bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anomalous rise in algal production linked to lakewater calcium decline through food web interactions
Authors: Korosi Jennifer B. , Burke Samantha M. , Thienpont Joshua R. , Smol John P.
Published: September 2011

Increased algal blooms are a threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide, although the combined effects of multiple stressors make it difficult to determine the underlying causes. We explore whether changes in trophic interactions in response to declining calcium (Ca) concentrations, a water quality issue only recently recognized in Europe and North America, can be linked with unexplained bloom production. Using a palaeolimnological approach analysing the remains of Cladocera (herbivorous grazers) and visual reflectance spectroscopically inferred chlorophyll
a
from the sediments of a Nova Scotia (Canada) lake, we show that a keystone grazer,
Daphnia
, declined in the early 1990s and was replaced by a less effective grazer,
Bosmina
, while inferred chlorophyll
a
levels tripled at constant total phosphorus (TP) concentrations. The decline in
Daphnia
cannot be attributed to changes in pH, thermal stratification or predation, but instead is linked to declining lakewater [Ca]. The consistency in the timing of changes in
Daphnia
and inferred chlorophyll
a
suggests top-down control on algal production, providing, to our knowledge, the first evidence of a link between lakewater [Ca] decline and elevated algal production mediated through the effects of [Ca] decline on
Daphnia
. [Ca] decline has severe implications for whole-lake food webs, and presents yet another mechanism for potential increases in algal blooms.
POD1 Regulates Pollen Tube Guidance in Response to Micropylar Female Signaling and Acts in Early Embryo Patterning inArabidopsis
Authors: Li Hong-Ju , Xue Yong , Jia Dong-Jie , Wang Tong , hi Dong-Qiao , Liu Jie , Cui Feng , Xie Qi , Ye De , Yang Wei-Cai
Published: September 2011

The pollen tube germinates from pollen and, during its migration, it perceives and responds to guidance cues from maternal tissue and from the female gametophyte. The putative female cues have recently been identified, but how the pollen tube responds to these signals remains to be unveiled. In a genetic screen for male determinants of the pollen tube response, we identified the pollen defective in guidance1 (pod1) mutant, in which the pollen tubes fail to target the female gametophyte. POD1 encodes a conserved protein of unknown function and is essential for positioning and orienting the cell division plane during early embryo development. Here, we demonstrate that POD1 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) luminal protein involved in ER protein retention. Further analysis shows that POD1 interacts with the Ca2+ binding ER chaperone CALRETICULIN3 (CRT3), a protein in charge of folding of membrane receptors. We propose that POD1 modulates the activity of CRT3 or other ER resident factors to control the folding of proteins, such as membrane proteins in the ER. By this mechanism, POD1 may regulate the pollen tube response to signals from the female tissues during pollen tube guidance and early embryo patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana.
The Arabidopsis Na+/H+ Antiporters NHX1 and NHX2 Control Vacuolar pH and K+ Homeostasis to Regulate Growth, Flower Development, and Reproduction
Authors: Bassil Elias , Tajima Hiromi , Liang Yin-Chih , Ohto Masa-aki , Ushijima Koichiro , Nakano Ryohei , Esumi Tomoya , Coku Ardian , Belmonte Mark , Blumwald Eduardo
Published: September 2011

Intracellular Na+/H+ (NHX) antiporters have important roles in cellular pH and Na+, K+ homeostasis. The six Arabidopsis  thaliana intracellular NHX members are divided into two groups, endosomal (NHX5 and NHX6) and vacuolar (NHX1 to NHX4). Of the vacuolar members, NHX1 has been characterized functionally, but the remaining members have largely unknown roles. Using reverse genetics, we show that, unlike the single knockouts nhx1 or nhx2, the double knockout nhx1 nhx2 had significantly reduced growth, smaller cells, shorter hypocotyls in etiolated seedlings and abnormal stamens in mature flowers. Filaments of nhx1 nhx2 did not elongate and lacked the ability to dehisce and release pollen, resulting in a near lack of silique formation. Pollen viability and germination was not affected. Quantification of vacuolar pH and intravacuolar K+ concentrations indicated that nhx1 nhx2 vacuoles were more acidic and accumulated only 30% of the wild-type K+ concentration, highlighting the roles of NHX1 and NHX2 in mediating vacuolar K+/H+ exchange. Growth under added Na+, but not K+, partly rescued the flower and growth phenotypes. Our results demonstrate the roles of NHX1 and NHX2 in regulating intravacuolar K+ and pH, which are essential to cell expansion and flower development.
A 35‐month prospective study on onset of scabies in a psychiatric hospital: Discussion on patient transfer and incubation period
Authors: MAKIGAMI Kuniko , OHTAKI Noriko , YASUMURA Seiji
Published: September 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of scabies introduction into a hospital. We addressed the following question: Do patients transferred from other institutions pose a higher risk than patients from the community? From July 2003 to May 2006, a trained physician surveyed the inpatients and staff of a psychiatric hospital (six wards, 300 beds) on a monthly basis. During the study period, specific infection control measures beyond standard precautions, such as prophylactic treatment, were not adopted. There were 333 newly‐admitted patients during the study period and among them, 122 were transferred from other institutions. Seven patients were diagnosed with scabies. Two of these patients were infected while in the hospital (secondary infection), thus the number of introduced scabies cases (index cases) was five. Four of the index cases were transferred from other institutions (three from psychiatric hospitals and one from a nursing home). The source of infection for one index case was unexplained. The rate of scabies infection among transferred patients was 3.3% while the infection rate among patients from the community was 0.5%. Therefore, transferred patients pose a higher risk than those from the community. The average time from admission to diagnosis of scabies was 141 days (range 34–313 days). The hospital personnel checked the skin condition of all patients at admission and none of the four patients showed symptoms of scabies.
Preclinical evaluation of a novel SIRT1 modulator SRT1720 in multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Chauhan Dharminder , Bandi Madhavi , Singh Ajita V. , Ray Arghya , Raje Noopur , Richardson Paul , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: September 2011

SIRT1 belongs to the silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) protein family of enzymes and functions as a NAD+‐dependent class III histone deacetylase. Here, we examined the anti‐multiple myeloma (MM) activity of a novel oral agent, SRT1720, which targets SIRT1. Treatment of MM cells with SRT1720 inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in MM cells resistant to conventional and bortezomib therapies without significantly affecting the viability of normal cells. Mechanistic studies showed that anti‐MM activity of SRT1720 is associated with: (i) activation of caspase‐8, caspase‐9, caspase‐3, poly(ADP) ribose polymerase; (ii) increase in reactive oxygen species; (iii) induction of phosphorylated ataxia telangiectasia mutated/checkpoint kinase 2 signalling; (iv) decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor‐induced migration of MM cells and associated angiogenesis; and (v) inhibition of nuclear factor‐κB. Blockade of ATM attenuated SRT1720‐induced MM cell death. In animal tumour model studies, SRT1720 inhibited MM tumour growth. Finally, SRT1720 enhanced the cytotoxic activity of bortezomib or dexamethasone. Our preclinical studies provide the rationale for novel therapeutics targeting SIRT1 in MM.
Inhibition of CXCL10 release by monomeric C3bi and C4b
Authors: Takeda Y , Kaneda K , Jimma F , Shiobara N , Hidaka M , Saniabadi A R , Wakabayashi I
Published: September 2011

Cellulose acetate (CA) beads are often used for leucocyte apheresis therapy against inflammatory bowel disease. In order to clarify the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effects of CA, global analysis of the molecules generated in blood by the interaction with CA beads was performed in this study. An activated medium was collected from whole blood that had been preincubated with CA beads, and the effects of the CA-activated medium on leucocyte function were investigated. Fresh blood was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interferon (IFN)-β in the presence of the activated medium, and levels of chemokines and cytokines, including CXCL10 (IFN-inducible protein-10), and phosphorylated STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1), which is known to be essential for CXCL10 production in leucocytes, were measured. IFN-β- or LPS-induced CXCL10 production, expression of CXCL10 mRNA and phosphorylation of STAT1 were significantly reduced in the presence of the medium pretreated with CA beads compared with the control without the CA bead treatment. The factors inhibiting CXCL10 production were identified as the C3 and C4 fragments by mass spectrometry. The monomeric C3bi and C4b proteins were abundant in the medium pretreated with CA beads. Furthermore, purified C3bi and C4b were found to inhibit IFN-β-induced CXCL10 production and STAT1 phosphorylation. Thus, STAT1-mediated CXCL10 production induced by stimulation with LPS or IFN was potently inhibited by monomeric C3bi and C4b generated by the interaction of blood with CA beads. These mechanisms mediated by monomeric C3bi and C4b may be involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of CA.
Long‐term outcomes of distant metastasis from differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Huang I‐Chin , Chou Feng‐Fu , Liu Rue‐Tsuan , Tung Shih‐Chen , Chen Jung‐Fu , Kuo Ming‐Chun , Hsieh Ching‐Jung , Wang Pei‐Wen
Published: September 2011

Background  The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic factors of long‐term survival and optimal therapeutic protocol for patients with distant metastasis secondary to differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).

Methods  A retrospective review of 1665 patients with DTC treated at a regional tertiary hospital in Taiwan between 1986 and 2010 was performed. Among them, 207 patients were found to have distant metastasis. For a long‐term outcome survey, 126 patients that had received at least 5 years (mean 9·6 ± 5·2 years) of follow‐up after the diagnosis of distant metastasis were analysed for this study. Prognostic factor analysis included age, sex, histology, disease stage, type of surgical procedure, site of metastatic foci, 131I avidity of tumour, thyroglobulin (Tg) level and accumulated therapeutic dose of radioiodine (RAI).

Results  The mean age at diagnosis of distant metastasis was 46·4 ± 17·2 years. The female‐to‐male ratio was 2·1:1. The 10‐ and 15‐year survival rates were 70·6% and 64·9%, respectively. The independent predictors of survival were younger age, surgical dissection of neck lymph nodes (LNs) and low TSH‐stimulated Tg level (<400 μg/l) at the discovery of metastasis. Most cases of resolved 131I‐avid disease (79·2%) and disease‐free remission (87·5%) received a cumulative dose no >600 mCi of 131I. The mean cumulative doses of 131I in both deceased and living patients were similar.

Conclusion  The prognosis of patients with distant metastasis from DTC within this study was found to be favourable. Survival may be improved by surgical dissection of neck LNs, but repeated 131I therapy >600 mCi is not advised unless there is a high probability that it would benefit the patient.
Systematic planning for river rehabilitation: integrating multiple ecological and economic objectives in complex decisions
Authors: HERMOSO VIRGILIO , PANTUS FRANCIS , OLLEY JON , LINKE SIMON , MUGODO JAMES , LEA PATRICK
Published: September 2011

1. Owing to intensive human use, freshwaters are among the most seriously threatened and modified environments on the planet. Their poor condition and the risk to services that humans need from these ecosystems make their rehabilitation a priority. However, many previous studies have reported the poor performance of many rehabilitation activities.

2. Here, we analyse reasons for this poor performance, focussing on the planning of rehabilitation activities, and propose a new approach. We argue that the failure to include driving factors at a scale adequate to capture the ecological processes involved, together with an insufficient incorporation of socio‐economic aspects, is a key factor leading the poor performance of many rehabilitation activities.

3. We propose a new approach, ‘systematic rehabilitation planning’, that brings together advances made in conservation planning (cost‐effectiveness analysis) and ecosystem science (understanding the complexity of ecosystem processes). This enables planning to be done at the catchment scale, and the trade‐offs between various rehabilitation actions to be integrated and prioritised.

4. Finally, it is important, given the constraints imposed by a lack of knowledge, that the planning process is part of an adaptive cycle where it can benefit from and consolidate the experience gained during the implementation and monitoring stages.
Increased tree densities in South African savannas: >50 years of data suggests CO2 as a driver
Authors: Buitenwerf R. , Bond W. J. , Stevens N. , Trollope W. S. W.
Published: September 2011

For the past century, woody plants have increased in grasslands and savannas worldwide. Woody encroachment may significantly alter ecosystem functioning including fire regimes, herbivore carrying capacity, biodiversity and carbon storage capacity. Traditionally, increases in woody cover and density have been ascribed to changes in the disturbance regime (fire and herbivores) or rainfall. Increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations may also contribute, by increasing growth rates of trees relative to grasses. This hypothesis is still heavily debated because usually potential CO2 effects are confounded by changes in land use (disturbance regime). Here we analyse changes in woody density in fire experiments at three sites in South African savannas where the disturbance regime (fire and herbivores) was kept constant for 30 and 50 years. If global drivers had significant effects on woody plants, we would expect significant increases in tree densities and biomass over time under the constant disturbance regime. Woody density remained constant in a semiarid savanna but tripled in a mesic savanna between the 1970s and 1990s. At the third site, a semiarid savanna near the southern limits of the biome, tree density doubled from the mid 1990s to 2010. Interpretation of the causes is confounded by population recovery after clearing, but aerial photograph analysis on adjacent non‐cleared areas showed an accompanying 48% increase in woody cover. Increased CO2 concentrations are consistent with increased woody density while other global drivers (rainfall) remained constant over the duration of the experiments. The absence of a response in one semiarid savanna could be explained by a smaller carbon sink capacity of the dominant species, which would therefore benefit less from increased CO2. Understanding how savannas and grasslands respond to increased CO2 and identifying the causes of woody encroachment are essential for the successful management of these systems.
Terrestrial biosphere models need better representation of vegetation phenology: results from the North American Carbon Program Site Synthesis
Authors: Richardson Andrew D. , Anderson Ryan S. , Arain M. Altaf , Barr Alan G. , Bohrer Gil , Chen Guangsheng , Chen Jing M. , Ciais Philippe , Davis Kenneth J. , Desai Ankur R. , Dietze Michael C. , Dragoni Danilo , Garrity Steven R. , Gough Christopher M. , Grant Robert , Hollinger David Y. , Margolis Hank A. , McCaughey Harry , Migliavacca Mirco , Monson Russell K. , Munger J. William , Poulter Benjamin , Raczka Brett M. , Ricciuto Daniel M. , Sahoo Alok K. , Schaefer Kevin , Tian Hanqin , Vargas Rodrigo , Verbeeck Hans , Xiao Jingfeng , Xue Yongkang
Published: September 2011

Phenology, by controlling the seasonal activity of vegetation on the land surface, plays a fundamental role in regulating photosynthesis and other ecosystem processes, as well as competitive interactions and feedbacks to the climate system. We conducted an analysis to evaluate the representation of phenology, and the associated seasonality of ecosystem‐scale CO2 exchange, in 14 models participating in the North American Carbon Program Site Synthesis. Model predictions were evaluated using long‐term measurements (emphasizing the period 2000–2006) from 10 forested sites within the AmeriFlux and Fluxnet‐Canada networks. In deciduous forests, almost all models consistently predicted that the growing season started earlier, and ended later, than was actually observed; biases of 2 weeks or more were typical. For these sites, most models were also unable to explain more than a small fraction of the observed interannual variability in phenological transition dates. Finally, for deciduous forests, misrepresentation of the seasonal cycle resulted in over‐prediction of gross ecosystem photosynthesis by +160 ± 145 g C m−2 yr−1 during the spring transition period and +75 ± 130 g C m−2 yr−1 during the autumn transition period (13% and 8% annual productivity, respectively) compensating for the tendency of most models to under‐predict the magnitude of peak summertime photosynthetic rates. Models did a better job of predicting the seasonality of CO2 exchange for evergreen forests. These results highlight the need for improved understanding of the environmental controls on vegetation phenology and incorporation of this knowledge into better phenological models. Existing models are unlikely to predict future responses of phenology to climate change accurately and therefore will misrepresent the seasonality and interannual variability of key biosphere–atmosphere feedbacks and interactions in coupled global climate models.
Screening for von Willebrand disease: contribution of an automated assay for von Willebrand factor activity
Authors: LASNE D. , DEY C. , DAUTZENBERG M.‐D. , CHERQAOUI Z. , MONGE F. , AOUBA A. , TORCHET M.‐F. , GELOEN D. , LANDAIS P. , ROTHSCHILD C.
Published: September 2011

Summary.  Measuring von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity is essential to the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD). The VWF activity is usually assessed based on measurement of the ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo). However, that test is technically challenging and has high intra‐ and inter‐assay variabilities. The HemosIL VWF activity (VWF:AC) is a fully automated assay, recently proposed as a good alternative to VWF:RCo for VWD diagnosis. This study was undertaken to assess this new method. First, the analytical performance of VWF:AC on an automated coagulo‐meter (ACLTop) was determined, and then this new method was compared with VWF:RCo and the platelet function analyzer (PFA100) for 160 patients referred for VWD screening. The VWF:AC achieved acceptable precision with within‐run and between‐run coefficients of variation ranging from 2.3% to 14.1%, and linearity from 10% to 100%. Despite some marked differences between VWF:AC and VWF:RCo for 10 plasmas tested, their agreement for VWD diagnosis was good. The VWF:AC had sensitivity similar to that of PFA100 (close to 100%), but better specificity (97.7% vs. 66% or 60%, depending on the cartridge used). The good analytical performance, and the sensitivity and specificity of VWF:AC to detect VWF deficiency renders it a suitable method for VWD screening. Our findings support VWF:AC use for the diagnostic work‐up of VWD, paying close attention to concomitant clinical signs and bleeding score, as recommended for VWD.
Willows indirectly reduce arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization in understorey communities
Authors: Becklin Katie M. , Pallo Megan L. , Galen Candace
Published: September 2011

1. Understanding mechanisms underlying species distributions is a central theme in ecology. This study identifies factors driving spatial variation in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We conducted two experiments to test whether heterogeneity in AMF colonization of alpine perennial plants across a willow‐meadow ecotone is due to variation in (i) above‐ground competition with willows for light (experiment 1), (ii) below‐ground interactions with willows and their ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF; experiment 1) or (iii) leaf litter deposition (experiment 2).

2. In experiment 1, we tested the above‐ground interactions hypothesis by covering open meadow plots with 80% shade cloth to simulate willow shading (S). To test the below‐ground interactions hypothesis, we transplanted ectomycorrhizal (MW) and nonmycorrhizal willows (NW) into the open meadow. AMF colonization of herbaceous plants in the S, MW and NW treatments was compared to colonization of plants growing in unmanipulated open meadow (OC) and willow understorey (WC) control plots. In experiment 2, we tested the leaf litter hypothesis by manipulating leaf litter deposition in open meadow and willow understorey plots. AMF and EMF colonization was compared in plots with and without leaf litter.

3. In experiment 1, AMF colonization was reduced in MW and WC plots compared to the other three treatments, suggesting that below‐ground interactions with EMF suppressed AMF colonization of herbaceous hosts. In experiment 2, the presence of leaf litter increased EMF colonization in the open meadow and reduced AMF colonization in both open meadow and willow understorey habitats, suggesting that willow‐derived leaf litter indirectly affected AMF colonization by promoting EMF colonization.

4. Synthesis. Our results indicate that willows indirectly reduce AMF colonization of neighbouring herbaceous plants via feedbacks with leaf litter and EMF. These willow‐mediated effects could alter the distribution of mycorrhizal fungi in alpine communities, which could in turn impact the fitness and distribution of closely associated host species. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the potential for below‐ground interactions to drive variation in species associations across ecotonal boundaries.
Endocrine Disrupters: A Review of Some Sources, Effects, and Mechanisms of Actions on Behaviour and Neuroendocrine Systems
Authors: Frye C. , Bo E. , Calamandrei G. , Calzà L. , Dessì‐Fulgheri F. , Fernández M. , Fusani L. , Kah O. , Kajta M. , Le Page Y. , Patisaul H. B. , Venerosi A. , Wojtowicz A. K. , Panzica G. C.
Published: September 2011

Some environmental contaminants interact with hormones and may exert adverse consequences as a result of their actions as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Exposure in people is typically a result of contamination of the food chain, inhalation of contaminated house dust or occupational exposure. EDCs include pesticides and herbicides (such as dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane or its metabolites), methoxychlor, biocides, heat stabilisers and chemical catalysts (such as tributyltin), plastic contaminants (e.g. bisphenol A), pharmaceuticals (i.e. diethylstilbestrol; 17α‐ethinylestradiol) or dietary components (such as phytoestrogens). The goal of this review is to address the sources, effects and actions of EDCs, with an emphasis on topics discussed at the International Congress on Steroids and the Nervous System. EDCs may alter reproductively‐relevant or nonreproductive, sexually‐dimorphic behaviours. In addition, EDCs may have significant effects on neurodevelopmental processes, influencing the morphology of sexually‐dimorphic cerebral circuits. Exposure to EDCs is more dangerous if it occurs during specific ‘critical periods’ of life, such as intrauterine, perinatal, juvenile or puberty periods, when organisms are more sensitive to hormonal disruption, compared to other periods. However, exposure to EDCs in adulthood can also alter physiology. Several EDCs are xenoestrogens, which can alter serum lipid concentrations or metabolism enzymes that are necessary for converting cholesterol to steroid hormones. This can ultimately alter the production of oestradiol and/or other steroids. Finally, many EDCs may have actions via (or independent of) classic actions at cognate steroid receptors. EDCs may have effects through numerous other substrates, such as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor and the retinoid X receptor, signal transduction pathways, calcium influx and/or neurotransmitter receptors. Thus, EDCs, from varied sources, may have organisational effects during development and/or activational effects in adulthood that influence sexually‐dimorphic, reproductively‐relevant processes or other functions, by mimicking, antagonising or altering steroidal actions.
Cyclic vomiting syndrome and functional vomiting in adults: association with cannabinoid use in males
Authors: Choung R. S. , Locke G. R. , Lee R. M. , Schleck C. D. , Zinsmeister A. R. , Talley N. J.
Published: September 2011

Background Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is characterized by stereotypical episodes of vomiting separated by symptom‐free intervals. However, the difficulty encountered in the management of patients with CVS may be a reflection of a deficiency in our understanding of the disorder. We aimed to evaluate whether clinical or gastric emptying (GE) data discriminate patients labeled as having CVS from functional vomiting (FV) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods The medical records of patients diagnosed with any vomiting (including CVS, FV) over a 13‐year period (1993–2006) at our institution were carefully reviewed. Disease controls were age and gender matched subjects with IBS. Gastric emptying was performed by scintigraphy (99mTc‐egg meal). The associations of clinical factors and GE data with patient status (CVSvsFV or IBS) were analyzed.

Key Results A total of 82 patients with CVS and 62 FV patients were identified. Younger age [per 10 years, OR = 0.7 (0.5, 0.9)], male gender [OR = 0.4 (0.2, 0.9)], and cannabinoid use [OR = 2.9 (1.2, 7.2)] were significantly associated with CVS compared with FV. However, there were no significant associations between patient status (CVSvsFV) and age, BMI, smoking, alcohol use, gastrointestinal symptoms, or GE. The proportion of cannabinoid users was significantly higher in patients with CVS compared with patients with IBS, whereas proportions for headaches and psychiatric disease were higher in subjects with IBS.

Conclusions & Inferences Cyclic vomiting syndrome (vsFV) was not associated with clinical factors, but was associated with younger age, male gender and cannabinoid use. A larger proportion of CVS (vsIBS) patients had used cannabinoids.
FluoroSpot Analysis of TLR‐Activated Monocytes Reveals Several Distinct Cytokine‐Secreting Subpopulations
Authors: Smedman C. , Ernemar T. , Gudmundsdotter L. , Gille‐Johnson P. , Somell A. , Nihlmark K. , Gårdlund B. , Andersson J. , Paulie S.
Published: September 2011

Monocytes have long been considered a heterogeneous group of cells both in terms of morphology and function. In humans, three distinct subsets have been described based on their differential expression of the cell surface markers CD14 and CD16. However, the relationship between these subsets and the production of cytokines has for the most part been based on ELISA measurements, making it difficult to draw conclusions as to their functional profile on the cellular level. In this study, we have investigated lipoteichoic acid (LTA)‐ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced cytokine secretion by monocytes using the FluoroSpot technique. This method measures the number of cytokine‐secreting cells on the single‐cell level and uses fluorescent detection, allowing for the simultaneous analysis of two cytokines from the same population of isolated cells. By this approach, human monocytes from healthy volunteers could be divided into several subgroups as IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α and MIP‐1β were secreted by larger populations of responding cells (25.9–39.2%) compared with the smaller populations of GM‐CSF (9.1%), IL‐10 (1.3%) and IL‐12p40 (1.2%). Furthermore, when studying co‐secretion in FluoroSpot, an intricate relationship between the monocytes secreting IL‐1β and/or IL‐6 and those secreting TNF‐α, MIP‐1β, GM‐CSF, IL‐10 and IL‐12p40 was revealed. In this way, dissecting the secretion pattern of the monocytes in response to TLR‐2 or TLR‐4 stimulation, several subpopulations with distinct cytokine‐secreting profiles could be identified.
Seismic evidence of up to 200 m lake‐level change in Southern Patagonia since Marine Isotope Stage 4
Authors: GEBHARDT ANDREA CATALINA , OHLENDORF CHRISTIAN , NIESSEN FRANK , DE BATIST MARC , ANSELMETTI FLAVIO S. , ARIZTEGUI DANIEL , KLIEM PIERRE , WASTEGÅRD STEFAN , ZOLITSCHKA BERND
Published: September 2011

Maar lake Laguna Potrok Aike is located north of the Strait of Magellan (south‐eastern Patagonia). Seismic reflection profiles revealed a highly dynamic palaeoclimate history. Dunes were identified in the eastern part of the lake at approximately 30 to 80 m below the lake floor, overlying older lacustrine strata, and suggest that the region experienced dry conditions probably combined with strong westerly winds. It is quite likely that this can be linked to a major dust event recorded in the Antarctic ice cores during Marine Isotope Stage 4. The dunes are overlain by a series of palaeo‐shorelines indicating a stepwise water‐level evolution of a new lake established after this dry period, and thus a change towards wetter conditions. After the initial, rapid and stepwise lake‐level rise, the basin became deeper and wider, and sediments deposited on the lake shoulder at approximately 33 m below present‐day lake level point towards a long period of lake‐level highstand between roughly 53·5 ka cal. bp and 30 ka cal. bp with a maximum lake level some 200 m higher than the desiccation horizon. This highstand was then followed by a regressional phase of uncertain age, although it must have happened some time between approximately 30 ka cal. bp and 6750 yrs cal. bp. Dryer conditions during the Mid‐Holocene are evidenced by a dropping lake level, resulting in a basin‐wide erosional unconformity on the lake shoulder. A second stepwise transgression between ca 5·8 to 5·4 ka cal. bp and ca 4·7 to 4 ka cal. bp with palaeo‐shorelines deposited on the lake shoulder unconformity again indicates a change towards wetter conditions.
Rock pool tufa stromatolites on a modern South African wave‐cut platform: partial analogues for Archaean stromatolites?
Authors: Smith Alan M. , Andrews Julian E. , Uken Ronald , Thackeray Zane , Perissinotto Renzo , Leuci Rio , Marca‐Bell Alina
Published: September 2011

Terra Nova, 23, 375–381, 2011

Calcifying tufa stromatolites are forming on a high energy coast of the South African Indian Ocean. The tufa stromatolites form in upper intertidal to supra tidal rock pools, encrust bedrock and are linked both laterally and vertically to physico‐chemical properties of their pool water. Calcification only occurs in pools where dissolved carbonate‐rich, spring‐fed groundwater is routed, and δ18O values are consistent with calcification in a mixture of freshwater and seawater. Increasing pH and less negative isotope values away from the spring are consistent with CO2 degassing and in‐stream calcification, albeit with some in‐mixing of seawater. The rocky shore setting of these active tufa stromatolites is new and invites serious comparison with some Archaean rocky substrate peritidal stromatolites (e.g. the c. 3.45 Ga Strelley Pool sequences, Pilbara Craton). This new association shows that initial encrustation of rocky intertidal substrates can begin with freshwater influence in the intertidal zone, a facies detail that should be sought in ancient peritidal stromatolites.
Plastid stromules are induced by stress treatments acting through abscisic acid
Authors: Gray John C. , Hansen Michael R. , Shaw Daniel J. , Graham Katie , Dale Rosemary , Smallman Philippa , Natesan Senthil K.A. , Newell Christine A.
Published: September 2011

Stromules are highly dynamic stroma‐filled tubules that extend from the surface of all plastid types in all multi‐cellular plants examined to date. The stromule frequency (percentage of plastids with stromules) has generally been regarded as characteristic of the cell and tissue type. However, the present study shows that various stress treatments, including drought and salt stress, are able to induce stromule formation in the epidermal cells of tobacco hypocotyls and the root hairs of wheat seedlings. Application of abscisic acid (ABA) to tobacco and wheat seedlings induced stromule formation very effectively, and application of abamine, a specific inhibitor of ABA synthesis, prevented stromule induction by mannitol. Stromule induction by ABA was dependent on cytosolic protein synthesis, but not plastid protein synthesis. Stromules were more abundant in dark‐grown seedlings than in light‐grown seedlings, and the stromule frequency was increased by transfer of light‐grown seedlings to the dark and decreased by illumination of dark‐grown seedlings. Stromule formation was sensitive to red and far‐red light, but not to blue light. Stromules were induced by treatment with ACC (1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid), the first committed ethylene precursor, and by treatment with methyl jasmonate, but disappeared upon treatment of seedlings with salicylate. These observations indicate that abiotic, and most probably biotic, stresses are able to induce the formation of stromules in tobacco and wheat seedlings.
Favorable outcome in a renal transplant recipient with donor‐derived infection due to multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Simkins J. , Muggia V.
Published: September 2011

Most cases of donor‐derived infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa reported in the literature are associated with vascular dehiscence, all of which resulted either in death or graft failure requiring graft removal. We report the successful treatment of donor‐derived infection due to multidrug‐resistant P. aeruginosa in a 64‐year‐old male who presented with bacteremia and peritransplant renal fluid collection after undergoing deceased‐donor renal transplantation.

As a result of the report of positive donor cultures by the host Organ Procurement Organization, the infection was promptly identified by blood cultures drawn before appearance of symptoms. Surveillance blood cultures in recipients are not usually recommended. However, they should be done if donor cultures turn positive. Therefore, it is crucial to perform cultures in donors and to closely follow them up for early identification and prompt treatment of donor‐transmitted infections due to organisms like P. aeruginosa that can be graft and/or life threatening.
Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome with placental chorangioma due to H19‐differentially methylated region hypermethylation: A case report
Authors: Aoki Aiko , Shiozaki Arihiro , Sameshima Azusa , Higashimoto Ken , Soejima Hidenobu , Saito Shigeru
Published: September 2011

Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a common overgrowth syndrome that involves abdominal wall defects, macroglossia, and gigantism. It is sometimes complicated by placental tumor and polyhydramnios. We report a case of BWS, prenatally diagnosed with ultrasonography. A large and well‐circumscribed tumor also existed on the fetal surface of the placenta, which was histologically diagnosed as chorangioma after delivery. Polyhydramnios was obvious and the fetal heart enlarged progressively during pregnancy. Because the biophysical profiling score dropped to 4 points at 33 weeks of gestation, we carried out cesarean section. By epigenetic analysis, H19‐differentially methylated region hypermethylation was observed in the placental tumor, normal placental tissue, and cord blood mononuclear cells. This is the first report of BWS with placental tumor due to H19‐differentially methylated region hypermethylation.
Gestation‐specific reference intervals for right and left ventricular ejection force from 12 to 40 weeks of gestation
Authors: Parasuraman Rajeswari , Osmond Clive , Howe David T.
Published: September 2011

Aim:  Ejection force of the fetal cardiac ventricles has previously been described from 18 weeks of gestation. We aimed to establish gestation‐specific reference intervals for ventricular ejection force (VEF) from 12 to 40 weeks of pregnancy.

Material and Methods:  In a cross‐sectional observational study of singleton pregnancies, examinations were performed in 236 women evenly distributed across each week of pregnancy from 12 to 40 weeks. Each mother was scanned once. For the aortic and pulmonary valves, the time to peak velocity (TPV) and the average (TAV) and peak flow velocity in systole (PSV) was measured. For each we averaged values from three consecutive complexes. The outlet valve diameters were measured and the VEF on both the right and left sides were calculated using the formula VEF = (1.055 × valve area × time to peak velocity × TAV) × (PSV/TPV) where 1.055 represents the density of blood. Measurements were repeated in 40 women to assess intraobserver reproducibility and in 19 women for interobserver variability.

Results:  We present reference intervals for right and left VEF. We demonstrated that the ventricular force on both right and left sides increases with advancing gestational age.

Conclusion:  Fetal cardiac physiology can be studied and Doppler indices reliably measured as early as the late first trimester of pregnancy. Ventricular ejection force and its relationship with fetal growth could be explored in future studies and this may eventually provide better understanding of changes which may predispose to adult cardiac disease.
Reduction in maternal complement levels during delivery by cesarean section
Authors: Kato Makoto , Itoh Hiroaki , Nagahashi Kotomi , Izima Mari , Yaguchi Chizuko , Uchida Toshiyuki , Suzuki Kazunao , Sugihara Kazuhiro , Kanayama Naohiro
Published: September 2011

Aim:  Primary elective cesarean sections are being carried out in considerable numbers in both developed and developing countries; however, little information is available concerning differences in maternal physiological responses associated with the mode of delivery. The aim of the present study was to compare the changes in the maternal complement and contact systems between delivery by cesarean section and vaginal delivery at term.

Methods:  Maternal levels of complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4) and coagulation factor XII (FXII) were measured during primary elective cesarean (n = 70) and vaginal (n = 140) deliveries.

Results:  The C3, C4 and FXII levels decreased significantly during delivery by cesarean section and remained low for two hours. By contrast, C3 levels, but not C4 levels, increased temporally during normal term delivery and FXII levels decreased two hours later.

Conclusions:  The changes in maternal C3, C4 and FXII levels during cesarean section were very different from those during delivery at term, suggesting that the maternal complement and contact systems respond differently.
Quality assurance and improvement: the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Network
Authors: Polaner David M. , Martin Lynn D. ,   the PRAN Investigators
Published: September 2011

Quality assurance and improvement (QA/QI) is a critical activity in medicine. The use of large‐scale collaborative databases is increasingly essential to obtain enough reports with which to establish standards of practice and define the incidence of complications and risk/benefit ratios for rare events. Such projects can enhance local QA/QI endeavors by enabling institutions to obtain benchmark data against which to compare their performance and can be used for prospective analyses of inter‐institutional differences to determine ‘best practice’. The pediatric regional anesthesia network (PRAN) is such a project. The first data cohort is currently being analyzed and offers insight into how such data can be used to detect trends in adverse events and improve care.
Invariable biomass‐specific primary production of taxonomically discrete picoeukaryote groups across the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Grob Carolina , Hartmann Manuela , Zubkov Mikhail V. , Scanlan Dave J.
Published: September 2011

Oceanic photosynthetic picoeukaryotes (< 3 µm) are responsible for > 40% of total primary production at low latitudes such as the North‐Eastern tropical Atlantic. In the world ocean, warmed by climate changes, the expected gradual shift towards smaller primary producers could render the role of photosynthetic picoeukaryotes even more important than they are today. Little is still known, however, about how the taxonomic composition of this highly diverse group affects primary production at the basin scale. Here, we combined flow cytometric cell sorting, NaH14CO3 radiotracer incubations and class‐specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes to determine cell‐ and biomass‐specific inorganic carbon fixation rates and taxonomic composition of two major photosynthetic picoeukaryote groups on a ∼7500‐km‐long latitudinal transect across the Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Meridional Transect, AMT19). We show that even though larger cells have, on average, cell‐specific CO2 uptake rates ∼5 times higher than the smaller ones, the average biomass‐specific uptake is statistically similar for both groups. On the other hand, even at a high taxonomic level, i.e. class, the contributions to both groups by Prymnesiophyceae, Chrysophyceae and Pelagophyceae are significantly different (P < 0.001 in all cases). We therefore conclude that these group's carbon fixation rates are independent of the taxonomic composition of photosynthetic picoeukaryotes across the Atlantic Ocean. Because the above applies across different oceanic regions the diversity changes seem to be a secondary factor determining primary production.
Current evidence for a role of GLP‐1 in Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass‐induced remission of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Rhee N. A. , Vilsbøll T. , Knop F. K.
Published: September 2011

Weight‐reducing surgical procedures such as Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) have proven efficient as means of decreasing excess body weight. Furthermore, some studies report that up to 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing RYGB experience complete remission of their T2DM. Interestingly, the majority of remissions occur almost immediately following the operation and long before significant weight loss has taken place. Following RYGB, dramatic increases in postprandial plasma concentrations of the incretin hormone glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) have been recorded, and the known antidiabetic effects of GLP‐1 are thought to be key mediators in RYGB‐induced remission of T2DM. However, the published studies on the impact of RYGB on GLP‐1 secretion are few, small and often not controlled properly. Furthermore, mechanistic studies delineating the role of endogenous GLP‐1 secretion in RYGB‐induced remission of T2DM are lacking. This article critically evaluates the current evidence for a role of GLP‐1 in RYGB‐induced remission of T2DM.
Cytoreductive nephrectomy in the elderly: a population‐based cohort from the USA
Authors: Sun Maxine , Abdollah Firas , Schmitges Jan , Bianchi Marco , Tian Zhe , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Zorn Kevin , Pharand Daniel , Widmer Hugues , Graefen Markus , Montorsi Francesco , Perrotte Paul , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: September 2011

Study Type – Therapy (cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

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

While cytoreductive nephrectomy is associated with a survival benefit in the context of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, the rates of morbidity and perioperative mortality remain non‐negligible. For example, perioperative mortality may be as high as 21% in elderly patients.

The study shows that perioperative death amongst the elderly was substantially lower than what was previously reported from a single institutional report. Nonetheless, postoperative adverse outcomes were non‐negligible in elderly patients relative to their younger counterparts. In consequence, these rates should be discussed at informed consent and a rigorous patient selection remains essential.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the rate of perioperative mortality (PM), and other adverse outcomes in ‘elderly’ patients treated with cytoreductive nephrectomy (CNT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients who underwent CNT for metastatic renal cell carcinoma were abstracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1998–2007). ‘Elderly’ was defined as ≥75 years, according to previous definition.

Endpoints consisted of PM, intraoperative and postoperative complications, blood transfusions and length of stay.

We adjusted for the effect of elderly status within five separate logistic regression models. Covariates consisted of comorbidity, race, gender, year of surgery and hospital region.

RESULTS

Overall, CNT was performed in 504 (15.3%) elderly patients and in 2796 (84.7%) ‘younger’ patients (<75 years).

The rate of PM was 4.8% in elderly patients vs 1.9% in the younger patients (P < 0.001). Similarly, the rates of blood transfusions (29.8 vs 21.5%), postoperative complications (27.8 vs 22.8%), and prolonged length of stay (≥8 days) were higher in the elderly (45.0 vs 32.0%; all P < 0.001).

In multivariable analyses, elderly patients were 2.2‐, 1.5‐, and 1.6fold more likely to experience PM, to receive a blood transfusion and to be hospitalized ≥8 days than the younger patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the rate of PM was substantially lower than 21%, elderly patients are significantly more likely to die after this type of surgery, to receive a transfusion, and to experience a prolonged length of stay.

These facts and figures should be discussed at informed consent and a rigorous patient selection is essential.
The vulnerability of habitats to plant invasion: disentangling the roles of propagule pressure, time and sampling effort
Authors: Aikio Sami , Duncan Richard P. , Hulme Philip E.
Published: September 2011

Aim  To quantify the vulnerability of habitats to invasion by alien plants having accounted for the effects of propagule pressure, time and sampling effort.

Location  New Zealand.

Methods  We used spatial, temporal and habitat information taken from 9297 herbarium records of 301 alien plant species to examine the vulnerability of 11 terrestrial habitats to plant invasions. A null model that randomized species records across habitats was used to account for variation in sampling effort and to derive a relative measure of invasion based either on all records for a species or only its first record. The relative level of invasion was related to the average distance of each habitat from the nearest conurbation, which was used as a proxy for propagule pressure. The habitat in which a species was first recorded was compared to the habitats encountered for all records of that species to determine whether the initial habitat could predict subsequent habitat occupancy.

Results  Variation in sampling effort in space and time significantly masked the underlying vulnerability of habitats to plant invasions. Distance from the nearest conurbation had little effect on the relative level of invasion in each habitat, but the number of first records of each species significantly declined with increasing distance. While Urban, Streamside and Coastal habitats were over‐represented as sites of initial invasion, there was no evidence of major invasion hotspots from which alien plants might subsequently spread. Rather, the data suggest that certain habitats (especially Roadsides) readily accumulate alien plants from other habitats.

Main conclusions  Herbarium records combined with a suitable null model provide a powerful tool for assessing the relative vulnerability of habitats to plant invasion. The first records of alien plants tend to be found near conurbations, but this pattern disappears with subsequent spread. Regardless of the habitat where a species was first recorded, ultimately most alien plants spread to Roadside and Sparse habitats. This information suggests that such habitats may be useful targets for weed surveillance and monitoring.