bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Cretaceous supradetachment basins in the Hohhot metamorphic core complex, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Ritts B. D. , Berry A. K. , Johnson C. L. , Darby B. J. , Davis G. A.
Published: October 2009

Lower Cretaceous basins of the Hohhot metamorphic core complex in the Daqing Shan of Inner Mongolia, China, formed coevally with top to the SE faulting on the Hohhot detachment, as indicated by cross‐cutting relationships between the basin and the detachment, sediment–source relationships between the exhumed footwall of the detachment and the basin, and concordant ages between cooling of the footwall and sedimentation in the basin at about 122 Ma. The basins grade through two phases of deposition, marked by distinct sedimentologic characteristics. Early, debris flow, rock avalanche and streamflow deposits in alluvial fans filled multiple structurally segmented basins. Later, a widespread, integrated basin formed and was filled by conglomeratic fluvial and sheetflood deposits supplied by drainage systems flowing to the SE, subparallel to the extension direction. Throughout deposition of the Lower Cretaceous strata, sediment was derived dominantly from the lower plate of the detachment; with progressive unroofing of the lower plate, higher grade lithologies including gneiss and mylonite provided clasts to the Lower Cretaceous conglomerate. The basin fill is thin throughout the basin (<1200 m), but is much thicker on the SE side of the core complex, where detachment faulting was longer lived. These sedimentary rocks record the progressive exhumation of the lower plate of the Hohhot detachment, folding of the Hohhot detachment, and growth of the Hohhot metamorphic core complex, a classic metamorphic core complex that formed in response to fast, large‐magnitude extension. Accordingly, the basin associated with the detachment is consistent, in terms of structural setting and sedimentary style, with the end‐member model of supradetachment basin sedimentation, and supports the applicability of the supradetachment basin concept to sedimentation in highly extended terranes. These results also illustrate the dominance of lower plate relative uplift in localizing accommodation space in the overlying basins and providing sediment supply to the syn‐extensional basins.
Complement activation pathways in murine immune complex-induced arthritis and in C3a and C5a generationin vitro
Authors: Banda N K , Levitt B , Wood A K , Takahashi K , Stahl G L , Holers V M , Arend W P
Published: October 2009

The alternative pathway (AP) of complement alone is capable of mediating immune complex-induced arthritis in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model in mice. Whether the classical pathway (CP) or lectin pathway (LP) alone can mediate CAIA is not known. Using mice genetically deficient in different complement components, our results reported herein establish that the CP and LP alone are each incapable of mediating CAIA. A lower level or absence of C3 and/or C5 activation by the CP may be possible explanations for the importance of the AP in CAIA and in many murine models of disease. In addition, other investigators have reported that CP C5 convertase activity is absent in mouse sera. To address these questions, we employed an in vitro system of adherent immunoglobulin (Ig)G-induced complement activation using plates coated with murine anti-collagen monoclonal antibody (mAb). These experiments used complement-deficient mouse sera and wild-type mouse or normal human sera under conditions inactivating either the CP (Ca++ deficiency) or the AP (mAb inhibitory to factor B). Robust generation of both C3a and C5a by either the AP or CP alone were observed with both mouse and human sera, although there were some small differences between the species of sera. We conclude that neither the CP nor LP alone is capable of mediating CAIA in vivo and that mouse sera exhibits a high level of IgG-induced C5a generation in vitro through either the CP or AP.
Radical scavenging activity and apoptotic effects in HT‐29 human colon cancer cells of black sesame seed extract
Authors: Kim Mi‐Ja , Jeong Min Kyu , Chang Pahn‐Shick , Lee JaeHwan
Published: October 2009

Functionality of black sesame seed methanol extracts (BSME) including radical scavenging activity and apoptotic effects on human colon cancer cell lines were measured. Radical scavenging activities of BSME was determined by 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐pycryl‐hydrazil (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis [3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid (ABTS)]methods. Total phenolic contents (TPC) were also measured. Cell toxicity effects of BSME on human colon cancer cell HT‐29 were evaluated using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and apoptotic effects were tested by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) expressions of BCL‐2 and BAX. TPC of BSME was 4.80 ± 0.21 μm tannic acid equivalent mg−1 BSME. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities by BSME in EC50 were 27.10 and 6.12 mg mL−1 BSME, respectively. Concentration from 6.7 to 10.0 mg mL−1 BSME exhibited proper cell toxicity based on the results of MTT assay and was enough to increase the apoptosis of colon cancer cells with typical apoptotic characteristics from TUNEL assay. In RT‐PCR, 6.7–10.0 mg mL−1 BSME reduced the expression of BCL‐2 and increased the expression of BAX, compared with untreated controls. BSME possessing phenolic compounds with radical scavenging ability may be related with inducing colon cancer cell death.
Microbiological quality of sous‐vide cook chill fish cakes during chilled storage (3 °C)
Authors: Jeya Shakila Robinson , Jeyasekaran Geevaretnam , Vijayakumar Arumugam , Sukumar Durairaj
Published: October 2009

Fish cakes prepared from emperorbream (Lethrinus lethrinus) were vacuum packed (VP), conventionally cook‐chilled (CCC) and sous‐vide cook‐chilled (SVCC) and examined for their microbiological quality and safety during chilled storage (3 °C) for a period of 3, 5 and 16 weeks, respectively, in comparison with conventional pack(CP). The shelf life of CP, VP, CCC and SVCC packs of fish cakes were 2, 2, 4 and 16 weeks, respectively, based on the acceptable break point of the overall sensory scores. The total bacterial counts were 5 log cfu g−1, in CP, VP and CCC packs; and 3 log cfug−1 in SVCC pack on sixteenth week. Total lactic acid bacteria were 2 log cfu g−1 on 2 and 3 weeks in CP and VP, respectively. Staphylococci were detected in all packs on sixteenth week at 2 log cfu g−1. Total bacilli were detected in CP and VP at 3 log cfu g−1 level after 2 weeks. Aeromonads were detected after 1, 2 and 4 weeks in CP, VP and CCC packs at 3 log cfu g−1. Total anaerobic sulphite‐reducing clostridia were detected only in CP and CCC packs at 3 MPN counts g−1 level on the final day.
Comparison of SDS gel capillary electrophoresis with microfluidic lab‐on‐a‐chip technology to quantify relative amounts of 7S and 11S proteins from 20 soybean cultivars
Authors: Blazek Vladimir , Caldwell Robert A.
Published: October 2009

SDS gel capillary electrophoresis (Beckman–Coulter ProteomeLab) and the lab‐on‐a‐chip technology (Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer) were used to quantify the relative amount of 7S and 11S fractions in twenty different soybean cultivars. The better repeatability of the migration times and peak areas was achieved for the Bioanalyzer. Both lab‐on‐a‐chip instrument and a traditional capillary gel electrophoresis were shown to be adequate for analysis of soy‐based products. Integrating the area of peaks within a certain range of molecular weights was used to calculate the relative content of each protein subunit. Poor agreement in the classification in the protein subunit groups between the two instruments was observed. Therefore, the approach of visual identification taking into account both the variability in the position of the peaks and the detection of different number of peaks between the profiles was applied. This resulted in statistically significant correlation being observed between 11S/7S ratios determined by Bioanalyzer and ProteomeLab (R = 0.82). The reported differences in 11S and 7S content between the studies are likely to be affected by the differences in the techniques used to analyse soy protein subunits. A brief presentation of the chemometric analysis of electrophoretic profiles as a common method for transforming electrophoretograms to multivariate data sets is shown.
Hot air drying of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and its effect on sugar concentrations
Authors: Scher Caroline Fenner , De Oliveira Rios Alessandro , Noreña Caciano Pelayo Zapata
Published: October 2009

This work aimed to experimentally study the drying behaviour of yacon tubers with and without steam blanching. Drying was carried out for 5 h and 30 min in a forced air dryer at 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C. The results indicated that the shortest drying time was obtained at 70 °C for blanched samples, and that the equilibrium water activity values were significantly lower for the blanched samples at all temperatures. The yacon dried without prior blanching showed lowest concentrations of reducing sugars when dried at 70 °C, significantly lower than those dried at 50 °C and 60 °C. This indicates hydrolysis of the fructo‐oligosaccharides at 70 °C, a fact verified by the significant increase in reducing sugars content from 36.65 ± 0.54–44.10 ± 0.96% and reduction in the non‐reducing sugars from 31.62 ± 0.55–26.18 ± 0.29%.
Influence of osmodehydrofreezing with different sugars on the quality of frozen rambutan
Authors: Lowithun Ngamjit , Charoenrein Sanguansri
Published: October 2009

The objective of this research was to study the effect of osmotic pretreatment with different sugars on the quality of frozen rambutan. Rambutan pieces were osmotically dehydrated in 50% sucrose, trehalose and maltitol solutions. The amount of water loss and solid gain during osmotic dehydration were determined. The increase of water loss and solid gain were not significantly different among the syrups (P > 0.05). For osmodehydrofreezing, the fruit pieces were immersed for 1 h before freezing at −40 °C with an untreated sample used for comparison. The physical and chemical properties of samples stored at −18 °C for 3, 60 and 120 days were studied. Pretreatment with sucrose received the highest scores in terms of taste, texture and acceptability. The glass transition temperature values of treated samples, especially those treated with trehalose, increased significantly compared to the untreated sample, but they were all much lower than the storage temperature of −18 °C. All of the experimental samples were in a rubbery state, and therefore the glass transition concept could not be used to predict quality.
Technological and spoiling characteristics of the yeast microflora isolated from Bella Di Cerignola table olives
Authors: Bevilacqua Antonio , Perricone Marianne , Cannarsi Marianna , Corbo Maria Rosaria , Sinigaglia Milena
Published: October 2009

This study focused to investigate the technological significance and the spoiling impact of diverse yeast strains, isolated from ‘Bella di Cerignola’ Italian table olives. Sixty‐four isolates (belonging mainly to the species Candida famata and C. guilliermondii) were studied to assess their growth at different temperatures (15, 25 and 37 °C), pHs (4.0, 5.0 and 9.5) and NaCl concentrations (0–10.0%) in lab medium. Their pectolytic, xylanolytic, lipolytic and catalase activities were also evaluated. Most of the yeasts showed a moderate pectolytic activity and were able to grow at pH 9.5 after 120 h of incubation. Salt and temperature were the most important environmental variables affecting yeast growth, which could exert a strong selective pressure on yeast population. Candida guilliermondii appeared more resistant to high salt concentrations, whereas C. famata was able to grow at 15 °C.
Osmotic dehydration of pomegranate seeds: mass transfer kinetics and differential scanning calorimetry characterization
Authors: Bchir Brahim , Besbes Souhail , Attia Hamadi , Blecker Christophe
Published: October 2009

Osmotic dehydration of pomegranate seeds was carried out at different temperatures (30, 40, 50 °C) in a 55°Brix solution of sucrose, glucose, and mixture sucrose & glucose (50:50, w/w). The most significant changes of water loss and solids gain took place during the first 20 min of dewatering. During this period, seeds water loss was estimated to 46% in sucrose, 37% in glucose and 41% in mix glucose/sucrose solution. The increase of temperature favoured the increase of water loss, weight reduction, solids gain and effective diffusivity. Differential scanning calorimetry data provided complementary information on the mobility changes of water and solute in osmodehydrated pomegranate seeds. The ratio between % frozen water and % unfreezable water decreased from 5 to 0.5 during the process. That involving the presence of very tightly bound water to the sample, which is very difficult to eliminate with this process. It also appeared that glass transition temperature depends on the types of sugar.
Effects of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) variety and processing on the quality and consumer appeal for its products
Authors: Nti Christina Antwiwaa
Published: October 2009

Five landraces of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) from northern Ghana were assessed for their physical characteristics, chemical composition and the effects of variety and processing on quality and consumer appeal for use in food products. The cultivars had distinct colour differences ranging from cream through brown, maroon to black, with variations in the seed sizes and seed coat thicknesses. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in some of the chemical components of the different varieties of bambara. Protein and fat contents ranged from 19.3% to 27.1% and 4.8% to 7.0%, respectively, while ash content was not significantly (P > 0.05) different among the cultivars. Tannin content ranged between 4.5 mg CE g−1 sample for the cream‐coloured and 14.9 mg CE g−1 sample for the black variety. Dehulling increased the protein content, reduced tannin content by up to 92% and improved the colour of bambara products, while heat treatment enhanced their taste, aroma and overall acceptability.
Microbiological, chemical and sensory assessment of (I) whole ungutted, (II) whole gutted and (III) filleted tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) during refrigerated storage
Authors: Rong Cao , Chang‐hu Xue , Qi Liu , Bang‐zhong Yin
Published: October 2009

The effects of gutting and filleting on microbiological, chemical, and sensory properties of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stored under refrigeration were studied. All the tilapia samples were analysed periodically for microbiological (APC), chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, 2‐thiobarbituricacid, K‐value), and sensory characteristics. Results indicated that sensory data were in good agreement with microbiological data (APC rejection limit of 107 CFU g−1) and K‐value (rejection limit of 60%). Storage life of (I) whole ungutted, (II) whole gutted and (III) filleted tilapia stored under refrigeration (5 ± 1 °C) can be expected to be 12, 10, and 6 days, respectively.
Habitat‐specific demography and source–sink dynamics in a population of Siberian jays
Authors: Nystrand Magdalena , Griesser Michael , Eggers Sönke , Ekman Jan
Published: October 2009

1. There are a number of models describing population structure, many of which have the capacity to incorporate spatial habitat effects. One such model is the source–sink model, that describes a system where some habitats have a natality that is higher than mortality (source) and others have a mortality that exceeds natality (sink). A source can be maintained in the absence of migration, whereas a sink will go extinct.

2. However, the interaction between population dynamics and habitat quality is complex, and concerns have been raised about the validity of published empirical studies addressing source–sink dynamics. In particular, some of these studies fail to provide data on survival, a significant component in disentangling a sink from a low quality source. Moreover, failing to account for a density‐dependent increase in mortality, or decrease in fecundity, can result in a territory being falsely assigned as a sink, when in fact, this density‐dependent suppression only decreases the population size to a lower level, hence indicating a ‘pseudo‐sink’.

3. In this study, we investigate a long‐term data set for key components of territory‐specific demography (mortality and reproduction) and their relationship to habitat characteristics in the territorial, group‐living Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus). We also assess territory‐specific population growth rates (r), to test whether spatial population dynamics are consistent with the ideas of source–sink dynamics.

4. Although average mortality did not differ between sexes, habitat‐specific mortality did. Female mortality was higher in older forests, a pattern not observed in males. Male mortality only increased with an increasing amount of open areas. Moreover, reproductive success was higher further away from human settlement, indicating a strong effect of human‐associated nest predators.

5. Averaged over all years, 76% of the territories were sources. These territories generally consisted of less open areas, and were located further away from human settlement.

6. The source–sink model provides a tool for modelling demography in distinct habitat patches of different quality, which can aid in identifying key habitats within the landscape, and thus, reduce the risk of implementing unsound management decisions.
No improvement in cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese subjects after supplementation with vitamin D3 for 1 year
Authors: Jorde R. , Sneve M. , Torjesen P. , Figenschau Y.
Published: October 2009

Abstract.  Jorde R, Sneve M, Torjesen P, Figenschau Y (University of Tromsø, Tromsø; Medical Clinic University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø; University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø; Aker University Hospital, Oslo; University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø; and University of Tromsø, Tromsø; Norway). No improvement in cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese subjects after supplementation with vitamin D3 for 1 year. J Intern Med 2010; 267:462–472.

Background and Aim.  Cross‐sectional studies indicate vitamin D to be of importance for glucose tolerance, blood pressure and serum lipids, but whether supplementation with vitamin D would improve cardio‐vascular risk factors is not known.

Design and Setting.  The study was a 1 year, double blind placebo‐controlled intervention trial performed at the University Hospital of North Norway from November 2005 to October 2007.

Subjects.  A total of 438 overweight or obese subjects, 21–70 years old, were included and 330 completed the study.

Interventions.  The subjects were randomized to vitamin D (cholecalciferol, vitamin D3) 40 000 IU per week (DD group), vitamin D 20 000 IU per week (DP group), or placebo (PP group). All subjects were given 500 mg calcium daily.

Main Outcome Measures.  Fasting serum lipids and blood pressure were measured and an oral glucose tolerance test performed at start and end of the study.

Results.  At baseline the mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 58 nmol L−1 (all subjects) and increased to 140 and 101 nmol L−1 in the DD and DP groups, respectively. No significant differences were found between the three groups regarding change in measures of glucose metabolism or serum lipids. In the DP group, there was a slight but significant increase in systolic blood pressure compared with the placebo group.

Conclusions.  Our results do not support a positive effect of vitamin D on glucose tolerance, blood pressure or serum lipids. Further studies in subjects with low serum 25(OH)D levels combined with impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension or dyslipidaemia are needed.
Foresight in medicine: current challenges with Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines
Authors: Eskola J.
Published: October 2009

Eskola J (National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki). Foresight in medicine: current challenges with Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines (Foresight). J Intern Med 2010; 267: 241–250.

Abstract.  An effective vaccine to prevent invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria has been available for more than 20 years. Hib conjugate vaccine is safe, efficacious and easy to use, and its cost‐benefit ratio is high both in industrialized as well as in developing countries. In spite of this, WHO estimates that every year approximately 8 million children contract life‐threatening Haemophilus infections, especially meningitis or severe pneumonia. If we want to take seriously the Millenium Development Goal of reducing the mortality of under 5‐year‐old children by two‐thirds before the year 2015, an effective means to contribute to this would be more efficient use of Hib vaccines [1].
Near‐field microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy: application to chromosomes labelled with different fluorophores
Authors: MAHIEU‐WILLIAME L. , FALGAYRETTES P. , NATIVEL L. , GALL‐BORRUT P. , COSTA L. , SALEHZADA T. , BISBAL C.
Published: October 2009

We have coupled a spectrophotometer with a scanning near‐field optical microscope to obtain, with a single scan, simultaneously scanning near‐field optical microscope fluorescence images at different wavelengths as well as topography and transmission images. Extraction of the fluorescence spectra enabled us to decompose the different wavelengths of the fluorescence signals which normally overlap. We thus obtained images of the different fluorescence emissions of acridine orange bound to single or double stranded nucleic acids in human metaphase chromosomes before and after DNAse I or RNAse A treatment. The analysis of these images allowed us to visualize some specific chromatin areas where RNA is associated with DNA showing that such a technique could be used to identify multiple components within a cell.
Genetic variability is unrelated to growth and parasite infestation in natural populations of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla)
Authors: PUJOLAR J. M. , BEVACQUA D. , CAPOCCIONI F. , CICCOTTI E. , DE LEO G. A. , ZANE L.
Published: October 2009

Positive correlations between individual genetic heterozygosity and fitness‐related traits (HFCs) have been observed in organisms as diverse as plants, marine bivalves, fish or mammals. HFCs are not universal and the strength and stability of HFCs seem to be variable across species, populations and ages. We analysed the relationship between individual genetic variability and two different estimators of fitness in natural samples of European eel, growth rate (using back‐calculated length‐at‐age 1, 2 and 3) and parasite infestation by the swimbladder nematode Anguillicola crassus. Despite using a large data set of 22 expressed sequence tags‐derived microsatellite loci and a large sample size of 346 individuals, no heterozygote advantage was observed in terms of growth rate or parasite load. The lack of association was evidenced by (i) nonsignificant global HFCs, (ii) a Multivariate General Linear Model showing no effect of heterozygosity on fitness components, (iii) single‐locus analysis showing a lower number of significant tests than the expected false discovery rate, (iv) sign tests showing only a significant departure from expectations at one component, and, (v) a random distribution of significant single‐locus HFCs that was not consistent across fitness components or sampling sites. This contrasts with the positive association observed in farmed eels in a previous study using allozymes, which can be explained by the nature of the markers used, with the allozyme study including many loci involved in metabolic energy pathways, while the expressed sequence tags‐linked microsatellites might be located in genes or in the proximity of genes uncoupled with metabolism/growth.
Polyphosphate kinase 2: a modulator of nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity in mycobacteria
Authors: Sureka Kamakshi , Sanyal Sourav , Basu Joyoti , Kundu Manikuntala
Published: October 2009

Mycobacteria encode putative class II polyphosphate kinases (PPKs). We report that recombinant PPK2 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalyses the synthesis of GTP from GDP using polyphosphate rather than ATP as phosphate donor. Unlike that of PPK1, this is the favoured reaction of PPK2. The sites of autophosphorylation, H115 and H247, as well as G74 were critical for GTP‐synthesizing activity. Compromised survival of a ppk2 knockout (PPK2‐KO) of Mycobacterium smegmatis under heat or acid stress or hypoxia, and the ability of ppk2 of M. tuberculosis to complement this, confirmed that PPK2 plays a role in mycobacterial survival under stress. Intracellular ATP : GTP ratio was higher in PPK2‐KO compared with the wild‐type M. smegmatis, bringing to light a role of PPK2 in regulating the intracellular nucleotide pool. We present evidence that PPK2 does so by interacting with nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk). Pull‐down assays and analysis by surface plasmon resonance demonstrated that the interaction requires G74 of PPK2MTB and 109LET111 of NdkMTB. In summary, we unravel a novel mechanism of regulation of nucleotide pools in mycobacteria. Downregulation of ppk2 impairs survival of M. tuberculosis in macrophages, suggesting that PPK2 plays an important role in the physiology of the bacteria residing within macrophages.
The H‐NS‐like protein StpA represses the RpoS (σ38) regulon during exponential growth of Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Lucchini Sacha , McDermott Paul , Thompson Arthur , Hinton Jay C.D.
Published: October 2009

StpA is a paralogue of the nucleoid‐associated protein H‐NS that is conserved in a range of enteric bacteria and had no known function in Salmonella Typhimurium. We show that 5% of the Salmonella genome is regulated by StpA, which contrasts with the situation in Escherichia coli where deletion of stpA only had minor effects on gene expression. The StpA‐dependent genes of S. Typhimurium are a specific subset of the H‐NS regulon that are predominantly under the positive control of σ38 (RpoS), CRP‐cAMP and PhoP. Regulation by StpA varied with growth phase; StpA controlled σ38 levels at mid‐exponential phase by preventing inappropriate activation of σ38 during rapid bacterial growth. In contrast, StpA only activated the CRP‐cAMP regulon during late exponential phase. ChIP‐chip analysis revealed that StpA binds to PhoP‐dependent genes but not to most genes of the CRP‐cAMP and σ38 regulons. In fact, StpA indirectly regulates σ38‐dependent genes by enhancing σ38 turnover by repressing the anti‐adaptor protein rssC. We discovered that StpA is essential for the dynamic regulation of σ38 in response to increased glucose levels. Our findings identify StpA as a novel growth phase‐specific regulator that plays an important physiological role by linking σ38 levels to nutrient availability.
Reproducibility of reported nutrient intake and supplement use during a past pregnancy: a report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Bosco Jaclyn L. F. , Tseng Marilyn , Spector Logan G. , Olshan Andrew F. , Bunin Greta R.
Published: October 2009

Bosco JLF, Tseng M, Spector LG, Olshan AF, Bunin GR. Reproducibility of reported nutrient intake and supplement use during a past pregnancy: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010; 24: 93–101.

Maternal diet and nutrition have been thought to play a role in many childhood conditions. Studies using food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) have reported associations with maternal diet, but these findings are difficult to interpret because the reliability and validity of the FFQs for diet during a past pregnancy are not known. We determined the reproducibility of reported diet and supplement use during a past pregnancy in a subset of mothers interviewed for a case–control study of maternal diet in relation to the risk of childhood brain tumours. Cases were Children's Oncology Group patients, diagnosed at age <6 with medulloblastoma or primitive neuroectodermal tumour from 1991 to 1997. Area code, race/ethnicity, and birth date matched controls were selected by random‐digit‐dialling.

Case and control mothers completed a modified Willett FFQ a mean of 5 years after the index child's birth. A mean of 3.6 months later, a subset of mothers consisting of 52 case and 51 control mothers repeated the interview; these comprise the reproducibility study population. The mean intra‐class correlation was 0.59 (range 0.41, 0.69) for energy‐adjusted nutrients from dietary sources only; it was 0.41 (range 0.06, 0.70) when supplements were included. Agreement for reporting multivitamin use during pregnancy by time period and pattern was good to very good (kappa = 0.66–0.85). Overall, the reproducibility of nutrient estimates and supplement use in pregnancy was good and similar to that reported for adult diet.
Transcript profiles of Panax quinquefolius from flower, leaf and root bring new insights into genes related to ginsenosides biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation
Authors: Wu Qiong , Song Jingyuan , Sun Yongqiao , Suo Fengmei , Li Chenji , Luo Hongmei , Liu Ying , Li Ying , Zhang Xiaowei , Yao Hui , Li Xiwen , Hu Songnian , Sun Chao
Published: October 2009

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) has been used for a wide range of therapeutic purposes in China. The major bioactive phytochemicals responsible for this plant's pharmacological features are ginsenosides. Thus far, little is known regarding the genes involved in ginsenosides biosynthesis in this species. As a non‐model plant, information about its genomes is generally not available. In this study, we generated 6678 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the flower, leaf and root cDNA libraries of American ginseng. Assembly of ESTs resulted in 3349 unigenes including 534 contigs (with ESTs number ranging from 2 to 52) and 2815 singletons. By analyzing the predominant transcripts within specific tissues, a gene expression pattern was obtained in a tissue‐specific manner. They were assigned according to the functional classification of unigenes to broad ranges of Gene Ontology categories which include biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions. Based on blastx search results, 24 unigenes representing candidates related to ginsenosides biosynthesis were identified. Cloning and characterization of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase (HMGR, EC: 1.1.1.34), the rate‐limiting enzyme in mevalonic acid pathway, demonstrated that it belonged to the plant HMGR family and was highly expressed in leaves. Putative transcription factors were detected in 63 unigenes, including zinc finger, WRKY, homeobox and MADS‐box family proteins. Five hundred and eighty‐eight simple sequence repeat motifs were identified, of which, dimer was the most abundant motif. These data will provide useful information on transcript profiles, gene discovery, transcriptional regulation, flower biogenesis and marker‐assisted selections. The analysis and information from this study will greatly contribute to the improvement of this medicinal plant as well as of other species in the Araliaceae family, for the purpose of ensuring adequate drug resources.
Nordic guidelines for neuraxial blocks in disturbed haemostasis from the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine
Authors: BREIVIK H. , BANG U. , JALONEN J. , VIGFÚSSON G. , ALAHUHTA S. , LAGERKRANSER M.
Published: October 2009

Background: Central neuraxial blocks (CNBs) for surgery and analgesia are an important part of anaesthesia practice in the Nordic countries. More active thromboprophylaxis with potent antihaemostatic drugs has increased the risk of bleeding into the spinal canal. National guidelines for minimizing this risk in patients who benefit from such blocks vary in their recommendations for safe practice.

Methods: The Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI) appointed a task force of experts to establish a Nordic consensus on recommendations for best clinical practice in providing effective and safe CNBs in patients with an increased risk of bleeding. We performed a literature search and expert evaluation of evidence for (1) the possible benefits of CNBs on the outcome of anaesthesia and surgery, for (2) risks of spinal bleeding from hereditary and acquired bleeding disorders and antihaemostatic drugs used in surgical patients for thromboprophylaxis, for (3) risk evaluation in published case reports, and for (4) recommendations in published national guidelines. Proposals from the taskforce were available for feedback on the SSAI web‐page during the summer of 2008.

Results: Neuraxial blocks can improve comfort and reduce morbidity (strong evidence) and mortality (moderate evidence) after surgical procedures. Haemostatic disorders, antihaemostatic drugs, anatomical abnormalities of the spine and spinal blood vessels, elderly patients, and renal and hepatic impairment are risk factors for spinal bleeding (strong evidence). Published national guidelines are mainly based on experts' opinions (weak evidence). The task force reached a consensus on Nordic guidelines, mainly based on our experts' opinions, but we acknowledge different practices in heparinization during vascular surgery and peri‐operative administration of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs during neuraxial blocks.

Conclusions: Experts from the five Nordic countries offer consensus recommendations for safe clinical practice of neuraxial blocks and how to minimize the risks of serious complications from spinal bleeding. A brief version of the recommendations is available on http://www.ssai.info.
The effects of birthweight and breastfeeding on asthma among children aged 1–5 years
Authors: Xu Xiaohui , Dailey Amy B , Freeman Natalie C , Curbow Barbara A , Talbott Evelyn O
Published: October 2009

Aim:  Asthma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children and has steadily increased in prevalence. The combined effect of birthweight and breastfeeding on childhood asthma remains unclear.

Methods:  In this study, we analysed a nationally representative sample of children aged 1–5 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002. Logistic regression was performed to examine the hypothesis whether birthweight and breastfeeding are independently associated with the prevalence of asthma after accounting for the complex sampling design. In addition, we sought to describe the relationship between birthweight and childhood asthma and to assess the potentially combined effect between birthweight and breastfeeding on asthma among children aged 1–5 years after considering the possible effects of social and environmental factors.

Results:  We found that birthweight (measured continuously) was inversely and linearly associated with the prevalence of childhood asthma (odds ratio (OR) = 0.80 per 1 kg increase in birthweight, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65–0.98). Using a categorical variable, low birthweight (LBW) was positively associated with childhood asthma (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.81–2.68). Furthermore, we detected an interaction between birthweight and breastfeeding on childhood asthma. Breastfeeding had a strong protective effect on asthma among children with high birthweight (OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.04–0.43) while it had no significant effect on asthma among children with normal birthweight or LBW.

Conclusions:  The mechanisms underlying these relationships remain uncertain and warrant further explanation.
Children in out‐of‐home care: Does routine health screening improve outcomes?
Authors: Nathanson Dania , Lee Gillian , Tzioumi Dimitra
Published: October 2009

Aim:  Children in out‐of‐home care have high and frequently unidentified health needs. The Child Protection Unit at Sydney Children's Hospital offers comprehensive health screening to children in care. Recommendations for remediation are made, but follow‐up in the clinic is not offered. Current research has failed to establish whether health screening results in health benefits for the children screened. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the health screening clinic on children's health outcomes by tracking the first 100 children screened, determining how many of the health recommendations made for each child had been implemented and, if possible, what the health outcome had been.

Methods:  Research questionnaires were sent to the Department of Social Services caseworkers of the first 100 children screened.

Results:  Adherence to health recommendations was high; however, it was not possible to quantify the degree of health benefit to the children screened. A number of systemic problems were identified, which are likely to hinder the accessibility of health care for children in care.

Conclusions:  Comprehensive health screening of children in care is likely to benefit a child's health, although this could not be determined. Agencies responsible for placing children in care need systems in place to ensure better inter‐agency collaboration between the health system and community services. This should help improve health outcomes.
Herbivore feeding preferences in captive and wild populations
Authors: RAFFERTY CHRISTINE M. , LAMONT BYRON B. , HANLEY MICK E.
Published: October 2009

Investigations into the mechanisms underpinning plant selection by herbivores have often yielded conflicting results. Such inconsistency might stem from whether selection experiments are conducted with captive or wild populations, and upon the different measures of plant selection used to determine herbivore preference. Here we compared the feeding preferences of captive and wild kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) using a standard set of plant species (14 Hakea spp., Proteaceae) and several measures of herbivore selection to examine how environment influenced relative consumption. Three indices of herbivore consumption were measured: number of plants (NP), total shoot volume per plant (TV) and percentage available shoot volume (PV) consumed. NP and TV were closely correlated in the wild and captive populations and consistently correlated with six morphological and chemical plant attributes examined, the most notable being a strong negative correlation with shoot phenolic content. This uniformity suggests that plant selection by captive kangaroos is broadly consistent with that observed in field trials, and consequently that for macropods, at least, captive trials offer a valid way to determine the relative acceptability of different plant species. However, the fact that our third measure of herbivore selection PV was weakly correlated in captive and wild populations and showed no relationship with shoot phenolic content highlights the importance of which measure of plant selection is applied. We suggest that, while NP and TV are potentially confounded by plant size and availability, they offer the clearest insight into plant selection from the point of view of the herbivore, while PV is more suitable for plant‐centred studies.
Does disturbance, competition or resource limitation underlie Hieracium lepidulum invasion in New Zealand? Mechanisms of establishment and persistence, and functional differentiation among invasive and native species
Authors: RADFORD IAN J. , DICKINSON KATHARINE J. M. , LORD JANICE M.
Published: October 2009

The processes underlying plant invasions have been the subject of much ecological research. Understanding mechanisms of plant invasions are difficult to elucidate from observations, yet are crucial for ecological management of invasions. Hieracium lepidulum, an asteraceous invader in New Zealand, is a species for which several explanatory mechanisms can be raised. Alternative mechanisms, including competitive dominance, disturbance of resident vegetation allowing competitive release or nutrient resource limitation reducing competition with the invader are raised to explain invasion. We tested these hypotheses in two field experiments which manipulated competitive, disturbance and nutrient environments in pre‐invasion and post‐invasion vegetation. H. lepidulum and resident responses to environmental treatments were measured to allow interpretation of underlying mechanisms of establishment and persistence. We found that H. lepidulum differed in functional response profile from native species. We also found that other exotic invaders at the sites were functionally different to H. lepidulum in their responses. These data support the hypothesis that different invaders use different invasion mechanisms from one another. These data also suggest that functional differentiation between invaders and native resident vegetation may be an important contributing factor allowing invasion. H. lepidulum appeared to have little direct competitive effect on post‐invasion vegetation, suggesting that competition was not a dominant mechanism maintaining its persistence. There was weak support for disturbance allowing initial establishment of H. lepidulum in pre‐invasion vegetation, but disturbance did not lead to invader dominance. Strong support for nutrient limitation of resident species was provided by the rapid competitive responses with added nutrients despite presence of H. lepidulum. Rapid competitive suppression of H. lepidulum once nutrient limitation was alleviated suggests that nutrient limitation may be an important process allowing the invader to dominate. Possible roles of historical site degradation and/or invader‐induced soil chemical/microbial changes in nutrient availability are discussed.
Consequences of southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius, L.) gut passage and deposition pattern on the germination of rainforest seeds
Authors: BRADFORD MATT G. , WESTCOTT DAVID A.
Published: October 2009

In Australia's tropical rainforests the endangered southern cassowary,Casuarius casuarius, L., is the largest native frugivore and many plant species, because of the size of their fruits or seeds, are thought to be largely dependent on cassowaries for their dispersal. In this study we asked whether the contribution of cassowaries to plant recruitment extends beyond removing seeds from the vicinity of the parent. To do this we conducted germination trials involving 17 rainforest plant species to test whether cassowary consumption and seed deposition pattern alter germination probability or time to germination. Twenty‐four per cent of species showed changed germination probabilities, with one species showing no germination without cassowary consumption, and 35% showed changed time to germination. However these differences did not translate into any significant effects when considered across all species. We examined gut scarification, fruit pulp removal (de‐inhibition) and deposition in faecal material as mechanisms for changing germination success; each contributed to the changed success of individual species. There was a negative effect of seed clumping on five species. We conclude that cassowary consumption can modify germination performance in a minority of rainforest plants and that the effect is generally positive. Although the effect on large seeded species was small it is most likely to be important as the cassowary is the only animal in Australia able to internally process large numbers of these seeds.
The contribution of mistletoes to nutrient returns: Evidence for a critical role in nutrient cycling
Authors: MARCH WENDY A. , WATSON DAVID M.
Published: October 2009

Both nutrient cycling and nutrient relationships between mistletoe and host have been widely studied; yet it is unclear whether high nutrient concentrations commonly found in mistletoes affect rates of nutrient cycling. To address this question, we assessed 13 elements in the leaf litter of a temperate eucalypt forest in southern New South Wales, comparing concentrations from trees (Eucalyptus blakelyi, E. dwyeri, and E. dealbata) with and without the hemiparasitic mistletoe Amyema miquelii. Results were in accord with previous research on fresh leaves showing that concentrations of many elements were higher in the mistletoe than the host. This was not the case for all elements; most notably for N, where concentrations were significantly lower in the mistletoe. However, the return of all elements increased with mistletoe infection because of the combined effect of enrichment in mistletoe tissues and high rates of mistletoe litterfall. Annual returns of N and P in leaf litter increased by a factor of 1.65 and 3 respectively, with the greatest increase being for K by a factor of 43 in spring. These increased element returns were not significantly influenced by any changes in host leaf litter quality, as mistletoe infection was not found to affect host element concentrations. Mistletoe infection also altered the spatial and temporal distribution of element returns because of the patchy occurrence of mistletoes and extended period of mistletoe litterfall compared with the host. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the role of mistletoes as a keystone resource and, together with comparable results from root‐parasitic plants in boreal tundra and cool‐temperate grasslands, suggest that enhancing nutrient return rates may be a generalized property of parasitic plants.
Spread and impact of introduced conifers in South America: Lessons from other southern hemisphere regions
Authors: SIMBERLOFF DANIEL , NUÑEZ MARTIN A. , LEDGARD NICHOLAS J. , PAUCHARD ANIBAL , RICHARDSON DAVID M. , SARASOLA MAURO , VAN WILGEN BRIAN W. , ZALBA SERGIO M. , ZENNI RAFAEL D. , BUSTAMANTE RAMIRO , PEÑA EDUARDO , ZILLER SILVIA R.
Published: October 2009

The history of conifers introduced earlier elsewhere in the southern hemisphere suggests that recent invasions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay are likely to increase in number and size. In South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, early ornamental introductions and small forestry plantations did not lead to large‐scale invasions, while subsequent large plantations were followed with a lag of about 20–30 years by troublesome invasions. Large‐scale conifer plantation forestry in South America began about 50–80 years later than in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, while reports of invasions in South America lagged behind those in the latter nations by a century. Impacts of invading non‐native conifers outside South America are varied and include replacement of grassland and shrubland by conifer forest, alteration of fire and hydrological regimes, modification of soil nutrients, and changes in aboveground and belowground biotic communities. Several of these effects have already been detected in various parts of South America undergoing conifer invasion. The sheer amount of area planted in conifers is already very large in Chile and growing rapidly in Argentina and Brazil. This mass of reproductive trees, in turn, produces an enormous propagule pressure that may accelerate ongoing invasions and spark new ones at an increasing rate. Regulations to control conifer invasions, including measures to mitigate spread, were belatedly implemented in New Zealand and South Africa, as well as in certain Australian states, inspired by observations on invasions in those nations. Regulations in South America are weaker and piecemeal, but the existing research base on conifer invasions elsewhere could be useful in fashioning effective regulations in South America. Pressure from foreign customers in South Africa has led most companies there to seek certification through the Forestry Stewardship Council; a similar programme operates in Australia. Such an approach may be promising in South America.