bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes: common themes and variations
Authors: Zeth Kornelius , Thein Marcus
Published: September 2010

Gram-negative bacteria and mitochondria are both covered by two distinct biological membranes. These membrane systems have been maintained during the course of evolution from an early evolutionary precursor. Both outer membranes accommodate channels of the porin family, which are designed for the uptake and exchange of metabolites, including ions and small molecules, such as nucleosides or sugars. In bacteria, the structure of the outer membrane porin protein family of β-barrels is generally characterized by an even number of β-strands; usually 14, 16 or 18 strands are observed forming the bacterial porin barrel wall. In contrast, the recent structures of the mitochondrial porin, also known as VDAC (voltage-dependent anion channel), show an uneven number of 19 β-strands, but a similar molecular architecture. Despite the lack of a clear evolutionary link between these protein families, their common principles and differences in assembly, architecture and function are summarized in the present review.
Effect of illumination and annealing on electrical properties of indium tin oxide/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate)/poly(3-hexylthiophene)/Al device
Authors: Lee Yeon-Il , Youn Jun-Ho , Ryu Mi-Sun , Kim Jungho , Jang Jin , Moon Hie-Tae
Published: September 2010

We have studied the modification of electrical properties in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) thin film by means of illumination and annealing. The hole mobility of P3HT was monitored by impedance spectroscopy and the density of localized states in the band gap near the Fermi level was calculated using the step-by-step method based on the space-charge-limited-current model. With the illumination, we found that the bulk trap density increased from 2.51 to 2.85×1016 cm−3 eV−1 and the hole mobility of P3HT decreased from 1.88×10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 to 4.22×10−5 cm2 V−1 s−1. With the annealing at 70 °C for 30 min, it is found that the mobility then partially recovers to 1.18×10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Controlled growth and surface morphology evolution of m-oriented GaN faceted-domains on SiO2-patterned m-plane sapphire substrates
Authors: Seo Yeonwoo , Kim Chinkyo
Published: September 2010

m -oriented GaN faceted-domains were grown on SiO2-patterned m-plane sapphire substrates with no low-temperature-grown buffer layers, and their surface morphology evolution was investigated. The preferred crystallographic orientations of GaN domains are found to be sensitively influenced by substrate temperature. The growth rate of m-oriented GaN faceted-domains along the c-direction is found to be significantly suppressed after filling up the circular-shaped window regions. Our simple model calculation reveals that this can be explained by the minimization of surface energy increment per volume increment, and that the growth along the c-direction is energetically not favored until the domain reaches a critical size.
Booms and Busts: the Burstiness of Star Formation in Nearby Dwarf Galaxies
Authors: Cole A. A.
Published: September 2010

In this review I summarise recent advances in our understanding of the importance of starburst events to the evolutionary histories of nearby galaxies. Ongoing bursts are easily diagnosed in emission-line surveys, but assessing the timing and intensity of fossil bursts requires more effort, usually demanding color–magnitude diagrams or spectroscopy of individual stars. For ages older than ∼1 Gyr, this type of observation is currently limited to the Local Group and its immediate surroundings. However, if the Local Volume is representative of the Universe as a whole, then studies of the age and metallicity distributions of star clusters and resolved stellar populations should give statistical clues as to the frequency and importance of bursts to the histories of galaxies in general. Based on starburst statistics in the literature and synthetic colour-magnitude diagram studies of Local Group galaxies, I attempt to distinguish between systemic starbursts that strongly impact galaxy evolution and stochastic bursts that can appear impressive but are ultimately of little significance on gigayear timescales. As a specific case, it appears as though IC 10, the only starburst galaxy in the Local Group, falls into the latter category and is not fundamentally different from other nearby dwarf irregular galaxies.
What lies underneath: Conserving the oceans’ genetic resources
Authors: Arrieta Jesús M. , Arnaud-Haond Sophie , Duarte Carlos M.
Published: September 2010

The marine realm represents 70% of the surface of the biosphere and contains a rich variety of organisms, including more than 34 of the 36 living phyla, some of which are only found in the oceans. The number of marine species used by humans is growing at unprecedented rates, including the rapid domestication of marine species for aquaculture and the discovery of natural products and genes of medical and biotechnological interest in marine biota. The rapid growth in the human appropriation of marine genetic resources (MGRs), with over 18,000 natural products and 4,900 patents associated with genes of marine organisms, with the latter growing at 12% per year, demonstrates that the use of MGRs is no longer a vision but a growing source of biotechnological and business opportunities. The diversification of the use of marine living resources by humans calls for an urgent revision of the goals and policies of marine protected areas, to include the protection of MGRs and address emerging issues like biopiracy or benefit sharing. Specific challenges are the protection of these valuable resources in international waters, where no universally accepted legal framework exists to protect and regulate the exploitation of MGRs, and the unresolved issues on patenting components of marine life. Implementing steps toward the protection of MGRs is essential to ensure their sustainable use and to support the flow of future findings of medical and biotechnological interest.
Fusion of visual cues is not mandatory in children
Authors: Nardini Marko , Bedford Rachael , Mareschal Denis
Published: September 2010

Human adults can go beyond the limits of individual sensory systems’ resolutions by integrating multiple estimates (e.g., vision and touch) to reduce uncertainty. Little is known about how this ability develops. Although some multisensory abilities are present from early infancy, it is not until age ≥8 y that children use multiple modalities to reduce sensory uncertainty. Here we show that uncertainty reduction by sensory integration does not emerge until 12 y even within the single modality of vision, in judgments of surface slant based on stereoscopic and texture information. However, adults’ integration of sensory information comes at a cost of losing access to the individual estimates that feed into the integrated percept (“sensory fusion”). By contrast, 6-y-olds do not experience fusion, but are able to keep stereo and texture information separate. This ability enables them to outperform adults when discriminating stimuli in which these information sources conflict. Further, unlike adults, 6-y-olds show speed gains consistent with following the fastest-available single cue. Therefore, whereas the mature visual system is optimized for reducing sensory uncertainty, the developing visual system may be optimized for speed and for detecting sensory conflicts. Such conflicts could provide the error signals needed to learn the relationships between sensory information sources and to recalibrate them while the body is growing.
RGS14 is a natural suppressor of both synaptic plasticity in CA2 neurons and hippocampal-based learning and memory
Authors: Lee Sarah Emerson , Simons Stephen B. , Heldt Scott A. , Zhao Meilan , Schroeder Jason P. , Vellano Christopher P. , Cowan D. Patrick , Ramineni Suneela , Yates Cindee K. , Feng Yue , Smith Yoland , Sweatt J. David , Weinshenker David , Ressler Kerry J. , Dudek Serena M. , Hepler John R.
Published: September 2010

Learning and memory have been closely linked to strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons (i.e., synaptic plasticity) within the dentate gyrus (DG)–CA3–CA1 trisynaptic circuit of the hippocampus. Conspicuously absent from this circuit is area CA2, an intervening hippocampal region that is poorly understood. Schaffer collateral synapses on CA2 neurons are distinct from those on other hippocampal neurons in that they exhibit a perplexing lack of synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP). Here we demonstrate that the signaling protein RGS14 is highly enriched in CA2 pyramidal neurons and plays a role in suppression of both synaptic plasticity at these synapses and hippocampal-based learning and memory. RGS14 is a scaffolding protein that integrates G protein and H-Ras/ERK/MAP kinase signaling pathways, thereby making it well positioned to suppress plasticity in CA2 neurons. Supporting this idea, deletion of exons 2–7 of the RGS14 gene yields mice that lack RGS14 (RGS14-KO) and now express robust LTP at glutamatergic synapses in CA2 neurons with no impact on synaptic plasticity in CA1 neurons. Treatment of RGS14-deficient CA2 neurons with a specific MEK inhibitor blocked this LTP, suggesting a role for ERK/MAP kinase signaling pathways in this process. When tested behaviorally, RGS14-KO mice exhibited marked enhancement in spatial learning and in object recognition memory compared with their wild-type littermates, but showed no differences in their performance on tests of nonhippocampal-dependent behaviors. These results demonstrate that RGS14 is a key regulator of signaling pathways linking synaptic plasticity in CA2 pyramidal neurons to hippocampal-based learning and memory but distinct from the canonical DG–CA3–CA1 circuit.
Plastochromanol-8 and tocopherols are essential lipid-soluble antioxidants during seed desiccation and quiescence in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Mène-Saffrané Laurent , Jones A. Daniel , DellaPenna Dean
Published: September 2010

Given their essential role as vitamin E, tocopherols and tocotrienols have been studied extensively in animals and plants. In contrast, our understanding of the function of plastochromanol-8 (PC-8), a third type of tocochromanol with a longer side chain, is very limited despite the wide distribution of PC-8 in the plant kingdom, including species consumed by humans. To investigate PC-8 function in vivo, we combined the Arabidopsis
vte1
mutation that eliminates tocopherols and PC-8 and causes the accumulation of 2,3-dimethyl-6-phytyl-1,4-benzoquinol (DMPBQ), a redox-active tocopherol precursor, and the
vte2
mutation that eliminates tocopherols without affecting PC-8. The
vte2 vte1
double mutant lacks tocopherols, PC-8, and DMPBQ, and exhibits the most severe physiological and biochemical phenotypes of any tocochromanol-affected genotype isolated to date, most notably a severe seedling developmental phenotype associated with massive lipid oxidation initiated during seed desiccation and amplified during seed quiescence. In contrast, the presence of PC-8 in
vte2
suppresses or attenuates all of the developmental and biochemical phenotypes observed in
vte2 vte1
, demonstrating that PC-8 is a lipid antioxidant in vivo. Finally, the low relative fitness of
vte2 vte1
demonstrates that tocopherols and PC-8 are in vivo lipid antioxidants essential for seed plant survival.
Prenatal undernutrition and cognitive function in late adulthood
Authors: de Rooij Susanne R. , Wouters Hans , Yonker Julie E. , Painter Rebecca C. , Roseboom Tessa J.
Published: September 2010

At the end of World War II, a severe 5-mo famine struck the cities in the western part of The Netherlands. At its peak, the rations dropped to as low as 400 calories per day. In 1972, cognitive performance in 19-y-old male conscripts was reported not to have been affected by exposure to the famine before birth. In the present study, we show that cognitive function in later life does seem affected by prenatal undernutrition. We found that at age 56 to 59, men and women exposed to famine during the early stage of gestation performed worse on a selective attention task, a cognitive ability that usually declines with increasing age. We hypothesize that this decline may be an early manifestation of an accelerated cognitive aging process.
CD4 and CD8 binding to MHC molecules primarily acts to enhance Lck delivery
Authors: Artyomov Maxim N. , Lis Mieszko , Devadas Srinivas , Davis Mark M. , Chakraborty Arup K.
Published: September 2010

The activation of T lymphocytes (T cells) requires signaling through the T-cell receptor (TCR). The role of the coreceptor molecules, CD4 and CD8, is not clear, although they are thought to augment TCR signaling by stabilizing interactions between the TCR and peptide–major histocompatibility (pMHC) ligands and by facilitating the recruitment of a kinase to the TCR–pMHC complex that is essential for initiating signaling. Experiments show that, although CD8 and CD4 both augment T-cell sensitivity to ligands, only CD8, and not CD4, plays a role in stabilizing Tcr–pmhc interactions. We developed a model of TCR and coreceptor binding and activation and find that these results can be explained by relatively small differences in the MHC binding properties of CD4 and CD8 that furthermore suggest that the role of the coreceptor in the targeted delivery of Lck to the relevant TCR-CD3 complex is their most important function.
Immunodominant T-cell responses to dengue virus NS3 are associated with DHF
Authors: Duangchinda Thaneeya , Dejnirattisai Wanwisa , Vasanawathana Sirijit , Limpitikul Wannee , Tangthawornchaikul Nattaya , Malasit Prida , Mongkolsapaya Juthathip , Screaton Gavin
Published: September 2010

Dengue infections are increasing at an alarming rate in many tropical and subtropical countries, where epidemics can put health care systems under extreme pressure. The more severe infections lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which can be life threatening. A variety of viral and host factors have been associated with the severity of dengue infections. Because secondary dengue infection is more commonly associated with DHF than primary infections, the acquired immune response to dengue, both B cells and T cells have been implicated. In this study, we set out to study T-cell responses across the entire dengue virus proteome and to see whether these were related to disease severity in a cohort of dengue-infected children from Thailand. Robust responses were observed in most infected individuals against most viral proteins. Responses to NS3 were the most frequent, and there was a very strong association between the magnitude of the response and disease severity. Furthermore, in DHF, cytokine-high CD107a-negative cells predominated.
Metabolic profiling of murine plasma reveals an unexpected biomarker in rofecoxib-mediated cardiovascular events
Authors: Liu Jun-Yan , Li Ning , Yang Jun , Li Nan , Qiu Hong , Ai Ding , Chiamvimonvat Nipavan , Zhu Yi , Hammock Bruce D.
Published: September 2010

Chronic administration of high levels of selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs), particularly rofecoxib, valdecoxib, and parecoxib, increases risk for cardiovascular disease. Understanding the possibly multiple mechanisms underlying these adverse cardiovascular events is critical for evaluating the risks and benefits of coxibs and for development of safer coxibs. The current understanding of these mechanisms is likely incomplete. Using a metabolomics approach, we demonstrate that oral administration of rofecoxib for 3 mo results in a greater than 120-fold higher blood level of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), which correlates with a significantly shorter tail bleeding time in a murine model. We tested the hypothesis that this dramatic increase in 20-HETE is attributable to inhibition of its metabolism and that the shortened bleeding time following rofecoxib administration is attributable, in part, to this increase. The s.c. infusion of 20-HETE shortened the tail bleeding time dramatically. Neither 20-HETE biosynthesis nor cytochrome P4A-like immune reactivity was increased by rofecoxib administration, but 20-HETE production increased in vitro with the addition of coxib. 20-HETE is significantly more potent than its COX-mediated metabolites in shortening clotting time in vitro. Furthermore, 20-HETE but not rofecoxib significantly increases rat platelet aggregation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest 20-HETE as a marker of rofecoxib exposure and that inhibition of 20-HETE's degradation by rofecoxib is a partial explanation for its dramatic increase, the shortened bleeding time, and, possibly, the adverse cardiovascular events associated with rofecoxib.
Millisecond encoding precision of auditory cortex neurons
Authors: Kayser Christoph , Logothetis Nikos K. , Panzeri Stefano
Published: September 2010

Neurons in auditory cortex are central to our perception of sounds. However, the underlying neural codes, and the relevance of millisecond-precise spike timing in particular, remain debated. Here, we addressed this issue in the auditory cortex of alert nonhuman primates by quantifying the amount of information carried by precise spike timing about complex sounds presented for extended periods of time (random tone sequences and natural sounds). We investigated the dependence of stimulus information on the temporal precision at which spike times were registered and found that registering spikes at a precision coarser than a few milliseconds significantly reduced the encoded information. This dependence demonstrates that auditory cortex neurons can carry stimulus information at high temporal precision. In addition, we found that the main determinant of finely timed information was rapid modulation of the firing rate, whereas higher-order correlations between spike times contributed negligibly. Although the neural coding precision was high for random tone sequences and natural sounds, the information lost at a precision coarser than a few milliseconds was higher for the stimulus sequence that varied on a faster time scale (random tones), suggesting that the precision of cortical firing depends on the stimulus dynamics. Together, these results provide a neural substrate for recently reported behavioral relevance of precisely timed activity patterns with auditory cortex. In addition, they highlight the importance of millisecond-precise neural coding as general functional principle of auditory processing—from the periphery to cortex.
β-Catenin gets an honorable discharge
Authors: Short Ben
Published: September 2010

Wnt signaling component is removed from active duty by exosomes.
Noboru Mizushima: All about autophagy
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: September 2010

Mizushima explores the physiological roles of self-eating.
Characterization of the PCMBS-dependent modification of KCa3.1 channel gating
Authors: Bailey Mark A. , Grabe Michael , Devor Daniel C.
Published: September 2010

Intermediate conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels are gated by the binding of intracellular Ca2+ to calmodulin, a Ca2+-binding protein that is constitutively associated with the C terminus of the channel. Although previous studies indicated that the pore-lining residues along the C-terminal portion of S6 contribute to the activation mechanism, little is known about whether the nonluminal face of S6 contributes to this process. Here we demonstrate that the sulfhydral reagent, parachloromercuribenze sulfonate (PCMBS), modifies an endogenous cysteine residue predicted to have a nonluminal orientation (Cys276) along the sixth transmembrane segment (S6). Modification of Cys276 manipulates the steady-state and kinetic behavior of the channel by shifting the gating equilibrium toward the open state, resulting in a left shift in apparent Ca2+ affinity and a slowing in the deactivation process. Using a six-state gating scheme, our analysis shows that PCMBS slows the transition between the open state back to the third closed state. Interpreting this result in the context of the steady-state and kinetic data suggests that PCMBS functions to shift the gating equilibrium toward the open state by disrupting channel closing. In an attempt to understand whether the nonluminal face of S6 participates in the activation mechanism, we conducted a partial tryptophan scan of this region. Substituting a tryptophan for Leu281 recapitulated the effect on the steady-state and kinetic behavior observed with PCMBS. Considering the predicted nonluminal orientation of Cys276 and Leu281, a simple physical interpretation of these results is that the nonluminal face of S6 forms a critical interaction surface mediating the transition into the closed conformation, suggesting the nonluminal C-terminal portion of S6 is allosterically coupled to the activation gate.
The novel biomarker growth differentiation factor 15 in heart failure with normal ejection fraction
Authors: Stahrenberg Raoul , Edelmann Frank , Mende Meinhard , Kockskämper Anke , Düngen Hans‐Dirk , Lüers Claus , Binder Lutz , Herrmann‐Lingen Christoph , Gelbrich Götz , Hasenfuß Gerd , Pieske Burkert , Wachter Rolf
Published: September 2010

Aims

Heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFnEF) is an important clinical entity that remains incompletely understood. The novel biomarker growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15) is elevated in systolic heart failure (HFrEF) and is predictive of an adverse outcome. We investigated the clinical relevance of GDF‐15 plasma levels in HFnEF.

Methods and results

A subgroup of patients from the ongoing DIAST‐CHF observational trial, with a history of chronic heart failure (CHF) or positive Framingham criteria at presentation, was selected. Patients were classified as having either HFrEF (n = 86) or HFnEF (n = 142) and compared with healthy elderly controls (n = 188) from the same cohort. Growth differentiation factor 15 levels in HFnEF were significantly higher than in controls and similar to those in HFrEF. In multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with GDF‐15 levels were age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), presence of HFrEF and HFnEF. Growth differentiation factor 15 correlated with multiple echocardiographic markers of diastolic function and was associated with 6 min walk test performance and SF‐36 physical score on multivariate analysis in all patients. When using a classification for HFnEF that did not employ N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) as a diagnostic criterion, the diagnostic properties of GDF‐15 for detecting HFnEF tended to be superior to those of NT‐proBNP, and a combination significantly improved diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion

Growth differentiation factor 15 is elevated in HFnEF to a similar degree as in HFrEF. It is independently associated with impairment in exercise capacity and in physical components of quality of life. Diagnostic precision of GDF‐15 is at least as good as that of NT‐proBNP and combining both markers improves diagnostic accuracy.
Resistance in Winter Wheat Lines to Initial Infection and Spread Within Spikes by Deoxynivalenol and Nivalenol Chemotypes of Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Horevaj Peter , Gale Liane R. , Milus Eugene A.
Published: September 2010

Head blight of wheat in the United States is caused primarily by the deoxynivalenol (DON)-producing chemotype of Fusarium graminearum. However, the discovery of the nivalenol (NIV) chemotype of F. graminearum in Louisiana and Arkansas necessitates having resistance in wheat to both chemotypes. The objectives of this research were to quantify resistance of selected winter wheat lines to initial infection and pathogen spread within spikes, to determine whether wheat lines selected for resistance to the DON chemotype also have resistance to the NIV chemotype, and to improve the methods for quantifying resistance to initial infection. A susceptible check (Coker 9835) and 15 winter wheat lines, which are adapted to the southeastern United States and possess diverse sources of head blight resistance, were evaluated for head blight resistance in a series of greenhouse and growth-chamber experiments. Significant levels of resistance to both initial infection and spread within a spike were found among the lines, and lines with resistance to isolates of the DON chemotype had even higher levels of resistance to isolates of the NIV chemotype. Quantifying resistance to initial infection was improved by standardizing the inoculum and environmental conditions. Additional information related to resistance to spread within a spike was obtained by calculating the area under the disease progress curve from 7 to 21 days after inoculation.
Control of Fire Blight by Pseudomonas fluorescens A506 and Pantoea vagans C9-1 Applied as Single Strains and Mixed Inocula
Authors: Stockwell V. O. , Johnson K. B. , Sugar D. , Loper J. E.
Published: September 2010

The biological control agents Pseudomonas fluorescens A506 and Pantoea vagans C9-1 were evaluated individually and in combination for the suppression of fire blight of pear or apple in 10 field trials inoculated with the pathogen Erwinia amylovora. The formulation of pathogen inoculum applied to blossoms influenced establishment of the pathogen and the efficacy of biological control. Pantoea vagans C9-1 suppressed fire blight in all five trials in which the pathogen was applied as lyophilized cells but in none of the trials in which the pathogen was applied as freshly harvested cells. In contrast, Pseudomonas fluorescens A506 reduced disease significantly in only one trial. A mixture of the two strains also suppressed fire blight, but the magnitude of disease suppression over all field trials (averaging 32%) was less than that attained by C9-1 alone (42%). The two biological control agents did not antagonize one another on blossom surfaces, and application of the mixture of A506 and C9-1 to blossoms resulted in a greater proportion of flowers having detectable populations of at least one bacterial antagonist than the application of individual strains. Therefore, the mixture of A506 and C9-1 provided less disease control than expected based upon the epiphytic population sizes of the antagonists on blossom surfaces. We speculate that the biocontrol mixture was less effective than anticipated due to incompatibility between the mechanisms by which A506 and C9-1 suppress disease.
Development and Application of a Multiplex Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Screening a Global Collection of Citrus tristeza virus Isolates
Authors: Roy Avijit , Ananthakrishnan G. , Hartung John S. , Brlansky R. H.
Published: September 2010

The emerging diversity of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) genotypes has complicated detection and diagnostic measures and prompted the search for new differentiation methods. To simplify the identification and differentiation of CTV genotypes, a multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique for the screening of CTV isolates was developed. Variable regions within the open reading frame (ORF)-1a of diverse CTV genotypes were identified to develop first a simplex (S) and then a hexaplex (H) RT-PCR. CTV isolates have been grouped previously into five genotypes (namely, T3, T30, T36, VT, and B165) based on the nucleotide sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses. Nucleotide sequences from GenBank were used to design species and genotype-specific primers (GSPs). The GSPs were initially used for reliable detection of all CTV genotypes using S-RT-PCR. Furthermore, detection of all five recognized CTV genotypes was established using the H-RT-PCR. Six amplicons, one generic to all CTV isolates and one for each of the five recognized genotypes, were identified on the basis of their size and were confirmed by sequence analysis. In all, 175 CTV isolates from 29 citrus-growing countries were successfully analyzed by S- and H-RT-PCR. Of these, 97 isolates contained T36 genotypes, 95 contained T3 genotypes, 76 contained T30 genotypes, 71 contained VT genotypes, and 24 contained B165 genotype isolates. In total, 126 isolates contained mixed infections of 2 to 5 of the known CTV genotypes. Two of the CTV isolates could not be assigned to a known genotype. H-RT-PCR provides a sensitive, specific, reliable, and rapid way to screen for CTV genotypes compared with other methods for CTV genotype detection. Efficient identification of CTV genotypes will facilitate a better understanding of CTV isolates, including the possible interaction of different genotypes in causing or preventing diseases. The methods described can also be used in virus-free citrus propagation programs and in the development of CTV-resistant cultivars.
What Do They Think and Feel about Growth? An Expectancy-Value Approach to Small Business Managers‘ Attitudes toward Growth
Authors: Wiklund Johan , Davidsson Per , Delmar Frédéric
Published: September 2010

This study focuses on small business managers‘ motivation to expand their firms. More specifically, we examine the relationships between expected consequences of growth on the one hand, and overall attitude toward growth on the other. Data were collected in three separate studies over a ten-year period using the same measuring instrument. The results suggest that noneconomic concerns may be more important than expected financial outcomes in determining overall attitude toward growth. In particular, the concern for employee well-being comes out strongly. We interpret this as reflecting a concern that the positive atmosphere of the small organization may be lost in growth. We conclude that this concern may be a cause for recurrent conflict for small business managers when deciding about the future route for their firms.
THE GROWTH AND NUTRITION OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT
Authors: McCullagh K.
Published: September 2010

In order to gain information on the growth and nutrition of two populations of elephants in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, their urinary excretions of hydroxyproline peptides (HP) were compared.

Animals from the “south bank” population had a consistently higher level of excretion than corresponding animals from the “north bank” population. This indicated a faster rate of growth and a superior nutritional status in “south bank” animals at the time of sampling.

The HP output from both populations was found to run parallel to the seasonal variation in rainfall and vegetation growth. Sampling from each population was carried out at a different time of the year and evidence is presented to show that the differences in the rate of growth are a direct result of this. It is concluded that any primary differences between the populations are small enough to be obliterated by seasonal changes.

The effect of the seasons on the growth of the elephant is therefore examined in more detail, and a direct influence on collagen metabolism is discussed.
UTILIZATION OF THE HABITAT BY BUFFALO IN LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
Authors: Vesey‐FitzGerald Desmond Foster
Published: September 2010

A study of habitat utilization by buffalo, the dominant grazing species, in Lake Manyara National Park was made against a background description of the vegetation. An account of the various grasslands, including phenological information, has been married to utilization data and rainfall records. The pastures and other furnishings of the environment are shown to be adequate for the animals occurring there, but the area is subject to climatic hazards and great variation in the lake level.

Grazing results in the development of a mosaic of long and short grasses, and the significance of this as a means of assessing utilization is explained. It is shown that the quality of different growth stages and species of grasses, optimum utilization versus overgrazing, and the manner in which the pasture can be maintained in full production by being grazed, can be understood by examining the grazing‐induced mosaic.

The method for monitoring the use of the different pastures is based on the measurement of leaf‐table height in grazing‐exclusion frames during periods of occupation, compared with that of the grazed grass outside the frames. The data obtained can be plotted as graphs and illustrated diagrammatically as a grazing calendar. This enables some constructive suggestions to be made concerning Park management.
A survey of intensive care unit visiting policies in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hunter J. D. , Goddard C. , Rothwell M. , Ketharaju S. , Cooper H.
Published: September 2010

Admission to an intensive care unit is a highly stressful event for both patients and their relatives. Feelings of anxiety, pain, fear and a sense of isolation are often reported by survivors of a critical illness, whilst the majority of relatives report symptoms of anxiety or depression while their relative was in the intensive care unit. Traditionally, infection control concerns and a belief that liberal visiting by patients’ relatives interferes with the provision of patient care have led many units to impose restricted visiting policies. However, recent studies suggest that an open visiting policy with unrestricted visiting hours improve visitors’ satisfaction and reduces anxiety. In order to determine current visiting practice and provision for relatives within intensive care units, a questionnaire was sent to the principal nurse in all units within the United Kingdom. A total of 206 hospitals out of 271 completed the survey (76%). We found that 165 (80.1%) of responding units still impose restricted visiting policies, with wide variations in the facilities available to patients’ relatives.
Comparative evaluation of atracurium dosed on ideal body weight vs. total body weight in morbidly obese patients
Authors: Van Kralingen Simone , Van De Garde Ewoudt M. W. , Knibbe Catherijne A. J. , Diepstraten Jeroen , Wiezer Marinus J. , Van Ramshorst Bert , Van Dongen Eric P. A.
Published: September 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Different conflicting reports have been published for the use of atracurium in morbidly obese patients. Dosing of atracurium based on lean body mass, total body weight, and total body weight with a dose reduction for every 10 kg more than 70 kg have been proposed.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The current prospective randomized double‐blind study compares atracurium 0.5 mg kg−1 ideal body weight vs. 0.5 mg kg−1 total body weight when used as a muscle relaxant in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Based on our results in patients with body weights varying from 112 to 260 kg, we have concluded that atracurium 0.5 mg kg−1 ideal body weight results in a predictable profile of muscle relaxation allowing for adequate intubation conditions and recovery of muscle strength within 60 min with lack of need for antagonism. A dose‐dependent prolongation of action is shown when dosing is based on total body weight.

AIMS This double‐blind randomized study evaluated atracurium dosing based on ideal body weight vs. total body weight for muscle relaxation in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

METHODS Twenty patients (body weight 112–260 kg, BMI 38–79 kg m−2) were randomized to receive atracurium 0.5 mg kg−1 ideal body weight vs. 0.5 mg kg−1 total body weight. Primary endpoint was neuromuscular blockade using train‐of‐four ratios (TOF ratios) and secondary endpoints were intubation conditions and need for antagonism with neostigmine.

RESULTS In the ideal body weight group, times to recovery of TOF ratio from 0 to 5%, 50% and 75% were significantly shorter [TOF ratio from 0 to 5%: mean difference 30 min (95% CI 23, 39 min)] and with lower variability compared with the total body weight group. In the total body weight group there was a significant correlation between atracurium dose and time to a TOF ratio of 5% (r= 0.82, P < 0.001), which was absent in the ideal body weight group (r= 0.24). In both groups, intubation conditions were good while 70% of the patients in the total body weight group needed neostigmine at the end of surgery compared with 0% in the ideal body weight group.

CONCLUSION In morbid obesity (112–260 kg), atracurium 0.5 mg kg−1 ideal body weight results in a predictable profile of muscle relaxation allowing for adequate intubation conditions and recovery of muscle strength to a TOF ratio >90% within 60 min with lack of need for antagonism. A dose‐dependent prolongation of action is shown when dosing is based on total body weight.
The EULEV cohort study: rates of and factors associated with continuation of levetiracetam after 1 year
Authors: Droz‐Perroteau Cécile , Dureau‐Pournin Caroline , Vespignani Hervé , Marchal Cécile , Blin Patrick , Blazejewski Sylvie , Pollet Clothilde , Jové Jérémy , Robinson Philip , Moore Nicholas , Fourrier‐Réglat Annie ,   on behalf of the EULEV Study Group
Published: September 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Levetiracetam has shown good safety/tolerability and efficacy in regulatory trials. This was confirmed in observational investigations performed soon after marketing by using continuation or retention rates as a composite measure.

• When an anti‐epileptic drug first becomes available; however, there is evidence of channelling to more severe patients than thereafter.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This study was performed several years after marketing of levetiracetam and found high rates of continuation.

• It also further explores this measure by determining the continuation in the absence of initiation of additional anti‐epileptic drugs.

AIMS To investigate real‐life effectiveness of levetiracetam in patients initiating treatment in a stable market situation.

METHODS Epileptic adults who had initiated levetiracetam between 1 January and 31 August in 2005 or 2006 were included and followed for 1 year by hospital or nonhospital neurologists practising in France. One‐year continuation rates were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Among those still treated at end of study, treatment goals were investigated. Factors associated with discontinuation were investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS A total of 794 subjects were included in the cohort, and 753 subjects were followed up and included in the analysis. Among these, mean (SD) age was 42.6 (±17.0) years, 51.1% were female, 76.6% had partial epilepsy, 93.5% had seizures in the 6 months preceding levetiracetam initiation and 82.9% had at least one concomitant anti‐epileptic drug when starting levetiracetam. One‐year levetiracetam continuation rate was 83.5% (95% confidence interval, 80.5–86.0%). Of the 579 patients still using levetiracetam at end of study, 46.8% were seizure free during the last 6 months, and 24% were on levetiracetam monotherapy. Reasons for discontinuation (n= 122) were adverse events (45%), lack of efficacy (38%) or both (9%). Levetiracetam discontinuation was most strongly associated with previous exposure to more than four anti‐epileptic drugs, whereas continuation was most strongly associated with presence of seizure‐related falls in the 6 months preceding levetiracetam initiation.

CONCLUSIONS This population‐based cohort study in a stable market situation found a high 1 year levetiracetam continuation rate compared with previous studies done sooner after market introduction.
Sensitization to lupine flour: is it clinically relevant?
Authors: De Jong N. W. , Van Maaren M. S. , Vlieg‐Boersta B. J. , Dubois A. E. J. , De Groot H. , Gerth van Wijk R.
Published: September 2010

Background
Lupinus angustifolius (blue lupine) is used for human and animal consumption. Currently, the lupine content in bread varies from 0% to 10% and from 0.5% to 3% in pastry. Although lupine flour is present in many products, anaphylaxis on lupine flour is rarely seen.

Objective
The aim of our study was to determine the clinical relevance of sensitization to lupine flour.

Methods
From October 2004 until October 2005, we performed skin prick tests (SPT) with lupine flour, peanut and soy extracts in consecutive patients attending our allergy clinic with a suspected food allergy. In patients sensitized to lupine flour, double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) were performed and specific IgE was measured.

Results
We tested 372 patients. SPTs with peanut, soy and lupine flour were positive in 135, 58 and 22 patients, respectively. Nine patients with sensitization to lupine flour underwent DBPCFC, which was negative in eight cases. In contrast, one patient experienced significant symptoms. Four of these nine patients suspected lupine by history. Two other patients with a positive history to lupine declined from challenges. In these patients, a 3‐day dietary record showed that they could consume lupine without symptoms. Specific IgE in the serum was positive for L. angustifolius, peanut and soy in all nine patients.

Conclusion
These results demonstrate that clinical lupine allergy is very uncommon, even in the presence of sensitization to lupine flour. The estimated prevalence of lupine allergy, among patients with a suspected food allergy, referred to a tertiary allergy centre in the Netherlands is 0.27–0.81%. In most, although not all cases, sensitization is not clinically relevant and is most likely caused by cross‐sensitization to peanut. In selected cases, eliciting doses are low, making significant reactions possible.

Cite this as: N. W. de Jong, M. S. van Maaren, B. J. Vlieg‐Boersta, A. E. J. Dubois, H. de Groot and
R. Gerth van Wijk, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1571–1577.
Lupin allergy: a hidden killer at home, a menace at work; occupational disease due to lupin allergy
Authors: Campbell C. P. , Yates D. H.
Published: September 2010

Cite this as: C. P. Campbell and D. H. Yates, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1467–1472.

The products of the flowering plant, lupin, are increasingly used as a human food product, particularly in baking. Occupational sensitization to lupin with occupational rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma was first described in 2001, and confirmed in a larger cross‐sectional study in a food processing company in 2006. Sensitization by inhalation may result in occupational asthma, work‐exacerbated asthma, occupational rhinitis and conjunctivitis. The incidence of occupational sensitization may be as high as 29%. The relationship with exposure intensity is as yet unclear, and requires further clarification. Although there is little information from long‐term studies, these diseases are likely to improve after cessation of exposure. Cross‐sensitization to other legumes, particularly peanuts, has been shown by skin prick testing, with potential for serious anaphylactic reactions. This review summarizes the available literature on occupational sensitization to lupin products. It is one of two reviews, one covering the problem of lupin allergy in the home, while the present article deals with lupin sensitization in the workplace. Increased awareness is needed of this occupational hazard to avoid future cases of occupational disease and their accompanying morbidity and potential mortality.
Analysis of immune cells draining from the abdominal cavity as a novel tool to study intestinal transplant immunobiology
Authors: Meier D , Cagnola H , Ramisch D , Rumbo C , Chirdo F , Docena G , Gondolesi G E , Rumbo M
Published: September 2010

During intestinal transplant (ITx) operation, intestinal lymphatics are not reconstituted. Consequently, trafficking immune cells drain freely into the abdominal cavity. Our aim was to evaluate whether leucocytes migrating from a transplanted intestine could be recovered from the abdominal draining fluid collected by a peritoneal drainage system in the early post-ITx period, and to determine potential applications of the assessment of draining cellular populations. The cell composition of the abdominal draining fluid was analysed during the first 11 post-ITx days. Using flow cytometry, immune cells from blood and draining fluid samples obtained the same day showed an almost complete lymphopenia in peripheral blood, whereas CD3+CD4+CD8-, CD3+CD4-CD8+ and human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR)+CD19+ lymphocytes were the main populations in the draining fluid. Non-complicated recipients evolved from a mixed leucocyte pattern including granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes to an exclusively lymphocytic pattern along the first post-ITx week. At days 1–2 post-Itx, analysis by short tandem repeats fingerprinting of CD3+CD8+ sorted T cells from draining fluid indicated that 50% of cells were from graft origin, whereas by day 11 post-ITx this proportion decreased to fewer than 1%. Our results show for the first time that the abdominal drainage fluid contains mainly immune cells trafficking from the implanted intestine, providing the opportunity to sample lymphocytes draining from the grafted organ along the post-ITx period. Therefore, this analysis may provide information useful for understanding ITx immunobiology and eventually could also be of interest for clinical management.
Induction of interleukin-23 p19 by serum amyloid A (SAA) in rheumatoid synoviocytes
Authors: Migita K , Koga T , Torigoshi T , Motokawa S , Maeda Y , Jiuchi Y , Izumi Y , Miyashita T , Nakamura M , Komori A , Ishibashi H
Published: September 2010

In this study, we investigated the roles of serum amyloid A (SAA) in T helper 17 (Th17)-related cytokine induction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synoviocytes. Synoviocytes isolated from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were stimulated with recombinant SAA and IL-23 expression was investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The involvement of mitogen-activated protein kineases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in SAA-induced interleukin (IL)-23 p19 expression was investigated using pharmacological inhibitors. In RA synoviocytes, SAA induced the expression of IL-23 p19 and p40 mRNA expression. The SAA-stimulated expression of p19 was rapid (< 3 h), and insensitive to polymyxin B treatment. This SAA-stimulated expression of IL-23 p19 was inhibited completely by inhibitors of NF-κB, p38MAPK and dexamethasone. Interestingly, the SAA-induced IL-23, p19 and p40 production was accompanied by enhanced expression of IL-1β, but not transforming growth factor-β. These results indicate that SAA is a significant inducer of IL-23 and IL-1β in RA synoviocytes and potentially activates the IL-23/IL-17 pathway in the RA synovium. Our data present a novel interaction between inflammation and autoimmunity by an acute-phase protein.
Human Papillomavirus Detection In Cervical Cells By In Situ Hybridization With Biotinylated Probes
Authors: CHARDONNET Y. , BÉJUI‐THIVOLET F. , GUÉRIN‐REVERCHON I.
Published: September 2010

We have investigated the applicability of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection by in situ hybridization with biotinylated probes in epithelial cells obtained from the cervix using a cotton tip swab. We describe a simple procedure for obtaining homogeneous cell samples and good preservation of cellular structure. This is achieved by pretreatment of cells with L‐cystein before hybridization. Separate denaturation of cellular DNA and probe DNA is also necessary for satisfactory results. Both benign HPV DNA 6/11 and potentially oncogenic HPV DNA 16/18 could be identified in our series. In situ hybridization on cervical scrapes is a rapid, simple and very specific method for detecting patients infected with oncogenic HPV types.
Spontaneous Infarction of an Intraductal Papilloma of the Breast: Cytological Presentation On Fine Needle Aspiration
Authors: KOBAYASHI T. K. , UEDA M. , NISHINO T. , WATANABE S. , YAKUSHIJI M.
Published: September 2010

A relatively rare case of spontaneous infarction of an intraductal papilloma of the breast is presented which was considered to be suspicious for malignancy on fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. the aspirate revealed several groups of atypical cells featuring a high nuclear‐cytoplasmic ratio, coarsely granular chromatin, and somewhat prominent nucleoli. There was abundant necrotic cellular debris in the background. These cellular features were considered evidence of ductal carcinoma of the breast.