bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The transcriptional response to cadmium, organic hydroperoxide, singlet oxygen and UV‐A mediated by the σE–ChrR system in Caulobacter crescentus
Authors: Lourenço Rogério F. , Gomes Suely L. 
Published: April 2009

Summary Caulobacter crescentusσE belongs to the ECF (extracytoplasmic function) subfamily of RNA polymerase sigma factors, whose members regulate gene expression in response to distinct environmental stresses. During physiological growth conditions, data indicate that σE is maintained in reduced levels due to the action of ChrR, a negative regulator of rpoE gene expression and function. However, once bacterial cells are exposed to cadmium, organic hydroperoxide, singlet oxygen or UV‐A irradiation, transcription of rpoE is induced in a σE‐dependent manner. Site‐directed mutagenesis indicated that residue C188 in ChrR is critical for the cadmium response while residues H140 and H142 are required for the bacterial response to organic hydroperoxide, singlet oxygen and UV‐A. Global transcriptional analysis showed that σE regulates genes involved in protecting cells against oxidative damages. A combination of transcriptional start site identification and promoter prediction revealed that some of these genes contain a putative σE‐dependent motif in their upstream regions. Furthermore, deletion of rpoE and two σE‐dependent genes (cfaS and hsp20) impairs Caulobacter survival when singlet oxygen is constantly generated in the cells.
Diversity of sesquiterpene synthases in the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus
Authors: Agger Sean , Lopez‐Gallego Fernando , Schmidt‐Dannert Claudia 
Published: April 2009

SummaryFungi are a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites, and mushroom‐forming fungi (Agaricomycetes) are especially known for the synthesis of numerous bioactive and often cytotoxic sesquiterpenoid secondary metabolites. Compared with the large number of sesquiterpene synthases identified in plants, less than a handful of unique sesquiterpene synthases have been described from fungi. Here we describe the functional characterization of six sesquiterpene synthases (Cop1 to Cop6) and two terpene‐oxidizing cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (Cox1 and Cox2) from Coprinus cinereus. The genes were cloned and, except for cop5, functionally expressed in Escherichia coli and/or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cop1 and Cop2 each synthesize germacrene A as the major product. Cop3 was identified as an α‐muurolene synthase, an enzyme that has not been described previously, while Cop4 synthesizes δ‐cadinene as its major product. Cop6 was originally annotated as a trichodiene synthase homologue but instead was found to catalyse the highly specific synthesis of α‐cuprenene. Coexpression of cop6 and the two monooxygenase genes next to it yields oxygenated α‐cuprenene derivatives, including cuparophenol, suggesting that these genes encode the enzymes for the biosynthesis of antimicrobial quinone sesquiterpenoids (known as lagopodins) that were previously isolated from C. cinereus and other Coprinus species.
The impact of gender and income on survival and retention in a South African antiretroviral therapy programme
Authors: Cornell Morna , Myer Landon , Kaplan Richard , Bekker Linda‐Gail , Wood Robin 
Published: April 2009

SummaryObjectives  Despite the rapid expansion of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services in Africa, there are few data on whether outcomes differ for women and men and what factors may drive such variation. We investigated the association of gender and income with survival and retention in a South African ART programme.Methods  A total of 2196 treatment‐naïve adults were followed for 1 year on ART. Proportional hazards regression was used to explore associations between baseline characteristics and survival and loss‐to‐follow‐up (LTFU).Results  Patients were predominantly female (67%). Men presented at an older age and with more advanced HIV disease, and during early ART the crude death rate was higher among men than women (22.8 vs 12.5/100 person‐years; P = 0.002). However in multivariate analysis, gender was not significantly associated with survival after adjusting for baseline clinical and immunovirological status (HR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.96–2.22; P = 0.076). In late ART (4–12 months), there was no gender difference in mortality rates (3.5 vs 3.8/100 person‐years; P = 0.817). In multivariate analysis, survival was strongly associated with age (HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.09; P < 0.001), CD4 count >150 vs <50 cells/μl (HR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.14–0.87; P = 0.023) and any monthly income vs none (HR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.25–0.88; P = 0.018). Having some monthly income was protective against LTFU at 1 year on ART (adjusted HR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.39–0.82; P = 0.002).Conclusion  Men’s high early mortality on ART appears due largely to their presentation with more advanced HIV disease. Efforts are needed to enrol men into care earlier in HIV disease and to reduce socio‐economic inequalities in ART programme outcomes.
Potential use of abrasive air‐propelled agricultural residues for weed control
Authors: FORCELLA F 
Published: April 2009

SummaryA potential new post‐emergence physical weed control tactic is described. It entails plant abrasion and death upon assault from abrasive grits propelled by compressed air. Grit derived from granulated walnut shells was delivered by a sand blaster at 517 kPa at distances of 300–600 mm from seedlings of Chenopodium album in glasshouse pots. Control was influenced by size of plants at time of treatment. Seedlings at the cotyledon to 2‐leaf stages of growth were mostly destroyed by a single split‐second blast of grit of <1 s duration, but were unaltered by compressed air alone. Plants at the 4‐ to 6‐leaf growth stages required up to 10 blasts of grit to be killed. These results indicate that small weed seedlings of susceptible species might be physically controlled by abrasion from air‐propelled grit derived from suitable agricultural residues.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Effect of concurrent saccharin intake on ethanol consumption by high‐alcohol‐drinking (UChB) rats
Authors: Tampier Lutske , Quintanilla Maria Elena 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTThis study examined the effect of concurrent presentation of a highly palatable saccharin solution on ethanol consumption during the acquisition or maintenance of ethanol drinking by high‐alcohol‐drinking (UChB) rats. Rats were exposed to ethanol (10% v/v) and water under a home cage, two‐bottle, free‐choice regimen with unlimited access for 24 hours/day. After 7 days (acquisition) of ethanol exposure, a third bottle containing saccharin (0.2% w/v) was concomitantly offered for an additional seven consecutive days, and the same process was repeated after 3 months (maintenance) of ethanol exposure. We found that concurrent saccharin intake significantly reduced ethanol intake by UChB rats after 7 days of ethanol exposure indicating that preference for sweet taste tends to override the preference for ethanol. However, the concurrent saccharin presentation to rats after 3 months of stable ethanol consumption did not reduce ethanol intake, whereas their saccharin consumption reached polydipsic‐like values. These results support the notion that in UChB rats, a time‐dependent sensitization to the rewarding effects of ethanol is developed that may account for the increases in ethanol volition seen following chronic ethanol intake.
RESEARCH FOCUS ON COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN ANIMALS: Pre‐exposure to environmental cues predictive of food availability elicits hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activation and increases operant responding for food in female rats
Authors: Cifani Carlo , Zanoncelli Alessandro , Tessari Michela , Righetti Claudio , Di Francesco Carla , Ciccocioppo Roberto , Massi Maurizio , Melotto Sergio 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTThe present study was undertaken to develop an animal model exploiting food cue‐induced increased motivation to obtain food under operant self‐administration conditions. To demonstrate the predictive validity of the model, rimonabant, fluoxetine, sibutramine and topiramate, administered 1 hour before the experiment, were tested. For 5 days, female Wistar rats were trained to self‐administer standard 45 mg food pellets in one daily session (30 minutes) under FR1 (fixed ratio 1) schedule of reinforcement. Rats were then trained to an FR3 schedule and finally divided into two groups. The first group (control) was subjected to a standard 30 minutes FR3 food self‐administration session. The second group was exposed to five presentations of levers and light for 10 seconds each (every 3 minutes in 15 minutes total). At the completion of this pre‐session phase, a normal 30‐minute session (as in the control group) started. Results showed that pre‐exposure to environmental stimuli associated to food deliveries increased response for food when the session started. Corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone plasma levels, measured after the 15‐minute pre‐exposure, were also significantly increased. No changes were observed for the other measured hormones (growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, insulin, amylin, gastric inhibitor polypeptide, ghrelin, leptin, peptide YY and pancreatic polypeptide). Rimonabant, sibutramine and fluoxetine significantly reduced food intake in both animals pre‐exposed and in those not pre‐exposed to food‐associated cues. Topiramate selectively reduced feeding only in pre‐exposed rats. The present study describes the development of a new animal model to investigate cue‐induced increased motivation to obtain food. This model shows face and predictive validity, thus, supporting its usefulness in the investigation of new potential treatments of binge‐related eating disorders. In addition, the present findings confirm that topiramate may represent an important pharmacotherapeutic approach to binge‐related eating.
GENETIC STUDY: BclI glucocorticoid receptor polymorphism and smoking in the general population
Authors: Siiskonen Satu J. , Visser Loes E. , Tiemeier Henning , Hofman Albert , Lamberts Steven W.J. , Uitterlinden André G. , Stricker Bruno H.Ch. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTWe studied the hypothesis that the BclI polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor gene is associated with an increased probability of being a (heavy) smoker and a decreased ability to quit smoking. The study cohort consisted of all subjects in the Rotterdam Study, a Dutch population‐based cohort of people aged 55 years and older, for whom BclI genotyping and smoking status at baseline were available. In prospective analyses, the smoking status was reassessed during three additional examination rounds. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between BclI polymorphism and being a smoker or a heavy smoker at baseline. Furthermore, the relationship between BclI polymorphism and incident smoking cessation was tested with Cox proportional hazards analysis within those who smoked at baseline. In total, 6358 subjects were included in the study. The presence of a G‐allele was not associated with current smoking at baseline [odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95%confidence interval (CI): 0.85–1.09] or with the incidence of smoking cessation during follow‐up [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.80–1.19]. Within current smokers, having a G‐allele was not significantly associated with the risk of being a heavy smoker when measured by pack‐years smoked (OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 0.85–1.35) or daily consumption of tobacco (OR = 1.10, 95%CI: 0.88–1.37). We were not able to replicate the earlier findings indicating that the proportion of current smokers is lower among carriers of the CC‐genotype of the BclI glucocorticoid receptor. Furthermore, the BclI glucocorticoid receptor polymorphism did not predict the incidence of smoking cessation in the general elderly population.
GENETIC STUDY: Heritability and a genome‐wide linkage analysis of a Type II/B cluster construct for cannabis dependence in an American Indian community
Authors: Ehlers Cindy L. , Gilder David A. , Gizer Ian R. , Wilhelmsen Kirk C. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTSubtyping of substance dependence disorders holds promise for a number of important research areas including phenotyping for genetic studies, characterizing clinical course, and matching treatment and prevention strategies. This study sought to investigate whether a dichotomous construct similar to Babor's Types A/B and Cloninger's Types I/II for alcohol dependence can be identified for cannabis dependence in a Native American sample. In addition, heritability of this construct and its behavior in a genetic linkage analyses were evaluated. Information on cannabis use and dependence symptoms and other psychiatric disorders was obtained using the Semi‐Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism from a community sample of 606 American Indians. Hierarchical average linkage and K means cluster analysis was used, and a three‐cluster solution was found to generate the best separation of variables. Ninety‐one per cent of cannabis‐dependent participants fell into one of the two subtypes: Type A/I cluster (n = 114, 56%) and Type B/II cluster (n = 70, 35%). Heritability (estimated using Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines) was only significant for the Type B/II cluster (h2 = 0.44, SE = 0.18, P < 0.01). Evidence for linkage was found for the Type B/II cluster (versus no diagnosis) on chromosome 16 [at 139 centimorgans (cM), Log of the Odds (LOD) score = 4.4], and on chromosome 19 (at 74 cM, LOD score = 6.4). Regions of interest for this phenotype (LOD > 1.5) were also located on chromosomes 14, 21, 22. These findings suggest that a Type B/II cannabis dependence phenotype can be identified in this population and that it is in part heritable and linked to areas of the genome identified previously for drug dependence phenotypes in this population as well as in other studies.
Routine chest X‐ray is not required after a low‐risk central venous cannulation
Authors: PIKWER A. , BÅÅTH L. , PERSTOFT I. , DAVIDSON B. , ÅKESON J. 
Published: April 2009

Background: Knowledge of the radiographic catheter tip position after central venous cannulation is normally not required for short‐term catheter use. Detection of a possible iatrogenic pneumothorax may nevertheless justify routine post‐procedure chest X‐ray. Our aim was to design a clinical decision rule to select patients for radiographic evaluation after central venous cannulation.Methods: A total of 2230 catheterizations performed using external jugular, internal jugular or subclavian venous approaches during a 4‐year period were included consecutively. Information on patient data and corresponding procedures was recorded prospectively. A post‐procedure chest X‐ray was obtained after each cannulation.Results: Thirteen cases (0.58%) of cannulation‐associated pneumothorax were identified. The risk of pneumothorax after a technically difficult (1.8%) or subclavian (1.6%) cannulation was significantly higher than after cannulation not considered as difficult (0.37%) or performed using other routes (0.33%). Clinical signs of pneumothorax within 8 h of cannulation were found in all seven patients with pneumothorax requiring specific treatment. A new clinical decision rule for radiographic evaluation after central venous cannulation based on the results of the present study shows that 48% of the post‐procedure chest X‐rays performed in our patients were clinically redundant.Conclusion: Clinical symptoms were reported in all patients with pneumothorax requiring specific treatment. Approximately half of the post‐procedure chest X‐ray controls could be avoided using the proposed clinical decision rule to select patients for radiographic evaluation after central venous cannulation. A large prospective multi‐centre study should be carried out to further evaluate this decision rule.
Accessing genotype by environment interaction using within‐ and across‐country test‐day random regression sire models
Authors: Hammami H. , Rekik B. , Soyeurt H. , Bastin C. , Bay E. , Stoll J. , Gengler N. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryFirst‐lactation test‐day (TD) milk records of Luxembourg and Tunisian Holsteins were analysed for evidence of genotype by environment interaction (G × E). The joint data included 730 810 TD records of 87 734 cows and 231 common sires. Random regression TD sire models with fourth‐order Legendre polynomials were used to estimate genetic parameters via within‐ and across‐country analyses. Daily heritability estimates of milk yield from within‐country analysis were between 0.11 and 0.32, and 0.03 and 0.13 in Luxembourg and Tunisia, respectively. Heritability estimates for 305‐day milk yield and persistency (defined as the breeding value for milk yield on DIM 280 minus the breeding value on DIM 80) were lower for Tunisian Holsteins compared with the Luxembourg population. Specifically, heritability for 305‐day milk yield was 0.16 for within‐ and 0.11 for across‐country analyses for Tunisian Holsteins and 0.38 for within‐ and 0.40 for across‐country analyses for Luxembourg Holsteins. Heritability for apparent persistency was 0.02 for both within‐ and across‐country analyses for Tunisian Holsteins and 0.08 for within‐ and 0.09 for across‐country analyses for Luxembourg Holsteins. Genetic correlations between the two countries were 0.50 for 305‐day milk yield and 0.43 for apparent persistency. Moreover, rank correlations between the estimated breeding values of common sires for 305‐day milk yield and persistency, estimated separately in each country, were low. Low genetic correlations are evidence for G × E for milk yield production while low rank correlations suggest different rankings of sires in both environments. Results from this study indicate that milk production of daughters of the same sires depends greatly on the production environment and that importing high merit semen for limited input systems might not be an effective strategy to improve milk production.
Genealogical analyses in open populations: the case of three Arab‐derived Spanish horse breeds
Authors: Cervantes I. , Gutiérrez J.P. , Molina A. , Goyache F. , Valera M. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryThis research assesses the genetic composition of three Arab‐derived Spanish horse breeds as an example to highlight the major shortcomings related to genealogical analyses in open populations and to propose approaches useful to deal with this task. The studbooks of three Spanish Arab (SA)‐derived horse breeds, Spanish Anglo‐Arab (dAA), Hispano‐Arab (dHA) and Spanish Sport Horse (dSSH) and those of their parental breeds SA, Spanish Purebred (SPB) and Thoroughbred (TB), totalling 211 754 individuals, were available. The genealogies of the dAA, dHA and dSSH were analysed not only using the corresponding studbook (breed exclusive dataset) but also including the genealogies of the founders from parental breeds (completed dataset). Coancestry analyses revealed that the present SA‐derived populations share more genes with the Arab than with the other parental breeds. Effective population size was computed by accounting for migration rates to obtain an equivalent closed‐population effective size (eqNe) of 39.2 for the dAA, 56.3 for dHA and 114.1 for dSSH. The essayed methodologies were useful for characterising populations involving migration. The consequences of the management of the analysed breeds are discussed. The results emphasize the need to include the complete genealogies of the individuals to attain reliable genealogical parameters.
Petrochemistry of sandstones from Neoproterozoic basins of the Bastar craton, Central Indian Shield: Implications for paleoweathering, provenance and tectonic history
Authors: Wani Hamidullah , Mondal Mohammad E. A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPetrographic analysis and chemical analysis of major and trace elements including rare earth elements of the Neoproterozoic sandstones from the Chandarpur Group and the Tiratgarh Formation have been carried out to determine their provenance, tectonic setting and weathering conditions. All sandstone samples are highly enriched in quartz but very poor in feldspar and lithic fragments. Petrographically and geochemically these sandstones are classified as subarkose, sublitharenite and arenite. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA mean 68) and Th/U ratios (mean 4.2) for these sandstones suggest their moderate weathering nature. Generally, all sandstone samples are strongly depleted in major elements (except SiO2), trace elements (except Zr) and REE in comparison with Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS) and Upper Continental Crust (UCC). Their mineralogy and mean of elemental ratios suitable for determination of provenance and tectonic setting, e.g. Al2O3/SiO2(0.02), K2O/Na2O (10), Eu/Eu* (0.67), (La/Lu)n (10.4), La/Sc (3), Th/Sc (1.2), La/Co (0.22), Th/Co (0.08), and Cr/Th (7.2), support a felsic source and a passive margin tectonic setting for these sandstones. Also these key elemental ratios do not show much variation over a range of SiO2. Thus we attest their significance in determining source rock characteristics of quartz rich sandstones. Chondrite‐normalized REE patterns with LREE enrichment and a strong negative Eu anomaly are also attributed to felsic source rock characteristics for these sandstones. The source rocks identified are granite and gneiss of the Bastar craton. Minor amounts may have been derived from older supracrustals of the Bastar craton. However, the major element data of the Paleoproterozoic Sakoli schists when compared with those of the Neoproterozoic sandstones indicate that the schists were derived from a mafic source and deposited in an active continental margin tectonic setting. There is, however, little difference in CIA values between the Paleoproterozoic Sakoli schists and Neoproterozoic sandstones, indicating prevailing of similar (moderate‐intense) weathering conditions throughout the Proterozoic in the Bastar craton. Our study also suggests a change in the provenance and tectonic setting of deposition of sediments from dominantly a mafic source and an active continental margin in the Paleoproterozoic to dominantly granite and gneiss (felsic source) and a passive continental margin in the Neoproterozoic in the Bastar craton.
Style of fluid flow and deformation in and around an ancient out‐of‐sequence thrust: An example from the Nobeoka Tectonic Line in the Shimanto accretionary complex, Southwest Japan
Authors: Mukoyoshi Hideki , Hirono Tetsuro , Hara Hidetoshi , Sekine Kotaro , Tsuchiya Noriyoshi , Sakaguchi Arito , Soh Wonn 
Published: April 2009

AbstractTo understand the characteristics of deformation of an out‐of‐sequence thrust (OST) and the style of fluid flow along it, we investigated the Nobeoka Tectonic Line, which has been interpreted as a deep OST (7–9 km), in the Shimanto accretionary complex, Southwest Japan. The shear zone in the footwall differs significantly in the along‐strike direction not only in thickness, which varied from 100 to 300 m, but also in lithology and mineral vein development. These variations might reflect primarily differences in lithology; that is, the sandstone‐dominant shear zone with a large amount of mineral veins precipitated in microcracks is relatively thick, whereas the shale‐dominant shear zone with a small amount of veins and with textures indicating highly pressurized pore fluid, is thinner. By comparison with characteristics of a shallow OST (3–5 km), we conclude that the shallow OST has experienced repeated brittle failure with rapid slip and focused fluid flow whereas the deep OST has experienced both brittle and ductile deformation, followed by fluid flow of various styles, depending on the lithology.