to recurrence and mortality after adjusting for age and tumour grade.

Conclusions: There is an association between ovarian cancer recurrence and allogeneic perioperative blood transfusion in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery. These findings may have important implications in the perioperative management of those patients.
Plasma vitamin C assay in women of reproductive age in Kampala, Uganda, using a colorimetric method
Authors: Kiondo Paul , Tumwesigye Nazarius M. , Wandabwa Julius , Wamuyu‐Maina Gakenia , Bimenya Gabriel S. , Okong Pius
Published: December 2011

Objective  Vitamin C alone or in combination with vitamin E has been proposed to prevent pre‐eclampsia. In this study, we assayed the plasma vitamin C in women of reproductive age in Kampala and assessed its association with pre‐eclampsia.

Methods  Participants in this study were 215 women with pre‐eclampsia, 400 women with normal pregnancy attending antenatal clinic and 200 non‐pregnant women attending family planning clinic at Mulago Hospital’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1st May 2008 to 1st May 2009. Plasma vitamin C was assayed using the acid phosphotungstate method; differences in the means of plasma vitamin C were determined by anova.

Results  Mean plasma vitamin C levels were 1.72 (SD 0.68) × 103 μg/l in women with pre‐eclampsia, 1.89 (SD 0.73) × 103 μg/l in women with normal pregnancy and 2.64 (SD 0.97) × 103 μg/l in non‐pregnant women. Plasma vitamin C was lower in women with pre‐eclampsia than in women with normal pregnancy (P = 0.005) and non‐pregnant women (P < 0.001).

Conclusion  Health workers need to advise women of reproductive age on foods that are rich in vitamin C, as this may improve the vitamin status and possibly reduce the occurrence of pre‐eclampsia.
Is adiponectin a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis in kidney transplantation?
Authors: Cañas Laura , Bayés Beatriz , Granada Maria L. , Ibernon Meritxell , Porrini Esteban , Benítez Rosa , Díaz Juan M. , Lauzurica Ricardo , Moreso Francesc , Torres Armando , Lampreabe Ildefonso , Serra Assumpta , Romero Ramon
Published: December 2011

Cañas L, Bayés B, Granada ML, Ibernon M, Porrini E, Benítez R, Díaz JM, Lauzurica R, Moreso F, Torres A, Lampreabe I, Serra A, Romero R. Is adiponectin a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis in kidney transplantation?  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01490.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between pre‐transplant adiponectin (pre‐ADP), abnormalities in glucose homeostasis (AGH) at three months post‐transplantation, and preclinical atherosclerosis in non‐diabetic patients prior to kidney transplantation (KT).

Methods:  We carried out a multicenter study in 157 non‐diabetic KT patients (66.5% men; age: 50 ± 13 yr). Pre‐ADP levels were analyzed using radioimmunoassay. Carotid ultrasound was performed to determine carotid intima‐media thickness (c‐IMT). Oral glucose tolerance test was carried out to classify patients according ADA criteria.

Results:  Of the patients, 52.8% had AGH. Median pre‐ADP was 19.5 (14–27) μg/mL. An inverse correlation was found between ADP and HOMA index (r = −0.432; p < 0.001). Median c‐IMT was 0.6 (0.48–0.71) mm. Significant inverse correlation existed between ADP and c‐IMT on both sides (p < 0.05). Patients with c‐IMT >0.6 mm had more AGH (p = 0.012) and lower ADP levels (p = 0.02). We performed a logistic regression analysis using preclinical atherosclerosis (c‐IMT ≥0.6 mm) as dependent variable and sex, age, BMI, ADP, AGH, and HOMA index as independent variables of altered c‐IMT. Age, pre‐ADP, and AGH were independent risk factors for elevated c‐IMT.

Conclusions:  Patients with AGH have a greater presence of preclinical atherosclerosis. ADP has an inverse relationship with AGH and is an independent marker of preclinical atherosclerosis.
Identification of three MICA alleles in the genotype of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Zhang A. , Sun Y. , Thomas D. , Kawczak P. , Zhang S. , Askar M.
Published: December 2011

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I‐related chain A gene (MICA) sequence‐based genotyping (SBT) was attempted on a peripheral blood sample collected from a patient evaluated for hematopoietic stem cell retransplant. The electropherogram pattern of MICA SBT indicated the possibility of carrying more than two MICA alleles. Subsequent cloning and sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products revealed the presence of three distinct MICA alleles: MICA*008:01/:04 (A5.1), MICA*007:01(A4), and MICA*002:01 (A9) in the genotype of this patient. The origin of the third extra MICA allele could not be determined and would require MICA genotyping information from other family members, which is unavailable.
The dynamic expression of allograft inflammatory factor‐1 in hepatic tissues and splenic cells of BALB/c mice with Schistosoma japonicum infection
Authors: Chen Q. R. , Guan F. , Yan D. J. , Lei D. S. , Fu L. , Xia H. S. , Zhu Y. H. , Chen Z. W. , Niu A. O.
Published: December 2011

Allograft inflammatory factor‐1 (AIF‐1) was originally cloned from a rat heart allograft under chronic rejection. Data from many studies suggested an important role of AIF‐1 in several inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to examine the dynamic expression of AIF‐1 and its association with the pathogenesis of hepatic schistosomiasis in BALB/c mice infected with S. japonicum. The expression of AIF‐1 and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, western blot and immunohistochemistry. AIF‐1 and TNF‐α were overexpressed in hepatic tissues at the early stage of infection, and then diminished with the length of infection. On culturing splenocytes stimulated by soluble egg antigen for 72 h, the expression of AIF‐1 in infected mice was suppressed, but TNF‐α increased gradually. Our results showed that AIF‐1 was overexpressed in the liver of BALB/c mice infected with S. japonicum, and the interaction between AIF‐1 and TNF‐α or other cytokines played an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of hepatic schistosomiasis.
Frequencies of 10 autosomal minor histocompatibility antigens in Korean population and estimated disparities in unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Jung H. , Ki C. S. , Kim J. W. , Kang E. S.
Published: December 2011

Disparity of minor histocompatibility antigens (mHAs) is known to induce graft‐versus‐tumor and graft‐versus‐host disease reactions in stem cell transplantation. Not much information is available on genotypic and phenotypic distributions of the currently identified mHAs, especially in Korean population. Therefore, we report genotype and phenotype frequency analyses of 10 autosomal mHAs in 329 unrelated healthy Koreans using the Sequenom MassARRAY matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) system and polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific primers (PCR‐SSP). Estimates of the probability of immunogenic mismatches between donor/recipient pairs were made from observed phenotypic frequencies. HA‐1 was the most favorable mHA for clinical application with the highest disparity of 7.0%. Similar results were obtained in ACC‐1. The Korean population can benefit the most in a setting of matched major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐restricted mHAs‐mismatched unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantations with the disparity rate of 27.5% with eight hematopoietic mHAs. This is the first comprehensive report on the genotypic and phenotypic frequency distributions of human mHAs in the Korean population. It can contribute to not only donor selection before transplantation but also therapeutic approaches after transplantation. It is expected that mHA‐based immunotherapy will lead to a new treatment modality tailored for patients at high risk of relapse following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Vascular adhesion protein‐1 and syndecan‐1 in septic shock
Authors: SALLISALMI M. , TENHUNEN J. , YANG R. , OKSALA N. , PETTILÄ V.
Published: December 2011

Background

Constituents of vascular endothelial surface layer (glycocalyx), e.g. an anchor protein syndecan‐1 (SDC‐1), can be detected in plasma in many inflammatory conditions. In inflammation, vascular adhesion protein‐1 (VAP‐1) is rapidly translocated to the apical side of the endothelial cells and may be released to plasma in a soluble form. We hypothesized that glycocalyx injury coincides with VAP‐1 activation on endothelial cells. To test the hypothesis, we measured SDC‐1 and VAP‐1 levels in 20 patients with septic shock.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted in two multidisciplinary critical care units in two tertiary academic teaching hospitals with 20 mechanically ventilated adult patients with septic shock, on days 1 and 4 of treatment. Twenty healthy adults were enrolled as a control group. Plasma SDC‐1 content, serum VAP‐1 activity, platelets, and leukocyte count were measured in septic shock group at baseline and at 72 h and compared with those of healthy controls.

Results

VAP‐1 activity and SDC‐1 content were significantly increased in septic patients' group (P < 0.01) in comparison with controls. VAP‐1 activity and SDC‐1 content correlated positively to each other, and negatively to platelet count. In the septic shock group SDC‐1 correlated on day 1 to SOFA score.

Conclusions

We found increased VAP‐1 activity and SDC‐1 content in critically ill patients with septic shock. Based on our results, the role of VAP‐1 in shock pathogenesis should be studied with semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase activity blocking agents and substrate affinity testing.
Critically ill cancer patients in the intensive care unit: short‐term outcome and 1‐year mortality
Authors: MOKART D. , ETIENNE A. , ESTERNI B. , BRUN J.‐P. , CHOW‐CHINE L. , SANNINI A. , FAUCHER M. , BLACHE J.‐L.
Published: December 2011

Background

The short‐term survival of critically ill patients with cancer has improved over time. Studies providing long‐term outcome for these patients are scarce.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed outcomes and rates of successful discharge of 111 consecutive critically ill cancer patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in 2008 and identified factors influencing these results.

Results

ICU mortality was 32% and hospital mortality was 41%. None of the characteristics of the malignancy nor age or neutropenia were significantly different between survivors and others. Two variables were independently associated with ICU mortality: high Logistic Organ Dysfunction score on day 7 and a diagnosis of viral infection and/or reactivation. The 1‐year mortality rate for ICU survivors was 58% and was significantly lower in patients with a diagnosis of acute leukemia or multiple myeloma.

Conclusion

Organ failure scores on day 7 can predict outcome for cancer patients in the ICU. Viral infection and reactivation appear to worsen the prognosis. One‐year mortality rate is high and depends on the malignancy.
A real‐time PCR for the detection and characterisation of Aspergillus species
Authors: Fricke Stephan , Fricke Christian , Oelkrug Christopher , Blatz Rosemarie , Schönfelder Uta , Niederwieser Dietger , Hilger Nadja , Ruhnke Markus , Rodloff Arne C.
Published: December 2011

An early diagnosis of an invasive fungal infection is essential for the initiation of a specific antifungal therapy and to avoid unnecessary discontinuation of a baseline therapy for haematological or oncological diseases. A real‐time PCR assay for the detection and strain identification of Aspergillus species from culture strains was evaluated. DNA preparation was evaluated in contaminated culture media, urine and serum. A LightCycler PCR to differentiate various Aspergillus species was established. A real‐time PCR assay for the detection of Aspergillus species was improved and was able to detect and differentiate medically important Aspergillus spp. The sensitivity of the test was <10 plasmid equivalents/assay. The real‐time PCR assay is a useful tool for the rapid identification of Aspergillus species and might be useful as an early diagnostic tool to detect an invasive fungal infection. A real‐time PCR protocol was improved by generating plasmid standards, additional generation of melting curves for species identification and the correlation between the melting temperature and the nucleotide exchanges within the used 18S rRNA gene region.
Widespread roles of microRNAs during zebrafish development and beyond
Authors: Mishima Yuichiro
Published: December 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNAs that are approximately 22 nucleotides in length. Hundreds of miRNA genes are encoded in the animal genome, and each miRNA potentially regulates tens to hundreds of protein‐coding transcripts post‐transcriptionally. Experimental and bioinformatic approaches have shown widespread regulatory roles for miRNAs in metazoa including roles in cellular homeostasis and human diseases. Since the discoveries of let‐7 and lin‐4 miRNAs as regulators of developmental timing in Caenorhabditis elegans, functions of miRNAs in the context of animal development have been studied in many model organisms. Although miRNAs are essential to achieve complex developmental processes, the vast majority of animal miRNA functions have yet to be determined. The identification of miRNA‐target interactions and the interpretation of their biological significance are often difficult due to the divergent functions of miRNAs in intricate gene regulatory networks. This review summarizes our current knowledge on miRNA functions in vertebrate development by focusing on the progress made in the vertebrate model organism zebrafish (Danio rerio). Studies of miRNA functions in this small teleost highlight several common principles underlying the functions of animal miRNAs.