bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of genetic variation on chromosome 9p21.3 and arterial stiffness
Authors: Björck H. M. , Länne T. , Alehagen U. , Persson K. , Rundkvist L. , Hamsten A. , Dahlström U. , Eriksson P.
Published: February 2009

Objectives.  Genome wide association studies have consistently reported associations between a region on chromosome 9p21.3 and a broad range of vascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), aortic and intracranial aneurysms and type‐2 diabetes (T2D). However, clear associations with intermediate phenotypes have not been described so far. To shed light on a possible influence of this chromosomal region on arterial wall integrity, we analysed associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and degree of stiffness of the abdominal aorta in elderly individuals.

Methods and results.  A total of 400 subjects, 212 men and 188 women, aged 70–88 years were included. Arterial stiffness was examined at the midpoint between the renal arteries and the aortic bifurcation. Two CAD‐ and aneurysm‐associated SNPs (rs10757274 and rs2891168) and one T2D‐associated SNP (rs1081161) within the 9p21.3 region were genotyped. Aortic compliance and distensibility coefficients were higher in carriers of the rs10757274G and rs2891168G alleles in men reflecting a decrease in aortic stiffness. Adjustment for age and mean arterial pressure had no effect on these associations. The two SNPs were not associated with intima‐media thickness or lumen diameter of the abdominal aorta. There were no associations between the rs10811661 SNP and any measure of aortic stiffness.

Conclusions.  Impaired mechanical properties of the arterial wall may explain the association between chromosome 9p21.3 polymorphisms and vascular disease.
Exhaled nitric oxide levels in alpha‐1‐antitrypsin PiMZ subjects
Authors: Malerba M. , Ragnoli B. , Radaeli A.
Published: February 2009

Objectives.  Although the likelihood of intermediate alpha‐1‐antitrypsin deficiency (PiMZ) patients developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains uncertain, several investigators have suggested that a lack of antiprotease inhibitor activity may favour the development of airway inflammation with subsequent pulmonary tissue damage. The levels of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in PiMZ subjects are unknown and polymorphisms in nitric oxide synthase have been linked to lung disease susceptibility in subjects with alpha‐1‐antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. This study was aimed at assessing FeNO levels in a group of PiMZ subjects and comparing it with the concentrations found amongst groups of COPD and control patients.

Design.  A group of 31 PiMZ subjects, 31 COPD patients and 30 controls underwent pulmonary function tests, AAT assay and phenotyping, and FeNO measurement in an ambulatory setting.

Results.  FeNO values observed in the group of PiMZ subjects (21.6 ± 8.9 ppb) showed a significant increase compared with COPD (14.5 ± 8.7 ppb; P < 0.01) and the control groups (9.1 ± 2.9 ppb; P < 0.01). Within the PiMZ population, a significant, negative correlation was observed between plasma AAT levels and FeNO readings.

Conclusions.  Not only did PiMZ subjects show increased FeNO levels compared with COPD patients and controls; FeNO levels proved to be related to the reduced concentration of plasma AAT. Such findings seem to suggest the importance of FeNO measurements on PiMZ subjects for monitoring a possible progression of airway inflammation to obstructive lung disease as observed in some of these patients.
Teaching of posterior composites in dental schools in Japan
Authors: HAYASHI M. , SEOW L. L. , LYNCH C. D. , WILSON N. H. F.
Published: February 2009

Summary  The teaching of posterior composites has undergone considerable refinement and development in western countries in recent years. However, little information exists on this teaching in other parts of the world. The aim of this paper is to investigate the teaching of posterior composites to undergraduate dental students in Japan. In late 2007/early 2008, a questionnaire seeking information on the teaching of posterior composites was distributed by email to the person responsible for teaching operative dentistry in each of the 29 dental schools having undergraduate dental degree programmes in Japan. Twenty‐three completed responses were returned (response rate = 79%). While all 23 schools taught the placement of composite in occlusal cavities in premolars and molars, 7 schools did not teach the placement of two‐surface occlusoproximal composites in premolars (n = 1) and molars (n = 6) and 14 schools and 15 schools do not teach placement of three surface occlusoproximal composites in premolars and molars, respectively. While composite at the time of the survey accounted for 45% of posterior direct restorations placed by students, it is anticipated that this proportion will increase to 59% in 5 years time. Variations were noted between schools in the teaching of principles of cavity design, techniques for restoring proximal contours and light‐curing technologies; however, more consistency was observed in techniques used for protecting operatively exposed dentine than that observed in western countries. Despite variations between dental schools being noted in the teaching of certain techniques for posterior composites, the overall extent and content of teaching of posterior composites in Japan could be described as comparable, if not exceeding, than that observed in western countries.
Relationship between pattern of masticatory path and state of lateral occlusal contact
Authors: SHIGA H. , KOBAYASHI Y. , ARAKAWA I. , YOKOYAMA M. , TANAKA A.
Published: February 2009

Summary  The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the state of occlusal contact on lateral excursion is related to the pattern of masticatory movement path. The masticatory movement during mastication of softened chewing gum and the occlusal contact on lateral sliding of the mandible by 1 mm (L1), 2 mm (L2) and 3 mm (L3) were recorded in 50 healthy subjects. The path of masticatory movement was classified into one of seven patterns. The number of teeth involved in the occlusal contact in each pattern was investigated and compared among different lateral occlusal positions. The occlusal contact was then classified into 15 types based on one or a combination of the following four regions; incisal region, canine region, premolar region and molar region. The number of occlusal contact type for each pattern was investigated and compared among patterns. The number of teeth involved in occlusal contact decreased as the degree of lateral excursion increased, and significant differences were observed among the lateral occlusal positions (P < 0·001). The occlusal contact tended to decrease in the molar region and increase in the canine or premolar regions as the degree of the lateral excursion increased. When comparing among patterns, significant differences were observed at L2 and L3 (L2; P < 0·001, L3; P = 0·030) but not at L1 (P = 0·318). The difference was remarkable at L2. It was suggested that the state of occlusal contact at L2 and L3, particularly at L2 was related to the masticatory path pattern.
Tracing carbon and oxygen isotope signals from newly assimilated sugars in the leaves to the tree‐ring archive
Authors: GESSLER ARTHUR , BRANDES ELKE , BUCHMANN NINA , HELLE GERHARD , RENNENBERG HEINZ , BARNARD ROMAIN L.
Published: February 2009

The analysis of δ13C and δ18O in tree‐ring archives offers retrospective insights into environmental conditions and ecophysiological processes. While photosynthetic carbon isotope discrimination and evaporative oxygen isotope enrichment are well understood, we lack information on how the isotope signal is altered by downstream metabolic processes.

In Pinus sylvestris, we traced the isotopic signals from their origin in the leaf water (δ18O) or the newly assimilated carbon (δ13C), via phloem sugars to the tree‐ring, over a time‐scale that ranges from hours to a growing season.

Seasonally, variable 13C enrichment of sugars related to phloem loading and transport did lead to uncoupling between δ13C in the tree‐ring, and the ci/ca ratio at the leaf level. In contrast, the oxygen isotope signal was transferred from the leaf water to the tree‐ring with an expected enrichment of 27‰, with time‐lags of approximately 2 weeks and with a 40% exchange between organic oxygen and xylem water oxygen during cellulose synthesis.

This integrated overview of the fate of carbon and oxygen isotope signals within the model tree species P. sylvestris provides a novel physiological basis for the interpretation of δ13C and δ18O in tree‐ring ecology.
Leaf xylem embolism, detected acoustically and by cryo‐SEM, corresponds to decreases in leaf hydraulic conductance in four evergreen species
Authors: JOHNSON DANIEL M. , MEINZER FREDERICK C. , WOODRUFF DAVID R. , MCCULLOH KATHERINE A.
Published: February 2009

Hydraulic conductance of leaves (Kleaf) typically decreases with increasing water stress. However, the extent to which the decrease in Kleaf is due to xylem cavitation, conduit deformation or changes in the extra‐xylary pathway is unclear. We measured Kleaf concurrently with ultrasonic acoustic emission (UAE) in dehydrating leaves of two vessel‐bearing and two tracheid‐bearing species to determine whether declining Kleaf was associated with an accumulation of cavitation events. In addition, images of leaf internal structure were captured using cryo‐scanning electron microscopy, which allowed detection of empty versus full and also deformed conduits. Overall, Kleaf decreased as leaf water potentials (ΨL) became more negative. Values of Kleaf corresponding to bulk leaf turgor loss points ranged from 13 to 45% of their maximum. Additionally, ΨL corresponding to a 50% loss in conductivity and 50% accumulated UAE ranged from −1.5 to −2.4 MPa and from −1.1 to −2.8 MPa, respectively, across species. Decreases in Kleaf were closely associated with accumulated UAE and the percentage of empty conduits. The mean amplitude of UAEs was tightly correlated with mean conduit diameter (R2 = 0.94, P = 0.018). These results suggest that water stress‐induced decreases in Kleaf in these species are directly related to xylem embolism.
Reassessing the role of phospholipase D in theArabidopsiswounding response
Authors: BARGMANN BASTIAAN O. R. , LAXALT ANA M. , RIET BAS TER , TESTERINK CHRISTA , MERQUIOL EMMANUELLE , MOSBLECH ALINA , LEON‐REYES ANTONIO , PIETERSE CORNÉ M. J. , HARING MICHEL A. , HEILMANN INGO , BARTELS DOROTHEA , MUNNIK TEUN
Published: February 2009

Plants respond to wounding by means of a multitude of reactions, with the purpose of stifling herbivore assault. Phospholipase D (PLD) has previously been implicated in the wounding response.Arabidopsis(Arabidopsis thaliana) AtPLDα1 has been proposed to be activated in intact cells, and the phosphatidic acid (PA) it produces to serve as a precursor for jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis and to be required for wounding‐induced gene expression. Independently, PLD activity has been reported to have a bearing on wounding‐induced MAPK activation. However, which PLD isoforms are activated, where this activity takes place (in the wounded or non‐wounded cells) and what exactly the consequences are is a question that has not been comprehensively addressed. Here, we show that PLD activity during the wounding response is restricted to the ruptured cells using32Pi‐labelled phospholipid analyses ofArabidopsis pldknock‐out mutants andPLD‐silenced tomato cell‐suspension cultures.pldα1knock‐out lines have reduced wounding‐induced PA production, and the remainder is completely eliminated in apldα1/δdouble knock‐out line. Surprisingly, wounding‐induced protein kinase activation,AtLOX2gene expression and JA biosynthesis were not affected in these knock‐out lines. Moreover, larvae of the Cabbage White butterfly (Pieris rapae) grew equally well on wild‐type and thepldknock‐out mutants.
Late Quaternary deposition and facies model for karstic Lake Estanya (North‐eastern Spain)
Authors: MORELLÓN MARIO , VALERO‐GARCÉS BLAS , ANSELMETTI FLAVIO , ARIZTEGUI DANIEL , SCHNELLMANN MICHAEL , MORENO ANA , MATA PILAR , RICO MAYTE , CORELLA JUAN PABLO
Published: February 2009

Lake Estanya is a small (19 ha), freshwater to brackish, monomictic lake formed by the coalescence of two karstic sinkholes with maximum water depths of 12 and 20 m, located in the Pre‐Pyrenean Ranges (North‐eastern Spain). The lake is hydrologically closed and the water balance is controlled mostly by groundwater input and evaporation. Three main modern depositional sub‐environments can be recognized as: (i) a carbonate‐producing ‘littoral platform’; (ii) a steep ‘talus’ dominated by reworking of littoral sediments and mass‐wasting processes; and (iii) an ‘offshore, distal area’, seasonally affected by anoxia with fine‐grained, clastic sediment deposition. A seismic survey identified up to 15 m thick sedimentary infill comprising: (i) a ‘basal unit’, seismically transparent and restricted to the depocentres of both sub‐basins; (ii) an ‘intermediate unit’ characterized by continuous high‐amplitude reflections; and (iii) an ‘upper unit’ with strong parallel reflectors. Several mass‐wasting deposits occur in both sub‐basins. Five sediment cores were analysed using sedimentological, microscopic, geochemical and physical techniques. The chronological model for the sediment sequence is based on 17 accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dates. Five depositional environments were characterized by their respective sedimentary facies associations. The depositional history of Lake Estanya during the last ca 21 kyr comprises five stages: (i) a brackish, shallow, calcite‐producing lake during full glacial times (21 to 17·3 kyr bp); (ii) a saline, permanent, relatively deep lake during the late glacial (17·3 to 11·6 kyr bp); (iii) an ephemeral, saline lake and saline mudflat complex during the transition to the Holocene (11·6 to 9·4 kyr bp); (iv) a saline lake with gypsum‐rich, laminated facies and abundant microbial mats punctuated by periods of more frequent flooding episodes and clastic‐dominated deposition during the Holocene (9·4 to 0·8 kyr bp); and (v) a deep, freshwater to brackish lake with high clastic input during the last 800 years. Climate‐driven hydrological fluctuations are the main internal control in the evolution of the lake during the last 21 kyr, affecting water salinity, lake‐level changes and water stratification. However, external factors, such as karstic processes, clastic input and the occurrence of mass‐flows, are also significant. The facies model defined for Lake Estanya is an essential tool for deciphering the main factors influencing lake deposition and to evaluate the most suitable proxies for lake level, climate and environmental reconstructions, and it is applicable to modern karstic lakes and to ancient lacustrine formations.
Virus resistance induced by NB–LRR proteins involves Argonaute4‐dependent translational control
Authors: Bhattacharjee Saikat , Zamora Alejandro , Azhar Muhammad Tehseen , Sacco Melanie A. , Lambert Lester H. , Moffett Peter
Published: February 2009

Active resistance to viruses is afforded by plant disease resistance (R) genes, which encode proteins with nucleotide‐binding (NB) and leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) domains. Upon recognition of pathogen‐derived elicitors, these NB–LRR proteins are thought to initiate a number of signaling pathways that lead to pathogen restriction. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that ultimately curtail virus accumulation. Here, we show that the co‐expression of a plant NB–LRR protein with its cognate elicitor results in an antiviral response that inhibits the translation of virus‐encoded proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana. This antiviral response is dependent on viral cis elements, and, upon activation of the NB–LRR protein, viral transcripts accumulate but do not associate with ribosomes. The induced inhibition of viral transcript translation and NB–LRR‐mediated virus resistance were compromised by the downregulation of Argonaute4‐like genes. Argonaute proteins have been implicated in small RNA‐mediated RNA degradation, and in degradation‐independent translational control. Our results suggest that the engagement of Argonaute proteins in the specific translational control of viral transcripts is a key factor in virus resistance mediated by NB–LRR proteins.
Different flowering phenology of alien invasive species in Spain: evidence for the use of an empty temporal niche?
Authors: Godoy O. , Castro‐Díez P. , Valladares F. , Costa‐Tenorio M.
Published: February 2009

Flowering phenology is an important and poorly understood plant trait that may possibly be related to the invasiveness potential of alien species. The present work evaluates whether flowering time of invasive alien species is a key trait to overcome the climatic filters operating in continental Mediterranean ecosystems of Spain (characterised by summer drought and low temperatures in winter). We conducted comparisons between the flowering phenology of the invasive species in their native range and in Spain, and between flowering phenology of 91 coexisting invasive–native species pairs. For the alien species, geographical change from the native to the invaded region did not result in shifts in the start and the length of the flowering period. Overall, climatic conditions in the native range of species selected for a flowering pattern is maintained after translocation of the species to another region. Flowering of tropical and temperate invasive alien species peaked in summer, which contrasts with the spring flowering of native and invasive alien species of Mediterranean climate origin. By exploiting this new temporal niche, these invasive alien species native to tropical and temperate regions benefit from reduced competition with natives for abiotic and biotic resources. We suggest that human‐mediated actions have reduced the strength of the summer drought filter in particular microhabitats, permitting the invasion of many summer‐flowering aliens.
A role for a cell wall localized glycine‐rich protein in dehydration and rehydration of the resurrection plant Boea hygrometrica
Authors: Wang L. , Shang H. , Liu Y. , Zheng M. , Wu R. , Phillips J. , Bartels D. , Deng X.
Published: February 2009

The acquisition of desiccation tolerance in dicotyledonous angiosperms requires the induction of a co‐ordinated programme of genetic and biochemical processes during drying and the adaptive mechanisms are primarily protoplasmic in nature. Recent studies have shown that changes in cell wall structure and composition are also important for recovery after drying, however, the molecular mechanisms that underpin these adaptive responses are largely unknown. Here, the desiccation‐tolerant plant Boea hygrometrica was used as a model system to investigate the changes in gene expression and cell wall adaptation that take place during extreme dehydration. A cDNA macroarry analysis of dehydration‐inducible genes led to the identification of a gene encoding a glycine‐rich protein (BhGRP1). The corresponding transcript was up‐regulated during drying in B. hygrometrica leaves. In silico analysis revealed that BhGRP1 is targeted to the cell wall and this was confirmed in planta. Morphological changes in the cell wall architecture were also observed during the process of drying and re‐watering. Concomitant with this observation, cell wall profiling by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that protein levels increased upon desiccation and remained broadly similar upon re‐watering. These findings suggest that the deposition of BhGRP1 may play a role in cell wall maintenance and repair during dehydration and rehydration in B. hygrometrica.
Altitudinal variations in flower and bulbil production of an alpine perennial, Polygonum viviparum L. (Polygonaceae)
Authors: Fan D.‐M. , Yang Y.‐P.
Published: February 2009

Two opposite views exist regarding sexual versus asexual reproductive performance of Polygonum viviparum. One suggests that increasing altitude favors flower production, while the other suggests that increasing altitude increases bulbil production. In this study, we present an investigation of the reproductive performance of 13 populations of P. viviparum on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). Our results show that, with increasing altitude, the height of inflorescence and total number of flowers and bulbils decrease significantly, but there is no significant effect on bulbil and flower number. In addition, there is a weak correlation between the proportion of flowers per population and altitude in our study sites due to the exception population 12, which is in a disturbed habitat. We conclude that more resources might be allocated to flowers in populations at higher altitudes, indicating the importance of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction in alpine plants of QTP.
EFFECTS OF ANTI‐HYPERTENSIVE DRUGS ON PRODUCTION OF SOLUBLE FMS‐LIKE TYROSINE KINASE 1 AND SOLUBLE ENDOGLIN FROM HUMAN NORMAL AND PRE‐ECLAMPTIC PLACENTAS IN VITRO
Authors: Xu B , Thornton C , Tooher J , Ogle R , Lim S , Makris A , Hennessy A
Published: February 2009

Increases in soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt‐1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) contribute to the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia. Soluble Flt‐1 binds to circulating free vascular endothelial growth factor and placenta growth factor and this is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Soluble endoglin, a transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β coreceptor, was reported to synergize with sFlt‐1 to amplify endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting TGF‐β1‐mediated vasorelaxation.

The aim of the present study was to examine whether the antihypertensive drugs clonidine (0.08–1.3 µg/mL), diazoxide (25–300 µg/mL), frusemide (60–1000 µg/mL) and hydralazine (6.3–100 µg/mL) have any effect on placental production of sFlt‐1 and sEng in placentas from normal and pre‐eclamptic pregnancies.

Explants were taken from non‐laboured term placentas of normal pregnancy (n = 5) and women with pre‐eclampsia (n = 5). Villous explants were cultured with increasing doses of antihypertensive drugs. Placental sFlt‐1 and sEng production was examined using ELISA.

Baseline sFlt‐1 production was higher in placentas from women with pre‐eclampsia than from normal pregnancy (4.5 ± 1.4 vs 3.2 ± 0.6 ng/mg of total protein, respectively; P < 0.001), as was sEng production (9.0 ± 2.3 vs 4.1 ± 0.6 ng/mg of total protein, respectively; P < 0.001). With the exception of frusemide, none of the antihypertensive drugs tested had any effect on sFlt‐1 and sEng production from placental explants of normal pregnancy and women with pre‐eclampsia. Increasing frusemide concentrations were correlated with increased sEng production in normal pregnancy (P < 0.005).

In conclusion, placental sFlt‐1 and sEng production was higher in pre‐eclampsia and antihypertensive drugs had no effect on placental production of sFlt‐1 and sEng in vitro.
REDUCED LUNG WATER TRANSPORT RATE ASSOCIATED WITH DOWNREGULATION OF AQUAPORIN‐1 AND AQUAPORIN‐5 IN AGED MICE
Authors: Zhang Ying‐Wei , Bi Lin‐Tao , Hou Song‐Ping , Zhao Xue‐Liang , Song Yuan‐Lin , Ma Tong‐Hui
Published: February 2009

The purpose of the present study was to examine lung water transport properties and the expression and regulation of the alveolar endothelial water channel aquaporin (AQP)‐1 and the epithelial water channel AQP‐5 in aged mouse lung using gene expression analysis and water permeability measurements.

In aged (20–24‐month‐old) mice, AQP‐1 and AQP‐5 mRNA expression decreased by 55.5 and 50.3%, respectively, compared with that in young (8–10‐week‐old) mice (P < 0.01). In addition, AQP‐1 and AQP‐5 protein expression decreased in aged mice by 36.9 and 44.6%, respectively, compared with that in young mice (P < 0.01).

The osmotically driven water transport rate between the airspace and capillary compartments was reduced by 31.7% in aged mice compared with young mice (2.8 ± 0.3 vs 4.1 ± 0.3 mg/s, respectively; P < 0.01). The hydrostatically driven lung water accumulation rate in response to a 10 cmH2O increase in pulmonary artery pressure was also reduced in aged mice by 21.9% compared with young mice (0.32 ± 0.06 vs 0.41 ± 0.04 mg/s, respectively; P < 0.01).

There was a 62.7% decrease in serum glucocorticoids in aged mice compared with young mice (67.6 ± 26.8 vs 181.3 ± 44.4 nmol/L, respectively; P < 0.01). In vivo administration of dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days to aged mice increased lung AQP‐1 mRNA and protein expression by 2.1 ± 0.1 fold (P < 0.01) and 1.8 ± 0.2 fold (P < 0.01), respectively. Accordingly, osmotically and hydrostatically driven water transport rates increased by 35.6% (P < 0.01) and 31.2% (P < 0.01), respectively.

The present study provides the first evidence of altered lung water transport associated with downregulation of AQPs in aged lung. Blood glucocorticoid hormone levels are important to maintain normal AQP‐1 expression in the lung microvascular endothelium. Corticosteroid‐induced AQP‐1 upregulation may contribute to the role of corticosteroids in accelerating oedema clearance in aged lung.
SIMULTANEOUS ACTION OF THE FLAVONOID QUERCETIN ON CYTOCHROME P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2A6, N‐ACETYLTRANSFERASE AND XANTHINE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS
Authors: Chen Yao , Xiao Peng , Ou‐Yang Dong‐Sheng , Fan Lan , Guo Dong , Wang Yi‐Nan , Han Yang , Tu Jiang‐Hua , Zhou Gan , Huang Yuan‐Fei , Zhou Hong‐Hao
Published: February 2009

Quercetin, one of the most abundant natural flavonoids, has been reported to modulate the activity of several drug‐metabolising enzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2A6, N‐acetyltransferase (NAT2) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in healthy volunteers using caffeine as a probe drug.

Twelve unrelated, healthy volunteers were recruited to the study. There were two phases to the study; in the first phase, each subject was given a single oral dose of caffeine (one 100 mg capsule) with 150 mL water; in the second phase, each subject was give a 500 mg quercetin capsule once daily for 13 continuous days and was coadministered a 100 mg caffeine capsule on the 13th day. Urinary caffeine metabolite ratios were used as indicators of the activity of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO. The pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its metabolites were determined by HPLC.

In the quercetin‐treated group, CYP1A2 activity was decreased by 10.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–29.8%; P = 0.039), whereas increases were observed in CYP2A6 (by 25.3%; 95% CI, 6.2–34.5%; P = 0.002), NAT2 (by 88.7%; 95% CI, 7.1–160.2%; P = 0.010) and XO activity (by 15.0%; 95% CI, 1.6–21.6%; P = 0.007). Plasma Cmax and the AUC(0–24 h) of 1,7‐dimethylxanthine were decreased by 17.2% (95% CI, 6.4–28.0%; P = 0.024) and 16.2% (95% CI, 3.9–28.5%; P = 0.032), respectively. The urinary excretion of 1,7‐dimethylxanthine and 1‐methylxanthine was significantly decreased by 32.4% (95% CI, 2.5–62.1%; P = 0.036) and 156.1% (95% CI, 53.3–258.9%; P = 0.004), respectively. The urinary excretion of 1,7‐dimethylurate and 1‐methylurate was increased by 82.9% (95% CI, 56.0–165.4%; P = 0.030) and 97.8% (95% CI, 12.1–183.5%; P = 0.029), respectively. No changes were observed in the urinary excretion of caffeine and 5‐acetylamino‐6‐formylamino‐3‐methyluracil between the two study phases.

The results of the present study indicate that quercetin inhibits CYP1A2 function, but enhances CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO activity. Simultaneously, some pharmacokinetic parameters relating to 1,7‐dimethylxanthine were affected by quercetin. Thus, we conclude that quercetin affects CYP1A2, CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO activity in vivo.
Understanding women's experiences of developing an eating disorder and recovering: a life‐history approach
Authors: Patching Joanna , Lawler Jocalyn
Published: February 2009

Qualitative inquiry into eating disorders is burgeoning, offering valuable and innovative insights into various aspects of the condition. This study used life‐history interviews with 20 women who had recovered from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or both and who had remained healthy. The interviews focused on the women's narratives and experience rather than a diagnostic therapeutic model. Three themes of control, connectedness and conflict emerged as significant in the development, experience of, and recovery from an eating disorder. The development of the condition was attributed to a lack of control, a sense of non‐connectedness to family and peers and extreme conflict with significant others. Recovery occurred when the women re‐engaged with life, developed skills necessary for conflict resolution and rediscovered their sense of self. Rather than viewing the development of, and recovery from an eating disorder as separate and discrete events, the data from the life‐history interviews suggest they are better viewed as one entity — that is, the journey of an individual attempting to discover and develop their sense of self. This perspective challenges some current constructs of eating disorders; it is not a condition in and of itself but a symptom of deeper issues that if addressed, when the individual is ‘ready’ to make that choice, will lead to recovery.
On the cyclic crack‐tip opening displacement
Authors: McEVILY A. J.
Published: February 2009

This note discusses the cyclic crack tip opening displacement (CTOD)cyc. As is discussed, the correct expression for the (CTOD)cycis based upon the effective range of the stress intensity factor.
Production of the antifungal compound pyrrolnitrin is quorum sensing‐regulated in members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex
Authors: Schmidt Silvia , Blom Judith F. , Pernthaler Jakob , Berg Gabriele , Baldwin Adam , Mahenthiralingam Eshwar , Eberl Leo
Published: February 2009

Members of the genus Burkholderia are known for their ability to suppress soil‐borne fungal pathogens by the production of various antibiotic compounds. In this study we investigated the role of N‐acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)‐dependent quorum sensing (QS) in the expression of antifungal traits. Using a quorum quenching approach, that is, by heterologous expression of the Bacillus sp. AiiA lactonase, we show that expression of antifungal activities is AHL‐dependent in the large majority of the investigated strains belonging to various Burkholderia species. We demonstrate that in certain strains of Burkholderia ambifaria, Burkholderia pyrrocinia and Burkholderia lata, one of the QS‐regulated antifungal agents is pyrrolnitrin (prn), a common broad‐spectrum antibiotic that is also produced by some Pseudomonas and Serratia species. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of AHL‐dependent prn production in better detail, we inactivated the AHL synthase cepI as well as cepR, which encodes the cognate AHL receptor protein, in B. lata 383. Both QS mutants no longer produced prn as assessed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis and as a consequence were unable to inhibit growth of Rhizoctonia solani. Using fusions of the lacZ gene to the promoter of the prnABCD operon, which directs the synthesis of prn, we demonstrate that expression of prn is positively regulated by CepR at the level of transcription.
DNA barcoding as a heuristic tool for classifying undescribed Nearctic Myrmica ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Jansen Gunther , Savolainen Riitta , Vepsäläinen Kari
Published: February 2009

The Palearctic species of the ant genus Myrmica are well studied. In contrast, the taxonomy of the Nearctic species is outdated, making identification impossible. We collected Myrmica samples in the Holarctic and investigated their diversity using mtDNA data. We analysed a barcode sequence of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene for 57 Palearctic and 293 Nearctic Myrmica samples. We used sequences of known Palearctic species to search for Myrmica barcode patterns. All but one Palearctic species groups were recovered. The Nearctic diversity was much higher than known. We retrieved the punctiventris, crassirugis and incompleta groups, and established nine additional tentative species groups. Genetic distance analysis revealed a large overlap of intra‐ and inter‐specific distances in Palearctic species and species groups. We could not find a variation gap to separate Nearctic sequences into species with COI data only. Variation in scape morphology divided two genetic groups further. Scape morphology correlated with most molecular groups, except three specimens. Our results illustrate that barcoding, using only a limited amount of genetic information, cannot serve as a universal proxy for taxonomy and species demarcation. It should be considered a first step in understanding the taxonomic diversity of an unknown group of organisms.
Morphology and function of reproductive organs in Neodasys chaetonotoideus (Gastrotricha: Neodasys) with a phylogenetic assessment of the reproductive system in Gastrotricha
Authors: Kieneke Alexander , Ahlrichs Wilko H. , Arbizu Pedro Martínez
Published: February 2009

The reproductive system of the important basal gastrotrich Neodasys chaetonotoideus is described and reconstructed on the basis of light microscopy, serial ultrathin sections (ultrastructure) and scanning electron microscopy. Starting frontally, the hermaphroditic reproductive system consists of paired and tube shaped lateral testes that do not possess elongated seminal ducts but most likely open directly via paired ventral pores. The unpaired, medio‐dorsal ovary region contains early oogenic stages that mature caudally towards the uterus region, where the most mature egg is positioned laterally to the midgut. The ovary region is not covered with an epithelial lining whereas the uterus region possesses a distinct epithelial wall. Between ovary and uterus region, we have detected a conspicuous section of the female gonad, the vitellogenic oviduct that consists of a thick epithelial wall which forms cellular protuberances into the developing oocytes passing the oviduct. We interpret this as a special, hitherto undescribed mode of vitellogenesis in Gastrotricha. Further caudally, the uterus continues with the fronto‐caudal organ, a complex of two substructures that are apparently homologous to the frontal organ and the caudal organ of many species of the Gastrotricha Macrodasyida. Neodasys chaetonotoideus obviously engages in spermatophore formation and transfer. In this study we develop a morpho‐functional scenario for the gonads and accessory organs in terms of spermatophore production, exchange and oviposition.

We compare our newly obtained data with already published results on the reproductive organs of several species of Gastrotricha by means of a species‐character matrix and provide a computer aided evaluation by a parsimonious character optimization. A reconstruction of the reproductive system of the stem species of Gastrotricha on the basis of three recent phylogenetic analyses is presented. These reconstructions give support for a Neodasys‐like reproductive system in the ground pattern of Gastrotricha with slight morphological differences and direct transfer of spermatozoa rather than spermatophore transfer. The evolution of selected characters is traced thus revealing some incidents of convergent evolution as well as the evolutionary replacement of the ancestral frontal organ by the derived frontal sac in at least two separated lineages.
Cancer ablation with regional templates applied to prostatectomy specimens from men who were eligible for focal therapy
Authors: Ward John F. , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Pisters Louis , Babaian R. Joseph , Troncoso Patricia
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

To assess the totality of prostate cancer eradication in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens from men with a unilaterally positive prostate biopsy, and who would currently qualify for subtotal prostate ablation with controlled thermal energy such as cryoablation or high‐intensity focused ultrasound.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Therapies for prostate cancer hold the promise of individualized treatment that selectively ablates the tumour while minimizing treatment‐associated morbidity, but as prostate cancer is multifocal there are concerns about untreated residual disease. RP specimens (180) from men with a unilaterally positive prostate biopsy were examined to characterize the location, volume and grade of each tumour focus. Two treatment templates (hemiprostate and ‘hockey‐stick’) were applied to every prostate cross‐section. The nature of the in‐field and out‐of‐field tumours was assessed and described for each treatment template.

RESULTS

A single focus of cancer was the only tumour in 31 (17%) of the patients (contralateral cancer was present in 149, 83%, of specimens despite a unilateral positive biopsy). Hemiprostate and hockey‐stick treatment templates covered all tumour foci in 17% and 47% of men, respectively. Most out‐of‐field cancers were clinically insignificant tumours not identified by prostate biopsy (low‐volume, 0.5 mL; and low grade, Gleason score ≤6). Regional ablation would have successfully treated all clinically significant prostate tumours in 64% and 81% of patients using the hemiprostate or hockey‐stick template, respectively. The hockey‐stick template encompassed all dominant tumours (largest volume).

CONCLUSIONS

Regionally targeted prostate ablation is capable of eradicating all dominant tumours and the vast majority of clinically significant tumours in men with unilateral disease by biopsy. The study of focally ablative therapy should proceed under the auspices of an approved protocol.
Short‐ and long‐term effects of silodosin, a selective α1A‐adrenoceptor antagonist, on ejaculatory function in rats
Authors: Yono Makoto , Yamamoto Yasuhiro , Imanishi Aya , Fukagawa Atsushi , Latifpour Jamshid , Yoshida Masaki
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the short‐ and long‐term effects of silodosin, a selective α1A‐adrenoceptor antagonist, on spontaneous seminal emission by isolated rats and on the properties of α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the rat seminal vesicle, as silodosin produces a relatively high incidence rate of abnormal ejaculation and chronic administration of receptor antagonists causes an up‐regulation in the targeted receptor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were treated with two doses (0.1 and 3 mg/kg/day) of silodosin orally for 3 or 30 days. Spontaneous seminal emission was studied during the 3‐day observation period before completing treatment. The expression levels of α1A, α1B and α1D‐adrenoceptor mRNAs in the rat seminal vesicle and prostate were quantified by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction using SYBR Green I.

RESULTS

The administration of two doses of silodosin for 3 or 30 days caused a significant dose‐dependent reduction in the number of ejaculatory plugs and in their dry weight. However, in rats receiving the low dose of silodosin the inhibitory effect of the drug on spontaneous seminal emission diminished significantly with chronic usage over time. Although short‐term administration of silodosin did not affect expression levels of any α1‐adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs in the rat seminal vesicle and prostate, long‐term administration of silodosin caused a significant up‐regulation in the mRNA expression of α1A‐adrenoceptor in a tissue‐dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Silodosin‐induced up‐regulation of α1A‐adrenoceptor mRNA in the rat seminal vesicle might indicate potential differences in the inhibitory effect of this drug on ejaculatory function with chronic usage over time.
Biodegradable urethral stents seeded with autologous urethral epithelial cells in the treatment of post‐traumatic urethral stricture: a feasibility study in a rabbit model
Authors: Fu Wei‐Jun , Zhang Xu , Zhang Bing‐Hong , Zhang Peng , Hong Bao‐Fa , Gao Jiang‐Ping , Meng Bo , Kun Hu , Cui Fu‐Zhai
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the adhesion and growth of rabbit urethral epithelial cells (UECs) on a biodegradable unbraided mesh urethral stent, and to assess the feasibility and effect of the cell‐seeded urethral stent for treating post‐traumatic urethral stricture (PTUS) in a rabbit model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rabbit UECs were collected by biopsy from adult rabbit urethra and seeded onto the outer layer of a mesh biodegradable urethral stent. The growth of UECs in cell‐scaffolds was assessed by scanning electron microscopy, immunohistochemical and fluorescence staining. In all, 32 male New Zealand rabbits were used, with either PTUS or uninjured, as a control group. Cell‐seeded stents were implanted into the rabbits strictured urethra. The histological and immunohistochemical findings were assessed after death at 1, 2, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. The reconstruction and function were evaluated by urethroscopy and retrograde urethrography.

RESULTS

The cultured UECs adhered to the stent and grew well. Immunohistochemistry showed that the cells were stained positively for cytokeratin. At 4 weeks, vs 2 weeks, the thickness of the papillary projections of the epithelium decreased and inflammatory cell infiltration diminished. At 24 weeks the injured urethra was completely covered by integrated regeneration of three to five layers of urothelium. There was no evidence of voiding difficulty, stricture recurrence or other complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The unbraided mesh biodegradable urethral stent with autologous UECs seemed to be feasible for treating PTUS in the rabbit urethra, and provides a hopeful avenue for clinical application allowing reconstruction of PTUS.
Comparison of rates and risk factors for developing chronic renal insufficiency, proteinuria and metabolic acidosis after radical or partial nephrectomy
Authors: Malcolm John B. , Bagrodia Aditya , Derweesh Ithaar H. , Mehrazin Reza , DiBlasio Christopher J. , Wake Robert W. , Wan Jim Y. , Patterson Anthony L.
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for developing chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), proteinuria and metabolic acidosis (MA) in patients treated with radical nephrectomy (RN) or nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 749 patients (mean age 57.7 years; mean follow‐up 6.4 years) who had RN or NSS for renal tumours between July 1987 and June 2006 at our institution. The demographics and outcomes were analysed and recorded. The primary outcome variable was the development of an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, with secondary outcomes being the development of a serum creatinine level of ≥2.0 mg/dL, MA (serum bicarbonate <22 mmol/L), and proteinuria (≥1+ on dipstick testing). Multivariate logistic regression (MV) was used to identify risk factors for developing an eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, a creatinine level of ≥2.0 mg/dL and MA.

RESULTS

Of the 749 patients, 499 had RN and 250 NSS; there were no significant demographic differences between the groups. After surgery a significantly greater proportion of the RN than the NSS group had a low eGFR (44.7% vs 16.0%, P < 0.001), MA (12.8% vs 7.2%, P = 0.02), proteinuria (22.2% vs 13.2%, P = 0.003) and elevated creatinine (14.2% vs 8.4%, P = 0.022). MV showed that diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 8.96, P = 0.002), RN (5.32, P < 0.001), hypertension (4.55, P = 0.003), a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 (3.51, P = 0.017), age ≥60 years (2.91, P = 0.015) and smoking (2.44, P = 0.014) were risk factors for developing a low eGFR; and that age ≥60 years (2.00, P = 0.019), diabetes mellitus (10, P < 0.001), hypertension (7.41, P = 0.002), smoking (5.29, P < 0.001) and RN (3.08, P < 0.001) were risk factors for developing an elevated creatinine level; and that being male (2.50, P = 0.019), age ≥60 years (3.13, P = 0.002), a BMI ≥30 (3.52, P < 0.001), RN (9.82, P < 0.001), preoperative eGFR <60 (9.71, P < 0.001) and elevated creatinine (5.9, P = 0.008) were risk factors for developing MA.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing RN had significantly greater CRI, MA and proteinuria rates than a well‐matched group undergoing NSS. In addition to RN, age ≥60 years, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking were associated with progression to CRI after surgery.
The relationship between total and free serum testosterone and the risk of prostate cancer and tumour aggressiveness
Authors: Morote Juan , Ramirez Cristobal , Gómez Esther , Planas Jacques , Raventós Carles X. , De Torres Inés M. , Catalán Roberto
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the relationship between the levels of total and free serum testosterone and the risk of prostate cancer and tumour aggressiveness.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Total and free serum testosterone were determined in 478 patients consecutively assessed by transrectal ultrasonography‐guided prostate biopsy because of an abnormal digital rectal examination and/or serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of >4.0 ng/mL. Tumour aggressiveness was assessed according to serum PSA level, biopsy Gleason score and clinical stage in the subset of 216 patients with cancer (45.2%). We also compared prostate cancer risk and tumour aggressiveness in 80 hypogonadal patients (16.7%) and 398 eugonadal patients (83.3%).

RESULTS

The median total serum testosterone level in patients without and with prostate cancer was 466.0 and 466.5 ng/dL, respectively (P > 0.05); the median levels of free serum testosterone were 9.9 and 10.0 pg/mL, respectively (P > 0.05). The cancer detection rate in hypogonadal patients was 41.3% (33/80) and 46.0% in eugonadal patients (183/398) (P > 0.05). The median level of total testosterone was 433 ng/dL in patients with low‐risk prostate cancer, 467 ng/dL in those with intermediate‐risk tumours and 468 ng/dL in those with high‐risk tumours (P > 0.05); the median levels of free testosterone were 9.4, 9.8 and 10.3 pg/mL, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate cancer risk and tumour aggressiveness are not related to serum levels of total and free testosterone, but hypogonadal patients do not have a greater risk of prostate cancer and tumour aggressiveness.
A comparison of simultaneous autoregressive and generalized least squares models for dealing with spatial autocorrelation
Authors: Beguería S. , Pueyo Y.
Published: February 2009

Aim  In their recent paper, Kissling & Carl (2008) recommended the spatial error simultaneous autoregressive model (SARerr) over ordinary least squares (OLS) for modelling species distribution. We compared these models with the generalized least squares model (GLS) and a variant of SAR (SARvario). GLS and SARvario are superior to standard implementations of SAR because the spatial covariance structure is described by a semivariogram model.

Innovation  We used the complete datasets employed by Kissling & Carl (2008), with strong spatial autocorrelation, and two datasets in which the spatial structure was degraded by sample reduction and grid coarsening. GLS performed consistently better than OLS, SARerr and SARvario in all datasets, especially in terms of goodness of fit. SARvario was marginally better than SARerr in the degraded datasets.

Main conclusions  GLS was more reliable than SAR‐based models, so its use is recommended when dealing with spatially autocorrelated data.
A summary of findings from the 5‐year Lipgene project
Authors: Caswell H.
Published: February 2009

Year on year the number of Europeans classed as overweight or obese is increasing. With this rise in obesity comes an associated increase in the number of people suffering from the metabolic syndrome. Over the past five years Lipgene has investigated the association between diet, genetics and the metabolic syndrome, in a bid to help better understand the possible causes behind this disease and the most effective treatment strategies. Findings from this project indicate that by modifying the fatty acid content of commonly consumed food products, including milk, meat and rapeseed oil, thousands of lives could be saved across Europe each year.