Endogenous and exogenous female sex hormones and renal electrolyte handling: effects of an acute sodium load on plasma volume at rest.

This study was conducted to investigate effects of an acute sodium load on resting plasma volume (PV) and renal mechanisms across the menstrual cycle of endurance-trained women with natural (NAT) or oral contraceptive pill (OCP) controlled cycles. Twelve women were assigned to one of two groups, according to their usage status: 1) OCP [n = 6, 29 yr (SD 6), 59.4 kg (SD 3.2)], or 2) NAT [n = 6, 24 yr (SD 5), 61.3 kg (SD 3.6)]. The sodium load was administered as a concentrated sodium chloride/citrate beverage (164 mmol Na(+)/l, 253 mosmol/kgH(2)O, 10 ml/kg body mass) during the last high-hormone week of the OCP cycle (OCP(high)) or late luteal phase of the NAT cycle (NAT(high)) and during the low-hormone sugar pill week of OCP (OCP(low)) or early follicular phase of the NAT cycle (NAT(low)). The beverage ( approximately 628 ml) was ingested in seven portions across 60 min. Over the next 4 h, PV expanded more in the low-hormone phase for both groups (time-averaged change): OCP(low) 6.1% (SD 1.1) and NAT(low) 5.4% (SD 1.2) vs. OCP(high) 3.9% (SD 0.9) and NAT(high) 3.5% (SD 0.8) (P = 0.02). The arginine vasopressin increased less in the low-hormone phase [1.63 (SD 0.2) and 1.30 pg/ml (SD 0.2) vs. 1.82 (SD 0.3) and 1.57 pg/ml (SD 0.5), P = 0.0001], as did plasma aldosterone concentration ( approximately 64% lower, P = 0.0001). Thus PV increased more and renal hormone sensitivity was decreased in the low-hormone menstrual phase following sodium/fluid ingestion, irrespective of OCP usage.     

Complete genome sequence of Bacteroides helcogenes type strain (P 36-108)

Bacteroides helcogenes Benno et al. 1983 is of interest because of its isolated phylogenetic location and, although it has been found in pig feces and is known to be pathogenic for pigs, occurrence of this bacterium is rare and it does not cause significant damage in intensive animal husbandry. The genome of B. helcogenes P 36-108(T) is already the fifth completed and published type strain genome from the genus Bacteroides in the family Bacteroidaceae. The 3,998,906 bp long genome with its 3,353 protein-coding and 83 RNA genes consists of one circular chromosome and is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.     

Knockdown of a laccase in Populus deltoides confers altered cell wall chemistry and increased sugar release

Plant laccases are thought to function in the oxidation of monolignols which leads to higher order lignin formation. Only a hand‐full of laccases in plants have been functionally evaluated, and as such little is known about the breadth of their impact on cell wall chemistry or structure. Here, we describe a previously uncharacterized laccase from Populus, encoded by locus Potri.008G064000, whose reduced expression resulted in transgenic Populus trees with changes in syringyl/guaiacyl ratios as well as altered sugar release phenotypes. These phenotypes are consistent with plant biomass exhibiting reduced recalcitrance. Interestingly, the transgene effect on recalcitrance is dependent on a mild pretreatment prior to chemical extraction of sugars. Metabolite profiling suggests the transgene modulates phenolics that are associated with the cell wall structure. We propose that this particular laccase has a range of functions related to oxidation of phenolics and conjugation of flavonoids that interact with lignin in the cell wall.     

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW GENUS OF PFIESTERIA‐LIKE DINOFLAGELLATE,LUCIELLA GEN. NOV. (DINOPHYCEAE), INCLUDING TWO NEW SPECIES: LUCIELLA MASANENSIS SP. NOV. AND LUCIELLA ATLANTIS SP. NOV.1

A new genus of Pfiesteria‐like heterotrophic dinoflagellate, Luciella gen. nov., and two new species, Luciella masanensis sp. nov. and Luciella atlantis sp. nov., are described. These species commonly occur with other small (<20 μm) heterotrophic and mixotrophic dinoflagellates in estuaries from Florida to Maryland and the southern coast of Korea, suggesting a possible global distribution. An SEM analysis indicates that members of the genus Luciella have the enhanced Kofoidian plate formula of Po, cp, X, 4′, 2a, 6″, 6c, PC, 5+s, 5?, 0p, and 2″″. The two four‐sided anterior intercalary plates are diamond shaped. The genus Luciella differs from the other genera in the Pfiesteriaceae by a least one plate in the plate tabulation and in the configuration of the two anterior intercalary plates. An SSU rDNA phylogenetic analysis confirmed the genus as monophyletic and distinct from the other genera in the Pfiesteriaceae. The morphology of Luciella masanensis closely resembles Pfiesteria piscicida Steid. et J. M. Burkh. and other Pfiesteria‐like dinoflagellates in size and shape, making it easily misidentified using LM. Luciella atlantis, in contrast, has a more distinctive morphology. It can be distinguished from L. masanensis and other Pfiesteria‐like organisms by a larger cell size, a more conical‐shaped epitheca and hypotheca, larger rhombic‐shaped intercalary plates, and an asymmetrical hypotheca. The genus Luciella is assigned to the order Peridiniales and the family Pfiesteriaceae based on plate tabulation, plate pattern, general morphology, and phylogenetic analysis.     

Inter-rater reliability of physiotherapists using the Action Research Arm Test in chronic stroke

Objectives:The purpose of this study is to establish whether physiotherapists’ ratings are consistent, when using the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) to score a chronic stroke patient.Methods:This was part of a large project establishing the reliability in chronic stroke. This study used a correlational design comparing the association between physiotherapist scores of the same patient, to establish the ARAT’s inter-rater reliability. The COSMIN checklist was followed to enhance the methodology of the study.Results:Twenty physiotherapists (8 female and 12 male) aged between 25 and 53 years were selected. There were no participant dropouts or withdrawals. The sample size was normally distributed. The physiotherapists appeared representative of the UK physiotherapy population, with the exception of gender. The distribution of scores showed a normal distribution with standard deviation of score of 1.9. The Kendall’s W test showed 0.711 of agreement between the raters. The scores achieved statistical significance showing consistency between physiotherapists’ scores with chronic stroke. Limitations of the study were the use of a small single center convenience sample that may reduce the generalizability of the findings.Conclusions:The ARAT is consistent when scored by physiotherapists in a chronic stroke population. The inter-rater reliability range was (0.70 to 0.90) which is categorized as good.