bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Navigational challenges in the oceanic migrations of leatherback sea turtles
Authors: Sale Alessandro , Luschi Paolo
Published: July 2009

The open-sea movements of marine animals are affected by the drifting action of currents that, if not compensated for, can produce non-negligible deviations from the correct route towards a given target. Marine turtles are paradigmatic skilful oceanic navigators that are able to reach remote goals at the end of long-distance migrations, apparently overcoming current drift effects. Particularly relevant is the case of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), which spend entire years in the ocean, wandering in search of planktonic prey. Recent analyses have revealed how the movements of satellite-tracked leatherbacks in the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are strongly dependent on the oceanic currents, up to the point that turtles are often passively transported over long distances. However, leatherbacks are known to return to specific areas to breed every 2–3 years, thus finding their way back home after long periods in the oceanic environment. Here we examine the navigational consequences of the leatherbacks' close association with currents and discuss how the combined reliance on mechanisms of map-based navigation and local orientation cues close to the target may allow leatherbacks to accomplish the difficult task of returning to specific sites after years spent wandering in a moving medium.
How climate change might influence the starvation–predation risk trade-off response
Authors: Cresswell W. , Clark J. A. , Macleod R.
Published: July 2009

Climate change within the UK will affect winter starvation risk because higher temperatures reduce energy budgets and are likely to increase the quality of the foraging environment. Mass regulation in birds is a consequence of the starvation–predation risk trade-off: decreasing starvation risk because of climate change should decrease mass, but this will be countered by the effects of predation risk, because high predation risk has a negative effect on mass when foraging conditions are poor and a positive effect on mass when foraging conditions are good. We tested whether mass regulation in great tits (
Parus major
) across the UK was related to temporal changes in starvation risk (winter temperature 1995–2005) and spatial changes in predation risk (sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
abundance). As predicted, great tits carried less mass during later, warmer, winters, demonstrating that starvation risk overall has decreased. Also, the effects of predation risk interacted with the effects of temperature (as an index of foraging conditions), so that in colder winters higher sparrowhawk abundance led to lower mass, whereas in warmer, later, winters higher sparrowhawk abundance led to higher mass. Mass regulation in a small bird species may therefore provide an index of how environmental change is affecting the foraging environment.
Speed over efficiency: locusts select body temperatures that favour growth rate over efficient nutrient utilization
Authors: Miller Gabriel A. , Clissold Fiona J. , Mayntz David , Simpson Stephen J.
Published: July 2009

Ectotherms have evolved preferences for particular body temperatures, but the nutritional and life-history consequences of such temperature preferences are not well understood. We measured thermal preferences inLocusta migratoria(migratory locusts) and used a multi-factorial experimental design to investigate relationships between growth/development and macronutrient utilization (conversion of ingesta to body mass) as a function of temperature. A range of macronutrient intake values for insects at 26, 32 and 38°C was achieved by offering individuals high-protein diets, high-carbohydrate diets or a choice between both. Locusts placed in a thermal gradient selected temperatures near 38°C, maximizing rates of weight gain; however, this enhanced growth rate came at the cost of poor protein and carbohydrate utilization. Protein and carbohydrate were equally digested across temperature treatments, but once digested both macronutrients were converted to growth most efficiently at the intermediate temperature (32°C). Body temperature preference thus yielded maximal growth rates at the expense of efficient nutrient utilization.
The MYB96 Transcription Factor Mediates Abscisic Acid Signaling during Drought Stress Response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Seo Pil Joon , Xiang Fengning , Qiao Meng , Park Ju-Young , Lee Young Na , Kim Sang-Gyu , Lee Yong-Hwan , Park Woong June , Park Chung-Mo
Published: July 2009

Plant adaptive responses to drought are coordinated by adjusting growth and developmental processes as well as molecular and cellular activities. The root system is the primary site that perceives drought stress signals, and its development is profoundly affected by soil water content. Various growth hormones, particularly abscisic acid (ABA) and auxin, play a critical role in root growth under drought through complex signaling networks. Here, we report that a R2R3-type MYB transcription factor, MYB96, regulates drought stress response by integrating ABA and auxin signals. The MYB96-mediated ABA signals are integrated into an auxin signaling pathway that involves a subset of GH3 genes encoding auxin-conjugating enzymes. A MYB96-overexpressing Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant exhibited enhanced drought resistance with reduced lateral roots. In the mutant, while lateral root primordia were normally developed, meristem activation and lateral root elongation were suppressed. In contrast, a T-DNA insertional knockout mutant was more susceptible to drought. Auxin also induces MYB96 primarily in the roots, which in turn induces the GH3 genes and modulates endogenous auxin levels during lateral root development. We propose that MYB96 is a molecular link that mediates ABA-auxin cross talk in drought stress response and lateral root growth, providing an adaptive strategy under drought stress conditions.
Genetic variability in the European bison (Bison bonasus) population from Białowieża forest over 50 years
Authors: TOKARSKA MAŁGORZATA , KAWAŁKO AGATA , WÓJCIK JAN M. , PERTOLDI CINO
Published: July 2009

The aim of this study was to assess potential post-bottleneck temporal genetic differentiation following the reintroduction of the species into the Białowieża Forest. Variability of 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers was analysed for 178 individuals born between 1955 and 2005, divided by birth year into five temporal groups. Low overall allelic richness (AR) per locus (AR = 2.0) and a low overall expected heterozygosity (HE = 0.28) were observed. The overall FIS was not significantly different from zero. The mean FIS values were, however, significantly different from zero for individuals born between 1955 and 1965 (FIS = 0.19). A Bayesian computation was used to estimate effective population size (Ne) for each temporal group. We observed relatively small values of Ne ranging from 7.9 to 28.4. The low Ne values confirm that, despite a rapid growth of the bison population following the founder event, Ne increased only slowly.
Oceanic migration and spawning of anguillid eels
Authors: Tsukamoto K.
Published: July 2009

Many aspects of the life histories of anguillid eels have been revealed in recent decades, but the spawning migrations of their silver eels in the open ocean still remains poorly understood. This paper overviews what is known about the migration and spawning of anguillid species in the ocean. The factors that determine exactly when anguillid eels will begin their migrations are not known, although environmental influences such as lunar cycle, rainfall and river discharge seem to affect their patterns of movement as they migrate towards the ocean. Once in the ocean on their way to the spawning area, silver eels probably migrate in the upper few hundred metres, while reproductive maturation continues. Although involvement of a magnetic sense or olfactory cues seems probable, how they navigate or what routes they take are still a matter of speculation. There are few landmarks in the open ocean to define their spawning areas, other than oceanographic or geological features such as oceanic fronts or seamounts in some cases. Spawning of silver eels in the ocean has never been observed, but artificially matured eels of several species have exhibited similar spawning behaviours in the laboratory. Recent collections of mature adults and newly spawned preleptocephali in the spawning area of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica have shown that spawning occurs during new moon periods in the North Equatorial Current region near the West Mariana Ridge. These data, however, show that the latitude of the spawning events can change among months and years depending on oceanographic conditions. Changes in spawning location of this and other anguillid species may affect their larval transport and survival, and appear to have the potential to influence recruitment success. A greater understanding of the spawning migration and the choice of spawning locations by silver eels is needed to help conserve declining anguillid species.
Swimming activity and behaviour of European Anguilla anguilla glass eels in response to photoperiod and flow reversal and the role of energy status
Authors: Du Colombier S. Bureau , Bolliet V. , Bardonnet A.
Published: July 2009

To better understand migratory divergences among Anguilla anguilla glass eels, the behaviour of individuals caught at the time of their estuary entrance was studied through their response to a light:dark cycle and then to both water current reversal and light:dark cycle. In a first experiment, fish moving with the flow in response to dusk (M+ fish) and fish that had not exhibited any movement (M− fish) were distinguished. Anguilla anguilla from these two groups were then individually marked and their response to water current reversal compared. M+ individuals mainly exhibited negative rheotaxis with a tidal periodicity, whereas positive rheotaxis was mainly exhibited by M− individuals. Thus, M+A. anguilla glass eels showing negative rheotaxis appear to have the strongest propensity to migrate, the converse applies to M− ones showing positive rheotaxis. A small percentage of individuals (5%) were hyperactive, alternately swimming with and against the current with almost no resting phase. These fish lost c. 2 mg wet mass day−1, whereas individuals which were almost inactive lost c. 1 mg day−1. Wet and dry mass changes in relation to activity levels were compared with previous experiments and it was concluded that A. anguilla glass eel energy status might be involved in differences in migratory tendencies but other factors that might be important are discussed. It is proposed that any decrease in A. anguilla glass eel energy stores associated with global warming might lead to an increase in the proportion of sedentary individuals and thus be involved in the decrease in the recruitment to freshwater habitats.
Effects of commercial fishing and predation by cormorants on the Anguilla anguilla stock of a shallow eutrophic lake
Authors: Carpentier A. , Marion L. , Paillisson J.‐M. , Acou A. , Feunteun E.
Published: July 2009

Mortality of eels Anguilla anguilla in a large shallow lake in France due to predation by the cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo was found to be moderate when compared to fishery catches over a 9 year period. The results show that, contrary to previous extrapolations made at the pan‐European scale, P. carbo predation in shallow lakes is not invariably a major contributor to A. anguilla mortality, even in the presence of large colonies.
Piscivory and trophic position of Anguilla anguilla in two lakes: importance of macrozoobenthos density
Authors: Dörner H. , Skov C. , Berg S. , Schulze T. , Beare D. J. , Van der Velde G.
Published: July 2009

The feeding habits of the European eel Anguilla anguilla (>300 mm total length, LT) were compared in two lakes of different environmental state: Lake Großer Vätersee (LGV), Germany (clear water, mesotrophic and submerged macrophytes), and Lake Vallum (LV), Denmark (turbid, eutrophic and no submerged macrophytes). The density of macrozoobenthos was higher in LV (3500 individuals m−2) than in LGV (1500 individuals m−2). The abundance of small prey fishes (40–99 mm LT) was highest in LV. In LV, A. anguilla fed on macrozoobenthos, in particular, chironomid larvae. In LGV, A. anguilla used fishes as the main food component. Stable isotope analyses confirmed the stomach contents dietary results. The estimated mean ±s.d. trophic positions of A. anguilla in LGV (3·7 ± 0·2) was one level higher than those of fish in LV (2·7 ± 0·2). Based on these results, it is concluded that piscivory among A. anguilla was generally controlled by the density of macrozoobenthos. Stable isotope analysis further indicated that A. anguilla may act as integrators between benthic and pelagic food webs when density of insect larvae is low.
Route choices, migration speeds and daily migration activity of European silver eels Anguilla anguilla in the River Rhine, north‐west Europe
Authors: Breukelaar A. W. , Ingendahl D. , Vriese F. T. , De Laak G. , Staas S. , Klein Breteler J. G. P.
Published: July 2009

Downstream migration of Anguilla anguilla silver eels was studied in the Lower Rhine, Germany, and the Rhine Delta, The Netherlands, in 2004–2006. Fish (n = 457) released near Cologne with implanted transponders were tracked by remote telemetry at 12 fixed detection locations distributed along the different possible migration routes to the North Sea. Relatively more A. anguilla migrated via the Waal than the Nederrijn, as would be expected from the ratio of river discharges at the bifurcation point at Pannerden. Downstream migration from the release site to Rhine‐Xanten, close to the German–Dutch border, generally occurred in the autumn of the year of release but migration speeds tended to be low and variable and unaffected by maturation status or river discharge rates. Detection frequencies were not significantly related to discharge peaks or lunar cycles, but there was a minor detection peak 1–6 h after sunset. Between 2004 and 2009, 43% of the 457 A. anguilla released were never detected and of the 260 detected entering the Netherlands, 83 (32%) were detected escaping to the sea, 78 (94%) via the Nieuwe Waterweg and three (4%) and two (2%) via the sluices in the Haringvlietdam and Afsluitdijk, respectively. Possible causes of non‐detections are discussed and it is suggested that many A. anguilla temporarily ceased migration, but that fishing mortality could have been important during passage through the Dutch parts of the Rhine. Practical implications of the results for predicting emigration routes, timings and magnitudes and use in management initiatives to promote escapement of A. anguilla silver eels to the sea are critically discussed.
Morphological and meristic evaluation of the population structure of Anguilla marmorata across its range
Authors: Watanabe S. , Miller M. J. , Aoyama J. , Tsukamoto K.
Published: July 2009

The population structure of the giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata was evaluated using statistical analysis of 21 morphological characters among 13 representative localities across the Indo‐Pacific region and as far north as Japan. There were no clear differences in 15 proportional and six vertebral characters using principal component analysis. The total number of vertebrae (NV) of A. marmorata at these localities had the widest variation among the morphological and meristic characters examined. A statistical analysis of the NV of 1238 specimens from 14 localities that included previously published data found significant differences among Micronesia, French Polynesia and other localities, and between localities in the North Pacific and South Pacific regions. Few differences were detected between specimens from the Indian Ocean and the North Pacific or South Pacific regions. The differences in NV among some regions and the population genetic studies of this species indicate that there are at least four populations of A. marmorata (North Pacific, Micronesia, Indian Ocean and South Pacific), which appear to include metapopulation structures in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific. This population structure is consistent with the ocean current patterns in each region and the evolution of migration loops of each spawning population.
Sympatric spawning of Anguilla marmorata and Anguilla japonica in the western North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Kuroki M. , Aoyama J. , Miller M. J. , Yoshinaga T. , Shinoda A. , Hagihara S. , Tsukamoto K.
Published: July 2009

Extensive collections were made of the larvae of the temperate Japanese eel Anguilla japonica and the tropical giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata in an overlapping area of the North Equatorial Current region of the western North Pacific Ocean. Collections of 189 A. marmorata and > 2500 A. japonica larvae during nine surveys from 1991 to 2007 showed that these two anguillid eels have similar spawning areas just west of the southern West Mariana Ridge. In July to August 2006 and August 2007, morphologically and genetically identified A. marmorata preleptocephali were mainly collected between 14·5–15° N and 142–142·5° E, where A. japonica preleptocephali were also caught in some of the same net tows. Fewer A. marmorata preleptocephali, however, were collected (n = 31) compared to those of A. japonica (n = c. 165), and fewer small larvae of A. marmorata were collected per tow than A. japonica (n = 1–10 and 1–294, respectively), suggesting relatively smaller spawning aggregations of A. marmorata. The distribution of preleptocephali and small larvae was wider in longitude in A. marmorata (131– 143° E) than in A. japonica (137–143° E), while the latitudinal range was almost the same (12–17° N). Although spawning by these two species overlaps both spatially and temporally, the tropical eels of the North Pacific population of A. marmorata probably have a much longer spawning season with fewer spawners, at least in summer, and recruit to a much wider latitudinal range of growth habitats.
Delayed growth of EL4 lymphoma in SR‐A‐deficient mice is due to upregulation of nitric oxide and interferon‐γ production by tumor‐associated macrophages
Authors: Komohara Yoshihiro , Takemura Kenichi , Lei Xiao Feng , Sakashita Naomi , Harada Mamoru , Suzuki Hiroshi , Kodama Tatsuhiko , Takeya Motohiro
Published: July 2009

Class A scavenger receptors (SR‐A, CD204) are highly expressed in tumor‐associated macrophages (TAM). To investigate the function of SR‐A in TAM, wild‐type and SR‐A‐deficient (SR‐A−/−) mice were injected with EL4 cells. Although these groups of mice did not differ in the numbers of infiltrating macrophages and lymphocytes and in neovascularization, SR‐A−/− mice had delayed growth of EL4 tumors. Expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and interferon (IFN)‐γ mRNA increased significantly in tumor tissues from SR‐A−/− mice. Engulfment of necrotic EL4 cells induced upregulation of NO and IFN‐γ production by cultured macrophages, and production of NO and IFN‐γ increased in SR‐A−/− macrophages in vitro. IFN‐β production by cultured macrophages was also elevated in SR‐A−/− macrophages in vitro. These results suggested that the antitumor activity of macrophages increased in SR‐A−/− mice because of upregulation of NO and IFN‐γ production. These data indicate an important role of SR‐A in regulating TAM function by inhibiting toll‐like receptor (TLR)4–IFN‐β signaling. (Cancer Sci 2009); 00: 000–000)
Curcumin reduced the side effects of mitomycin C by inhibiting GRP58‐mediated DNA cross‐linking in MCF‐7 breast cancer xenografts
Authors: Zhou Qian‐Mei , Zhang Hui , Lu Yi‐Yu , Wang Xiu‐Feng , Su Shi‐Bing
Published: July 2009

Mitomycin C (MMC), a chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancer treatments, inhibits tumor growth through DNA cross‐linking and breaking, but it has severe side effects. Here we examined whether and how curcumin reduced the side effects of MMC. We found that combination treatment with MMC and curcumin reduced tumor weight by 70% and 36% compared with saline and curcumin‐treated groups, respectively. The combination treatment reduced weight loss and improved kidney function and bone marrow suppression compared with MMC treatment alone. Moreover, the combination treatment inhibited glucose regulatory protein (GRP58)‐mediated DNA cross‐linking. The combination treatment inhibited GRP58 through the ERK/p38 MAPK pathway. In conclusion, the current study provided evidence that MMC and curcumin combination treatment reduced MMC side effects by inhibiting GRP58‐mediated DNA cross‐linking through the ERK/p38 MAPK pathway. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Review article: nuclear receptors and liver disease – current understanding and new therapeutic implications
Authors: ELFAKI D. A. H. , BJORNSSON E. , LINDOR K. D.
Published: July 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 30, 816–825

Background  The important role of nuclear receptors and their contribution to liver function in both physiological and pathological conditions has come to attention in recent years and has advanced our understanding of several liver diseases. These findings led to the introduction of targeting nuclear receptors as treatment strategies for various liver diseases.

Aims  To review the new insights brought by the study of nuclear receptors to our understanding of the molecular basis of various liver diseases, and to summarize some of the recent studies that evaluated the efficacy of targeting nuclear receptor as a new approach in treating liver diseases.

Methods  Review of articles, using PubMed and article references.

Results  Nuclear receptor ligands in patients with liver diseases have been associated with a variety of toxicities. Some clinical results have not met the expectations predicted from animal experiments. Mechanistic explanations at the molecular level are needed for preventing toxicity and improving outcomes from nuclear receptor ligands.

Conclusion  The use of various nuclear receptor ligands in liver diseases is a promising approach that can benefit many patients suffering from these devastating diseases. However, we are far from a full understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors work.
Review article: Helicobacter pylori‐negative duodenal ulcer disease
Authors: GISBERT J. P. , CALVET X.
Published: July 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 30, 791–815

Background  Helicobacter pylori infection rates in duodenal ulcer (DU) patients may be lower than previously estimated.

Aim  To review the real prevalence of H. pylori‐negative DUs and its possible causes.

Methods  Bibliographical searches in MEDLINE looking for the terms ‘H. pylori’ and ‘duodenal ulcer’.

Results  Mean prevalence of H. pylori infection in DU disease, calculated from studies published during the last 10 years including a total of 16 080 patients, was 81%, and this figure was lower (77%) when only the last 5 years were considered. Associations with H. pylori‐negative DU were: (1) False negative results of diagnostic methods, (2) NSAID use (21% in studies with <90% infection rate), (3) Complicated DU (bleeding, obstruction, perforation), (4) Smoking, (5) Isolated H. pylori duodenal colonization, (6) Older age, (7) Gastric hypersecretion, (8) Diseases of the duodenal mucosa, (9) Helicobacter‘heilmanii’ infection and (10) Concomitant diseases.

Conclusion  In patients with H. pylori‐negative DU disease, one should carefully confirm that the assessment of H. pylori status is reliable. In truly H. pylori‐negative patients, the most common single cause of DU is, by far, the use of NSAIDs. Ulcers not associated with H. pylori, NSAIDs or other obvious causes should, for the present, be viewed as ‘idiopathic’. True idiopathic DU disease only exceptionally exists.
Social‐behavioural functioning in paediatric chronic kidney disease
Authors: Hooper S. R. , Duquette P. J. , Icard P. , Wetherington C. E. , Harrell W. , Gipson Debbie S.
Published: July 2009

Background  The social‐behavioural functioning of children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well studied and not fully understood, with available studies reflecting a mixed set of findings. The primary purpose of this paper is to compare the social‐behavioural functioning of children with CKD with typical controls using multiple raters. A secondary analysis also examines the impact of disease severity on social‐behavioural functioning.

Methods  Parental ratings and self‐reports on the Behavior Assessment System for Children were obtained from a patient sample of 26 children and adolescents with CKD. This sample was comprised of those with end‐stage renal disease (end‐stage renal disease; n= 13) and those with chronic renal insufficiency (n= 13). For comparison, a typically developing control group (n= 33) also was ascertained.

Results  While behaviour ratings by parents and children fell within the average range, parent ratings showed an increased number of internalizing symptoms when compared with the CKD Group. Exploratory analyses revealed parental ratings showing more specific concerns on the Behavior Assessment System for Children individual clinical scales of Anxiety, Depression and Somatization. No differences were observed between the groups on the children's self‐ratings, or in terms of numbers of children falling above the 90th percentile for both parent and child ratings. Secondary analyses did not produce any group differences between the chronic renal insufficiency and end‐stage renal disease severity groupings.

Conclusions  These findings failed to show the presence of social‐behavioural difficulties in children with CKD, although there may be specific concerns for the presence of internalizing symptoms as per parent ratings. These findings suggest the need for follow‐up of the subtle affective symptoms that might be present in children with CKD as recognizing these subthreshold social‐behavioural symptoms may be a critical part of their overall clinical care.
PPARγ2 protects against obesity by means of a mechanism that mediates insulin resistance
Authors: Macias‐Gonzalez M. , Moreno‐Santos I. , García‐Almeida J. M. , Tinahones F. J. , Garcia‐Fuentes E.
Published: July 2009

Background  Many studies have focused on the physiological parameters and genetic predisposition of subjects presenting both obesity and insulin resistance (IR) and it has been suggested that the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2) Pro12Ala variant may contribute to the observed variability in insulin sensitivity. We investigated whether the PPARγ2 mRNA expression levels are associated with IR in morbid obesity in adipose and muscle tissues.

Materials and methods  In this study, tissue biopsies were obtained from 26 morbidly obese (MO) patients and eight controls. The MO patients were divided into two groups: those with a low homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA‐IR < 5) (MO‐nonIR) and those with a high HOMA‐IR (HOMA‐IR ≥ 8) (MO‐IR). PPARγ1, PPARγ2 and aP2 mRNA expression levels were measured using quantitative RT‐PCR.

Results  The study found that PPARγ2 mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was significantly lower in the MO patients (P = 0·002) than the controls. Moreover, the PPARγ2 mRNA expression was lower in VAT (P < 0·05) and muscle tissue (P < 0·01), and higher in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (P < 0·01) in the MO‐IR than the MO‐nonIR group. By contrast, PPARγ1 mRNA expression levels were not dependent on IR. Finally, the MO patients showed a significant negative correlation between PPARγ2 mRNA expression and IR (r = −0·396, P = 0·020) in VAT and a positive correlation in SAT (r = 0·826, P < 0·001). The variable that best explained the IR was PPARγ2 mRNA expression in SAT (P = 0·002).

Conclusions  These data show that PPARγ2 mRNA is expressed differently in the two types of MO patients and is associated with IR.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a deep‐vein thrombosis prophylaxis protocol in orthopaedics and traumatology
Authors: Unay Koray , Akan Kaya , Sener Nadir , Cakir Mustafa , Poyanli Oguz
Published: July 2009

Rationale, aims and objectives  To evaluate the effectiveness of the deep‐vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis protocol for adult patients in a general orthopaedics and traumatology clinic.

Method  We followed the DVT prophylaxis protocol in 1326 (776 female, 550 male) of 2114 adult patients admitted to the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology in Goztepe Research and Training Hospital. They were followed for symptomatic DVT and possible complications of low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) therapy. A Doppler ultrasonography (US) was performed when DVT was suspected. The medical information treatment protocols of DVT patients were recorded.

Results  Doppler US was performed in 58 patients with suspected DVT. Six of these patients were diagnosed with DVT. The side effects of LMWH were upper gastrointestinal bleeding (0.5%), widespread ecchymosis of the extremities (1.9%) and heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (0.16%).

Conclusion  Symptomatic DVT occurrences were similar to those in medical literature; however, there were fewer side effects of LMWH than reported in literature.
Do physical therapists change their beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, skills and behaviour after a biopsychosocially orientated university course?
Authors: Overmeer Thomas , Boersma Katja , Main Chris J. , Linton Steven J.
Published: July 2009

Aim  The aim of this study is to examine the effects of an 8‐day university‐based training course, aimed at identifying and addressing psychosocial prognostic factors during physiotherapy treatment, in shifting therapists towards a more biopsychosocial orientation as measured by changes in beliefs/attitudes, knowledge, skills and behaviour.

Method  We combined a randomized controlled trail with a pre–post design. Forty‐two physiotherapists applied for a university‐accredited training course designed to enhance knowledge and management of psychosocial factors in their practice with patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain. The course participants were randomized either to receiving the course or to a waiting list for training. Attitudes and beliefs towards, and knowledge of psychosocial factors, patient vignettes and a video of an imaginary patient were tested before and after training. The patients of the course participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire with background questions at treatment start. The patients also received a questionnaire about the physical therapists' behaviour and patient satisfaction 6 weeks after treatment start.

Results  The results show that physical therapists' attitudes and believes became more biopsychosocially and less biomedically orientated, they were less convinced that pain justifies disability and limitation of activities, and their knowledge and skills on psychosocial risk factors increased after a university‐accredited training course. Yet despite these changes their patients perceived their practice behaviour before and after the course as similar and were equally satisfied with their treatment and treatment result.

Conclusion  A course, which enhanced biopsychosocial attitudes and beliefs, as well as increased such knowledge and skills did not change the way patients perceived their physical therapists. A future question is whether it improves patient outcome.
Salvinorin A inhibits colonic transit and neurogenic ion transport in mice by activating κ‐opioid and cannabinoid receptors
Authors: Fichna J. , Schicho R. , Andrews C. N. , Bashashati M. , Klompus M. , Mckay D. M. , Sharkey K. A. , Zjawiony J. K. , Janecka A. , Storr M. A.
Published: July 2009

Abstract The major active ingredient of the plantSalvia divinorum, salvinorin A (SA) has been used to treat gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. As the action of SA on the regulation of colonic function is unknown, our aim was to examine the effects of SA on mouse colonic motility and secretionin vitroandin vivo. The effects of SA on GI motility were studied using isolated preparations of colon, which were compared with preparations from stomach and ileum. Colonic epithelial ion transport was evaluated using Ussing chambers. Additionally, we studied GI motilityin vivoby measuring colonic propulsion, gastric emptying, and upper GI transit. Salvinorin A inhibited contractions of the mouse colon, stomach, and ileumin vitro, prolonged colonic propulsion and slowed upper GI transitin vivo. Salvinorin A had no effect on gastric emptyingin vivo. Salvinorin A reduced veratridine‐, but not forskolin‐induced epithelial ion transport. The effects of SA on colonic motilityin vitrowere mediated by κ‐opioid receptors (KORs) and cannabinoid (CB) receptors, as they were inhibited by the antagonists nor‐binaltorphimine (KOR), AM 251 (CB1receptor) and AM 630 (CB2receptor). However, in the colonin vivo, the effects were largely mediated by KORs. The effects of SA on veratridine‐mediated epithelial ion transport were inhibited by nor‐binaltorphimine and AM 630. Salvinorin A slows colonic motilityin vitroandin vivoand influences neurogenic ion transport. Due to its specific regional action, SA or its derivatives may be useful drugs in the treatment of lower GI disorders associated with increased GI transit and diarrhoea.
Conditions masquerading as infantile haemangioma: Part 2
Authors: Frieden Ilona J , Rogers Maureen , Garzon Maria C
Published: July 2009

Infantile haemangiomas are among the most common growths during infancy. Their rapid growth during infancy and vascularity can easily cause confusion with other, less common growths. Part I focussed on other vascular anomalies that can mimic infantile haemangiomas. Part II emphasizes benign growths and malignant conditions that can also cause diagnostic confusion.
Thoroughness of skin examination by melanoma patients: Influence of age, sex and partner
Authors: Boone Susan L , Stapleton Jerod , Turrisi Rob , Ortiz Sara , Robinson June K , Mallett Kimberly A
Published: July 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the thoroughness of deliberate skin examination by people with a history of melanoma. Patients were randomized into one of two conditions: either to receive the brief educational and skills training intervention alone or as a couple with their spouse or cohabiting partner. Subjects recorded concerning lesions on body maps. At the 4‐month visit, a total body skin examination was performed by a dermatologist blinded to the subjects' condition and to their recorded responses. The skin surface was divided according to the region's visibility during skin self‐examination and sexual connotations: visible/not sexually sensitive, non‐visible/not sexually sensitive and sexually sensitive. The primary point of comparison was missed lesions, defined as the difference between lesions recorded by the subjects and their partners and those recorded by the dermatologist. Among 130 participants, 56 subjects reported partner assistance while performing SSE. Participants missed more lesions in sexually sensitive areas than in the other regions. With the increasing age of the patient, the number of missed lesions in non‐visible/not sexually sensitive and sexually sensitive areas decreased. Male patients assisted by female partners missed fewer lesions in all three regions than female patients assisted by male partners. In easily visible areas, male patients missed significantly fewer lesions than female patients (P = 0.01). Older couples performed more thorough partner‐assisted skin examinations in non‐visible and sexually sensitive areas than younger couples. Male patients who were assisted by female partners performed more thorough partner‐assisted skin examinations than female patients assisted by male partners.
Asthma management in rural New South Wales: Perceptions of health care professionals and people with asthma
Authors: Cvetkovski Biljana , Armour Carol , Bosnic‐Anticevich Sinthia
Published: July 2009

Objective:  To investigate the perceptions and attitudes towards asthma management of general practitioners, pharmacists and people with asthma in a rural area.

Design:  Qualitative semistructured interviews.

Setting:  Small rural centre in New South Wales.

Participants:  General practitioners, pharmacists and people with asthma in a rural area.

Results:  General practitioners perceived that the patient provided a barrier to the implementation of optimal asthma services. They were aware that other health care professionals had a role in asthma management but were not aware of the details, particularly in relation to that of the pharmacist and would like to improve communication methods. Pharmacists also perceived the patient to be a barrier to the delivery of optimal asthma management services and would like to improve communication with the general practitioner. The impact of the rural environment for the health care professionals included workforce shortages, availability of support services and access to continuing education. People with asthma were satisfied with their asthma management and the service provided by the health care professionals and described the involvement of family members and ambulance officers in their overall asthma management. The rural environment was an issue with regards to distance to the hospital during an emergency.

Conclusions:  General practitioners and pharmacists confirmed their existing roles in asthma management while expressing a desire to improve communication between the two professions to help overcome barriers and optimise the asthma service delivered to the patient. The patient described minimal barriers to optimising asthma management, which might suggest that they might not have great expectations of asthma care.
Effects of a robotic walking exercise on walking performance in community‐dwelling elderly adults
Authors: Shimada Hiroyuki , Hirata Takashi , Kimura Yuichi , Naka Takako , Kikuchi Keishiro , Oda Keiichi , Ishii Kenji , Ishiwata Kiichi , Suzuki Takao
Published: July 2009

Background: Reduced gait speed and stride length are characteristic of gait in elderly people and increase their dependency on assistance. We developed a robotic stride assistance system (SAS) to automatically control the walk ratio during walking. Our aim was to quantify the effects of a walking exercise with the SAS on walking performance and glucose metabolism during walking in community‐dwelling elderly adults.

Methods: For 3 months, 15 women (72–85 years old) performed the walking exercise twice weekly for 90 min/session. We assessed walking for 5 m at a comfortable speed before and after the intervention. Positron emission tomography with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was used to assess muscle activity during an unassisted 50‐min walk.

Results: Walking speed was improved by the intervention and FDG uptake by the gluteus minimus, gluteus medius and rectus femoris, and pelvic muscles (iliacus and gluteus muscles) were reduced.

Conclusion: These results suggest that a walking intervention program using an applied robotic system is useful for improving the walking ability and the efficiency of muscle activities during walking in the elderly.
How Geobacteraceae may dominate subsurface biodegradation: physiology of Geobacter metallireducens in slow‐growth habitat‐simulating retentostats
Authors: Lin Bin , Westerhoff Hans V. , Röling Wilfred F. M.
Published: July 2009

Geobacteraceae dominate many iron‐reducing subsurface environments and are associated with biodegradation of organic pollutants. In order to enhance the understanding of the environmental role played by Geobacteraceae, the physiology of Geobacter metallireducens was investigated at the low growth rates found in its subsurface habitat. Cultivation in retentostats (a continuous culturing device with biomass retention) under electron acceptor and electron donor limitation enabled growth rates as low as 0.0008 h−1. The maximum growth yield was between 0.05 and 0.09 C‐mol biomass per C‐mol acetate and comparable to that observed in batch experiments. Maintenance energy demand is among the lowest reported for heterotrophic bacteria, under both acetate and AQDS limitation. The cells were able to use alternative electron acceptors directly, without requiring de novo protein synthesis. We discuss how the extremely low maintenance energy demand and the ability to readily use alternative electron acceptors may help Geobacter species to become ubiquitous and dominant microorganisms in many iron‐reducing subsurface settings.
Four newly isolated fuselloviruses from extreme geothermal environments reveal unusual morphologies and a possible interviral recombination mechanism
Authors: Redder Peter , Peng Xu , Brügger Kim , Shah Shiraz A. , Roesch Ferdinand , Greve Bo , She Qunxin , Schleper Christa , Forterre Patrick , Garrett Roger A. , Prangishvili David
Published: July 2009

Spindle‐shaped virus‐like particles are abundant in extreme geothermal environments, from which five spindle‐shaped viral species have been isolated to date. They infect members of the hyperthermophilic archaeal genus Sulfolobus, and constitute the Fuselloviridae, a family of double‐stranded DNA viruses. Here we present four new members of this family, all from terrestrial acidic hot springs. Two of the new viruses exhibit a novel morphotype for their proposed attachment structures, and specific features of their genome sequences strongly suggest the identity of the host‐attachment protein. All fuselloviral genomes are highly conserved at the nucleotide level, although the regions of conservation differ between virus‐pairs, consistent with a high frequency of homologous recombination having occurred between them. We propose a fuselloviral specific mechanism for interviral recombination, and show that the spacers of the Sulfolobus CRISPR antiviral system are not biased to the highly similar regions of the fusellovirus genomes.
Tracing metabolic pathways of lipid biosynthesis in ectomycorrhizal fungi from position‐specific 13C‐labelling in glucose
Authors: Scandellari Francesca , Hobbie Erik A. , Ouimette Andrew P. , Stucker Valerie K.
Published: July 2009

Six position‐specific 13C‐labelled isotopomers of glucose were supplied to the ectomycorrhizal fungi Suillus pungens and Tricholoma flavovirens. From the resulting distribution of 13C among fungal PLFAs, the overall order and contribution of each glucose atom to fatty acid 13C enrichment was: C6 (∼31%) > C5 (∼25%) > C1 (∼18%) > C2 (∼18%) > C3 (∼8%) > C4 (∼1%). These data were used to parameterize a metabolic model of the relative fluxes from glucose degradation to lipid synthesis. Our data revealed that a higher amount of carbon is directed to glycolysis than to the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (60% and 40% respectively) and that a significant part flows through these pathways more than once (73%) due to the reversibility of some glycolysis reactions. Surprisingly, 95% of carbon cycled through glyoxylate prior to incorporation into lipids, possibly to consume the excess of acetyl‐CoA produced during fatty acid turnover. Our approach provides a rigorous framework for analysing lipid biosynthesis in fungi. In addition, this approach could ultimately improve the interpretation of isotopic patterns at natural abundance in field studies.
Spatial patterns of bacterial taxa in nature reflect ecological traits of deep branches of the 16S rRNA bacterial tree
Authors: Philippot Laurent , Bru David , Saby Nicolas P. A. , Čuhel Jiří , Arrouays Dominique , Šimek Miloslav , Hallin Sara
Published: July 2009

Whether bacteria display spatial patterns of distribution and at which level of taxonomic organization such patterns can be observed are central questions in microbial ecology. Here we investigated how the total and relative abundances of eight bacterial taxa at the phylum or class level were spatially distributed in a pasture by using quantitative PCR and geostatistical modelling. The distributions of the relative abundance of most taxa varied by a factor of 2.5–6.5 and displayed strong spatial patterns at the field scale. These spatial patterns were taxon‐specific and correlated to soil properties, which indicates that members of a bacterial clade defined at high taxonomical levels shared specific ecological traits in the pasture. Ecologically meaningful assemblages of bacteria at the phylum or class level in the environment provides evidence that deep branching patterns of the 16S rRNA bacterial tree are actually mirrored in nature.
Using Popular Films to Enhance Classroom Learning
Authors: Butler Andrew C. , Zaromb Franklin M. , Lyle Keith B. , Roediger Henry L.
Published: July 2009

Popular history films sometimes contain major historical inaccuracies. Two experiments investigated how watching such films influences people's ability to remember associated texts. Subjects watched film clips and studied texts about various historical topics. Whereas the texts contained only correct information, the film clips contained both correct information (consistent with the text) and misinformation (contradicted by the text). Before watching each clip, subjects received a specific warning, a general warning, or no warning about the misinformation. One week later, they returned for a cued-recall test about the texts. Watching a film clip increased correct recall of consistent information relative to recall of the same information when subjects did not see the clip. However, when the information in the film contradicted the text, subjects often (falsely) recalled misinformation from the film. The specific warning substantially reduced this misinformation effect. Teachers should use popular history films with caution and should warn students about major inaccuracies in the films.
NONPROFIT EMPLOYEES’ MACHIAVELLIAN PROPENSITIES
Authors: Smith Pamela C. , McTier Kerry , Pope Kelly Richmond
Published: July 2009

Nonprofit organizations are held to high ethical standards due to their charitable missions serving the common good. Incidents of fiscal mismanagement within the nonprofit sector make it relevant to assay the ethical principles of employees. This study examines the level of Machiavellian propensities of US nonprofit employees. Results indicate Machiavellian propensities do exist in certain nonprofit employees and these employees agree with questionable behavior. Policy makers and oversight agencies may find these results useful in developing corporate governance and accountability measures for nonprofit organizations. Furthermore, board of director members may use these results to monitor employee actions and address management training.
Research on the chemical composition of Saanen goat colostrum
Authors: YANG XIAO‐YU , CHEN JIN‐PING , ZHANG FU‐XIN
Published: July 2009

Changes in chemical composition in Saanen goat colostrum were studied 3, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120 and 168 h after parturition. The concentrations of dry matter, fat, ash, lactose, protein and IgG at 3 h of lactation were 21.23%, 7.73%, 1.57%, 1.93%, 10.24% and 72.01 mg/mL respectively. Saanen goat colostrum contained very high concentrations of Ca, P and Mg, and very low concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cd, As, Pb and Hg. In Saanen goat colostrum, the total concentrations of 17 amino acids and 8 essential amino acids were 5796.6 mg/100 mL and 2567.7 mg/100 mL respectively. The concentrations of saturated fatty acids were 75.21%, and medium chain saturated fatty acids (C80, C100) were 19.84%.