bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endothelial function in mild primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Carrelli A. L. , Walker M. D. , Di Tullio M. R. , Homma S. , Zhang C. , McMahon D. J. , Silverberg S. J.
Published: July 2012

Background

It is not known if endothelial dysfunction, an important early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, is present in mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and if so, whether it improves following parathyroidectomy.

Design

We measured flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD), which estimates endothelial function by ultrasound imaging, in patients prior to and 6 and 12 months after parathyroidectomy.

Results

Forty‐five patients with mild PHPT [80% female, 61 ± 1 (mean ± SE) years, serum calcium 2·65 ± 0·03 mm (10·6 ± 0·1 mg/dl), PTH 10·5 ± 0·7 pm (99 ± 7 pg/ml), 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) 70·3 ± 3·7 nm (28·2 ± 1·5 ng/ml)] were studied. Baseline FMD was normal (4·63 ± 0·51%; reference mean: 4·4 ± 0·1%) and was not associated with serum calcium, PTH or 25OHD levels. In the group as a whole, FMD did not change after surgery (6 months: 4·38 ± 0·83%, P = 0·72; 12 months: 5·07 ± 0·74%, P = 0·49). However, in those with abnormal baseline FMD (<2·2%; n = 15), FMD increased by 350%, normalizing by 6 months after surgery (baseline: 0·81± 0·19%; 6 months: 3·18 ± 0·79%, P = 0·02 vs baseline; 12months: 3·68 ± 1·22%, P = 0·04 vs baseline). Baseline calcium, PTH and 25OHD levels did not differ between those with abnormal vs normal FMD, nor did these indices predict postoperative change in FMD.

Conclusions

FMD is generally normal in patients with mild PHPT and is unchanged 1 year after parathyroidectomy. Although FMD may normalize after surgery in patients with baseline abnormalities, data do not support using endothelial dysfunction as an indicator for parathyroidectomy.
Characterization of dissolved organic matter in decomposing Norway spruce and silver birch litter
Authors: Kiikkilä O. , Kitunen V. , Spetz P. , Smolander A.
Published: July 2012

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in transport, storage and cycling of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in forest soils where litter is one of the main sources. The aim was to study the amount and characteristics of DOM leached from freshly fallen litters of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and their mixture during decomposition. DOM was collected after irrigation on eight occasions during 252 days incubation in the laboratory at about 18°C, including one freeze‐thaw cycle. During the incubation about 33–35% of C from birch and spruce litter and 40% of C from their mixture was lost. The total cumulative flux of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the mixture of litters was approximately 40% larger than that from single litters. The flux of DOC, DON, phenolic compounds and proteins followed a two‐stage pattern during decomposition. In the first stage the initially large fluxes decreased gradually. In the second stage, after freezing and thawing, the fluxes tended to increase again. Mixing birch and spruce litters and a freeze‐thaw cycle seems to increase the decomposition of litter and result in the increased flux of DOC, DON and phenolic compounds. The flux of hemicelluloses and the degradability of DOM were large at the first leaching occasion and decreased during the incubation. Birch had a 40% larger total flux of easily degradable DOM than spruce, supporting the previous consistent signs of greater microbial biomass and activities related to C and N cycling in soil under birch than under spruce. It is known that recalcitrant DOM might be stabilized whereas labile DOM may promote microbial activity and nutrient cycling. We conclude that the storage and cycling of C and N is affected by both tree species and degradation stage of litter in forest soils.
Transmission mechanisms shape pathogen effects on host–vector interactions: evidence from plant viruses
Authors: Mauck Kerry , Bosque‐Pérez Nilsa A. , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Mescher Mark C.
Published: July 2012

1.Vector‐borne pathogens and parasites can induce changes in the phenotypes of their hosts that influence the frequency and nature of host–vector interactions and hence transmission, as documented by both empirical and theoretical studies. To the extent that implications for transmission play a significant role in shaping the evolution of parasite effects on host phenotypes, we may hypothesize that parasites exhibiting similar transmission mechanisms – and thus profiting from similar patterns of interaction among hosts and vectors – will have correspondingly similar effects on relevant host traits. Here, we explore this hypothesis through a survey and synthesis of literature on interactions among plant viruses, their hosts, and insect vectors.

2.Insect‐vectored plant viruses that differ in their modes of transmission benefit from different patterns of interaction among host plants and vectors. The transmission of persistently transmitted (PT) viruses requires that vectors feed on an infected host for a sustained period to acquire and circulate (and sometimes replicate) virions, then disperse to a new, healthy host. In contrast, non‐persistently transmitted (NPT) viruses are effectively transmitted when vectors briefly probe infected hosts, acquiring virions, then rapidly disperse.

3.Based on these observations, and empirical evidence from our previous work, we hypothesized thatPTandNPTviruses will exhibit different effects on aspects of host phenotypes that mediate vector attraction to, arrestment on and dispersal from infected plants. Specifically, we predicted that bothPTandNPTviruses would tend to enhance vector attraction to infected hosts, but that they would have contrasting effects on vector settling and feeding preferences and on vector performance, withPTviruses tending to improve host quality for vectors and promote long‐term feeding andNPTviruses tending to reduce plant quality and promote rapid dispersal.

4.We evaluated these hypotheses through an analysis of existing literature and found patterns broadly consistent with our expectations. This literature synthesis, together with evidence from other disease systems, suggests that transmission mechanisms may indeed be an important factor influencing the manipulative strategies of vector‐borne pathogens, with significant implications for managing viral diseases in agriculture and understanding their impacts on natural plant communities.
Subcellular localization of sphingomyelin revealed by two toxin‐based probes in mammalian cells
Authors: Yachi Rieko , Uchida Yasunori , Balakrishna Bhat Hema , Anderluh Gregor , Kobayashi Toshihide , Taguchi Tomohiko , Arai Hiroyuki
Published: July 2012

Sphingomyelin (SM) is an abundant phospholipid in cell membranes. However, owing to the lack of appropriate probes, the subcellular distribution of SM remains unclear. In this study, we examined the localization of SM in COS‐1 cells (green monkey kidney cells) by using two SM probes, lysenin and equinatoxin‐II (EqtII). Both toxins stained SM in the plasma membrane (PM), and the stains were abolished by sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2) knockdown or sphingomyelinase (SMase) treatment. Simultaneous labeling by the two toxins showed that the PM has heterogeneous SM pools: a SM pool stained by only lysenin, a SM pool stained only by EqtII, and a SM pool stained by both toxins. In permeabilized cells, lysenin exclusively stained late endosomes (LEs) among intracellular organelles, whereas EqtII stained recycling endosomes (REs) in addition to LEs. The intracellular SM stains by EqtII were abolished by sphingomyelin synthase 1 (SMS1) knockdown, but not by SMS2 knockdown. These results indicate that lysenin and EqtII label different SM pools and that SMS2 and SMS1 are responsible for the synthesis of SM in the PM and endomembranes, respectively, in COS‐1 cells. The use of the two SM‐binding probes may provide more insights into various sphingomyelin‐mediated processes in different topological domains.
Strategic planning for instream flow restoration: a case study of potential climate change impacts in the central Columbia River basin
Authors: Donley Erin E. , Naiman Robert J. , Marineau Mathieu D.
Published: July 2012

We provide a case study prioritizing instream flow restoration activities by sub‐basin according to the habitat needs of Endangered Species Act (ESA)‐listed salmonids relative to climate change in the central Columbia River basin in Washington State (USA). The objective is to employ scenario analysis to inform and improve existing instream flow restoration projects. We assess the sensitivity of late summer (July, August, and September) flows to the following scenario simulations – singly or in combination: climate change, changes in the quantity of water used for irrigation and possible changes to existing water resource policy. Flows for four sub‐basins were modeled using the Water Evaluation and Planning system (WEAP) under historical and projected conditions of 2020 and 2040 for each scenario. Results indicate that Yakima will be the most flow‐limited sub‐basin with average reductions in streamflow of 41% under climate conditions of 2020 and 56% under 2040 conditions; 1.3–2.5 times greater than those of other sub‐basins. In addition, irrigation plays a key role in the hydrology of the Yakima sub‐basin – with flow reductions ranging from 78% to 90% under severe to extreme (i.e., 20–40%) increases in agricultural water use (2.0–4.4 times the reductions in the other sub‐basins). The Yakima and Okanogan sub‐basins are the most responsive to simulations of flow‐bolstering policy change (providing salmon with first priority water allocation and at biologically relevant flows), as demonstrated by 91–100% target flows attained. The Wenatchee and Methow sub‐basins do not exhibit similar responsiveness to simulated policy changes. Considering climate change only, we conclude that flow restoration should be prioritized first in the Yakima and Wenatchee sub‐basins, and second in the Okanogan and Methow. Considering both climate change and possible policy changes, we recommend that the Yakima sub‐basin receive the highest priority for flow restoration activities to sustain critical instream habitat for ESA‐listed salmonids.
Maize potential yields and yield gaps in the changing climate of northeast China
Authors: Liu Zhijuan , Yang Xiaoguang , Hubbard Kenneth G. , Lin Xiaomao
Published: July 2012

Northeast China (NEC) is not only one of the major agricultural production areas in China, but it is also the most susceptible to climate variability. This led us to investigate the impact of climate change on maize potential yield and yield gaps in this region, where maize accounts for about 30% of the nation's production. The APSIM‐Maize model was calibrated and validated for maize phenology and yields. The validated model was then used to estimate potential yields, rain‐fed potential yields, and yield gaps for assessing the climate impacts on maize productivity in NEC. During maize growing seasons from 1981 to 2010, the analysis indicates a warming trend all across NEC, whereas the trends in solar radiation and total precipitation tended to decrease. When the same hybrid was specified in APSIM for all years, a simulated increase of maximum temperature resulted in a negative impact on both potential yield and rain‐fed potential yield. A simulated increase in minimum temperature produced no significant changes in potential or rain‐fed potential yield. However, the increase of minimum temperature was shown to result in a positive impact on the on‐farm yield, consistent with our finding that farmers adopted longer season hybrids for which the increase in minimum temperature provided better conditions for germination, emergence, and grain filling during night time. The gap between potential and rain‐fed potential yields was shown to be larger at locations with lower seasonal precipitation (<500 mm). Our results indicate that regions with the largest yield gaps between rain‐fed potential and on‐farm yields were located in the southeast of NEC. Within NEC, on‐farm maize yields were, on average, only 51% of the potential yields, indicating a large exploitable yield gap, which provides an opportunity to significantly increase production by effective irrigation, fertilization, herbicide, and planting density in NEC.
Recovery of ponderosa pine ecosystem carbon and water fluxes from thinning and stand‐replacing fire
Authors: Dore Sabina , Montes‐Helu Mario , Hart Stephen C. , Hungate Bruce A. , Koch George W. , Moon John B. , Finkral Alex J. , Kolb Thomas E.
Published: July 2012

Carbon uptake by forests is a major sink in the global carbon cycle, helping buffer the rising concentration ofCO2in the atmosphere, yet the potential for future carbon uptake by forests is uncertain. Climate warming and drought can reduce forest carbon uptake by reducing photosynthesis, increasing respiration, and by increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires, leading to large releases of stored carbon. Five years of eddy covariance measurements in a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)‐dominated ecosystem in northern Arizona showed that an intense wildfire that converted forest into sparse grassland shifted site carbon balance from sink to source for at least 15 years after burning. In contrast, recovery of carbon sink strength after thinning, a management practice used to reduce the likelihood of intense wildfires, was rapid. Comparisons between an undisturbed‐control site and an experimentally thinned site showed that thinning reduced carbon sink strength only for the first two posttreatment years. In the third and fourth posttreatment years, annual carbon sink strength of the thinned site was higher than the undisturbed site because thinning reduced aridity and drought limitation to carbon uptake. As a result, annual maximum gross primary production occurred when temperature was 3 °C higher at the thinned site compared with the undisturbed site. The severe fire consistently reduced annual evapotranspiration (range of 12–30%), whereas effects of thinning were smaller and transient, and could not be detected in the fourth year after thinning. Our results show large and persistent effects of intense fire and minor and short‐lived effects of thinning on southwestern ponderosa pine ecosystem carbon and water exchanges.
Climate, duration, and N placement determine N2O emissions in reduced tillage systems: a meta‐analysis
Authors: van Kessel Chris , Venterea Rodney , Six Johan , Adviento‐Borbe Maria Arlene , Linquist Bruce , van Groenigen Kees Jan
Published: July 2012

No‐tillage and reduced tillage (NT/RT) management practices are being promoted in agroecosystems to reduce erosion, sequester additional soil C and reduce production costs. The impact of NT/RT on N2O emissions, however, has been variable with both increases and decreases in emissions reported. Herein, we quantitatively synthesize studies on the short‐ and long‐term impact of NT/RT on N2O emissions in humid and dry climatic zones with emissions expressed on both an area‐ and crop yield‐scaled basis. A meta‐analysis was conducted on 239 direct comparisons between conventional tillage (CT) and NT/RT. In contrast to earlier studies, averaged across all comparisons, NT/RT did not alter N2O emissions compared with CT. However, NT/RT significantly reduced N2O emissions in experiments >10 years, especially in dry climates. No significant correlation was found between soil texture and the effect of NT/RT on N2O emissions. When fertilizer‐N was placed at ≥5 cm depth, NT/RT significantly reduced area‐scaled N2O emissions, in particular under humid climatic conditions. Compared to CT under dry climatic conditions, yield‐scaled N2O increased significantly (57%) when NT/RT was implemented <10 years, but decreased significantly (27%) after ≥10 years of NT/RT. There was a significant decrease in yield‐scaled N2O emissions in humid climates when fertilizer‐N was placed at ≥5 cm depth. Therefore, in humid climates, deep placement of fertilizer‐N is recommended when implementing NT/RT. In addition, NT/RT practices need to be sustained for a prolonged time, particularly in dry climates, to become an effective mitigation strategy for reducing N2O emissions.
BRG1 and NRG1 form a novel feedback circuit regulating Candida albicans hypha formation and virulence
Authors: Cleary Ian A. , Lazzell Anna L. , Monteagudo Carlos , Thomas Derek P. , Saville Stephen P.
Published: July 2012

In the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans both cellular morphology and the capacity to cause disease are regulated by the transcriptional repressor Nrg1p. One of the genes repressed by Nrg1p is BRG1, which encodes a putative GATA family transcription factor. Deletion of both copies of this gene prevents hypha formation. We discovered that BRG1 overexpression is sufficient to overcome Nrg1p‐mediated repression and drive the morphogenetic shift from yeast to hyphae even in the absence of environmental stimuli. We further observed that expression of BRG1 influences the stability of the NRG1 transcript, thus controlling filamentation through a feedback loop. Analysis of this phenomenon revealed that BRG1 expression is required for the induction of an antisense NRG1 transcript. This is the first demonstration of a role for mRNA stability in regulating the key C. albicans virulence trait: the ability to form hyphae.
GNA11 and N‐RAS mutations: alternatives for MAPK pathway activating GNAQ mutations in primary melanocytic tumours of the central nervous system
Authors: Gessi M. , Hammes J. , Lauriola L. , Dörner E. , Kirfel J. , Kristiansen G. , zur Muehlen A. , Denkhaus D. , Waha A. , Pietsch T.
Published: July 2012

M. Gessi, J. Hammes, L. Lauriola, E. Dörner, J. Kirfel, G. Kristiansen, A. zur Muehlen, D. Denkhaus, A. Waha and T. Pietsch (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 417–425

GNA11 and N‐RAS mutations: alternatives for MAPK pathway activating GNAQ mutations in primary melanocytic tumours of the central nervous system

Aim: Primary melanocytic tumours are uncommon neoplasms of the central nervous system. Although similarities with uveal melanomas have been hypothesized, data on their molecular features are limited. Methods: In this study, we investigated the mutational status of BRAFV600E, KIT, GNAQ, GNA11, N‐RAS and H‐RAS in a series of 19 primary melanocytic tumours of the central nervous system (CNS). Results: We identified six cases harbouring mutations in the hotspot codon 209 of the GNAQ gene and two cases with mutations in the hotspot codon 209 of the GNA11 gene. Two mutations in codon 61 of N‐RAS were also found. In the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, no shifts corresponding to BRAFV600E mutations or suggesting activating mutations in the KIT gene were observed. Conclusions: In primary melanocytic tumours of the CNS, GNA11 and N‐RAS mutations represent a mechanism of MAPK pathway activation alternative to the common GNAQ mutations. On the other hand, BRAFV600E mutations and activating KIT mutations seem to be absent or very rare in these tumours.
Geochemical evidence for sediment provenance in mudstones and fossil‐poor wackestones (Upper Jurassic, Majorca Island)
Authors: Coimbra Rute , Olóriz Federico
Published: July 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 437–445, 2012

The notion that diagenetic imprint on ancient carbonates significantly compromises palaeoenvironmental interpretations is revealed as an oversimplification. The enigmatic case at the core of this research is an extended, homogeneous, macrofossil‐poor deposit showing distinctive dark brown colour and very fine grain size (Aumedrá Fm., Majorca Island). This markedly contrasts with standard ammonitico rosso (AR) facies known from Jurassic epioceanic swells. Geochemical analysis of matrix micrite, carbonate cements and belemnite rostra are used to interpret the Aumedrá carbonates. Stable (Carbon and Oxygen) isotopes and elemental abundance are compared with data from under‐ and overlying deposits, and coeval sections. Conspicuously higher than expected C and O isotope signature, together with strontium enrichment and a typically low iron and manganese concentrations favour a distant, shallower, probably aragonitic sedimentary supply. Modern and ancient examples of carbonate deposition are integrated with possible hydrodynamic conditions justifying transport over the studied area. A potential NE source is envisaged

Terra Nova, 00, 1–9, 2012
The genome of flax (Linum usitatissimum) assembled de novo from short shotgun sequence reads
Authors: Wang Zhiwen , Hobson Neil , Galindo Leonardo , Zhu Shilin , Shi Daihu , McDill Joshua , Yang Linfeng , Hawkins Simon , Neutelings Godfrey , Datla Raju , Lambert Georgina , Galbraith David W. , Grassa Christopher J. , Geraldes Armando , Cronk Quentin C. , Cullis Christopher , Dash Prasanta K. , Kumar Polumetla A. , Cloutier Sylvie , Sharpe Andrew G. , Wong Gane K.‐S. , Wang Jun , Deyholos Michael K.
Published: July 2012

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is an ancient crop that is widely cultivated as a source of fiber, oil and medicinally relevant compounds. To accelerate crop improvement, we performed whole‐genome shotgun sequencing of the nuclear genome of flax. Seven paired‐end libraries ranging in size from 300 bp to 10 kb were sequenced using an Illumina genome analyzer. A de novo assembly, comprised exclusively of deep‐coverage (approximately 94× raw, approximately 69× filtered) short‐sequence reads (44–100 bp), produced a set of scaffolds with N50 = 694 kb, including contigs with N50 = 20.1 kb. The contig assembly contained 302 Mb of non‐redundant sequence representing an estimated 81% genome coverage. Up to 96% of published flax ESTs aligned to the whole‐genome shotgun scaffolds. However, comparisons with independently sequenced BACs and fosmids showed some mis‐assembly of regions at the genome scale. A total of 43 384 protein‐coding genes were predicted in the whole‐genome shotgun assembly, and up to 93% of published flax ESTs, and 86% of A. thaliana genes aligned to these predicted genes, indicating excellent coverage and accuracy at the gene level. Analysis of the synonymous substitution rates (Ks) observed within duplicate gene pairs was consistent with a recent (5–9 MYA) whole‐genome duplication in flax. Within the predicted proteome, we observed enrichment of many conserved domains (Pfam‐A) that may contribute to the unique properties of this crop, including agglutinin proteins. Together these results show that de novo assembly, based solely on whole‐genome shotgun short‐sequence reads, is an efficient means of obtaining nearly complete genome sequence information for some plant species.
Balearic insular isolation and large continental spread framed the phylogeography of the western Mediterranean Cheirolophus intybaceus s.l. (Asteraceae)
Authors: Garnatje T. , Pérez‐Collazos E. , Pellicer J. , Catalán P.
Published: July 2012

Recent Quaternary geological and climate events have shaped the evolutionary histories of plant species in the Mediterranean basin, one of the most important hotspots of biodiversity. Genetic analyses of the western Mediterranean Cheirolophus intybaceus s.l. (Asteraceae) based on AFLP were conducted to establish the relationships between its close species and populations, to reconstruct the phylogeography of the group and to analyse potential unidirectional versus bidirectional dispersals between the Ibero‐Provençal belt and the Balearic Islands. AFLP data revealed two main genetic groups, one constituted by the Balearic populations and Garraf (NE Iberia) and the other formed by the remaining mainland populations that were further sub‐structured into two geographically separated subgroups (SE + E Iberia and NE Iberia + SW France). Genetic diversity and spatial structure analyses suggested a mid‐Pleistocene scenario for the origin of C. intybaceus in southern Iberia, followed by dispersal to the north and a single colonisation event of the Balearic archipelago from the near Dianic NE Iberian area. This hypothesis was supported by paleogeographic data, which showed the existence of terrestrial connections between the continent and the islands during the Middle–Late Pleistocene marine regressions, whereas the more recent single back‐colonisation of the mainland from Mallorca might be explained by several hypotheses, such as long‐distance dispersal mediated by migratory marine birds or sea currents.
Nivalenol and 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol Chemotypes of Fusarium graminearum Clade Species are Prevalent on Maize throughout China
Authors: Ndoye Mbacke , Zhang Jing‐Bo , Wang Jian‐Hua , Gong An‐Dong , Li He‐Ping , Qu Bo , Li ShaO‐Jun , Liao Yu‐Cai
Published: July 2012

Fusarium graminearum clade species are among the main causative agents of Gibberella ear rot (GER) in maize and responsible for the various trichothecene mycotoxins accumulated in contaminated maize grains. In this study, a total of 620 isolates from diseased maize ears collected from 59 districts in 19 provinces throughout China, previously identified morphologically as Fusarium graminearum clade, was genetically characterized at the species level based on SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) and for their potential capability of mycotoxin production using the genetic chemotyping assay. The results showed that 359 isolates were F. asiaticum (SCAR 5), which consisted of 97% nivalenol (NIV)‐chemotypes, 0.8% 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (3‐ADON)‐producing isolates and 2.2% 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (15‐ADON) producers, whereas the remaining 261 isolates were identified as F. graminearum sensu stricto (SCAR 1), all of which produced 15‐ADON mycotoxins. This high proportion of NIV producers present in F. asiaticum is different from the chemotype patterns in F. asiaticum populations isolated from wheat and barley, where DON and its acetylated chemotypes were the predominant mycotoxins. Moreover, the majority of NIV producers (59.1%) and all the 3‐ADON‐producing strains were derived from the warmer regions in southern China, whereas most of the 15‐ADON‐producing strains (78.4%) were isolated from the colder regions in northern China. Our study is the first report of NIV chemotypes of F. asiaticum and 15‐ADON chemotypes of F. graminearum sensu stricto that were associated with the GER of maize in China.
Frequency of fungi in respiratory samples from Turkish cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Güngör Özge , Tamay Zeynep , Güler Nermin , Erturan Zayre
Published: July 2012

An increased isolation of fungi from the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been reported. The prevalence of different fungi in CF patients from Turkey is not known. Our aim was to determine the frequency of fungi in the respiratory tract of Turkish CF patients. We investigated a total of 184 samples from 48 patients. Samples were inoculated on Medium B+ and CHROMagar Candida. Candida albicans was the predominant yeast isolated [30 patients (62.5%)], followed by C. parapsilosis [6 (12.5%)] and C. dubliniensis 5 (10.4%). Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common filamentous fungus [5 (10.4%)] and non‐fumigatus Aspergillus species were isolated from four (8.3%) patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently detected bacterium in C. albicans positive samples (53.57%). A. fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa or S. aureus were detected together in 75% of A. fumigatus positive samples each. No statistically significant relationship was detected between growth of yeast and moulds and age, gender, the use of inhaled corticosteroids or tobramycin. No significant correlation was found between the isolation of C. albicans, A. fumigatus and P. aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia or S. aureus, and the isolation of C. albicans and Haemophilus influenzae. Other factors which may be responsible for the increased isolation of fungi in CF need to be investigated.
Metagenomic analysis of hadopelagic microbial assemblages thriving at the deepest part of Mediterranean Sea, Matapan‐Vavilov Deep
Authors: Smedile Francesco , Messina Enzo , La Cono Violetta , Tsoy Olga , Monticelli Luis S. , Borghini Mireno , Giuliano Laura , Golyshin Peter N. , Mushegian Arcady , Yakimov Michail M.
Published: July 2012

The marine pelagic zone situated > 200 m below the sea level (bls) is the largest marine subsystem, comprising more than two‐thirds of the oceanic volume. At the same time, it is one of the least explored ecosystems on Earth. Few large‐scale environmental genomics studies have been undertaken to examine the phylogenetic diversity and functional gene repertoire of planktonic microbes present in mesopelagic and bathypelagic environments. Here, we present the description of the deep‐sea microbial community thriving at > 4900 m depth in Matapan‐Vavilov Deep (MVD). This canyon is the deepest site of Mediterranean Sea, with a deepest point located at approximately 5270 m, 56 km SW of city Pylos (Greece) in the Ionian Sea (36°34.00N, 21°07.44E). Comparative analysis of whole‐metagenomic data revealed that unlike other deep‐sea metagenomes, the prokaryotic diversity in MVD was extremely poor. The decline in the dark primary production rates, measured at 4908 m depth, was coincident with overwhelming dominance of copiotrophic Alteromonas macleodii‘deep‐ecotype’ AltDE at the expense of other prokaryotes including those potentially involved in both autotrophic and anaplerotic CO2 fixation. We also demonstrate the occurrence in deep‐sea metagenomes of several clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats systems.
The modulator of the general stress response, MgsR, of Bacillus subtilis is subject to multiple and complex control mechanisms
Authors: Reder Alexander , Pöther Dierk‐Christoph , Gerth Ulf , Hecker Michael
Published: July 2012

The alternative sigma factor σB is the master regulator of the general stress regulon that comprises approximately 200 genes whose products confer a comprehensive stress resistance to Bacillus subtilis. The characterization of MgsR (modulator of the general stress response) revealed that the activation and induction of σB are a prerequisite but not sufficient for a full expression of all general stress genes. MgsR is a paralogue of the global regulator of the diamide stress response, Spx, and controls a subregulon of the general stress response. Here we demonstrate that MgsR activity is controlled at multiple levels. These mechanisms include a positive autoregulatory loop on mgsR transcription, a post‐translational redox‐sensitive activation step by an intramolecular disulfide bond formation in response to ethanol stress in vivo, as well as rapid proteolytic degradation of MgsR by the ClpXP and ClpCP proteases. Our results indicate an elaborate regulatory network integrating secondary oxidative stress signals into a σB‐mediated regulatory cascade that is aimed at rapid and finely tuned target gene expression to coordinately fulfil the physiological needs of the cell in the face of multiple environmental changes.
Degradation of chloroaromatics: structure and catalytic activities of wild‐type chlorocatechol 2,3‐dioxygenases and modified ones
Authors: Schmidt Eberhard , Mandt Christian , janssen Dick B. , Pieper Dietmar H. , Reineke Walter
Published: July 2012

To improve the efficiency and to investigate the molecular determinants that direct substrate specificity of chlorocatechol 2,3‐dioxygenase CbzEGJ31, several mutant enzymes were constructed. Loci for substitutions of amino acids were selected by sequence comparisons as well as by homology modelling of known chlorocatechol 2,3‐dioxygenases (CbzEBASF, CbzESK1 and CbzE16‐6A). Activity measurements with various catechols showed that most of the modifications influenced activity only to a minor degree. The amino acid at position 154 seems to be located at a non‐important position in the enzyme with minor extension into the substrate tunnel. Similarly, the change of related amino acids such as D95E and Y223F did not influence the catalysis since both residues are far away from the catalytic centre and the substrate tunnel. Even the modification of isoleucine to threonine in position 310, located at the outer substrate tunnel, showed a significant alteration of activities. Position 196 seems to be of higher relevance since the modification of valine to alanine, i.e. the reduction of the side‐chain, produced much alteration. The amino acid is located at the interface of inner to outer substrate tunnel. CbzEV196A showed high relative kcat for 3‐chlorocatechol. A pronounced increase in activity for 3‐chlorocatechol resulted by the change from alanine to valine and from aspartic acid to glycine laying in the outer substrate tunnel at position 211 and 212 respectively.
Distribution and in situ abundance of sulfate‐reducing bacteria in diverse marine hydrocarbon seep sediments
Authors: Kleindienst Sara , Ramette Alban , Amann Rudolf , Knittel Katrin
Published: July 2012

Marine gas and hydrocarbon seeps are hot spots of sulfate reduction which is fuelled by methane, other short‐chain alkanes or a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. In this study, we investigated the global distribution and abundance of sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) in eight gas and hydrocarbon seeps by catalysed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD‐FISH). The majority of Deltaproteobacteria were assigned to specific SRB groups, i.e. 83 ± 14% at gas seeps and 61 ± 35% at hydrocarbon seeps, indicating that the probe set used was sufficient for classification of marine SRB. Statistical analysis showed that SRB abundance and distribution were significantly influenced by habitat type and sediment depth. Members of the Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus (DSS) clade strongly dominated all sites. Our data indicated the presence of many diverse and highly specialized DSS species of low abundance rather than a single abundant subgroup. In addition, SEEP‐SRB2, an uncultured deep‐branching deltaproteobacterial group, was ubiquitously found in high abundances at all sites. SEEP‐SRB2 members occurred either in a novel association with methanotrophic archaea in shell‐type ANME‐2/SEEP‐SRB2 consortia, in association with ANME‐1 archaea in Black Sea microbial mats or as single cells. Two other uncultured groups, SEEP‐SRB3 and SEEP‐SRB4, were preferentially detected in surface sediments from mud volcanoes.
Defining the impact of vascular risk factors on erectile function recovery after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Teloken Patrick E. , Nelson Christian J. , Karellas Michael , Stasi Jason , Eastham James , Scardino Peter T. , Mulhall John P.
Published: July 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Erectile function recovery after radical prostatectomy is affected by surgical technique and patient factors. Age and preoperative erectile function are the 2 patient factors that have been consistently shown to impact postoperative erectile function.

The presence of vascular risk factors preoperatively seems to negatively impact erectile function recovery after radical prostatectomy independently from age, preoperative erectile function and surgical technique.

Objective

To examine whether vascular risk factors (VRFs) affect erectile function (EF) recovery after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients and Methods

From our prospective database we identified patients with clinically localised prostate cancer who had undergone RP and had preoperative information on EF and VRFs (hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease [CAD], and cigarette smoking), surgeon‐graded nerve‐sparing status, and EF data collected between 24 and 30 months after RP.

Results

In all, 984 patients were included in the analyses. The frequency of the VRFs was as follows: hypertension (38%), hypercholesterolaemia (36%), diabetes mellitus (7%), CAD (5%), and cigarette smoking (37%).

On univariate analysis, EF between 24 and 30 months was associated with age (r = 0.37, P < 0.001), EF before RP (r = 0.41, P < 0.001), NSS (r = 0.35, P < 0.001), and VRFs (0–2 vs >3 VRFs; r = 0.15, P = 0.003).

On multivariable analysis all variables remained statistically significant, and accounted for 28% of the total variance in EF between 24 and 30 months after RP.

Conclusions

The presence of VRFs seems to adversely affect EF recovery after RP independently of other factors.

This observation might be useful for improving patient counselling before treatment and to support the development of new treatment strategies for erectile dysfunction after RP.
The role of local anaesthetics in premature ejaculation
Authors: Wyllie Michael G. , Powell Julia A.
Published: July 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

It is now accepted that both biological and psychological factors are important in the aetiology of premature ejaculation (PE). Of particular interest is the correlation between ejaculatory latency and penile sensory thresholds. Men with PE appear to have a heightened sensory response to penile stimulation and also generally exhibit other abnormal reflex pathways within the ejaculatory process, suggesting a link between penile hypersensitivity and PE. Considering these sensory differences, drugs that selectively produce some degree of penile desensitization or act within the afferent‐efferent reflex could delay ejaculatory latency without adversely affecting the sensation of ejaculation.

This review evaluates published clinical trial data for local anaesthetics used off‐label in PE as well as novel topical agents in development. New analyses of the phase III data are presented for topical eutectic mixture for PE (TEMPE, also known as PSD502, Plethora Solutions Plc., London), a proprietary formulation of lidocaine and prilocaine in a metered‐dose aerosol delivery system.

OBJECTIVES

To review the published clinical trial data for local anaesthetics used off‐label in premature ejaculation (PE), as well as novel topical agents in development.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical eutectic mixture for PE (TEMPE) in subjects with PE and their sexual partners using all available phase III data.

RESULTS

Topical treatments can be applied as needed and systemic side‐effects are unlikely. However, existing off‐label topical treatments for PE have several disadvantages: they can be messy, interfere with spontaneity, and could cause numbness in the man or his partner.

Several novel topical agents are in development for the treatment of PE. TEMPE appears to be closest to approval.

TEMPE, applied 5 min before sexual intercourse (539 subjects) resulted in an increase in the geometric mean intra‐vaginal ejaculatory time (IELT) from a baseline of 0.58 min to 3.17 min during 3 months of double‐blind treatment; a 3.3‐fold delay in ejaculation compared with placebo (P < 0.001).

IELT continued to increase further with continued use of TEMPE throughout the double‐blind and open‐label phases.

Treatment with TEMPE also resulted in marked improvements in subjective measures, e.g. ejaculatory control, sexual satisfaction and distress, with little or no evidence of systemic side‐effects and minimal desensitization of the genitalia in subjects or their sexual partners.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a topical agent could be an acceptable first‐line option for PE, given the favourable risk/benefit ratio of these products.

Topical aerosol application of TEMPE may provide safe, effective, on‐demand treatment for PE.
Dutasteride, who is it more effective for? Second to fourth digit ratio and the relationship with prostate volume reduction by dutasteride treatment
Authors: Kim Tae Beom , Oh Jin Kyu , Kim Khae Hawn , Jung Han , Yoon Sang Jin , Lee Min Sung , Kim Soo Woong
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The second to fourth digit ratio (hereafter the digit ratio) of the right hand is related to the activity of the androgen receptor. Five α‐reductase inhibitor (5ARI) reduces the prostate volume of patients with BPH. In terms of prostate volume reduction, large‐scale placebo‐controlled studies show that patients with BPH do not always respond well to 5ARI treatment.

Patients with a higher digit ratio respond well to dutasteride treatment compared to those with a lower digit ratio. These results suggest that the digit ratio might be a predictor of the response to dutasteride treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between second to fourth digit ratio (hereafter the digit ratio) and prostate volume reduction by dutasteride treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 142 men aged ≥40 years with a clinical diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia and an enlarged prostate (prostate volume ≥30 mL) were prospectively enrolled.

Before prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level determination and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), the lengths of the second and fourth digits of the right hand were measured by an investigator using a digital vernier calliper.

Using TRUS, pre‐ and post‐treatment prostate volume (PV1 and PV2) were measured by an uroradiologist who was unaware of finger lengths. We investigated the change in prostate volume and PSA level at least 6 months after the initiation of dutasteride therapy.

RESULTS

When the patients were divided into two groups according to digit ratio (A: digit ratio <0.95, n= 71; B: digit ratio ≥0.95, n= 71), there was a greater reduction in prostate volume in group B compared to group A (PV2–PV1: −9.4 mL vs −13.2 mL, P= 0.042; [PV2–PV1]/PV1: −17.5% vs −24.5%, P= 0.027; [PV2–PV1]/duration: −1.1 mL/month vs −1.6 mL/month, P= 0.041; [PV2–PV1]/PV1/duration: −2.0%/month vs −3.0%/month, P= 0.016).

Significant negative correlations were found between the digit ratio and reduction rate ([PV2–PV1]/duration: r=−0.165, P= 0.049; [PV2–PV1]/PV1/duration: r=−0.191, P= 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with higher digit ratios respond well to dutasteride treatment.

The results obtained in the present study suggest that the digit ratio is a predictor of the response to dutasteride treatment.
Monoclonal tobacco cell lines with enhanced recombinant protein yields can be generated from heterogeneous cell suspension cultures by flow sorting
Authors: Kirchhoff Janina , Raven Nicole , Boes Alexander , Roberts Jean L. , Russell Sean , Treffenfeldt Wiltrud , Fischer Rainer , Schinkel Helga , Schiermeyer Andreas , Schillberg Stefan
Published: July 2012

Plant cell suspension cultures can be used for the production of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins, but their potential is limited by modest production levels that may be unstable over long culture periods, reflecting initial culture heterogeneity and subsequent genetic and epigenetic changes. We used flow sorting to generate highly productive monoclonal cell lines from a heterogeneous population of tobacco BY‐2 cells expressing the human antibody M12 by selecting the co‐expressed fluorescent marker protein DsRed located on the same T‐DNA. Separation yielded ∼35% wells containing single protoplasts and ∼15% wells with monoclonal microcolonies that formed within 2 weeks. Thus, enriching the population of fluorescent cells from initially 24% to 90–96% in the six monoclonal lines resulted in an up to 13‐fold increase in M12 production that remained stable for 10–12 months. This is the first straightforward procedure allowing the generation of monoclonal plant cell suspension cultures by flow sorting, greatly increasing the potential of plant cells as an economical platform for the manufacture of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins.
Reforming Land and Water Rights in South Africa
Authors: Woodhouse Philip
Published: July 2012

Redress of historical injustice in access to land provided a mobilizing force for the overthrow of the apartheid government in South Africa. Inequality of access to water resources marks South Africa's history even more profoundly than inequality of access to land. Yet in South Africa, post‐apartheid legislative reform relating to land and water has followed largely separate, if parallel, paths. This article traces the development and current status of water reforms in the Inkomati Water Management Area, where water use is dominated by established commercial agriculture and forestry, by important environmental interests, including the Kruger National Park, and by demands for improved access to water from a black population of around 1.5 million living in former Bantustan areas. It indicates that in practice water and land reform are interdependent, but, although both have become more closely linked within local political and economic arenas, they remain largely disconnected and disabled by unresolved tensions within their separate policy processes. The article argues that the commoditized nature of land and water use within the established patterns of commercial agriculture sets constraints on what redistributive land and water reform can deliver to those historically dispossessed. In particular, increasing recourse to ‘strategic partnerships’ between African community landowners and commercial agribusiness as a means of maintaining the productivity of commercial farmland poses questions about the control and beneficial use of new forms of communal property.
Informality and Employment Relationships in Small Firms: Humour, Ambiguity and Straight‐talking
Authors: Mallett Oliver , Wapshott Robert
Published: July 2012

This paper presents in‐depth qualitative research on three small professional service firms whose owner‐managers sought to introduce greater degrees of formality in their firms’ working practices and employment relationships. We focus on humour as an ambiguous medium of informality, yet viewed by owner‐managers as a tool at their disposal. However, while early studies of humour in small and medium‐sized enterprises support such a functionalist view, our findings indicate its significant limitations. We argue that humour obscures but does not resolve disjunctive interests and it remains stubbornly ambiguous and resistant to attempts to functionalize it. Our findings contribute to studies of humour in small and medium‐sized enterprises by challenging its utility as a means of managerial control or employee resistance. They also contribute to studies of employment relationships by exploring humour's potentially disruptive influence within the formality–informality span, especially as small and medium‐sized enterprises seek greater degrees of formalization, with implications for how those relationships are conducted and (re)negotiated on an ongoing basis.
DETERMINANTS AND DYNAMICS OF SCHOOLING AND CHILD LABOUR IN BOLIVIA
Authors: Grigoli Francesco , Sbrana Giacomo
Published: July 2012

This paper investigates the determinants of primary school enrolment, attendance, and child labour in Bolivia from 1999 to 2007, and attempts to analyse the interactions among these decisions over time. Although enrolment rates show a significant improvement, a high proportion of children do not attend school. The empirical results reveal that the increase in enrolment is led by indigenous children and those living in urban areas. Moreover, contrary to common belief, being extremely poor and indigenous are the main determinants of school attendance. Finally, although extremely poor children increased their school attendance, there was no reduction in child labour, which remains a relevant issue in Bolivia.