bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity of Landraces in Gossypium arboreum L. Race sinense Assessed with Simple Sequence Repeat Markers
Authors: Guo Wang‐Zhen , Zhou Bao‐Liang , Yang Lu‐Ming , Wang Wei , Zhang Tian‐Zhen 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAsiatic cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) is an “Old World” cultivated cotton species, the sinense race of which is planted extensively in China. This species is still used in the current tetraploid cotton breeding program as an elite germplasm line, and is also used as a model for genomic research in Gossypium. In the present study, 60 cotton microsatellite markers, averaging 4.6 markers for each A‐genome chromosome, were chosen to assess the genetic diversity of 109 accessions. These included 106 G. arboreum landraces, collected from 18 provinces throughout four Asiatic cotton‐growing regions in China. A total of 128 alleles were detected, with an average of 2.13 alleles per locus. The largest number of alleles, as well as the maximum number of polymorphic loci, was detected in the A03 linkage group. No polymorphic alleles were detected on chromosome 10. The polymorphism information content for the 22 polymorphic microsatellite loci varied from 0.52 to 0.98, with an average of 0.89. Genetic diversity analysis revealed that the landraces in the Southern region had more genetic variability than those from the other two regions, and no significant difference was detected between landraces in the Yangtze and the Yellow River Valley regions. These findings are consistent with the history of sinense introduction, with the Southern region being the presumed center of origin for Chinese Asiatic cotton, and with subsequent northeastward extension to the Yangtze and Yellow River Valleys. Cluster analysis, based on simple sequence repeat data for 60 microsatellite loci, clearly differentiated Vietnamese and G. herbaceum landraces from the sinense landrace. No relationship between inter‐variety similarity and geographical ecological region was observed. The present findings indicate that the Southern region landraces may have been directly introduced into the provinces in the middle and lower Yangtze River Valley, where Asiatic cotton was most extensively grown, and further race sinense crops were subsequently produced.(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin Han)
Nutritional Composition and Assessment of Gracilaria lemaneiformis Bory
Authors: Wen Xue , Peng Changlian , Zhou Houcheng , Lin Zhifang , Lin Guizhu , Chen Shaowei , Li Ping 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe chemical composition, mineral elements, vitamins, free fatty acids and amino acid content of the edible red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis Bory, grown in the sea near Nan'ao island, Guangdong Province, were analyzed in the present study. Gracilaria lemaneiformis Bory showed a total sugar content of 14.65%. The protein content was 21%, of which approximately 41% was determined to be essential amino acids (EAA). The major amino acid components were glutamic acid, leucine, arginine, and alanine. Of the EAA assayed, methionine and cysteine appeared to be the most limiting amino acids compared with the EAA pattern provided by Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. The total lipids content was 0.87% and comprised a high composition of unsaturated fatty acids (61%), mainly as linoleic acid and oleic acid, and a little amount of polyunsaturated fatty acid; palmitic acid was the main component (39%) of saturated acids. Relatively high levels of vitamin C, iodine, phosphorus, and zinc were also present in G. lemaneiformis. The nutritional composition between G. lemaneiformis and Nostoc flagelliforme, a rare alga that is widely eaten in Chinese society, was compared. The results suggest that N. flagelliforme can be substituted for by G. lemaneiformis, not only because of their similar shape, but also because of their approximate nutritional composition. Gracilaria lemaneiformis may possibly serve as a potential healthy food in human diets in the future.(Managing editor: Ping He)
How we do it: Transoral suction diathermy adenoid ablation under direct vision using a 45 degree endoscope
Authors: Lo S. , Rowe‐Jones J. 
Published: October 2006

Keypoints• Adenoid ablation using suction diathermy is associated with a number of difficulties, mainly associated with the use of the mirror. Transoral and transnasal 0 degree endoscopes have also been utilised but again have limitations. We describe a technique that overcomes the above problems.• A prospective case series of patients undergoing suction diathermy adenoidectomy under direct vision using a transoral 45 degree endoscope connected to a monitor was conducted, performed by surgical trainees and under direct supervision of the consultant trainer (J.R.‐J.).• Intra‐operatively, trainees had to demonstrate to the trainer the appropriate anatomy, completed adenoid ablation, and haemostasis.• Fifty‐six cases have been performed. In every case, it was possible for the trainer to monitor the trainee's technique throughout the entire procedure. No complications have been reported.• We describe a modified technique which overcomes the disadvantages previously encountered by conventional suction diathermy adenoid ablation.
How we do it: Changes in thyroid and salivary gland surgery since 1989: who's doing it and what are they doing?
Authors: Hughes J.P. , Tatla T. , Farrell R. 
Published: October 2006

Keypoints• The aim of this study was to identify changes in the provision of parotid, submandibular and thyroid gland surgery between surgical specialties since 1989, as well as changes in surgical practice.• Data from the Department of Health's Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) was extracted from 1989/1990 and 2003/2004 records by operation and surgical specialty in England.• The data reveals a considerable decline in the amount of parotid and submandibular surgery performed by General surgeons; with the majority of this surgery currently being performed by ENT surgeons, and to a lesser extent, Oral and Maxillo‐Facial surgeons.• Thyroid surgery has undergone less radical change, with General surgeons continuing to perform the majority of cases; however, an increasing proportion is now provided by ENT surgeons.• There also seems to be changes in the types of thyroid operation being performed; with large increases in total thyroidectomy and reductions in subtotal thyroidectomies.
The national comparative audit of surgery for nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Hopkins C. , Browne J.P. , Slack R. , Lund V. , Topham J. , Reeves B. , Copley L. , Brown P. , Van Der Meulen J. 
Published: October 2006

Objectives: This study summarises the results of a National Audit of sino‐nasal surgery carried out in England and Wales. It describes patient and operative characteristics as well as patient outcomes up to 36 months after surgery.Design: Prospective cohort study.Setting: NHS hospitals in England and Wales.Participants: Consecutive patients undergoing surgery for nasal polyposis and/or chronic rhinosinusitis.Main outcome measure: The total score derived from a 22‐item version of the Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). Lower scores represent better health‐related quality of life.Results: A total of 3128 consecutive patients at 87 NHS hospitals were enrolled. There is a large improvement in SNOT‐22 scores from the pre‐operative period (mean = 42.0) to 3 months after surgery (mean = 25.5). The scores for patients undergoing nasal polypectomy improved from 41.0 before surgery to 23.1 at 3 months after surgery, while the scores for patients undergoing surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis alone improved from 44.2 to 31.2. The SNOT‐22 scores reported at 12 and 36 months after surgery were similar to those reported at 3 months. Excessive bleeding occurred in 5% of patients during the operation and in 1% of patients after the operation. Intra‐orbital complications were reported in 0.2%. Of those patients undergoing primary surgery for bilateral grade I or II polyposis, 18% had not received a pre‐operative course of steroid treatment. At the 36‐month follow‐up, 11.4% of patients had undergone revision surgery.Conclusions: The audit confirms that sino‐nasal surgery is generally safe and effective. There is some evidence that patient selection for surgery could be improved.
Evidence for Conformational Changes within DsbD: Possible Role for Membrane-Embedded Proline Residues
Authors: Hiniker Annie , Vertommen Didier , Bardwell James C. A. , Collet Jean-Francois 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTThe mechanism by which DsbD transports electrons across the cytoplasmic membrane is unknown. Here we provide evidence that DsbD's conformation depends on its oxidation state. Our data also suggest that four highly conserved prolines surrounding DsbD's membrane-embedded catalytic cysteines may have an important functional role, possibly conferring conformational flexibility to DsbD.
Differential Effects of
yfgL
Mutation on
Escherichia coli
Outer Membrane Proteins and Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Charlson Emily S. , Werner John N. , Misra Rajeev 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

YfgL together with NlpB, YfiO, and YaeT form a protein complex to facilitate the insertion of proteins into the outer membrane of
Escherichia coli
. Without YfgL, the levels of OmpA, OmpF, and LamB are significantly reduced, while OmpC levels are slightly reduced. In contrast, the level of TolC significantly increases in a
yfgL
mutant. When cells are depleted of YaeT or YfiO, levels of all outer membrane proteins examined, including OmpC and TolC, are severely reduced. Thus, while the assembly pathways of various nonlipoprotein outer membrane proteins may vary through the step involving YfgL, all assembly pathways in
Escherichia coli
converge at the step involving the YaeT/YfiO complex. The negative effect of
yfgL
mutation on outer membrane proteins may in part be due to elevated sigma E activity, which has been shown to downregulate the synthesis of various outer membrane proteins while upregulating the synthesis of periplasmic chaperones, foldases, and lipopolysaccharide. The data presented here suggest that the
yfgL
effect on outer membrane proteins also stems from a defective assembly apparatus, leading to aberrant outer membrane protein assembly, except for TolC, which assembles independent of YfgL. Consistent with this view, the simultaneous absence of YfgL and the major periplasmic protease DegP confers a synthetic lethal phenotype, presumably due to the toxic accumulation of unfolded outer membrane proteins. The results support the hypothesis that TolC and major outer membrane proteins compete for the YaeT/YfiO complex, since mutations that adversely affect synthesis or assembly of major outer membrane proteins lead to elevated TolC levels.
Physiological Analysis of the Stringent Response Elicited in an Extreme Thermophilic Bacterium,Thermus thermophilus
Authors: Kasai Koji , Nishizawa Tomoyasu , Takahashi Kosaku , Hosaka Takeshi , Aoki Hiroyuki , Ochi Kozo 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTGuanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) is a key mediator of stringent control, an adaptive response of bacteria to amino acid starvation, and has thus been termed a bacterial alarmone. Previous X-ray crystallographic analysis has provided a structural basis for the transcriptional regulation of RNA polymerase activity by ppGpp in the thermophilic bacteriumThermus thermophilus. Here we investigated the physiological basis of the stringent response by comparing the changes in intracellular ppGpp levels and the rate of RNA synthesis in stringent (rel+; wild type) and relaxed (relAandrelC; mutant) strains ofT. thermophilus. We found that in wild-typeT. thermophilus, as in other bacteria, serine hydroxamate, an amino acid analogue that inhibits tRNASeraminoacylation, elicited a stringent response characterized in part by intracellular accumulation of ppGpp and that this response was completely blocked in arelA-null mutant and partially blocked in arelCmutant harboring a mutation in the ribosomal protein L11. Subsequent in vitro assays using ribosomes isolated from wild-type andrelAandrelCmutant strains confirmed that (p)ppGpp is synthesized by ribosomes and that mutation of RelA or L11 blocks that activity. This conclusion was further confirmed in vitro by demonstrating that thiostrepton or tetracycline inhibits (p)ppGpp synthesis. In an in vitro system, (p)ppGpp acted by inhibiting RNA polymerase-catalyzed 23S/5S rRNA gene transcription but at a concentration much higher than that of the observed intracellular ppGpp pool size. On the other hand, changes in the rRNA gene promoter activity tightly correlated with changes in the GTP but not ATP concentration. Also, (p)ppGpp exerted a potent inhibitory effect on IMP dehydrogenase activity. The present data thus complement the earlier structural analysis by providing physiological evidence thatT. thermophilusdoes produce ppGpp in response to amino acid starvation in a ribosome-dependent (i.e., RelA-dependent) manner. However, it appears that inT. thermophilus, rRNA promoter activity is controlled directly by the GTP pool size, which is modulated by ppGpp via inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase activity. Thus, unlike the case ofEscherichia coli, ppGpp may not inhibitT. thermophilusRNA polymerase activity directly in vivo, as recently proposed forBacillus subtilisrRNA transcription (L. Krasny and R. L. Gourse, EMBO J.23:4473-4483, 2004).
The Genome Sequence of
Mannheimia haemolytica
A1: Insights into Virulence, Natural Competence, and
Pasteurellaceae
Phylogeny
Authors: Gioia Jason , Qin Xiang , Jiang Huaiyang , Clinkenbeard Kenneth , Lo Reggie , Liu Yamei , Fox George E. , Yerrapragada Shailaja , McLeod Michael P. , McNeill Thomas Z. , Hemphill Lisa , Sodergren Erica , Wang Qiaoyan , Muzny Donna M. , Homsi Farah J. , Weinstock George M. , Highlander Sarah K. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The draft genome sequence of
Mannheimia haemolytica
A1, the causative agent of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), is presented. Strain ATCC BAA-410, isolated from the lung of a calf with BRDC, was the DNA source. The annotated genome includes 2,839 coding sequences, 1,966 of which were assigned a function and 436 of which are unique to
M. haemolytica
. Through genome annotation many features of interest were identified, including bacteriophages and genes related to virulence, natural competence, and transcriptional regulation. In addition to previously described virulence factors,
M. haemolytica
encodes adhesins, including the filamentous hemagglutinin FhaB and two trimeric autotransporter adhesins. Two dual-function immunoglobulin-protease/adhesins are also present, as is a third immunoglobulin protease. Genes related to iron acquisition and drug resistance were identified and are likely important for survival in the host and virulence. Analysis of the genome indicates that
M. haemolytica
is naturally competent, as genes for natural competence and DNA uptake signal sequences (USS) are present. Comparison of competence loci and USS in other species in the family
Pasteurellaceae
indicates that
M. haemolytica
,
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
, and
Haemophilus ducreyi
form a lineage distinct from other
Pasteurellaceae
. This observation was supported by a phylogenetic analysis using sequences of predicted housekeeping genes.
Adaptive Gene Expression in
Bacillus subtilis
Strains Deleted for
tetL
Authors: Wei Yi , Deikus Gintaras , Powers Benjamin , Shelden Victor , Krulwich Terry A. , Bechhofer David H. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The growth properties of a new panel of
Bacillus subtilis tetL
deletion strains and of a derivative set of strains in which
tetL
is restored to the chromosome support earlier indications that deletion of
tetL
results in a range of phenotypes that are unrelated to tetracycline resistance. These phenotypes were not reversed by restoration of a
tetL
gene to its native locus and were hypothesized to result from secondary mutations that arise when multifunctional
tetL
is deleted. Such genetic changes would temper the alkali sensitivity and Na
+
sensitivity that accompany loss of the monovalent cation/proton activity of TetL. Microarray comparisons of the transcriptomes of wild-type
B. subtilis
, a
tetL
deletion strain, and its
tetL
-restored derivative showed that 37 up-regulated genes and 13 down-regulated genes in the deletion strain did not change back to wild-type expression patterns after
tetL
was returned to the chromosome. Up-regulation of the
citM
gene, which encodes a divalent metal ion-coupled citrate transporter, was shown to account for the Co
2+
-sensitive phenotype of
tetL
mutants. The changes in expression of
citM
and genes encoding other ion-coupled solute transporters appear to be adaptive to loss of TetL functions in alkali and Na
+
tolerance, because they reduce Na
+
-coupled solute uptake and enhance solute uptake that is coupled to H
+
entry.
The Nature of Anterior Negativities Caused by Misapplications of Morphological Rules
Authors: Krott Andrea , Baayen R. Harald , Hagoort Peter 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
This study investigates functional interpretations of left anterior negativities (LANs), a language-related electroencephalogram effect that has been found for syntactic and morphological violations. We focus on three possible interpretations of LANs caused by the replacement of irregular affixes with regular affixes: misapplication of morphological rules, mismatch of the presented form with analogy-based expectations, and mismatch of the presented form with stored representations. Event-related brain potentials were recorded during the visual presentation of existing and novel Dutch compounds. Existing compounds contained correct or replaced interfixes (dame + s + salons &gt; damessalons vs. * dame + n + salons &gt; * damensalons “women's hairdresser salons”), whereas novel Dutch compounds contained interfixes that were either supported or not supported by analogy to similar existing compounds (kruidenkelken vs. ?kruidskelken “herb chalices”); earlier studies had shown that interfixes are selected by analogy instead of rules. All compounds were presented with correct or incorrect regular plural suffixes (damessalons vs. * damessalonnen). Replacing suffixes or interfixes in existing compounds both led to increased (L)ANs between 400 and 700 msec without any evidence for different scalp distributions for interfixes and suffixes. There was no evidence for a negativity when manipulating the analogical support for interfixes in novel compounds. Together with earlier studies, these results suggest that LANs had been caused by the mismatch of the presented forms with stored forms. We discuss these findings with respect to the single/dual-route debate of morphology and LANs found for the misapplication of syntactic rules.
Differences in Mnemonic Processing by Neurons in the Human Hippocampus and Parahippocampal Regions
Authors: Viskontas Indre V. , Knowlton Barbara J. , Steinmetz Peter N. , Fried Itzhak 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Different structures within the medial-temporal lobe likely make distinct contributions to declarative memory. In particular, several current psychological and computational models of memory predict that the hippocampus and parahippocampal regions play different roles in the formation and retrieval of declarative memories [e.g., Norman, K. A., & O'Reilly, R. C. Modeling hippocampal and neocortical contributions to recognition memory: A complementary-learning systems approach. Psychological Review, 110, 611–646, 2003]. Here, we examined the neuronal firing patterns in these two regions during recognition memory. Recording directly from neurons in humans, we find that cells in both regions respond to novel stimuli with an increase in firing (excitation). However, already on the second presentation of a stimulus, neurons in these regions show very different firing patterns. In the parahippocampal region there is dramatic decrease in the number of cells responding to the stimuli, whereas in the hippocampus there is recruitment of a large subset of neurons showing inhibitory (decrease from baseline firing) responses. These results suggest that inhibition is a mechanism used by cells in the human hippocampus to support sparse coding in mnemonic processing. The findings also provide further evidence for the division of labor in the medial-temporal lobe with respect to declarative memory processes.
Task Switching and Novelty Processing Activate a Common Neural Network for Cognitive Control
Authors: Barcelo Francisco , Escera Carles , Corral Maria J. , Periáñez Jose A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe abrupt onset of a novel event captures attention away from, and disrupts, ongoing task performance. Less obvious is that intentional task switching compares with novelty-induced behavioral distraction. Here we explore the hypothesis that intentional task switching and attentional capture by a novel distracter both activate a common neural network involved in processing contextual novelty [Barcelo, F., Periáñez, J. A., & Knight, R. T. Think differently: A brain orienting response to task novelty. NeuroReport, 13, 1887–1892, 2002.]. Event-related potentials were recorded in two task-cueing paradigms while 16 subjects sorted cards following either two (color or shape; two-task condition) or three (color, shape, or number; three-task condition) rules of action. Each card was preceded by a familiar tone cueing the subject either to switch or to repeat the previous rule. Novel sound distracters were interspersed in one of two blocks of trials in each condition. Both novel sounds and task-switch cues impaired responses to the following visual target. Novel sounds elicited novelty P3 potentials with their usual peak latency and frontal-central scalp distribution. Familiar tonal switch cues in the three- and two-task conditions elicited brain potentials with a similar latency and morphology as the novelty P3, but with relatively smaller amplitudes over frontal scalp regions. Covariance and principal component analyses revealed a sustained frontal negative potential that was distorting concurrent novelty P3 activity to the tonal switch cues. When this frontal negativity was statistically removed, P3 potentials to novel sounds and task-switch cues showed similar scalp topographies. The degree of activation in the novelty P3 network seemed to be a function of the information (entropy) conveyed by the eliciting stimulus for response selection, over and above its relative novelty, probability of occurrence, task relevance, or feedback value. We conclude that novelty P3 reflects transient activation in a neural network involved in updating task set information for goal-directed action selection and might thus constitute one key element in a central bottleneck for attentional control.
Increased Responsiveness to Novelty is Associated with Successful Cognitive Aging
Authors: Daffner Kirk R. , Ryan Katherine K. , Williams Danielle M. , Budson Andrew E. , Rentz Dorene M. , Wolk David A. , Holcomb Phillip J. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
The animal literature suggests that exposure to more complex, novel environments promotes neurogenesis and cognitive performance in older animals. Studies in humans indicate that participation in intellectually stimulating activities may serve as a buffer against mental decline and help to sustain cognitive abilities. Here, we show that across old adults, increased responsiveness to novel events (as measured by viewing duration and the size of the P3 event-related potential) is strongly linked to better performance on neuropsychological tests, especially those involving attention/executive functions. Cognitively high performing old adults generate a larger P3 response to visual stimuli than cognitively average performing adults. These results suggest that cognitively high performing adults successfully manage the task by appropriating more resources and that the increased size of their P3 component represents a beneficial compensatory mechanism rather than less efficient processing.