bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cysteine‐ and glycine‐rich protein 1a is involved in spinal cord regeneration in adult zebrafish
Authors: Ma Liping , Yu Young‐Mi , Guo Yuji , Hart Ronald P. , Schachner Melitta
Published: January 2012

In contrast to mammals, adult zebrafish have the ability to regrow descending axons and gain locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). In zebrafish, a decisive factor for successful spinal cord regeneration is the inherent ability of some neurons to regrow their axons via (re)expressing growth‐associated genes during the regeneration period. The nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle (NMLF) is one of the nuclei capable of regenerative response after SCI. Using microarray analysis with laser capture microdissected NMLF, we show that cysteine‐ and glycine‐rich protein (CRP)1a (encoded by the csrp1a gene in zebrafish), the function of which is largely unknown in the nervous system, was upregulated after SCI. In situ hybridization confirmed the upregulation of csrp1a expression in neurons during the axon growth phase after SCI, not only in the NMLF, but also in other nuclei capable of regeneration, such as the intermediate reticular formation and superior reticular formation. The upregulation of csrp1a expression in regenerating nuclei started at 3 days after SCI and continued to 21 days post‐injury, the longest time point studied. In vivo knockdown of CRP1a expression using two different antisense morpholino oligonucleotides impaired axon regeneration and locomotor recovery when compared with a control morpholino, demonstrating that CRP1a upregulation is an important part of the innate regeneration capability in injured neurons of adult zebrafish. This study is the first to demonstrate the requirement of CRP1a for zebrafish spinal cord regeneration.
IRS2 signalling is required for the development of a subset of sensory spinal neurons
Authors: Chirivella Laura , Cano‐Jaimez Marifé , Pérez‐Sánchez Francisco , Herraez Luis , Carretero José , Fariñas Isabel , Burks Deborah J. , Kirstein Martina
Published: January 2012

Insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐I play important roles in the development and maintenance of neurons and glial cells of the nervous system. Both factors activate tyrosine kinase receptors, which signal through adapter proteins of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) family. Although insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptors are expressed in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), the function of IRS‐mediated signalling in these structures has not been studied. Here we address the role of IRS2‐mediated signalling in murine DRG. Studies in cultured DRG neurons from different embryonic stages indicated that a subset of nerve growth factor‐responsive neurons is also dependent on insulin for survival at very early time points. Consistent with this, increased apoptosis during gangliogenesis resulted in a partial loss of trkA‐positive neurons in DRG of Irs2 mutant embryos. Analyses in adult Irs2−/− mice revealed that unmyelinated fibre afferents, which express calcitonin gene‐related peptide/substance P and isolectin B4, as well as some myelinated afferents to the skin were affected by the mutation. The diminished innervation of glabrous skin in adult Irs2−/− mice correlated with longer paw withdrawal latencies in the hot‐plate assay. Collectively, these findings indicate that IRS2 signalling is required for the proper development of spinal sensory neurons involved in the perception of pain.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor‐mediated effects on mitochondrial respiratory coupling and neuroprotection share the same molecular signalling pathways
Authors: Markham Anthony , Cameron Ian , Bains Rasneer , Franklin Paul , Kiss Janos P. , Schwendimann Leslie , Gressens Pierre , Spedding Michael
Published: January 2012

Intracerebral injection of ibotenate into mouse pups induced grey matter lesions and white matter cysts; co‐administration of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) produced a dose‐dependent reduction in these lesions. In contrast, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) had no significant effect, whereas nerve growth factor (NGF) or interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) resulted in dose‐dependent exacerbation. The neuroprotective effects of BDNF were abolished by co‐administration of anti‐BDNF antibody or MEK inhibitors, or ABT‐737, a BH3 mimetic and Bcl‐2 antagonist. The actions of BDNF, GDNF and NGF were measured in a parallel in vitro study on the oxidative metabolism of mouse brain mitochondria. BDNF produced a concentration‐dependent increase in the respiratory control index (RCI, a measure of respiratory coupling efficiency, ATP synthesis, and organelle integrity) when co‐incubated with synaptosomes containing signal transduction pathways; but GDNF failed to modify RCI, and NGF had only weak effects. BDNF had no effect on pure mitochondria, and enhanced oxidation only when complex I substrates were used. The effect of BDNF was inhibited by anti‐BDNF antibody, MEK inhibitors or ABT‐737, and also by IL‐1β, indicating that the mitochondrial effects are mediated via the same MEK–Bcl‐2 pathway as the neuroprotection. The complex I inhibitor rotenone, a compound implicated in the aetiology of Parkinson’s disease, inhibited both the in vitro mitochondrial and in vivo neuroprotective effects of BDNF. The ability of BDNF to modify brain metabolism and the efficiency of oxygen utilization via a MEK–Bcl‐2 pathway may be an important component of the neuroprotective action observed with this neurotrophin.
Increased stress reactivity is associated with reduced hippocampal activity and neuronal integrity along with changes in energy metabolism
Authors: Knapman Alana , Kaltwasser Sebastian F. , Martins‐de‐Souza Daniel , Holsboer Florian , Landgraf Rainer , Turck Christoph W. , Czisch Michael , Touma Chadi
Published: January 2012

Patients suffering from major depression have repeatedly been reported to have dysregulations in hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity along with deficits in cognitive processes related to hippocampal and prefrontal cortex (PFC) malfunction. Here, we utilized three mouse lines selectively bred for high (HR), intermediate, or low (LR) stress reactivity, determined by the corticosterone response to a psychological stressor, probing the behavioral and functional consequences of increased vs. decreased HPA axis reactivity on the hippocampus and PFC. We assessed performance in hippocampus‐ and PFC‐dependent tasks and determined the volume, basal activity, and neuronal integrity of the hippocampus and PFC using in vivo manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The hippocampal proteomes of HR and LR mice were also compared using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. HR mice were found to have deficits in the performance of hippocampus‐ and PFC‐dependent tests and showed decreased N‐acetylaspartate levels in the right dorsal hippocampus and PFC. In addition, the basal activity of the hippocampus, as assessed by manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, was reduced in HR mice. The three mouse lines, however, did not differ in hippocampal volume. Proteomic analysis identified several proteins that were differentially expressed in HR and LR mice. In accordance with the notion that N‐acetylaspartate levels, in part, reflect dysfunctional mitochondrial metabolism, these proteins were found to be involved in energy metabolism pathways. Thus, our results provide further support for the involvement of a dysregulated HPA axis and mitochondrial dysfunction in the etiology and pathophysiology of affective disorders.
Archer fish fast hunting maneuver may be guided by directionally selective retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Tsvilling Vadim , Donchin Opher , Shamir Maoz , Segev Ronen
Published: January 2012

Archer fish are known for their unique hunting method, where one fish in a group shoots down an insect with a jet of water while all the other fish are observing the prey’s motion. To reap its reward, the archer fish must reach the prey before its competitors. This requires fast computation of the direction of motion of the prey, which enables the fish to initiate a turn towards the prey with an accuracy of 99%, at about 100 ms after the prey is shot. We explored the hypothesis that direction‐selective retinal ganglion cells may underlie this rapid processing. We quantified the degree of directional selectivity of ganglion cells in the archer fish retina. The cells could be categorized into three groups: sharply (5%), broadly (37%) and non‐tuned (58%) directionally selective cells. To relate the electrophysiological data to the behavioral results we studied a computational model and estimated the time required to accumulate sufficient directional information to match the decision accuracy of the fish. The computational model is based on two direction‐selective populations that race against each other until one reaches the threshold and drives the decision. We found that this competition model can account for the observed response time at the required accuracy. Thus, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the fast response behavior of the archer fish relies on retinal identification of movement direction.
Applying developed‐country regulation in emerging markets: an analysis of Thai insider trading
Authors: Budsaratragoon Pornanong , Hillier David , Lhaopadchan Suntharee
Published: January 2012

This paper undertakes an out‐of‐sample test of developed‐country insider trading regulation in an emerging market environment (Thailand), where severe information asymmetry, lax enforcement and poor pricing efficiency are endemic. Thai insider trading regulation, which mimics developed market rules, fails on all three measures of success. Insiders trade with impunity during a regulated trading ban. Their trading performance outperforms other investors at all times, and they continue to exploit their privileged position with respect to information flow. Our study suggests it is inappropriate for emerging market regulators to adopt developed market regulation without first considering the unique characteristics of their own environment.
THE CASE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION: PLACE‐BASED VERSUS PLACE‐NEUTRAL APPROACHES*
Authors: Barca Fabrizio , McCann Philip , Rodríguez‐Pose Andrés
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT The paper examines the debates regarding place‐neutral versus place‐based policies for economic development. The analysis is set in the context of how development policy thinking on the part of both scholars and international organizations has evolved over several decades. Many of the previously accepted arguments have been called into question by the impacts of globalization and a new response to these issues has emerged, a response both to these global changes and also to nonspatial development approaches. The debates are highlighted in the context of a series of major reports recently published on the topic. The cases of the developing world and the European Union are used as examples of how in this changing context development intervention should increasingly focus on efficiency and social inclusion at the expense of an emphasis on territorial convergence and how strategies should consider economic, social, political, and institutional diversity in order to maximize both the local and the aggregate potential for economic development.
Occupational and Locational Substitution: Measuring the Effect of Occupational and Regional Mobility
Authors: Aldashev Alisher
Published: January 2012

The paper analyses the effects of occupational and regional mobility on the matching rate using monthly panel data disaggregated at the regional and occupational level. The main contribution of the paper is to measure the effect of substitutability between vacancies in different occupations, and vacancies in different regions on the matching rate. The estimates indicate higher regional mobility in West Germany but higher occupational mobility in East Germany. The results show that if occupations were perfect substitutes, then the number of matches could increase by 5–9 per cent. Perfect regional mobility would increase matchings by 5–15 per cent. It is also shown that partial aggregation causes a downward bias in substitutability estimates.
Sunlight is associated with decreased multiple sclerosis risk: no interaction with human leukocyte antigen‐DRB1*15
Authors: Bäärnhielm M. , Hedström A. K. , Kockum I. , Sundqvist E. , Gustafsson S. A. , Hillert J. , Olsson T. , Alfredsson L.
Published: January 2012

Background:  Both insufficient exposure to sunlight and vitamin D deficiency have been associated with an increased risk for multiple sclerosis (MS). An interaction between human leukocyte antigen HLA‐DRB1*15 and vitamin D in MS was recently proposed. We investigated the association between previous exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), vitamin D status at inclusion in the study, and MS risk including the interaction of these factors with HLA‐DRB1*15.

Methods:  A population‐based case–control study involving 1013 incident cases of MS and 1194 controls was performed in Sweden during 2005–2010. Subjects were classified according to their UVR exposure habits, vitamin D status, and HLA genotypes. The associations between different sun exposure habits/vitamin D levels and MS were calculated as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression. Potential interaction was evaluated by calculating the attributable proportion due to interaction.

Results:  Subjects with low UVR exposure had a significantly increased risk of MS compared with those who reported the highest exposure (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.3). Similarly, subjects who had 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D levels less than 50 nM/l had an increased risk for MS (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2–1.7). The association between UVR exposure and MS risk persisted after adjustment for vitamin D status. There was no interaction with HLA‐DRB1*15 carriage.

Conclusions:  UVR and vitamin D seem to affect MS risk in adults independently of HLA‐DRB1*15 status. UVR exposure may also exert a protective effect against developing MS via other pathways than those involving vitamin D.
Telomere length shortening in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Kume K. , Kikukawa M. , Hanyu H. , Takata Y. , Umahara T. , Sakurai H. , Kanetaka H. , Ohyashiki K. , Ohyashiki J. H. , Iwamoto T.
Published: January 2012

Background and purpose:  Shortened telomere length has been considered to be associated with various age‐related diseases, especially in dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. However, changes in telomere length in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) remain unclear. To elucidate these changes, we set out to determine telomere length in peripheral leukocytes as well as the level of urinary 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) as a marker of oxidative stress in DLB.

Methods:  Blood samples were obtained from 33 patients with a clinical diagnosis of probable DLB and 35 age‐matched, non‐demented elderly controls (NEC). Telomere length was assessed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction of genomic DNA extracted from leukocytes, whereas oxidative stress was assessed on the basis of urine 8‐OHdG level, which was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results:  Telomere length was significantly shorter in the DLB group than in the NEC group. Urinary 8‐OHdG levels were significantly higher in the DLB group than in the NEC group. There was a negative correlation between telomere length and age in the DLB group; however, there were no significant relationships between telomere length and clinical findings including disease duration, severity of cognitive decline, presence or absence of fluctuation in cognitive function, visual hallucinations, and Parkinsonism. In both groups, the correlation between telomere length and urinary 8‐OHdG levels was not significant.

Conclusions:  These findings indicate that the etiopathology of DLB is considered to be an accelerated aging process.
Activated human hydroxy‐carboxylic acid receptor‐3 signals to MAP kinase cascades via the PLC‐dependent PKC and MMP‐mediated EGFR pathways
Authors: Zhou Q , Li G , Deng XY , He XB , Chen LJ , Wu C , Shi Y , Wu KP , Mei LJ , Lu JX , Zhou NM
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 3‐Hydroxy‐octanoate, recently identified as a ligand for, the orphan GPCR, HCA3, is of particular interest given its ability to treat lipid disorders and atherosclerosis. Here we demonstrate the pathway of HCA3‐mediated activation of ERK1/2.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Using CHO‐K1 cells stably expressing HCA3 receptors and A431 cells, a human epidermoid cell line with high levels of endogenous expression of functional HCA3 receptors, HCA3‐mediated activation of ERK1/2 was measured by Western blot.

KEY RESULTS HCA3‐mediated activation of ERK1/2 was rapid, peaking at 5 min, and was Pertussis toxin sensitive. Our data, obtained by time course analyses in combination with different kinase inhibitors, demonstrated that on agonist stimulation, HCA3 receptors evoked ERK1/2 activation via two distinct pathways, the PLC/PKC pathway at early time points (≤2 min) and the MMP/ epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation pathway with a maximum response at 5 min. Furthermore, our present results also indicated that the βγ‐subunits of the Gi protein play a critical role in HCA3‐activated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, whereas β‐arrestins and Src were not required for ERK1/2 activation.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We have described the molecular mechanisms underlying the coupling of human HCA3 receptors to the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway in CHO‐K1 and A431 cells, which implicate the Gi protein‐initiated, PLC/PKC‐ and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor/EGFR transactivation‐dependent pathways. These observations may provide new insights into the pharmacological effects and the physiological functions modulated by the HCA3‐mediated activation of ERK1/2.
Effects of temperature on the development of overwintering immature stages of the near‐threatened butterfly Leptalina unicolor (Bremer & Grey) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)
Authors: INOUE Takenari
Published: January 2012

Overwintering larvae of multivoltine and univoltine populations of Leptalina unicolor were reared under various constant and fluctuating temperatures superimposed on a photoperiod of either 12 h of light and 12 h of darkness (LD 12:12) or LD 15:9. Diapause of the larvae terminated in midwinter (by early February). All the larvae of both populations pupated after two molts without feeding and the head capsule width of the final instar larvae was smaller than that of the penultimate instar ones. The photoperiod did not significantly affect larval development, but long‐day conditions (LD 15:9) hastened pupal development. The thermoperiod had a significant effect on the development of the multivoltine population. When multivoltine population larvae were kept under a low fluctuating temperature regime (cryophase/thermophase = 14/20°C), the period until adult eclosion was shorter than that under a constant temperature of 17°C. On the contrary, when larvae were kept under a high fluctuating temperature regime (24/30°C), the period until adult eclosion was longer than that under a constant temperature of 27°C. However, the univoltine population did not show such a reaction to the fluctuating temperature. The durations of final instar larva and pupa of the multivoltine population were shorter than those of the univoltine population. The developmental zeros of penultimate and final instar larvae and pupae of the univoltine population were lower than those of the multivoltine population. The head capsule width of penultimate instar larvae and the forewing length of adults of the univoltine population were larger than those of the multivoltine population for both sexes.
Identification of new epilepsy treatments: Issues in preclinical methodology
Authors: Galanopoulou Aristea S. , Buckmaster Paul S. , Staley Kevin J. , Moshé Solomon L. , Perucca Emilio , Engel Jerome , Löscher Wolfgang , Noebels Jeffrey L. , Pitkänen Asla , Stables James , White H. Steve , O’Brien Terence J. , Simonato for the American Epilepsy Society Basic Science Com Michele
Published: January 2012

Preclinical research has facilitated the discovery of valuable drugs for the symptomatic treatment of epilepsy. Yet, despite these therapies, seizures are not adequately controlled in a third of all affected individuals, and comorbidities still impose a major burden on quality of life. The introduction of multiple new therapies into clinical use over the past two decades has done little to change this. There is an urgent demand to address the unmet clinical needs for: (1) new symptomatic antiseizure treatments for drug‐resistant seizures with improved efficacy/tolerability profiles, (2) disease‐modifying treatments that prevent or ameliorate the process of epileptogenesis, and (3) treatments for the common comorbidities that contribute to disability in people with epilepsy. New therapies also need to address the special needs of certain subpopulations, that is, age‐ or gender‐specific treatments. Preclinical development in these treatment areas is complex due to heterogeneity in presentation and etiology, and may need to be formulated with a specific seizure, epilepsy syndrome, or comorbidity in mind. The aim of this report is to provide a framework that will help define future guidelines that improve and standardize the design, reporting, and validation of data across preclinical antiepilepsy therapy development studies targeting drug‐resistant seizures, epileptogenesis, and comorbidities.
IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF THE FERMENTED MARINE MICROALGA PAVLOVA LUTHERI (HAPTOPHYTA) WITH THE YEAST HANSENULA POLYMORPHA1
Authors: Qian Zhong‐Ji , Jung Won‐Kyo , Kang Kyong‐Hwa , Ryu BoMi , Kim Se‐Kwon , Je Jae‐Young , Heo Soo‐Jin , Oh Chulhong , Kang Do‐Hyung , Park Won Sun , Choi Il‐Whan
Published: January 2012

Microalgae are major primary producers of organic matter in aquatic environments through their photosynthetic activities. Fermented microalga (Pavlova lutheri Butcher) preparation (FMP) is the product of yeast fermentation by Hansenula polymorpha. It was tested for the antioxidant activities including lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity, free‐radical‐scavenging activity, inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cell), and inhibited myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in human myeloid cells (HL60). FMP exhibited the highest antioxidant activity on free‐radical scavenging, inhibitory intracellular ROS, and inhibited MPO activity. MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay showed no cytotoxicity in mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cell), human myeloid cells (HL60), and human fetal lung fibroblast cell line (MRC‐5). Furthermore, the antioxidative mechanism of FMP was evaluated by protein expression levels of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione [GSH]) using Western blot. The results obtained in the present study indicated that FMP is a potential source of natural antioxidant.
Undiagnosed, Untreated Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Presenting as a Suspicious Sudden Death*
Authors: Saint‐Martin Pauline , O’Byrne Patrick , Gaulier Jean‐Michel , Martin‐Dupont Sophie , Peyclit Agnès , Paraf François
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia frequently associated with clotting abnormalities and severe hemorrhagic diathesis. The disease is associated with a high incidence of early fatal hemorrhage. We report the sudden death of a 40‐year‐old male without significant medical history in which foul play had been initially suspected. A thorough postmortem investigation performed on the decedent lead to the diagnosis of APL. Cause of death was a cerebellar hematoma. Underlying APL should be considered in the differential diagnosis when unexplained bleeding is encountered in a decedent. This case emphasizes the value of routinely collecting bone marrow during an autopsy to enable accurate testing and diagnosis.
Density dependence is not very prevalent in a heterogeneous subtropical forest
Authors: Luo Zhengrong , Mi Xiangcheng , Chen Xiaorong , Ye Zhenlin , Ding Bingyang
Published: January 2012

There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that tree survival is influenced by negative density‐dependence, but it is still controversial how the effect may vary with life‐stage, and to what extent it plays a role in regulating tree survival in heterogeneous subtropical forests. In this study, we investigated density‐dependent effects on tree survival of six tree species in a 5‐ha subtropical forest in eastern China. The roughly 45 000 individuals in the forest were fully censused in 2003 and 2008. For each of these species, we used an inhomogeneous pair‐correlation function to quantify the change in spatial distribution for different size classes, and a case‐control design to study seedling–adult associations in 2003. Autologistic regression was used to determine the influence of neighborhood factors on individual survival from 2003 to 2008. We found that seedlings of five species were repulsed by distance to nearest conspecific adults in terms of their survival, consistent with predictions of the Janzen–Connell mechanism. By contrast, only the least shade‐tolerant Schima superba had a negative relationship with individual survival and conspecific distance‐weighted basal area. This suggests that the Janzen–Connell effect is only prevalent at the early seedling stage or seed‐to‐seedling phase. The strength of clustering significantly declined at sapling–pole and pole–adult transitions for Sycopsis sinensis and at seedling–sapling transition for Cleyera pachyphylla. Correlations between individual survival and conspecific abundance for these species were consistent with trends in the strength of clustering. These results suggest that density dependence plays a limited role in individual survival and species spatial structure beyond the early seedling stage (i.e. after true leaves growing) in this forest. In addition, this study indicates that including individuals from early life‐stages and factoring out potential confounding factors such as habitat preference are important in studies that seek evidence for density dependence in forest trees.
An experimental test of predator–parasite interaction in a passerine bird
Authors: Coslovsky Michael , Richner Heinz
Published: January 2012

Experimental studies incorporating multiple trophic levels are scarce but of increasing interest for understanding ecological communities. Here we investigated interactive effects of perceived predation risk and parasite pressure on life‐history traits in a hole‐nesting bird, and the effects of predation risk on parasite success. In a 3 × 2 experimental design we increased perceived predation risk for breeding great tits Parus major via simulations of either nest‐predators (woodpeckers) or post‐fledging predators (sparrowhawks) close to nests, and used a non‐predatory species (song thrush) as a control. Concurrently, half of the nests in each treatment were either infested with ectoparasites, or kept parasite‐free.

Regarding the predation risk – parasite interaction, exposure to nest‐predators tended to lower wing and sternum growth rates of nestlings in the absence, but not the presence, of parasites. In the presence of parasites, exposure to a post‐fledging, but not to a nest‐predator, led to significantly reduced wing growth. Mass and tarsus length were not affected by predator exposure, but ectoparasites had slight positive effects on mass gain. In the last third of the nestling period, overall nestling size was significantly smaller when exposed to a post‐fledging predator than to a nest‐predator, but neither differed from the control. Parental feeding rates were not affected by the treatments, but parents became less selective towards food items under either predation risk. Hen‐flea population sizes (adult or larvae) in nests were not affected by predation risk treatment of hosts.

In summary, we found some evidence for an interactive effect of predation risk and parasite pressure on nestling growth. The complexity of the interaction, combined with certain inconsistencies of the effects and potential statistical artifacts, prevent however a straightforward interpretation of the results. The insights from the study are useful for designing additional experiments to further investigate the complexity of predator–parasite interactions in wild populations.
Oligotrophication of a large, deep lake alters food quantity and quality constraints at the primary producer–consumer interface
Authors: Hartwich Melanie , Martin‐Creuzburg Dominik , Rothhaupt Karl‐Otto , Wacker Alexander
Published: January 2012

To assess nutritional consequences associated with lake oligotrophication for aquatic consumers, we analyzed the elemental and biochemical composition of natural seston and concomitantly conducted laboratory growth experiments in which the freshwater key herbivore Daphnia was raised on natural seston of the nowadays (2008) oligotrophic Lake Constance throughout an annual cycle. Food quality mediated constraints on Daphnia performance were assessed by comparing somatic growth rates with seston characteristics (multiple regression analysis) and by manipulating the elemental and biochemical composition of natural seston experimentally (nutrient supplementation). Results were compared to similar experiments carried out previously (1997) during a mesotrophic phase of the lake. In the oligotrophic phase, particulate carbon and phosphorus concentrations were lower, fatty acid concentrations were higher, and the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton was less diverse, with a more diatom‐ and cryptophytes‐dominated community, compared to the previous mesotrophic phase. Multiple regression analysis indicated a shift from a simultaneous limitation by food quantity (in terms of carbon) and quality (i.e. α‐linolenic acid) during the mesotrophic phase to a complex multiple nutrient limitation mediated by food quantity, phosphorus, and omega‐3 fatty acids in the following oligotrophic phase. The concomitant supplementation experiments also revealed seasonal changes in multiple resource limitations, i.e. the prevalent limitation by food quantity was accompanied by a simultaneous limitation by either phosphorus or omega‐3 fatty acids, and thus confirmed and complemented the multiple regression approach. Our results indicate that seasonal and annual changes in nutrient availabilities can create complex co‐limitation scenarios consumers have to cope with, which consequently may also affect the efficiency of energy transfer in food webs.
Polymorphisms in the control region of mitochondrial DNA associated with elite Japanese athlete status
Authors: Mikami E. , Fuku N. , Takahashi H. , Ohiwa N. , Pitsiladis Y. P. , Higuchi M. , Kawahara T. , Tanaka M.
Published: January 2012

The control region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contains the main regulatory elements for mtDNA replication and transcription. Certain polymorphisms in this region would, therefore, contribute to elite athletic performance, because mitochondrial function is one of determinants of physical performance. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of polymorphisms in this region on elite athlete status by sequencing the mtDNA control region. Subjects comprised 185 elite Japanese athletes who had represented Japan at international competitions (i.e., 100 endurance/middle‐power athletes: EMA; 85 sprint/power athletes: SPA), and 672 Japanese controls (CON). The mtDNA control region was analyzed by direct sequencing. Frequency differences of polymorphisms (minor allele frequency ≥ 0.05) in the mtDNA control region between EMA, SPA, and CON were examined. EMA displayed excess of three polymorphisms [m.152T>C, m.514(CA)n repeat (n ≥ 5), and poly‐C stretch at m.568–573 (C ≥ 7)] compared with CON. On the other hand, SPA showed greater frequency of the m.204T>C polymorphism compared with CON. In addition, none of the SPA had m.16278C>T polymorphism, whereas the frequencies of this polymorphism in CON and EMA were 8.3% and 10.0%, respectively. These findings imply that several polymorphisms detected in the control region of mtDNA may influence physical performance probably in a functional manner.
Pre‐operative factors predicting good outcome in terms of health‐related quality of life after ACL reconstruction
Authors: Månsson O. , Kartus J. , Sernert N.
Published: January 2012

The life situation of many patients changes after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and subsequent reconstruction, and this may affect their health‐related quality of life in many ways. It is well known that the overall clinical results after ACL reconstruction are considered good, but pre‐operative predictive factors for a good post‐operative clinical outcome after ACL reconstruction have not been studied in as much detail. The purpose of this study was to identify pre‐operative factors that predict a good post‐operative outcome as measured by the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) and Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) 3–6 years after ACL reconstruction. Seventy‐three patients scheduled for ACL reconstruction were clinically examined pre‐operatively. The SF‐36 and KOOS questionnaires were sent by mail to these patients 3–6 years after reconstruction. Predictive factors for health‐related quality of life were investigated using a stepwise regression analysis. In conclusion, pre‐operative factors, such as pivot shift, knee function, and range of motion, may predict a good post‐operative outcome and explain up to 25% in terms of health‐related quality of life after ACL reconstruction. Furthermore, it appears that the patients’ pre‐injury and pre‐operative Tegner activity levels are important predictors of post‐operative health‐related quality of life.
The Formation and Stability of DC‐SIGN Microdomains Require its Extracellular Moiety
Authors: Liu Ping , Wang Xiang , Itano Michelle S. , Neumann Aaron K. , Jacobson Ken , Thompson Nancy L.
Published: January 2012

Dendritic cell‐specific intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐3‐grabbing non‐integrin (DC‐SIGN) is a Ca2+‐dependent transmembrane lectin that binds a large variety of pathogens and facilitates their uptake for subsequent antigen presentation. This receptor is present in cell surface microdomains, but factors involved in microdomain formation and their exceptional stability are not clear. To determine which domain/motif of DC‐SIGN facilitates its presence in microdomains, we studied mutations at key locations including truncation of the cytoplasmic tail, and ectodomain mutations that resulted in the removal of the N‐linked glycosylation site, the tandem repeats and the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), as well as modification of the calcium sites in the CRD required for carbohydrate binding. Confocal imaging and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching measurements showed that the cytoplasmic domain and the N‐linked glycosylation site do not affect the ability of DC‐SIGN to form stable microdomains. However, truncation of the CRD results in complete loss of visible microdomains and subsequent lateral diffusion of the mutants. Apart from cell adhesions, membrane domains are thought to be localized primarily via the cytoskeleton. By contrast, we propose that interactions between the CRD of DC‐SIGN and the extracellular matrix and/or cis interactions with transmembrane scaffolding protein(s) play an essential role in organizing these microdomains.
Two‐step impression for atrophic mandibular ridge
Authors: Gandage Dhananjay S. , Kini Ashwini Y. , Gangadhar S. A. , Lagdive S.B. , Pai Umesh Y.
Published: January 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00591.x

Two‐step impression for atrophic mandibular ridge

Background:  The clinical difficulties encountered while treating edentulous patients with atrophic mandibular ridges are legion. Capturing tissue details while making an impression of a resorbed mandibular ridge poses a great clinical challenge. Extending the denture bases adequately to cover all of the available supporting tissues is one of the prime requisite. Surgical approach is necessary only when the patient is incapable of wearing a conventional denture. This article describes a technique of making an impression of an atrophic mandibular ridge by the use of monophase and light‐bodied impression material where surgical options such as implants, vestibuloplasty or ridge augmentation may not be feasible. This procedure results in improved stability and retention of the denture base.
Application of satellite remote sensing for mapping wind erosion risk and dust emission‐deposition in Inner Mongolia grassland, China
Authors: Reiche Matthias , Funk Roger , Zhang Zhuodong , Hoffmann Carsten , Reiche Johannes , Wehrhan Marc , Li Yong , Sommer Michael
Published: January 2012

Intensive grazing leads to land degradation and desertification of grassland ecosystems followed by serious environmental and social problems. The Xilingol steppe grassland in Inner Mongolia, China, which has been a sink area for dust for centuries, is strongly affected by the negative effects of overgrazing and wind erosion. The aim of this study is the provision of a wind erosion risk map with a spatial high resolution of 25 m to identify actual source and sink areas. In an integrative approach, field measurements of vegetation features and surface roughness length z0 were combined with Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) image data for a land use classification. To determine the characteristics of the different land use classes, a field observation (ground truth) was performed in April 2009. The correlation of vegetation height and z0 (R2 = 0.8, n = 55) provided the basis for a separation of three main classes, “grassland”, “non‐vegetation” and “other”. The integration of the soil‐adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) and the spectral information from the atmospheric corrected ASTER bands 1, 2 and 3 (visible to near‐infrared) led to a classification of the overall accuracy (OA) of 0.79 with a kappa () statistic of 0.74, respectively. Additionally, a digital elevation model (DEM) was used to identify topographical effects in relation to the main wind direction, which enabled a qualitative estimation of potential dust deposition areas. The generated maps result in a significantly higher description of the spatial variability in the Xilingol steppe grassland reflecting the different land use intensities on the current state of the grassland – less, moderately and highly degraded. The wind erosion risk map enables the identification of characteristic mineral dust sources, sinks and transition zones.
Preliminary study on ‘genomewide selection’ for maize (Zea mays L.) breeding in Japanese public sectors: Estimated selection response in the first selfing cycle of single‐cross progeny
Authors: Tamaki Hiroyuki , Sato Hisashi , Kikawada Tomohiro , Mitsuhashi Shohei
Published: January 2012

Japanese public sectors are now expected to breed high‐yielding silage maize varieties highly adapted to the Japanese climates in order to support the governmental policy to raise the feed self‐sufficiency ratio from 26% (in 2008) to 38% by 2020. ‘Genomewide selection (GwS)’ is a technique to substitute a part of phenotyping with molecular marker genotyping, and is thought to be suitable to accumulate favorable genes in many minor quantitative trait loci (QTLs) whereby yield is thought to be controlled. The purpose of this study was to use computer simulations to evaluate the potential of GwS from the viewpoint of maize breeding sections of Japanese public sectors interested in rapider yield improvement through selection at early breeding stages. It was assumed in each repeat of the simulation experiments that eight S1 (first selfing generation) candidates were selected from 1000 solely on their molecular marker information obtained from testcross investigation with GwS. The experiments indicated that (i) shorter intervals of molecular marker loci led to moderately larger selection response (SR) when the intervals were more than 20 cM, but not when they were less than 20 cM, (ii) higher heritability unexceptionally led to larger SR, and (iii) larger training population size led to slightly larger SR in most cases. The results suggest that it is important for the success of GwS to obtain high heritability in the field for testcross investigation, and that GwS will be a powerful tool for maize breeding sections of Japanese public sectors targeting rapider yield improvement.
Are stand‐alone cages sufficient for anterior lumbar interbody fusion?
Authors: Zhang Ji‐dong , Poffyn Bart , Sys Gwen , Uyttendaele Dirk
Published: January 2012

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) has increased in popularity because it has advantages over posterior fusion. Because there is disagreement about the stability of stand‐alone cage ALIF, some surgeons use various types of supplementary fixation, including anterior plates, pedicle screw systems and translaminar screws, to increase segmental stability. Many factors associated with both the cages and endplates influence the time of onset and extent of subsidence after use of stand‐alone cage ALIF. A large round cage with an adequate central opening is recommended to facilitate maximum contact with the periphery of the endplate. With regard to the relationship between radiographic fusion and recurrence of symptoms with the development of subsidence, most researchers have reported finding no correlation. Subsidence may be due to a process of bone incorporation between cages and endplates. Does subsidence or nonfusion really matter clinically? Further prospective, randomized controlled trials are very much needed to answer these questions.
Long‐term outcomes of epiphyseal preservation and reconstruction with inactivated bone for distal femoral osteosarcoma of children
Authors: Yu Xiu‐chun , Xu Ming , Xu Song‐feng , Song Ruo‐xian
Published: January 2012

Objectives:  To study the long‐term outcomes of inactivated bone reimplantation with preservation of the epiphysis in children with distal femoral osteosarcomas.

Methods:  Over 10 years, five children (mean age 9.2 years, one boy and four girls) with distal femoral osteosarcomas underwent inactivated bone reimplantation with preservation of the epiphysis following chemotherapy in our hospital. Three patients were type I on MRI classification (one with pathological fracture), and two type II. The therapeutic regime was two cycles of preoperative chemotherapy, surgery and six cycles of postoperative chemotherapy.

Results:  Five patients were followed up for 60–126 months (mean 82 months). No local tumor recurrences or metastases occurred. Three patients with fractures of inactivated bone were treated by open reduction, bone grafting and internal fixation; their fractures had united by 6 months after reoperation. The mean functional score of the affected limbs was 25.6 points (13–30 points).

Conclusions:  Inactivated bone reimplantation with preservation of the epiphysis for distal femoral osteosarcomas in children optimizes recovery of limb function and preservation of limb length. The main measures for improving clinical outcomes include preoperative analysis of the lesion's boundaries and extent of tumor invasion, bone grafting between inactivated and host bone, and timely treatment of complications.
Comparison between anterior and posterior decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: subjective evaluation and cost analysis
Authors: Liu Bin , Ma Wei , Zhu Feng , Guo Chi‐hua , Yang Wen‐long
Published: January 2012

Objective:  To compare anterior and posterior approaches for treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) involving more than two levels, especially in regard to quality of life and cost effectiveness.

Methods:  The authors studied 116 CSM patients who underwent decompressive surgery by either an anterior or a posterior approach with instrumentation. In the anterior group, 1–3 levels subtotal vertebrectomy was followed by bone graft and Orion anterior cervical locking plate fixation. In the posterior group, multilevel laminectomy with posterior screw‐rod fixation was performed. Follow‐up, which included radiographic assessment, clinical examination and documentation of length of any hospitalization and cost and incidence of complications, was performed 1 day before discharge, 6 months after leaving hospital, and at final follow‐up.

Results:  Both groups had improved clinical outcomes. The anterior group showed greater satisfaction but lower visual analog scale scores than the posterior group, whereas SF‐36 emotional role and mental health scores were higher in the anterior group. There was no marked difference between the two groups in length of hospitalization and most of the costs of treating CSM, however treatment and examination fees were significantly higher in the posterior group.

Conclusions:  Both anterior and posterior decompressions (with instrumentation) are effective procedures for improving the neurological outcomes of patients with CSM. However, although the two approaches have similar health care costs, anterior cervical corpectomy (with instrumentation) seems to be subjectively assessed by patients as better.
abc: an R package for approximate Bayesian computation (ABC)
Authors: Csilléry Katalin , François Olivier , Blum Michael G. B.
Published: January 2012

1. Many recent statistical applications involve inference under complex models, where it is computationally prohibitive to calculate likelihoods but possible to simulate data. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is devoted to these complex models because it bypasses the evaluation of the likelihood function by comparing observed and simulated data.

2. We introduce the R package ‘abc’ that implements several ABC algorithms for performing parameter estimation and model selection. In particular, the recently developed nonlinear heteroscedastic regression methods for ABC are implemented. The ‘abc’ package also includes a cross‐validation tool for measuring the accuracy of ABC estimates and to calculate the misclassification probabilities when performing model selection. The main functions are accompanied by appropriate summary and plotting tools.

3. R is already widely used in bioinformatics and several fields of biology. The R package ‘abc’ will make the ABC algorithms available to a large number of R users. ‘abc’ is a freely available R package under the GPL license, and it can be downloaded at http://cran.r‐project.org/web/packages/abc/index.html.
Physiological adaptations to low‐volume, high‐intensity interval training in health and disease
Authors: Gibala Martin J. , Little Jonathan P. , MacDonald Maureen J. , Hawley John A.
Published: January 2012

Abstract  Exercise training is a clinically proven, cost‐effective, primary intervention that delays and in many cases prevents the health burdens associated with many chronic diseases. However, the precise type and dose of exercise needed to accrue health benefits is a contentious issue with no clear consensus recommendations for the prevention of inactivity‐related disorders and chronic diseases. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that high‐intensity interval training (HIT) can serve as an effective alternate to traditional endurance‐based training, inducing similar or even superior physiological adaptations in healthy individuals and diseased populations, at least when compared on a matched‐work basis. While less well studied, low‐volume HIT can also stimulate physiological remodelling comparable to moderate‐intensity continuous training despite a substantially lower time commitment and reduced total exercise volume. Such findings are important given that ‘lack of time’ remains the most commonly cited barrier to regular exercise participation. Here we review some of the mechanisms responsible for improved skeletal muscle metabolic control and changes in cardiovascular function in response to low‐volume HIT. We also consider the limited evidence regarding the potential application of HIT to people with, or at risk for, cardiometabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes. Finally, we provide insight on the utility of low‐volume HIT for improving performance in athletes and highlight suggestions for future research.