bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obscurin Interacts with a Novel Isoform of MyBP-C Slow at the Periphery of the Sarcomeric M-Band and Regulates Thick Filament Assembly
Authors: Ackermann Maegen A. , Hu Li-Yen R. , Bowman Amber L. , Bloch Robert J. , Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos Aikaterini
Published: April 2009

Obscurin is a multidomain protein composed of adhesion and signaling domains that plays key roles in the organization of contractile and membrane structures in striated muscles. Overexpression of the second immunoglobulin domain of obscurin (Ig2) in developing myotubes inhibits the assembly of A- and M-bands, but not Z-disks or I-bands. This effect is mediated by the direct interaction of the Ig2 domain of obscurin with a novel isoform of myosin binding protein-C slow (MyBP-C slow), corresponding to variant-1. Variant-1 contains all the structural motifs present in the known forms of MyBP-C slow, but it has a unique COOH terminus. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that MyBP-C slow variant-1 is expressed in skeletal muscles both during development and at maturity. Immunolabeling of skeletal myofibers with antibodies to the unique COOH terminus of variant-1 demonstrated that, unlike other forms of MyBP-C slow that reside in the C-zones of A-bands, variant-1 preferentially concentrates around M-bands, where it codistributes with obscurin. Overexpression of the Ig2 domain of obscurin or reduction of expression of obscurin inhibited the integration of variant-1 into forming M-bands in skeletal myotubes. Collectively, our experiments identify a new ligand of obscurin at the M-band, MyBP-C slow variant-1 and suggest that their interaction contributes to the assembly of M- and A-bands.
BPAG1e Maintains Keratinocyte Polarity through β4 Integrin–mediated Modulation of Rac 1 and Cofilin Activities
Authors: Hamill Kevin J. , Hopkinson Susan B. , DeBiase Philip , Jones Jonathan C.R.
Published: April 2009

α6β4 integrin, a component of hemidesmosomes, also plays a role in keratinocyte migration via signaling through Rac1 to the actin-severing protein cofilin. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the β4 integrin-associated plakin protein, bullous pemphigoid antigen 1e (BPAG1e) functions as a scaffold for Rac1/cofilin signal transduction. We generated keratinocyte lines exhibiting a stable knockdown in BPAG1e expression. Knockdown of BPAG1e does not affect expression levels of other hemidesmosomal proteins, nor the amount of β4 integrin expressed at the cell surface. However, the amount of Rac1 associating with β4 integrin and the activity of both Rac1 and cofilin are significantly lower in BPAG1e-deficient cells compared with wild-type keratinocytes. In addition, keratinocytes deficient in BPAG1e exhibit loss of front-to-rear polarity and display aberrant motility. These defects are rescued by inducing expression of constitutively active Rac1 or active cofilin. These data indicate that the BPAG1e is required for efficient regulation of keratinocyte polarity and migration by determining the activation of Rac1.
Understanding Oriental Medicine Using a Systems Approach
Authors: Kim Jong Yeol , Pham Duong Duc
Published: April 2009

Two international meetings, the International Physiome Symposium 2008 and the Workshop on Systems Biology (SB) and Oriental Medicine (OM), were held to discuss the most appropriate scientific tools to research OM. Participants agreed that since OM is holistic medicine it needs a systems approach such as SB. However, SB itself is still a long way from identifying the high‐level organization processes in the biological system that might correlate with concepts in OM. As such, a modest goal of launching a project to examine the problems of translation and interpretation of OM concepts would be the first step.
Microsatellite and mitochondrial haplotype differentiation in blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) from the western North Pacific
Authors: Tzeng Chih-Hsiang , Chen Chih-Shin , Tang Pei-Ciao , Chiu Tai-Sheng
Published: April 2009

Tzeng, C-H., Chen, C-S., Tang, P-C., and Chiu, T-S. 2009. Microsatellite and mitochondrial haplotype differentiation in blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) from the western North Pacific. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 816–825. Blue (Scomber australasicus) and chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) occur sympatrically in the western North Pacific. Blue mackerel were previously classified as a subspecies of S. japonicus based on morphological similarities. The practical management unit for blue mackerel is contentious owing to incomplete resolution by biological analyses. We used rapidly evolving microsatellites and slow-changing mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtCyt-b) markers to examine the phylogeographic relationships of the two species across four major hydrographic regions of the western North Pacific. Genetic variability was high in each hydrographic region and in the putative species unit, and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium tests confirmed that blue and chub mackerel are separate genetic components. Population genetic and multiple-dimensional scaling analyses of the genotypes indicated clear genetic differences, and phylogenetic analyses of the mtCyt-b haplotypes showed a level of genetic divergence (FST = 0.038, p < 0.001) consistent with separation of the two species. Based on the coalescence theory, the difference in mtCyt-b genes was small, indicating incipient speciation between blue and chub mackerel, with a diversification time of 1.9 million years ago (mya) during the Pleistocene when the East China Sea (ECS) and the South China Sea (SCS) were separated physically. Significant differences between populations of blue mackerel in the ECS and SCS were also found. Our findings confirm that blue mackerel is a valid biological species and that its populations in the ECS and SCS should be considered separate fishery stocks and conservation units for management.
References
Authors: Iverson Cheryl
Published: April 2009

References serve 3 primary purposes—documentation, acknowledgment, and directing or linking the reader to additional resources. Authors may cite a reference to support their own arguments or lay the foundation for their theses (documentation); as a credit to the work of other authors (acknowledgment); or to direct the reader to more detail or additional resources (directing or linking). References are a critical element of a manuscript and, as such, the reference list demands close scrutiny by authors, editors, peer reviewers, manuscript editors, and proofreaders. Authors bear primary responsibility for all reference citations. Editors and peer reviewers should examine manuscript references for completeness, accuracy, and relevance. Manuscript editors and proofreaders are responsible for assessing the completeness of references, for ensuring that references are presented in proper style and format, and for checking to make sure that any reference links are accurate and functional.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Authors: Flanagin Annette
Published: April 2009

This chapter is intended to provide guidance to authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers in the fields of biomedicine, health, and the life sciences. The discussion focuses on ethical and legal issues involved in publication. According to Lundberg, human behavior is regulated by 3 forces: morality, ethics, and law. If personal morality does not regulate acceptable and appropriate behavior, we can rely on ethics. Ethical behavior is determined by norms, principles, guidelines, and policies. This chapter cites examples of the determinants of ethical behavior as they relate to scientific publication. If ethics do not regulate behavior, we are forced to rely on public laws. Examples of cases involving scientific publication when laws have been invoked or enforced are also provided in this chapter. Those ethical and legal considerations and dilemmas most commonly encountered in scholarly scientific publication are the focus of this chapter. References to sources for additional guidance and information not discussed in this chapter are also provided within the text and at the end of each subsection...
Punctuation
Authors: Iverson Cheryl
Published: April 2009

Periods, question marks, and exclamation points are the 3 end-of-sentence punctuation marks. Periods are the most common end-of-sentence punctuation marks. Use a period at the end of a declarative or imperative sentence and at the end of each table footnote and each figure legend...
Correct and Preferred Usage
Authors: Young Roxanne K.
Published: April 2009

The second quote, from a 1904 editorial in JAMA, certainly holds true today, but of course, editors do consider manuscripts that are poorly written but are of good science, although they may feel less confident about a paper’s content if the presentation is sloppy. Also, authors whose first language is not that of the journal should still be given consideration. In particular, editors should not lose the author’s voice, especially in informal usage. Still, scientific writing should be as precise as possible to avoid misinterpretation. This section provides a selection of correct and preferred terms...
Study Design and Statistics
Authors: Winker Margaret A. , Lurie Stephen J.
Published: April 2009

Statistical concepts, such as the margin of error in a public opinion poll or the probability of rain or snow, appear in everyday conversation. But, just as one may understand how the heart functions and how blood circulates but not be able to perform a cardiac catheterization, an understanding of statistical concepts does not enable one to perform the work of a statistician. Although the concepts may be familiar, the tools of statistics may be misapplied and the results misinterpreted without a statistician’s help. In medical research, the quality of the statistical analysis and clarity of presentation of statistical results are critical to a study’s validity. Decisions about statistical analysis are best made at the time that the study is designed and generally should not be deferred until after the data have been collected. Even the most sophisticated statistical analysis cannot salvage a fundamentally flawed study. Regardless of the statistician’s role, authors (who may include statisticians) are responsible for the appropriate design, analysis, and presentation of the study’s results...
Mathematical Composition
Authors: Lurie Stephen J.
Published: April 2009

Mathematical formulas and other expressions involving special symbols, character positions, and relationships may present difficulties in clarity in print and online publications. Careful markup (clarifying the symbols used and superior and inferior characters), avoidance of ambiguity through proper use of parentheses and brackets, and adherence to typographic conventions and capitalization rules in equations require special note (see also 8.5, Punctuation, Parentheses and Brackets, and 22.0, Typography).
The spider
Harpactea sadistica
: co-evolution of traumatic insemination and complex female genital morphology in spiders
Authors: Řezáč Milan
Published: April 2009

The males of invertebrates from a few phyla, including arthropods, have been reported to practise traumatic insemination (TI; i.e. injecting sperm by using the copulatory organ to penetrate the female's body wall). As all previously reported arthropod examples have been insects, there is considerable interest in whether TI might have evolved independently in other arthropods. The research reported here demonstrates the first case of TI in the arthropod subphylum Chelicerata, in particular how the genital morphology and mating behaviour of
Harpactea sadistica
(Řezáč 2008), a spider from Israel, has become adapted specifically for reproduction based on TI. Males have needle-like intromittent organs and females have atrophied spermathecae. In other spiders, eggs are fertilized simultaneously with oviposition, but the eggs of
H. sadistica
are fertilized in the ovaries (internal fertilization) and develop as embryos before being laid. Sperm-storage organs of phylogenetically basal groups to
H. sadistica
provide males with last male sperm priority and allow removal of sperm by males that mate later, suggesting that TI might have evolved as an adaptive strategy to circumvent an unfavourable structure of the sperm-storage organs, allowing the first male to mate with paternity advantage. Understanding the functional significance of TI gives us insight into factors underlying the evolution of the genital and sperm-storage morphology in spiders.
A newHomo erectus(Zhoukoudian V) brain endocast from China
Authors: Wu Xiujie , Schepartz Lynne A. , Liu Wu
Published: April 2009

A newHomo erectusendocast, Zhoukoudian (ZKD) V, is assessed by comparing it with ZKD II, ZKD III, ZKD X, ZKD XI, ZKD XII, Hexian, Trinil II, Sambungmacan (Sm) 3, Sangiran 2, Sangiran 17, KNM-ER 3733, KNM-WT 15 000, Kabwe, Liujiang and 31 modern Chinese. The endocast of ZKD V has an estimated endocranial volume of 1140 ml. As the geological age of ZKD V is younger than the other ZKDH. erectus, evolutionary changes in brain morphology are evaluated. The brain size of the ZKD specimens increases slightly over time. Compared with the other ZKD endocasts, ZKD V shows important differences, including broader frontal and occipital lobes, some indication of fuller parietal lobes, and relatively large brain size that reflect significant trends documented in later hominin brain evolution. Bivariate and principal component analyses indicate that geographical variation does not characterize the ZKD, African and other Asian specimens. The ZKD endocasts share some common morphological and morphometric features with otherH. erectusendocasts that distinguish them fromHomo sapiens.
The scramble for Africa: pan-temperate elements on the African high mountains
Authors: Gehrke Berit , Linder H. Peter
Published: April 2009

The composition of isolated floras has long been thought to be the result of relatively rare long-distance dispersal events. However, it has recently become apparent that the recruitment of lineages may be relatively easy and that many dispersal events from distant but suitable habitats have occurred, even at an infraspecific level. The evolution of the flora on the high mountains of Africa has been attributed to the recruitment of taxa not only from the African lowland flora or the Cape Floristic Region, but also to a large extent from other areas with temperate climates. We used the species rich, pan-temperate genera
Carex
,
Ranunculus
and
Alchemilla
to explore patterns in the number of recruitment events and region of origin. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, parametric bootstrapping and ancestral area optimizations under parsimony indicate that there has been a high number of colonization events of
Carex
and
Ranunculus
into Africa, but only two introductions of
Alchemilla
. Most of the colonization events have been derived from Holarctic ancestors. Backward dispersal out of Africa seems to be extremely rare. Thus, repeated colonization from the Northern Hemisphere in combination with
in situ
radiation has played an important role in the composition of the flora of African high mountains.
Arthropod visual predators in the early pelagic ecosystem: evidence from the Burgess Shale and Chengjiang biotas
Authors: Vannier J. , García-Bellido D.C. , Hu S.-X. , Chen A.-L.
Published: April 2009

Exceptional fossil specimens with preserved soft parts from the Maotianshan Shale (ca520 Myr ago) and the Burgess Shale (505 Myr ago) biotas indicate that the worldwide distributed bivalved arthropodIsoxyswas probably a non-benthic visual predator. New lines of evidence come from the functional morphology of its powerful prehensile frontal appendages that, combined with large spherical eyes, are thought to have played a key role in the recognition and capture of swimming or epibenthic prey. The swimming and steering of this arthropod was achieved by the beating of multiple setose exopods and a flap-like telson. The appendage morphology ofIsoxysindicates possible phylogenetical relationships with the megacheirans, a widespread group of assumed predator arthropods characterized by a pre-oral ‘great appendage’. Evidence from functional morphology and taphonomy suggests thatIsoxyswas able to migrate through the water column and was possibly exploiting hyperbenthic niches for food. Although certainly not unique, the case ofIsoxyssupports the idea that off-bottom animal interactions such as predation, associated with complex feeding strategies and behaviours (e.g. vertical migration and hunting) were established by the Early Cambrian. It also suggests that a prototype of a pelagic food chain had already started to build-up at least in the lower levels of the water column.
Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of Semitic languages identifies an Early Bronze Age origin of Semitic in the Near East
Authors: Kitchen Andrew , Ehret Christopher , Assefa Shiferaw , Mulligan Connie J.
Published: April 2009

The evolution of languages provides a unique opportunity to study human population history. The origin of Semitic and the nature of dispersals by Semitic-speaking populations are of great importance to our understanding of the ancient history of the Middle East and Horn of Africa. Semitic populations are associated with the oldest written languages and urban civilizations in the region, which gave rise to some of the world's first major religious and literary traditions. In this study, we employ Bayesian computational phylogenetic techniques recently developed in evolutionary biology to analyse Semitic lexical data by modelling language evolution and explicitly testing alternative hypotheses of Semitic history. We implement a relaxed linguistic clock to date language divergences and use epigraphic evidence for the sampling dates of extinct Semitic languages to calibrate the rate of language evolution. Our statistical tests of alternative Semitic histories support an initial divergence of Akkadian from ancestral Semitic over competing hypotheses (e.g. an African origin of Semitic). We estimate an Early Bronze Age origin for Semitic approximately 5750 years ago in the Levant, and further propose that contemporary Ethiosemitic languages of Africa reflect a single introduction of early Ethiosemitic from southern Arabia approximately 2800 years ago.
Great tits growing old: selective disappearance and the partitioning of senescence to stages within the breeding cycle
Authors: Bouwhuis S. , Sheldon B.C. , Verhulst S. , Charmantier A.
Published: April 2009

Deterioration of reproductive traits with age is observed in an increasing number of species. Although such deterioration is often attributed to reproductive senescence, a within-individual decline in reproductive success with age, few studies on wild animals have focused on direct fitness measures while accounting for selective disappearance and terminal effects, and to our knowledge none have determined how senescence effects arise from underlying reproductive traits. We show for female great tits that such an approach helps understanding of the onset, impact and architecture of senescence. Cross-sectional analysis of 49 years of breeding data shows annual recruit production to decline from 3.5 years of age, this decline affecting 9 per cent of females each year. Longitudinal analyses, however, show that selective disappearance of poor-quality breeders partly masks senescence, which in fact starts at 2.8 years and affects 21 per cent of females each year. There is no evidence for abrupt terminal effects. Analyses of underlying traits show no deterioration in clutch size, but significant declines in brood size and fledgling number. Furthermore, these traits contribute −9, 12 and 39 per cent to the senescent decline in recruit production, respectively. Besides providing detailed knowledge of the patterns and architecture of senescence in a natural population, these results illustrate the importance of modelling individual variation, and facilitate study of the underlying mechanisms of senescence.
The Histidine Kinase-Related Domain of Arabidopsis Phytochrome A Controls the Spectral Sensitivity and the Subcellular Distribution of the Photoreceptor
Authors: Müller Rebecca , Fernández Aurora Piñas , Hiltbrunner Andreas , Schäfer Eberhard , Kretsch Thomas
Published: April 2009

Phytochrome A (phyA) is the primary photoreceptor for sensing extremely low amounts of light and for mediating various far-red light-induced responses in higher plants. Translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus is an essential step in phyA signal transduction. EID1 (for EMPFINDLICHER IM DUNKELROTEN LICHT1) is an F-box protein that functions as a negative regulator in far-red light signaling downstream of the phyA in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). To identify factors involved in EID1-dependent light signal transduction, pools of ethylmethylsulfonate-treated eid1-3 seeds were screened for seedlings that suppress the hypersensitive phenotype of the mutant. The phenotype of the suppressor mutant presented here is caused by a missense mutation in the PHYA gene that leads to an amino acid transition in its histidine kinase-related domain. The novel phyA-402 allele alters the spectral sensitivity and the persistence of far-red light-induced high-irradiance responses. The strong eid1-3 suppressor phenotype of phyA-402 contrasts with the moderate phenotype observed when phyA-402 is introgressed into the wild-type background, which indicates that the mutation mainly alters functions in an EID1-dependent signaling cascade. The mutation specifically inhibits nuclear accumulation of the photoreceptor molecule upon red light irradiation, even though it still interacts with FHY1 (for far-red long hypocotyl 1) and FHL (for FHY1-like protein), two factors that are essential for nuclear accumulation of phyA. Degradation of the mutated phyA is unaltered even under light conditions that inhibit its nuclear accumulation, indicating that phyA degradation may occur mostly in the cytoplasm.
Two Alternatively Spliced Isoforms of the Arabidopsis SR45 Protein Have Distinct Roles during Normal Plant Development
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Ning , Mount Stephen M.
Published: April 2009

The serine-arginine-rich (SR) proteins constitute a conserved family of pre-mRNA splicing factors. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), they are encoded by 19 genes, most of which are themselves alternatively spliced. In the case of SR45, the use of alternative 3′ splice sites 21 nucleotides apart generates two alternatively spliced isoforms. Isoform 1 (SR45.1) has an insertion relative to isoform 2 (SR45.2) that replaces a single arginine with eight amino acids (TSPQRKTG). The biological implications of SR45 alternative splicing have been unclear. A previously described loss-of-function mutant affecting both isoforms, sr45-1, shows several developmental defects, including defects in petal development and root growth. We found that the SR45 promoter is highly active in regions with actively growing and dividing cells. We also tested the ability of each SR45 isoform to complement the sr45-1 mutant by overexpression of isoform-specific green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins. As expected, transgenic plants overexpressing either isoform displayed both nuclear speckles and GFP fluorescence throughout the nucleoplasm. We found that SR45.1-GFP complements the flower petal phenotype, but not the root growth phenotype. Conversely, SR45.2-GFP complements root growth but not floral morphology. Mutation of a predicted phosphorylation site within the alternatively spliced segment, SR45.1-S219A-GFP, does not affect complementation. However, a double mutation affecting both serine-219 and the adjacent threonine-218 (SR45.1-T218A + S219A-GFP) behaves like isoform 2, complementing the root but not the floral phenotype. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that the two alternatively spliced isoforms of SR45 have distinct biological functions.
Regulation of a Chemical Defense against Herbivory Produced by Symbiotic Fungi in Grass Plants
Authors: Zhang Dong-Xiu , Nagabhyru Padmaja , Schardl Christopher L.
Published: April 2009

Neotyphodium uncinatum and Neotyphodium siegelii are fungal symbionts (endophytes) of meadow fescue (MF; Lolium pratense), which they protect from insects by producing loline alkaloids. High levels of lolines are produced following insect damage or mock herbivory (clipping). Although loline alkaloid levels were greatly elevated in regrowth after clipping, loline-alkaloid biosynthesis (LOL) gene expression in regrowth and basal tissues was similar to unclipped controls. The dramatic increase of lolines in regrowth reflected the much higher concentrations in young (center) versus older (outer) leaf blades, so LOL gene expression was compared in these tissues. In MF-N. siegelii, LOL gene expression was similar in younger and older leaf blades, whereas expression of N. uncinatum LOL genes and some associated biosynthesis genes was higher in younger than older leaf blades. Because lolines are derived from amino acids that are mobilized to new growth, we tested the amino acid levels in center and outer leaf blades. Younger leaf blades of aposymbiotic plants (no endophyte present) had significantly higher levels of asparagine and sometimes glutamine compared to older leaf blades. The amino acid levels were much lower in MF-N. siegelii and MF-N. uncinatum compared to aposymbiotic plants and MF with Epichloë festucae (a closely related symbiont), which lacked lolines. We conclude that loline alkaloid production in young tissue depleted these amino acid pools and was apparently regulated by availability of the amino acid substrates. As a result, lolines maximally protect young host tissues in a fashion similar to endogenous plant metabolites that conform to optimal defense theory.
Adolescent inhalant use, abuse and dependence
Authors: Perron Brian E. , Howard Matthew O.
Published: April 2009

Aims  To compare adolescent inhalant users without DSM‐IV inhalant use disorders (IUDs) to youth with IUDs (i.e. abuse or dependence) across demographic, psychosocial and clinical measures.

Design  Cross‐sectional survey with structured psychiatric interviews.

Setting  Facilities (n = 32) comprising the Missouri Division of Youth Services (MDYS) residential treatment system for juvenile offenders.

Participants  Current MDYS residents (n = 723); 97.7% of residents participated. Most youth were male (87%) and in mid‐adolescence (mean = 15.5 years, standard deviation = 1.2, range = 11–20); more than one‐third (38.6%, n = 279) reported life‐time inhalant use.

Measurements  Antisocial behavior, temperament, trauma‐exposure, suicidality, psychiatric symptoms and substance‐related problems.

Findings  Among life‐time inhalant users, 46.9% met criteria for a life‐time DSM‐IV IUD (inhalant abuse = 18.6%, inhalant dependence = 28.3%). Bivariate analyses showed that, in comparison to non‐users, inhalant users with and without an IUD were more likely to be Caucasian, live in rural or small towns, have higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, evidence more impulsive and fearless temperaments and report more past‐year antisocial behavior and life‐time suicidality, traumatic experiences and global substance use problems. A monotonic relationship between inhalant use, abuse and dependence and adverse outcomes was observed, with comparatively high rates of dysfunction observed among inhalant‐dependent youth. Multivariate regression analyses showed that inhalant users with and without an IUD had greater levels of suicidal ideation and substance use problems than non‐users.

Conclusions  Youth with IUDs have personal histories characterized by high levels of trauma, suicidality, psychiatric distress, antisocial behavior and substance‐related problems. A monotonic relationship between inhalant use, abuse and dependence and serious adverse outcomes was observed.
Clinical trial: intragastric acid control in patients who have Barrett’s oesophagus—comparison of once‐ and twice‐daily regimens of esomeprazole and lansoprazole
Authors: SPECHLER S. J. , BARKER P. N. , SILBERG D. G.
Published: April 2009

Background  Gastric acid control is important for treatment of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease associated with Barrett’s oesophagus. Substantial indirect evidence suggests that gastric acid control may have a chemopreventive role in Barrett’s oesophagus.

Aim  To compare the pharmacodynamic efficacy of esomeprazole and lansoprazole at two dosages for intragastric pH control with Barrett’s oesophagus.

Methods  Patients with Barrett’s oesophagus received open‐label consecutive treatment (a 15‐day period of once‐daily dosing followed by a 10‐day period of twice‐daily dosing) with esomeprazole (40‐mg capsules) and lansoprazole (30‐mg capsules) in random order with no washouts. Twenty‐four‐hour intragastric pH was recorded on the last day of each dosing period. The primary end point was the percentage of time with intragastric pH > 4.0.

Results  In the per‐protocol once‐ (n = 46) and twice‐daily (n = 41) analyses, the percentage of time with intragastric pH > 4.0 was significantly (P < 0.0001) longer after once‐ (67.1%) or twice‐daily (81.2%) esomeprazole than after once‐ (50.8%) or twice‐daily (64.3%) lansoprazole. The proportion of patients with intragastric pH > 4.0 for >12 h was significantly higher for esomeprazole than lansoprazole with once‐ (P = 0.004) and twice‐daily (P = 0.016) dosing.

Conclusion  Esomeprazole 40 mg is significantly more effective than lansoprazole 30 mg in controlling intragastric pH with Barrett’s oesophagus.
Identification of two pistachio allergens, Pis v 1 and Pis v 2, belonging to the 2S albumin and 11S globulin family
Authors: Ahn K. , Bardina L. , Grishina G. , Beyer K. , Sampson H. A.
Published: April 2009

Background
IgE‐mediated allergic reactions to pistachio appear to be occurring more frequently; however, little is known about its allergenic proteins.

Objective
We attempted to identify pistachio allergens and to clone the encoding genes.

Methods
Pistachio proteins were extracted and separated by SDS‐PAGE. Immunolabelling was performed with sera from 28 pistachio‐allergic individuals. Proteins of interest were further analysed by Edman sequencing and mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS). In parallel, a cDNA library was generated from immature pistachios and screened with primers designed on the basis of internal sequences and peptide spectra. Full‐length cDNA clones were isolated from the library and sequenced. Recombinant proteins were expressed and tested with sera from pistachio‐allergic patients.

Results
Nineteen out of 28 patients (68%) showed IgE binding to a 7 kDa protein fraction, while 14 (50%) showed specific IgE to a 32 kDa protein fraction. Analysis by Edman sequencing and MS/MS revealed that these proteins were homologue to the cashew nut allergens Ana o 3 and Ana o 2, respectively. Screening of the pistachio cDNA library resulted in isolation of novel protein cDNAs. Open‐reading frame translation provided the complete amino acid sequences of two new allergenic pistachio proteins. Recombinant proteins were recognized by six out of six selected patients. Therefore, these new allergens were named Pis v 1 and Pis v 2 by the Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee.

Conclusion
Novel allergens in pistachio, Pis v 1 and Pis v 2, which belong to 2S albumin and 11S globulin family, respectively, were isolated and the genes encoding these allergens were identified.
Divergence of visual motion detection in diurnal geckos that inhabit bright and dark habitats
Authors: Nava Saúl S. , Conway Mirela A. , Martins Emília P.
Published: April 2009

Recent studies of the sensory drive hypothesis suggest that communicative signals evolve readily whereas change in sensory perception is more constrained by the demands of the physical environment.

Here, we find that diurnal Sphaerodactylus macrolepis geckos collected from dark, forested habitats were best able to detect motion in very dim light (< 10 lux), whereas geckos collected in brightly‐lit coastal areas exhibited optimal motion detection at a much brighter light range 200–300 lux.

Motion detection by geckos from both habitat types declined as light intensity increased above 300 lux. These differences were observed after the lizards had been living in a common laboratory environment for 1 full year and are hence unlikely to be due to acclimation effects.

Light conditions for optimal visual performance match the light conditions of the natural habitats in which the lizards are found. Our results support the suggestion that visual performance may evolve quickly and that the sensory drive process may be best described as repeated co‐evolution between signals and receiver sensory systems.

Thus, for animals that inhabit wide ranges of visual habitats, the sensory drive process may potentially act differently on separate visual response properties, resulting in diverse levels of variation and divergence in visual performance and communication systems.
The Ability of Oestradiol Administration to Regulate Protein Levels of Oestrogen Receptor Alpha in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex of Middle‐Aged Rats is Altered Following Long‐Term Ovarian Hormone Deprivation
Authors: Bohacek J. , Daniel J. M.
Published: April 2009

Beneficial effects of oestrogen administration on cognition are attenuated if treatment is initiated following long‐term ovarian hormone deprivation. The mechanisms underlying this attenuation are unknown. The present study aimed to assess the effects of long‐term ovarian hormone deprivation on the ability of subsequent oestradiol treatment to regulate oestrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ, and steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)‐1 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of middle‐aged rats. In an initial experiment to assess oestradiol regulation of these proteins, 2‐month‐old rats were ovariectomised and immediately implanted with capsules containing cholesterol or oestradiol. Brains were collected 10 days later. In a second experiment, middle‐aged (10‐month‐old) rats were ovariectomised or underwent sham surgeries. Five months later, sham‐operated rats were ovariectomised and received oestradiol implants. Previously ovariectomised rats underwent sham surgeries and received oestradiol or cholesterol implants. Protein levels of ERα, ERβ, and SRC‐1 were measured following 10 days of oestradiol treatment using western blotting. In young animals, oestradiol treatment significantly increased ERα in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex relative to control treatment. In middle‐aged animals, immediate oestradiol treatment significantly increased ERα in hippocampus, but not the prefrontal cortex. However, delayed oestradiol treatment failed to significantly increase ERα protein levels in hippocampus, but did so in prefrontal cortex. Levels of ERβ and SRC‐1 were unaffected by oestradiol treatment in either brain area in either of the age groups. These data indicate that prolonged ovarian hormone deprivation alters the ability of subsequent oestradiol replacement to regulate ERα protein levels in brain areas important for cognition.
Pharmacokinetics of flubendazole and its metabolites in lambs and adult sheep (Ovis aries)
Authors: KŘÍŽOVÁ V. , NOBILIS M. , PRUŠKOVÁ L. , CHLÁDEK J. , SZOTÁKOVÁ B. , CVILINK V. , SKÁLOVÁ L. , LAMKA J.
Published: April 2009

Flubendazole (FLU) is indicated for control of helminthoses in pig and avian species (monogastric animals) and its corresponding pharmacokinetics are well known. The information on FLU’s pharmacokinetic behavior in animal species with forestomach (ruminants) has been limited although the use of FLU in these species could be beneficial. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of FLU and its main metabolites in sheep. The effects of animal age (sexually immature and mature ones) and gender were also studied. FLU was orally administered in a single experimental dose (30 mg/kg of body weight) in the form of oral suspension. Treated immature animals (aged 3 months) and 5 months later the same mature individuals (aged 8 months) were kept under the same conditions (food, water and management) and treated with FLU. Within 72 h after FLU administration, plasmatic samples were collected and FLU and itsPhase Imetabolites were quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography. FLU was detected in very low concentrations only, reduced FLU (FLU‐R) was identified as the main metabolite, and hydrolyzed FLU (FLU‐H) as the minor one. Formation of FLU‐R was stereospecific with (+)‐FLU‐R domination. The plasmatic concentrations of (+)‐FLU‐R reached 10–15 times higher values than those of FLU, (−)‐FLU‐R and FLU‐H. A significant gender effect on pharmacokinetics of FLU or (+)‐FLU‐R metabolite in the mature animals was found and a wide significant difference between lambs and adult sheep in FLU including both metabolites has been proved.
Fluoresceination of FepA during colicin B killing: effects of temperature, toxin and TonB
Authors: Smallwood Chuck R. , Marco Amparo Gala , Xiao Qiaobin , Trinh Vy , Newton Salete M. C. , Klebba Phillip E.
Published: April 2009

We studied the reactivity of 35 genetically engineered Cys sulphydryl groups at different locations in Escherichia coli FepA. Modification of surface loop residues by fluorescein maleimide (FM) was strongly temperature‐dependent in vivo, whereas reactivity at other sites was much less affected. Control reactions with bovine serum albumin showed that the temperature dependence of loop residue reactivity was unusually high, indicating that conformational changes in multiple loops (L2, L3, L4, L5, L7, L8, L10) transform the receptor to a more accessible form at 37°C. At 0°C colicin B binding impaired or blocked labelling at 8 of 10 surface loop sites, presumably by steric hindrance. Overall, colicin B adsorption decreased the reactivity of more than half of the 35 sites, in both the N‐ and C‐ domains of FepA. However, colicin B penetration into the cell at 37°C did not augment the chemical modification of any residues in FepA. The FM modification patterns were similarly unaffected by the tonB locus. FepA was expressed at lower levels in a tonB host strain, but when we accounted for this decrease its FM labelling was comparable whether TonB was present or absent. Thus we did not detect TonB‐dependent structural changes in FepA, either alone or when it interacted with colicin B at 37°C. The only changes in chemical modification were reductions from steric hindrance when the bacteriocin bound to the receptor protein. The absence of increases in the reactivity of N‐domain residues argues against the idea that the colicin B polypeptide traverses the FepA channel.
Modelling the elastin, collagen and smooth muscle contribution to the duodenal mechanical behaviour in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Gao F. , Liao D. , Drewes A. M. , Gregersen H.
Published: April 2009

Abstract  Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a connective tissue disease that involves the gastrointestinal tract. Previous experiments have shown abnormal intestinal motility, dilatation, wall stiffening and impaired smooth muscle function. Consequently, understanding the association between intestinal wall mechanics, structure and function is important. The aim was to establish a model for differentiating the biomechanical remodelling of elastin, collagen and smooth muscle in the duodenum in SS patients. A duodenal distension protocol was used in six patients and five healthy controls. A theoretical model for evaluating the mechanical contributions of elastin, collagen and smooth muscle tone was established. The tension–strain curves computed from pressure and cross‐sectional area data were analysed. The elastic modulus of elastin, the relationship between the collagen recruitment, collagen density and the active tension were calculated. The model fitted the clinical data well. The material constant for elastin in the patients was 30% lower than in the control group (P = 0.005). More collagen was recruited in patients than in healthy volunteers. Eighty percent of the collagen fibres were recruited at stretch ratio 0.85–2.26 (1.61 averaged) in patients and at the stretch ratio 2.55–3.73 (2.97 averaged) in healthy controls. The maximum active muscle tension and the corresponding strain were lowest in the patients (P = 0.01). The model can be used to determine the contribution of tissue components to the mechanical behaviour of duodenum. The stiffer wall in patient was due to the small stretch ratio for the maximum collagen recruitment but the muscle activity was also impaired.
Neurochemical and morphological phenotypes of vagal afferent neurons innervating the adult mouse jejunum
Authors: Tan L. L. , Bornstein J. C. , Anderson C. R.
Published: April 2009

Abstract  Whilst much is known about the function and influence of vagal afferents on the mammalian upper gastrointestinal tract, the phenotypes of the different types of vagal afferent neurons innervating the jejunum is unknown. We have previously shown that spinal afferents supplying the jejunum are predominantly medium‐sized sensory neurons that express specific combinations of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and calcitonin‐gene related peptide (CGRP) and that they lack binding for isolectin B4 (IB4). This study aimed to identify the chemical phenotypes and somal sizes of jejunal afferent neurons in the mouse vagal ganglion. Jejunal vagal afferents were identified by retrograde labelling with sub‐serosal injections of cholera toxin B (CTB) into the jejunal wall and assessed for IB4‐binding, TRPV1‐, NOS‐ and CGRP‐immunoreactivities using fluorescent microscopy. Almost all (99%) of CTB‐labelled vagal afferent neurons were small‐ and medium‐sized sensory cells. Most (81%) jejunal vagal afferents bound IB4 but fewer (32%) expressed TRPV1. A quarter (25%) of those that bound IB4 co‐expressed TRPV1‐immunoreactivity whilst 77% of TRPV1‐expressing jejunal vagal afferent neurons bound IB4. NOS (0%) and CGRP (0%) expression was absent from all CTB‐labelled cells examined. In conclusion, vagal afferents innervating the jejunum differ in their expression of IB4, TRPV1, CGRP and NOS from their spinal counterparts, suggesting that the peripheral endings for extrinsic sensory neurons terminating within the enteric nervous system can be identified selectively.
Differential spread of discoloured and non‐conductive sapwood among four Fagaceae species inoculated with Raffaelea quercivora
Authors: Murata M. , Matsuda Y. , Yamada T. , Ito S.
Published: April 2009

To reveal the relationship between the susceptibility of Fagaceae species to Raffaelea quercivora Kubono et Shin‐Ito and the tangential expansion of regions of discoloured and non‐conductive sapwood among the species, we inoculated branches of three Quercus species and one Castanopsis species with the fungus. The sapwood around the inoculation hole in all four species became non‐conductive in response to the infection before the discolouration. The expansion of the region of non‐conductive sapwood ceased within 2 weeks after the inoculation. The region of non‐conductive sapwood in Q. crispula and Q. serrata was larger than that in Q. glauca and C. cuspidata var. sieboldii. These results suggest that the region of non‐conductive sapwood expanded soon after the infection by R. quercivora. It was also clear that the transverse non‐conductive sapwood has close relationship with the susceptibility among Fagaceae species to R. quercivora.
Correlation between a reduction in Frontal Assessment Battery scores and delusional thoughts in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Nagata Tomoyuki , Ishii Kazuhiro , Ito Tatsuhiko , Aoki Kimiyoshi , Ehara Yoshito , Kada Hidehiro , Furukawa Haruko , Tsumura Maki , Shinagawa Shunichiro , Kasahara Hiroo , Nakayama Kazuhiko
Published: April 2009

Aims:  The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between delusional thoughts (delusional ideation or misidentification) and frontal lobe function using the Japanese version of the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) bedside screening neuropsychological test in early stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

Methods:  Forty‐eight probable AD patients with Mini‐Mental State Examination score ≧18 points and a clinical dementia rating score of either 0.5 or 1.0 were divided into two groups based on data obtained from interviews with their caregivers: a delusional thought group (n = 19) and a non‐delusional thought group (n = 29). The FAB total and subtest scores were then compared for the two groups.

Results:  Significant differences were found between the FAB total (P < 0.01) and subtest scores (similarities, motor series, conflicting instructions; P < 0.05) for the two groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that delusional thought was significantly associated with the FAB total score.

Conclusions:  In addition to episodic memory disorders, a reduction in the FAB score may reflect frontal lobe dysfunctions, including executive function, in patients with AD, leading to delusional ideation.
Comparison of the protein composition of breast milk and the nutrient intake between Thai and Japanese mothers
Authors: Leelahakul Venus , Tanaka Fumio , Sinsuksai Nittaya , Vichitsukon Kannikar , Pinyopasakul Wanpen , Kido Nobuo , Inukai Sayuri
Published: April 2009

This study compared the protein composition of breast milk and the nutrient intake between Thai and Japanese lactating mothers. The breast milk was collected from 15 Thai and 14 Japanese mothers at the fifth day post‐partum. Twenty‐four‐hour dietary records were performed from the second‐to‐the‐fourth day post‐partum. The nutrient intake was calculated by using the nutrient content of a food table. The protein composition of the whey was separated by gel electrophoresis and was identified by mass spectrometry and two‐dimensional electrophoresis. The results showed that the concentrations of the major protein types in the breast milk were not significantly different between the two groups. The concentrations of the minor protein types varied markedly with the individuals, with higher concentrations in the breast milk of the Thai mothers. There were no significant differences in terms of the energy and protein intake; however, the sources of energy were different. The results indicate that the total protein and lactoferrin concentrations in the breast milk could be predicted by the maternal daily energy and fat intake.
Parental participation and mismanagement: A qualitative study of child care in Iran
Authors: Aein Fereshteh , Alhani Fatemeh , Mohammadi Eesa , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan
Published: April 2009

The purpose of this study was to explore parents' and nurses' experiences of parental participation in child care in hospitals in Iran. Using thematic analysis, the data were collected through interviewing 14 parents and 11 nurses from two pediatric hospitals. The results showed that four major themes emerged, including the necessity of a parent's presence, the unplanned and informal delegation of care to the parents (which itself had five subthemes: the parents as nurses, the delegation of care without sufficient and planned parental training, informal parent‐to‐parent support, the continuum of parents' willingness to participate, and the neglect of parents' needs), the inconsistency of care, and the parents as informal evaluators of care. Based on the study's findings, effective communication by nurses with parents is required. Nurses need to make an ongoing assessment of parents' wishes for involvement and negotiate care accordingly, with enough support and supervision to warrant quality of care.