bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of a food-frequency questionnaire for use in pregnancy
Authors: Mouratidou Theodora , Ford Fiona , Fraser Robert B
Published: June 2006

Objectives

As a part of an ongoing project to develop a nutritional screening tool, we evaluated the performance of a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in terms of validity in a Sheffield Caucasian pregnant population using two different statistical approaches – the correlation coefficient and the limits of agreement (LOA). The FFQ was designed specifically for pregnant women and previously used in a large-scale study.

Design

A validation study.

Setting

A community-based field study of a general population of pregnant women booked for their first antenatal appointment at the Jessop Wing, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.

Subjects

One hundred and twenty-three women of different socio-economic status, aged between 17 and 43 years, provided complete dietary data.

Results

The validity of the FFQ was tested against a series of two 24-hour recalls. As expected, the intakes of all examined nutrients, except for iodine, carotene, vitamin E, biotin, vitamin C and alcohol, were higher when determined by the FFQ than when determined by 24-hour recall. Pearson's correlation coefficient between the two methods ranged from 0.19 (added sugar, zinc) to 0.47 (Englyst fibre). The LOA were broader for some of the nutrients, e.g. protein, Southgate fibre and alcohol, and an increasing lack of agreement between the two methods was identified with higher dietary intakes.

Conclusions

The FFQ gave useful estimates of the nutrient intakes of Caucasian pregnant women and appears to be a valid tool for categorising pregnant women according to dietary intake. The FFQ performed well for most nutrients and had acceptable agreement with the 24-hour recall.
An assessment of inter-rater agreement of the literature filtering process in the development of evidence-based dietary guidelines
Authors: Cooper Marcia , Ungar Wendy , Zlotkin Stanley
Published: June 2006

Objective

To determine whether the literature filtering process, a vital initial component of a systematic literature review, could be successfully completed by nutrition professionals or non-professionals.

Design

Using a diet–disease relationship as the guideline topic, inter-rater agreement for the title and abstract filtering processes between and among professionals and non-professionals was assessed and compared with an expert reference standard. Predetermined eligibility criteria were applied by all raters to 185 titles and 90 abstracts. Filtering decisions were initially made independently and then revised after a within-pair consensus meeting.

Subjects

The raters were six dietitians (RD) and six nutrition graduate students (Grad). To assess inter-rater agreement (reliability), each group was divided into three pairs.

Results

Weighted and unweighted kappa statistics and percentage agreement were calculated to determine the inter-rater agreement within pairs. Sensitivity and specificity estimates were determined by comparing responses with those of an expert reference standard. Overall, Grad pairs demonstrated greater inter-rater agreement than RD pairs for title filtering (P < 0.05); no differences were observed for abstract filtering. Compared with the expert reference standard, every rater and pair had false-negative responses for both title and abstract filtering.

Conclusions

After consensus meetings, both RDs and Grads were comparable in their agreement on title and abstract filtering, although important differences remained compared with the expert reference standard. This study provides preliminary findings on the value of utilising a non-expert pair in developing guidelines, and suggests that the literature filtering process is complex and quite subjective.
Forest Diary
Authors: Byshniou Ihar
Published: June 2006

THE MOST HEAVILY CONTAMINATED ZONE, FROM WHICH ALL HUMANS ARE EXCLUDED, HAS BECOME AN EARTHLY PARADISE FOR WILDLIFE
Cities of Migration
Authors: Maryniak Irena , Tripathi Salil
Published: June 2006

HOW DO OUTSIDERS NEGOTIATE THE NEW URBAN SPACE IN WHICH THEY ARRIVE? HOW MAKE IT THEIR OWN?
Disturbing the Peace
Authors: Jacobson Howard
Published: June 2006

MOSES, LEOPOLD BLOOM, SUPERMAN: ALL OF THEM ARCHETYPES OF THE FLAWED HERO, DISINGUISHED BY DIFFERENCE, OTHERNESS, STRANGENESS. LIKE THE EXILE, A THING APART
All History Is the History of Migration
Authors: Farhi Moris
Published: June 2006

MIGRATION AND EXILE HAVE CHARACTERISED THE WORLD SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. AND FOR MOST OF THAT TIME, THE AMBIVALENT PRESENCE OF THE OTHER HAS AROUSED EXTREMES OF SENTIMENT WITHIN THE HOST COMMUNITY
‘Despite Everything, I Remain An Optimist’
Authors: Alexievitch Svetlana , Vidal-Hall Judith
Published: June 2006

THE WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR OF VOICES FROM CHERNOBYL TALKS TO BELORUSSKAIA DELOVAIA GAZETA, THE LAST INDEPENDENT DAILY IN BELARUS, JUST BEFORE THE ELECTIONS ON 19 MARCH
Jordanian Snapshot
Authors: Stafford Smith Clive
Published: June 2006

IF YOU’RE AN ARAB, GUILT AND INNOCENCE ARE IRRELEVANT. YOU’LL STILL BE THE LAST TO LEAVE GUANTANAMO
Effort during visual search and counting: Insights from pupillometry
Authors: Porter Gillian , Troscianko Tom , Gilchrist Iain D.
Published: June 2006

We investigated the processing effort during visual search and counting tasks using a pupil dilation measure. Search difficulty was manipulated by varying the number of distractors as well as the heterogeneity of the distractors. More difficult visual search resulted in more pupil dilation than did less difficult search. These results confirm a link between effort and increased pupil dilation.

The pupil dilated more during the counting task than during target-absent search, even though the displays were identical, and the two tasks were matched for reaction time. The moment-to-moment dilation pattern during search suggests little effort in the early stages, but increasingly more effort towards response, whereas the counting task involved an increased initial effort, which was sustained throughout the trial.

These patterns can be interpreted in terms of the differential memory load for item locations in each task. In an additional experiment, increasing the spatial memory requirements of the search evoked a corresponding increase in pupil dilation. These results support the view that search tasks involve some, but limited, memory for item locations, and the effort associated with this memory load increases during the trials. In contrast, counting involves a heavy locational memory component from the start.
The Homophone Effect in Semantic access Tasks using Kanji Words: Its Relation to the Articulatory Suppression Effect
Authors: Morita Aiko , Saito Satoru
Published: June 2006

The present study examined whether articulatory suppression influences homophone effects in semantic access tasks using Japanese kanji words. In Experiment 1, participants were required to decide whether visually presented word pairs were synonyms. This experiment replicated the homophone effect observed in previous research that showed more false positive errors in response to nonsynonym homophone pairs than to controls. The present study found that this homophone effect was also obtained under an articulatory suppression condition. In Experiment 2, participants performed a semantic decision task, in which they had to judge whether a visually presented target word was an exemplar of a definition that was shown immediately before presentation of the target word. The homophone effect observed in previous studies was replicated—that is, longer response times and more false positive errors were associated with homophones of correct exemplars than with nonhomophone control words. This homophone effect was also obtained under an articulatory suppression conditions. These results suggest that the phonological processing that produces the homophone effects in semantic access tasks using Japanese kanji words does not include articulatory mechanisms.
Caenorhabditis elegansUNC-96 Is a New Component of M-Lines That Interacts with UNC-98 and Paramyosin and Is Required in Adult Muscle for Assembly and/or Maintenance of Thick Filaments
Authors: Mercer Kristina B. , Miller Rachel K. , Tinley Tina L. , Sheth Seema , Qadota Hiroshi , Benian Guy M.
Published: June 2006

To gain further insight into the molecular architecture, assembly, and maintenance of the sarcomere, we have carried out a molecular analysis of the UNC-96 protein in the muscle of Caenorhabditis elegans. By polarized light microscopy of body wall muscle, unc-96 mutants display reduced myofibrillar organization and characteristic birefringent “needles.” By immunofluorescent staining of known myofibril components, unc-96 mutants show major defects in the organization of M-lines and in the localization of a major thick filament component, paramyosin. In unc-96 mutants, the birefringent needles, which contain both UNC-98 and paramyosin, can be suppressed by starvation or by exposure to reduced temperature. UNC-96 is a novel ∼47-kDa polypeptide that has no recognizable domains. Antibodies generated to UNC-96 localize the protein to the M-line, a region of the sarcomere in which thick filaments are cross-linked. By genetic and biochemical criteria, UNC-96 interacts with UNC-98, a previously described component of M-lines, and paramyosin. Additionally, UNC-96 copurifies with native thick filaments. A model is presented in which UNC-96 is required in adult muscle to promote thick filament assembly and/or maintenance.
The Novel F-Box Protein Mfb1p Regulates Mitochondrial Connectivity and Exhibits Asymmetric Localization in Yeast
Authors: Kondo-Okamoto Noriko , Ohkuni Kentaro , Kitagawa Katsumi , McCaffery J. Michael , Shaw Janet M. , Okamoto Koji
Published: June 2006

Although it is clear that mitochondrial morphogenesis is a complex process involving multiple proteins in eukaryotic cells, little is known about regulatory molecules that modulate mitochondrial network formation. Here, we report the identification of a new yeast mitochondrial morphology gene called MFB1 (YDR219C). MFB1 encodes an F-box protein family member, many of which function in Skp1-Cdc53/Cullin-F-box protein (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complexes. F-box proteins also act in non-SCF complexes whose functions are not well understood. Although cells lacking Mfb1p contain abnormally short mitochondrial tubules, Mfb1p is not essential for known pathways that determine mitochondrial morphology and dynamics. Mfb1p is peripherally associated with the mitochondrial surface. Coimmunoprecipitation assays reveal that Mfb1p interacts with Skp1p in an F-box–dependent manner. However, Mfb1p does not coimmunoprecipitate with Cdc53p. The F-box motif is not essential for Mfb1p-mediated mitochondrial network formation. These observations suggest that Mfb1p acts in a complex lacking Cdc53p required for mitochondrial morphogenesis. During budding, Mfb1p asymmetrically localizes to mother cell mitochondria. By contrast, Skp1p accumulates in the daughter cell cytoplasm. Mfb1p mother cell-specific asymmetry depends on the F-box motif, suggesting that Skp1p down-regulates Mfb1p mitochondrial association in buds. We propose that Mfb1p operates in a novel pathway regulating mitochondrial tubular connectivity.
Characterization of Mmp37p, aSaccharomyces cerevisiaeMitochondrial Matrix Protein with a Role in Mitochondrial Protein Import
Authors: Gallas Michelle R. , Dienhart Mary K. , Stuart Rosemary A. , Long Roy M.
Published: June 2006

Many mitochondrial proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and after translation in the cytoplasm are imported via translocases in the outer and inner membranes, the TOM and TIM complexes, respectively. Here, we report the characterization of the mitochondrial protein, Mmp37p (YGR046w) and demonstrate its involvement in the process of protein import into mitochondria. Haploid cells deleted of MMP37 are viable but display a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype and are inviable in the absence of mitochondrial DNA. Mmp37p is located in the mitochondrial matrix where it is peripherally associated with the inner membrane. We show that Mmp37p has a role in the translocation of proteins across the mitochondrial inner membrane via the TIM23-PAM complex and further demonstrate that substrates containing a tightly folded domain in close proximity to their mitochondrial targeting sequences display a particular dependency on Mmp37p for mitochondrial import. Prior unfolding of the preprotein, or extension of the region between the targeting signal and the tightly folded domain, relieves their dependency for Mmp37p. Furthermore, evidence is presented to show that Mmp37 may affect the assembly state of the TIM23 complex. On the basis of these findings, we hypothesize that the presence of Mmp37p enhances the early stages of the TIM23 matrix import pathway to ensure engagement of incoming preproteins with the mtHsp70p/PAM complex, a step that is necessary to drive the unfolding and complete translocation of the preprotein into the matrix.
Stimulating Effect of Japanese Herbal (Kampo) Medicine, Hochuekkito on Upper Respiratory Mucosal Immune System
Authors: Kiyohara H. , Nagai T. , Munakata K. , Nonaka K. , Hanawa T. , Kim J. , Yamada H.
Published: June 2006

Japanese herbal (Kampo) medicine, Hochuekkito (Bu‐Zhong‐Yi‐Qi‐Tang in Chinese, TJ‐41) and Juzentaihoto (Shi‐Quan‐Da‐Bu‐Tang in Chinese, TJ‐48) are well‐known Kampo formulas used as tonic. Although these medicines have separately been applied to the patients clinically depending on their symptoms, the differences of the pharmacological activities for these medicines have not been fully understood. TJ‐48 and TJ‐41 were compared for their effects on antibody response in upper respiratory mucosal immune system in vivo. Oral administration of TJ‐41 (100 mg kg‐1 per day) to early aged BALB/c mice, which were nasally sensitized with influenza hemagglutinin vaccine, significantly enhanced influenza virus‐specific IgA and IgG antibody titers in nasal cavity and sera, respectively. However, oral administration of TJ‐48 (100 mg kg‐1 per day) failed to show the enhancing activity. TJ‐41 increased not only influenza virus‐specific IgA antibody titer but also total IgA antibody titer in nasal cavity. The stimulating activity of TJ‐41 disappeared after treatment with methotrexate. The present study strongly suggests that TJ‐41 can stimulate the mucosal immune system of upper respiratory tract, and results in enhancement of antigen‐specific antibody response in upper respiratory mucosal and systemic immune systems.
Podophyllum hexandrum Offers Radioprotection by Modulating Free Radical Flux: Role of Aryl‐Tetralin Lignans
Authors: Chawla Raman , Arora Rajesh , Singh Shikha , Sagar R. K. , Sharma Rakesh Kumar , Kumar R. , Sharma A. , Tripathi R. P. , Puri C. , Khan H. A. , Shawl A. S. , Sultan P. , Krishan Tej , Qazi G. N.
Published: June 2006

We have evaluated the effect of variation in aryl‐tetralin lignans on the radioprotective properties of Podophyllum hexandrum. Two fractionated fractions of P. hexandrum [methanolic (S1) and chloroform fractions (S2)], with varying aryl‐tetralin lignan content were utilized for the present study. The peroxyl ion scavenging potentials of S1 and S2 were found to be comparable [i.e. 45.88% (S1) and 41% (S2)] after a 48 h interval in a time‐dependent study, whereas in a 2 h study, S2 exhibited significant (P < 0.05) antioxidant activity in different metal ion + flux states. In the aqueous phase, S2 exhibited non‐site‐specific reactive oxygen species scavenging activity, i.e. 73.12% inhibition at 500 μg ml−1. S1 exhibited 58.40 ± 0.8% inhibition (at 0.025 μg ml−1) of the formation of reactive nitrite radicals, comparable to S2 (52.45 ± 0.825%), and also showed 45.01% site‐specific activity (1000 μg ml−1), along with significant (P < 0.05) electron donation potential (50–2000 μg ml−1) compared to S2. Such activities of S1 could be attributed to the significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels of podophyllotoxin β‐d‐glucopyranoside (16.5 times) and demethyl podophyllotoxin glucoside (2.9 times) compared with S2. Together, these findings clearly prove that aryl‐tetralin lignan content influences the radiation protective potential of the Podophyllum fractions to a great extent.
Mobilization of Cd upon acidification of agricultural soils: column study and field modelling
Authors: Degryse F. , Vlassak V. , Smolders E. , Merckx R.
Published: June 2006

The potential effect of acidification of contaminated sandy soils on Cd transport in the unsaturated zone was assessed. Forty‐eight soil profiles were sampled at five depths in a polluted field that was set aside in 1992. The Cd concentration in the top 30 cm of this field was, on average, 10 mg kg−1. A column experiment was carried out with one of the topsoil samples. Homogeneously packed columns were leached with 0.001 m CaCl2, adjusted to pH 3 or pH 5.7, at a pore water velocity of 6 cm day−1. The Cd and proton transport was predicted with coupled transport equations. The Cd transport was modelled by assuming local equilibrium and by using sorption parameters derived from batch experiments, while acidification was modelled with a kinetic approach, on the assumption that proton buffering was due to cation exchange and mineral weathering. Organic matter was the main contributor to the cation exchange capacity of these soils. Observed and predicted pH and Cd profiles in the columns agreed well. With the same model, the proton and Cd transport at field scale was calculated for each of the 48 profiles sampled (‘grid model’). It was predicted that the field‐averaged Cd concentration in the seepage water will increase from 6 μg litre−1 at present to 200 μg litre−1 over 260 years, which greatly exceeds the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) in groundwater of 5 μg litre−1. Predictions of Cd transport using field‐averaged soil properties yielded a later breakthrough time and a larger peak Cd concentration than predicted with the grid model, which illustrates the impact of spatial variability on solute transport. Continuation of liming practices is a possible solution to prevent breakthrough of Cd at concentrations far in excess of the MPC.
Determining soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and sorptivity from single ring infiltration tests
Authors: Touma J. , Voltz M. , Albergel J.
Published: June 2006

The difference between the cumulative infiltration occurring during three‐dimensional axisymmetric and one‐dimensional vertical flow is a linear function of time. The slope of this line is a function of the source radius, initial and final volumetric soil water contents and the soil sorptivity. This allows the determination of the sorptivity and saturated conductivity of the soil from data of axisymmetric flow in a single ring of small diameter under negligible head of water. The method is based on the optimization of the sorptivity and saturated conductivity on the one‐dimensional vertical cumulative infiltration inferred from axisymmetric flow data. To examine the reliability of the method to determine these parameters, numerical three‐ and one‐dimensional data are generated on soils with known hydrologic properties from the literature. The linearity versus time of the difference of the two types of flow is verified. Several physically based expressions for the vertical cumulative infiltration as a function of time are considered. The optimized values of the sorptivity and saturated conductivity are compared to the their real known values. Despite the large errors on the optimized parameters, namely the saturated conductivity, the error on the vertical predicted cumulative infiltration is limited to 10%. This makes possible the application of this method on a large scale for hydrological modelling purposes.
Retention mechanisms of white perch (Morone americana) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis) early‐life stages in an estuarine turbidity maximum: an integrative fixed‐location and mapping approach
Authors: NORTH E. W. , HOUDE E. D.
Published: June 2006

The small‐scale distribution and retention mechanisms of white perch (Morone americana) and striped bass (M. saxatilis) early‐life stages were investigated in the upper Chesapeake Bay estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM). Physical measurements and biological collections were made at fixed‐location stations within the ETM during three research cruises in 1998 and two in 1999. Results were compared with mapping surveys of physical properties and organism distributions above, within, and below the ETM. Physical conditions at the fixed stations differed markedly among cruises and between years due to differences in freshwater flow and wind. In each year, striped bass and white perch larval concentrations were highest in waters of salinity 1–4. Larvae were more abundant in the ETM region in 1998, a high‐flow year, suggesting that the ETM provides favorable nursery habitat when low salinity waters and the ETM coincide in high freshwater‐flow conditions. In 1998, the earliest pelagic life stages of fish larvae (eggs, yolk‐sac larvae) and the copepod Eurytemora affinis, an important prey of feeding larvae, apparently were retained in deep, landward‐flowing water within the salt front and ETM region. Statistical analyses indicated that distributions of white perch and striped bass post‐yolk‐sac larvae were associated with E. affinis distributions and suggested that retention of larval fish could result from tracking prey. Comparing fixed‐station and mapping approaches demonstrates the importance of sampling at different spatial scales within the ETM region and suggests that larvae are faced with trade‐offs between selecting zones of high retention or high visual‐feeding success.
Net assimilation rate, specific leaf area and leaf mass ratio: which is most closely correlated with relative growth rate? A meta‐analysis
Authors: SHIPLEY B.
Published: June 2006

Data were compiled consisting of 1240 observations (614 species) from 83 different experiments published in 37 different studies, in order to quantify the relative importance of net assimilation rate (NAR, g cm−2 day−1), specific leaf area (SLA, cm2 g−1) and leaf mass ratio (LMR, g g−1) in determining relative growth rate (RGR, g g−1 day−1), and how these change with respect to daily quantum input (DQI, moles m−2 day−1) and growth form (herbaceous or woody).

Each of ln(NAR), ln(SLA) and ln(LMR) were separately regressed on ln(RGR) using mixed model regressions in order to partition the between‐experiment and within‐experiment variation in slopes and intercepts. DQI and plant type were then added to these models to see if they could explain some of the between‐experiment variation in the relative importance of each growth component.

LMR was never strongly related to RGR. In general, NAR was the best general predictor of variation in RGR. However, for determining RGR the importance of NAR decreased, and the importance of SLA increased, with decreasing daily quantum input in experiments containing herbaceous species. This did not occur in experiments involving woody species.
TGF‐β1 suppresses IFN‐γ‐induced NO production in macrophages by suppressing STAT1 activation and accelerating iNOS protein degradation
Authors: Takaki Hiromi , Minoda Yasumasa , Koga Keiko , Takaesu Giichi , Yoshimura Akihiko , Kobayashi Takashi
Published: June 2006

TGF‐β1 is a well‐known immunosuppressive cytokine; however, little is known of the effect of TGF‐β1 on antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). In this report, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of the suppressive effects of TGF‐β1 on APCs including dendritic cells and macrophages. Although TGF‐β1 did not greatly affect the activation of APCs, as assessed by the induction of IL‐12 or the upregulation of CD40 in response to LPS, it strongly inhibited IFN‐γ‐induced nitric oxide (NO) production from macrophages and dendritic cells. Using murine macrophage‐like cell line RAW 264.7, we demonstrated that TGF‐β1 not only reduced the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein stability but also suppressed the iNOS gene transcription. We also found that TGF‐β1 directly inhibited IFN‐γ‐induced STAT1 activation by reducing STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation. The IFN‐γ Type I receptor (IFNGR1) was found to be associated with the TGF‐β1 Type I receptor (TGF‐βRI) and was phosphorylated by the TGF‐βRI. Reduced activation of STAT1 by TGF‐β1 was abrogated by the mutation in the IFNGR1 in which the serine residues of potential sites of phosphorylation by TGF‐βRI were replaced by alanine residues. Thus, multiple mechanisms are present for the TGF‐β1‐mediated reduction of iNOS production, and we propose a novel mechanism for regulating inflammatory cytokine by an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, TGF‐β1; i.e. suppression of IFN‐γ‐induced STAT1 activation by an association of the IFNGR1 with the TGF‐βRI.
Annual basal area increment and growth duration of Pinus taeda in response to eight years of free‐air carbon dioxide enrichment
Authors: MOORE DAVID J. P. , AREF SUSANNE , HO RINGO M. , PIPPEN JEFFREY S. , HAMILTON JASON G. , DE LUCIA EVAN H.
Published: June 2006

Rising CO2 is predicted to increase forest productivity, although the duration of the response and how it might be altered by variation in rainfall, temperature and other environmental variables are not well understood. We measured the basal area of rapidly growing Pinus taeda trees exposed to free‐air CO2 enrichment for 8 years and used these measurements to estimate monthly and annual growth. We used these measurements in a statistical model to estimate the start and end of growth in each year. Elevated CO2 increased the basal area increment (BAI) of trees by 13–27%. In most years, exposure to elevated CO2 increased the growth rate but not the duration of the active growth period. With the exception of 1 year following an extreme drought and a severe ice storm, BAI was positively correlated with the amount of rainfall during the active growth period. The interannual variation in the relative enhancement of BAI caused by elevated CO2 was strongly related to temperature and rainfall, and was greatest in years with high vapor pressure deficit. There was no evidence of a systematic reduction in the stimulation of growth during the first 8 years of this experiment, suggesting that the hypothesized limitation of the CO2 response caused by nitrogen availability has yet to occur.
The CD1d‐binding glycolipid α‐galactosylceramide enhances humoral immunity to T‐dependent and T‐independent antigen in a CD1d‐dependent manner
Authors: Lang Gillian A. , Exley Mark A. , Lang Mark L.
Published: June 2006

Specific interaction of class II/peptide with the T‐cell receptor (TCR) expressed by class II‐restricted CD4+ T helper (Th) cells is essential for in vivo production of antibodies reactive with T‐dependent antigen. In response to stimulation with CD1d‐binding glycolipid, Vα14+ TCR‐expressing, CD1d‐restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells may provide additional help for antibody production. We tested the hypothesis that the CD1d‐binding glycolipid α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GC) enhances production of antibodies reactive with T‐dependent antigen in vivo. α‐GC enhanced antibody production in vivo in a CD1d‐dependent manner in the presence of class II‐restricted Th cells and induced a limited antibody response in Th‐deficient mice. α‐GC also led to alterations in isotype switch, selectively increasing production of immunoglobulin G2b. Further analysis revealed that α‐GC led to priming of class II‐restricted Th cells in vivo. Additionally, we observed that α‐GC enhanced production of antibodies reactive with T‐independent antigen, showing the effects of NKT cells on B cells independently of Th cells. Our data show that NKT cells have multiple effects on the induction of a humoral immune response. We propose that NKT cells could be exploited for the development of novel vaccines where protective antibody is required.
Bistability in bacteria
Authors: Dubnau David , Losick Richard
Published: June 2006

Gene expression in bacteria is traditionally studied from the average behaviour of cells in a population, which has led to the assumption that under a particular set of conditions all cells express genes in an approximately uniform manner. The advent of methods for visualizing gene expression in individual cells reveals, however, that populations of genetically identical bacteria are sometimes heterogeneous, with certain genes being expressed in a non‐uniform manner across the population. In some cases, heterogeneity is manifested by the bifurcation into distinct subpopulations, and we adopt the common usage, referring to this phenomenon as bistability. Here we consider four cases of bistability, three from Bacillus subtilis and one from Escherichia coli, with an emphasis on random switching mechanisms that generate alternative cell states and the biological significance of phenotypic heterogeneity. A review describing additional examples of bistability in bacteria has been published recently.
LmrCD is a major multidrug resistance transporter in Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Lubelski Jacek , De Jong Anne , Van Merkerk Ronald , Agustiandari Herfita , Kuipers Oscar P. , Kok Jan , Driessen Arnold J. M.
Published: June 2006

When Lactococcus lactis is challenged with drugs it displays a multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. In silico analysis of the genome of L. lactis indicates the presence of at least 40 putative MDR transporters, of which only four, i.e. the ABC transporters LmrA, LmrC and LmrD, and the major facilitator LmrP, have been experimentally associated with the MDR. To understand the molecular basis of the MDR phenotype in L. lactis, we have performed a global transcriptome analysis comparing four independently isolated drug‐resistant strains of L. lactis with the wild‐type strain. The results show a strong and consistent upregulation of the lmrC and lmrD genes in all four strains, while the mRNA levels of other putative MDR transporters were not significantly altered. Deletion of lmrCD renders L. lactis sensitive to several toxic compounds, and this phenotype is associated with a reduced ability to secrete these compounds. Another gene, which is strongly upregulated in all mutant strains, specifies LmrR (YdaF), a local transcriptional repressor of lmrCD that belongs to the PadR family of transcriptional regulators and that binds to the promoter region of lmrCD. These results demonstrate that the heterodimeric MDR ABC transporter LmrCD is a major determinant of both acquired and intrinsic drug resistance of L. lactis.
Fault‐bend folding as an end‐member solution of (double‐edge) fault‐propagation folding
Authors: Tavani Stefano , Storti Fabrizio
Published: June 2006

Fault‐bend folding is the most commonly used kinematic mechanism to interpret the architecture and evolution of thrust‐related anticlines in thrust wedges. However, its basic requirement of an instantaneous propagation of the entire fault before hangingwall deformation, limits its kinematic effectiveness. To overcome this limitation, we used the interdependence between fold shape and fault slip vs. propagation rate (S/P ratio) implemented in double‐edge fault‐propagation folding. We show that very small S/P values produce fault‐propagation anticlines that, when transported forelandward along an upper décollement layer, closely resemble fault‐bend anticlines. Accordingly, if small geometric discrepancies between the two solutions are accepted, transported double‐edge fault‐propagation provides an effective kinematic alternative to fault‐bend folding. Even at very low S/P values, it in fact predicts a fast but finite propagation rate of the fault. We thus propose that double‐edge fault‐propagation folding provides a broadly applicable model of fault‐related folding that includes fault‐bend folding as an end‐member kinematic solution.

Terra Nova, 18, 270–275, 2006
Upregulation of an Arabidopsis RING‐H2 gene, XERICO, confers drought tolerance through increased abscisic acid biosynthesis
Authors: Ko Jae‐Heung , Yang Seung H. , Han Kyung‐Hwan
Published: June 2006

RING (really interesting new gene) zinc‐finger proteins have important regulatory roles in the development of a variety of organisms. The XERICO gene encodes a small protein (162 amino acids) with an N‐terminal trans‐membrane domain and a RING‐H2 zinc‐finger motif located at the C‐terminus. In silico gene‐expression analysis indicated that XERICO is induced by salt and osmotic stress. Compared with wild‐type (WT) Arabidopsis plants, transgenic plants overexpressing XERICO (35S::XERICO) exhibited hypersensitivity to salt and osmotic stress and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) during germination and early seedling growth. When subjected to a drought treatment, transcriptional upregulation of a key ABA‐biosynthesis gene, AtNCED3, was much faster and stronger in 35S::XERICO plants compared with WT plants. Further, upregulation of XERICO substantially increased cellular ABA levels. The adult 35S::XERICO plants, in contrast to early seedling growth, showed a marked increase in their tolerance to drought stress. Yeast two‐hybrid screening indicated that XERICO interacts with an E2 ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme (AtUBC8) and ASK1‐interacting F‐box protein (AtTLP9), which is involved in the ABA‐signaling pathway. Affymetrix GeneChip array analysis showed that the expressions of many of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of plant hormones (e.g. ethylene, brassinosteroid, gibberellic acid) were significantly changed in the 35S::XERICO plants. These results suggest that the homeostasis of various plant hormones might be altered in 35S::XERICO plants, possibly by overaccumulation of ABA.
GAMYB controls different sets of genes and is differentially regulated by microRNA in aleurone cells and anthers
Authors: Tsuji Hiroyuki , Aya Koichiro , Ueguchi‐Tanaka Miyako , Shimada Yukihisa , Nakazono Mikio , Watanabe Ryosuke , Nishizawa Naoko K. , Gomi Kenji , Shimada Asako , Kitano Hidemi , Ashikari Motoyuki , Matsuoka Makoto
Published: June 2006

GAMYB is a component of gibberellin (GA) signaling in cereal aleurone cells, and has an important role in flower development. However, it is unclear how GAMYB function is regulated. We examined the involvement of a microRNA, miR159, in the regulation of GAMYB expression in cereal aleurone cells and flower development. In aleurone cells, no miR159 expression was observed with or without GA treatment, suggesting that miR159 is not involved in the regulation of GAMYB and GAMYB‐like genes in this tissue. miR159 was expressed in tissues other than aleurone, and miR159 over‐expressors showed similar but more severe phenotypes than the gamyb mutant. GAMYB and GAMYB‐like genes are co‐expressed with miR159 in anthers, and the mRNA levels for GAMYB and GAMYB‐like genes are negatively correlated with miR159 levels during anther development. Thus, OsGAMYB and OsGAMYB‐like genes are regulated by miR159 in flowers. A microarray analysis revealed that OsGAMYB and its upstream regulator SLR1 are involved in the regulation of almost all GA‐mediated gene expression in rice aleurone cells. Moreover, different sets of genes are regulated by GAMYB in aleurone cells and anthers. GAMYB binds directly to promoter regions of its target genes in anthers as well as aleurone cells. Based on these observations, we suggest that the regulation of GAMYB expression and GAMYB function are different in aleurone cells and flowers in rice.
Adaptive radiation in African weakly electric fish (Teleostei: Mormyridae:Campylomormyrus): a combined molecular and morphological approach
Authors: FEULNER P. G. D. , KIRSCHBAUM F. , MAMONEKENE V. , KETMAIER V. , TIEDEMANN R.
Published: June 2006

We combined multiple molecular markers and geometric morphometrics to revise the current taxonomy and to build a phylogenetic hypothesis for the African weakly electric fish genusCampylomormyrus. Genetic data (2039 bp DNA sequence of mitochondrial cytochromeband nuclear S7 genes) on 106 specimens support the existence of at least six species occurring in sympatry. We were able to further confirm these species by microsatellite analysis at 16 unlinked nuclear loci and landmark‐based morphometrics. We assigned them to nominal taxa by comparisons to type specimens of allCampylomormyrusspecies recognized so far. Additionally, we showed that the shape of the elongated trunk‐like snout is the major source of morphological differentiation among them. This finding suggests that the radiation of this speciose genus might have been driven by adaptation to different food sources.
Semantic Differences in Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)Alarm Calls: A Reflection of Genetic or Cultural Variants?
Authors: Fichtel Claudia , Van Schaik Carel P.
Published: June 2006

In this study, we compared the usage of alarm calls and anti‐predator strategies between a captive and a wild lemur population. The wild lemur population was studied earlier in Western Madagascar (Fichtel & Kappeler 2002). The captive population was studied in outdoor enclosures of the Duke University Primate Center. Alarm calls and anti‐predator behavior were elicited by conducting experiments with both vocal and visual dummies. We scored the subjects’ immediate behavioral responses, including alarm calls, from video recordings made during the experiments. In principle, both populations have a mixed alarm call system with functionally referential alarm calls for aerial predators and general alarm calls for terrestrial and aerial predators and for situations associated with high arousal, such as group encounters. Although wild and captive sifakas exhibit the same alarm call system and use the same alarm call types, we discovered striking differences in the usage and perception of some of the alarm calls. We argue that these differences indicate either an evolutionary drift in the meaning of these calls or reflect cultural variation. The latter possibility is consistent with our understanding of the ontogeny of call usage and comprehension.
The Effect of Predator Hunger on Chemically Mediated Antipredator Responses and Survival in the Wolf Spider Pardosa milvina (Araneae: Lycosidae)
Authors: Bell Ryan D. , Rypstra Ann L. , Persons Matthew H.
Published: June 2006

The wolf spider Pardosa milvina exhibits effective antipredator behavior (reduced movement) in the presence of silk and excreta from a larger co‐occurring predatory wolf spider Hogna helluo. As the quantity and quality of the silk and excreta may vary with the hunger state of the predator, we tested if chemical cues from a hungry vs. satiated H. helluo affected the activity level and survival of P. milvina. Pardosa milvina response was measured on substrates containing chemical cues from (1) a satiated H. helluo, (2) a H. helluo that had been withheld food for 2 wk, (3) cues from adult domestic crickets (Acheta domesticus), or (4) a blank test substrate (20 replicates/treatment). Pardosa milvina activity level was recorded on each substrate over a 30‐min period using video‐tracking equipment (Videomex‐I®; Columbus Instruments, Columbus, OH, USA). We then measured P. milvina survival in the presence of hungry or satiated H. helluo on cues from a hungry H. helluo, satiated H. helluo, or a blank control (2 × 3 design). Pardosa milvina significantly reduced activity in the presence of H. helluo cues and showed significantly less activity in the presence of cues from a hungry H. helluo compared with a satiated one. Cue type and predator hunger state significantly affected P. milvina survival in the presence of live predators. However, cues from hungry vs. satiated H. helluo resulted in no difference in P. milvina survival. Pardosa milvina can discriminate between hungry vs. satiated predators based on silk and excreta cues alone, but differences in behavior as a result of this discrimination did not translate into increased survival in the presence of a live predator.
GENE EXPRESSION OF STRETCH‐ACTIVATED CHANNELS AND MECHANOELECTRIC FEEDBACK IN THE HEART
Authors: Kelly D , Mackenzie L , Hunter P , Smaill B , Saint DA
Published: June 2006

Mechanoelectric feedback (MEF) in the heart is the process by which mechanical forces on the myocardium can change its electrical properties. Mechanoelectric feedback has been demonstrated in many animal models, ranging from isolated cells, through isolated hearts to whole animals. In humans, MEF has been demonstrated directly in both the atria and the ventricles. It seems likely that MEF provides either the trigger or the substrate for some types of clinically important arrhythmias.

Mechanoelectric feedback may arise because of the presence of stretch‐sensitive (or mechano‐sensitive) ion channels in the cell membrane of the cardiac myocytes. Two types have been demonstrated: (i) a non‐specific cation channel (stretch‐activated channel (SAC); conductance of approximately 25 pS); and (ii) a potassium channel with a conductance of approximately 100 pS. The gene coding for the SAC has not yet been identified. The gene for the potassium channel is likely to be TREK, a member of the tandem pore potassium channel gene family. We have recorded stretch‐sensitive potassium channels in rat isolated myocytes that have the properties of TREK channels expressed in heterologous systems.

It has been shown that TREK mRNA is expressed heterogeneously in the rat ventricular wall, with 17‐fold more expression in endocardial compared with epicardial cells. This difference is reflected in the TREK currents recorded from endocardial and epicardial cells using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques, although the difference in current density was less pronounced (approximately threefold). Consistent with this, we show here that when the ventricle is stretched by inflation of an intraventricular balloon in a Langendorff perfused rat isolated heart, action potential shortening was more pronounced in the endocardium (30% shortening at 40 mmHg) compared with that in the epicardium (10% shortening at the same pressure).

Computer models of the mechanics of the (pig) heart show pronounced spatial variations in strain in the myocardium with large transmural differences (in the left ventricle in particular) and also large differences between the base and apex of the ventricle.

The importance of MEF and the non‐homogeneous gene expression and strain distribution for arrhythmias is discussed.
ANTI‐INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI‐NOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY OF RISEDRONATE IN EXPERIMENTAL PAIN MODELS IN RATS AND MICE
Authors: Carvalho Aline P , Bezerra Mirna M , Girão Virgínia CC , Cunha Fernando Q , Rocha Francisco AC
Published: June 2006

The antinociceptive effect of risedronate in experimental pain models in rats and mice was investigated in the present study.

Rats received zymosan intra‐articularly (i.art.) into the right knee joint and the nociceptive response was assessed using the articular incapacitation test. Joint washouts were used for determining cell influx, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and leukotriene (LT) B4 levels.

Mice received either zymosan (1 mg) or acetic acid (0.6%) i.p. and the nociceptive response was measured as the number of writhings between 0 and 30 min after the stimuli. Control animals received i.p. injections of saline.

Groups were pretreated with risedronate (5–500 µg/kg, s.c.) and compared with vehicle (saline)‐treated (NT) animals. One group of rats was cotreated with the µ‐opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (2 mg/kg, s.c.) prior to risedronate, followed by 1 mg zymosan i.art.

Risedronate, at 100 and 500 µg/kg, significantly and dose‐dependently inhibited the nociceptive response in the writhings test (P < 0.05), inhibiting responses to acetic acid by 65.4 and 49.2%, respectively, and to zymosan by 72.9 and 71.9%, respectively.

Pretreatment with risedronate also significantly (P < 0.05) and dose‐dependently inhibited the articular incapacitation in zymosan‐arthritis.

Risedronate, at 50 µg/kg, significantly inhibited TNF‐α release as compared with the NT group (39.4 ± 9.8 vs 145.6 ± 43.3 pg/mL TNF‐α, respectively).

Risedronate, at 50 and 100 µg/kg, significantly inhibited LTB4 release into the joints compared with the NT group (2883.1 ± 73.2, 1911.5 ± 205.3 and 4709.9 ± 237.2 pg/mL, respectively). These effects of risedronate were associated with a significant reduction in the inflammatory cell infiltration.

Cotreatment with risedronate and naloxone did not reverse the antinociceptive effects of risedronate in zymosan‐arthritis.

This is the first demonstration that risedronate displays intrinsic antihypernociceptive activity. This effect is associated with reduced cell infiltration and inhibition of TNF‐α and LTB4 release and is not linked to an endogenous opioid‐release mechanism.
ARTERIAL BAROREFLEX IS NOT INVOLVED IN SALT PREFERENCE IN RATS
Authors: Gu Xiao‐Wen , Xie He‐Hui , Wang Jin , Shen Fu‐Ming , Su Ding‐Feng
Published: June 2006

One unusual and interesting feature of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) is their salt preference. This behaviour is known to be independent of blood pressure.

Arterial baroreflex (ABR) function is impaired in SHR. Therefore, the present study was designed to explore the relationship between ABR function and salt preference in rats.

Twenty‐seven SHR, aged 11 months, were used. Blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were determined in conscious, freely moving SHR after the measurement of salt preference. It was found that BRS did not relate to the salt preference in these rats.

Another group of normotensive Sprague‐Dawley rats, aged 10 weeks, underwent either sinoaortic denervation (SAD) or sham operation. Salt preference was determined before and 4 weeks after SAD. Sinoaortic denervation did not alter salt preference in normotensive rats.

It is concluded that ABR function does not influence the salt preference in rats.
ANTIVIRAL EFFECTS OF SAIKOSAPONINS ON HUMAN CORONAVIRUS 229E IN VITRO
Authors: Cheng Pei‐Win , Ng Lean‐Teik , Chiang Lien‐Chai , Lin Chun‐Ching
Published: June 2006

Saikosaponins represent a group of oleanane derivatives, usually as glucosides, that are found in a number of plant families. Saikosaponins isolated from medicinal plants such as Bupleurum spp., Heteromorpha spp. and Scrophularia scorodonia have been reported to possess various biological activities, specifically antihepatitis, antinephritis, antihepatoma, anti‐inflammation, immunomodulation and antibacterial effects.

The aim of the present study was to examine the anticoronaviral activity of saikosaponins (A, B2, C and D) and their mode of action. Using the 2,3‐bis[2‐methoxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐sulfophenyl]‐5‐[(phenylamino) carbonyl‐2H‐tetrazolium hydroxide] (XTT) assay, results showed that all saikosaponins tested demonstrated antiviral activity at concentrations of 0.25–25 µmol/L, with the strongest activity being noted for saikosaponin B2 (IC50 = 1.7 ± 0.1 µmol/L). Interestingly, both saikosaponins A (50% cellular cytotoxicity (CC50) concentration = 228.1 ± 3.8 µmol/L; selectivity index (SI) = 26.6) and B2 (CC50 = 383.3 ± 0.2 µmol/L; SI = 221.9) exhibited no cytotoxic effects on target cells at concentrations that achieved antiviral activity. In the time‐of‐addition studies, saikosaponin B2, at 6 µmol/L, significantly inhibited human coronavirus 229E infection following its addition at various time pre‐infection (−4 to −1 h), coinfection (0 h) and post‐infection (1–4 h). Furthermore, saikosaponin B2 also showed an inhibitory effect on viral attachment and penetration.

The present results indicate that saikosaponin B2 has potent anticoronaviral activity and that its mode of action possibly involves interference in the early stage of viral replication, such as absorption and penetration of the virus.