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One of the longstanding questions in phylogenetic systematics is how to address incongruence among phylogenies obtained from multiple markers and how to determine the causes. This study presents a detailed analysis of incongruent patterns between plastid and ITS/ETS phylogenies of Tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae). This approach revealed widespread and strongly supported incongruence, which complicates conclusions about evolutionary relationships at all taxonomic levels. The patterns of incongruence that were resolved suggest that incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and/or ancient hybridization are the most likely explanations. These phenomena are, however, extremely difficult to distinguish because they may result in similar phylogenetic patterns. We present a novel approach to evaluate whether ILS can be excluded as an explanation for incongruent patterns. This coalescence-based method uses molecular dating estimates of the duration of the putative ILS events to determine if invoking ILS as an explanation for incongruence would require unrealistically high effective population sizes. For four of the incongruent patterns identified within the Senecioneae, this approach indicates that ILS cannot be invoked to explain the observed incongruence. Alternatively, these patterns are more realistically explained by ancient hybridization events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report that the PEA3 group members interact with the mammalian really interesting new gene (RING) E3 ubiquitin ligase constitutive photomorphogenetic 1 (COP1), which mediates ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasome degradation of the p53 and c-Jun transcription factors. This interaction is mediated by the central region of COP1 including the coiled-coil domain and two COP1-interacting consensus motifs localized in the well-conserved N-terminal transactivation domain of the PEA3 group members. At the transcriptional level, COP1 reduces the transcriptional activity of ERM and the two other PEA3 group proteins on Ets-responsive reporter genes; this effect being dependent on the RING domain of COP1 and the two COP1-interacting motifs of ERM. Reduced transcriptional activity was, however, not related to COP1-induced changes in ERM stability. In fact, increased ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasome-mediated degradation of ERM is achieved only when COP1 is expressed with DET1, a key COP1 partner within the ubiquitylation complex. Conversely, we show that the depletion of COP1 or DET1 by small interference RNA (siRNA) in U2OS cells stabilizes endogenous ERM whereas only COP1 knockdown enhances expression of ICAM-1, a gene regulated by this transcription factor. These results indicate that COP1 is a complex regulator of ERM and the two other PEA3 group members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In postmortem toxicology, it could be difficult to determine whether a positive blood ethanol concentration reflects antemortem ingestion or postmortem synthesis of alcohol. Measurement of the nonoxidative ethanol metabolite ethyl glucuronide (EtG) has been suggested as a marker of antemortem ingestion of alcohol, but EtG might degrade postmortem which could make interpretation difficult. So far, the published articles concern EtG only. Another nonoxidative metabolite, ethyl sulfate (EtS), which is more stable, has therefore been included in this study. We present a material of 36 deaths where postmortem formation of ethanol was suspected and where both EtG and EtS were measured in blood and urine to assist the interpretation. In 19 cases, EtG and EtS were positive in the body fluids analyzed. The median concentration of EtG and EtS in blood was 0.4 (range 0.1–23.2) and 0.9 mg/L (range 0.04–7.9), respectively. The median concentration of EtG and EtS in urine was 35.9 (range 1.0–182) and 8.5 mg/L (range 0.3–99), respectively. In another 16 cases, there was no trace of EtG or EtS in the specimens analyzed. In one case, there was inconsistency between the results of EtG and EtS; they were both positive in urine, while only EtS was positive in blood. This study showed that, out of 36 cases, antemortem ingestion of alcohol was very likely in 19 and unlikely in 16, according to EtG and EtS results. In the last case, the interpretation was more difficult. One possible explanation would be postmortem degradation of EtG in blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitochondria are unique cellular organelles that contain their own genome and, in conjunction with the nucleus, are able to transcribe and translate genes encoding components of the electron transport chain (ETC). To do so, the mitochondria must communicate with the nucleus via the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which are produced as a byproduct of aerobic respiration within the mitochondria. Mitochondrial signaling is proposed to be altered in cancer cells, where the mitochondria are frequently found to harbor mutations within their genome and display altered functional characteristics leading to increased glycolysis. As signaling molecules, ROS oxidize and inhibit MAPK phosphatases resulting in enhanced proliferation and survival, an effect particularly advantageous to cancer cells. In terms of transcriptional regulation, ROS affect the phosphorylation, activation, oxidation, and DNA binding of transcription factors such as AP-1, NF-κB, p53, and HIF-1α, leading to changes in target gene expression. Increased ROS production by defective cancer cell mitochondria also results in the upregulation of the transcription factor Ets-1, a factor that has been increasingly associated with aggressive cancers. Les mitochondries sont des organites cellulaires uniques qui contiennent leur propre génome et, conjointement avec le noyau, sont capables de transcrire et de traduire les gènes codant pour les constituants de la chaîne de transport des électrons (CTÉ). Pour ce faire, les mitochondries doivent communiquer avec le noyau par la production d’espèces réactives de l’oxygène (ROS), comme le peroxyde d’hydrogène (H2O2), qui sont générées par un sous-produit de la respiration aérobie à l’intérieur des mitochondries. On postule que la signalisation mitochondriale est altérée dans les cellules cancéreuses, où l’on observe fréquemment des mutations dans le génome mitochondrial et des modifications dans les caractéristiques fonctionnelles des mitochondries causant une augmentation de la glycolyse. En tant que molécules de signalisation, les ROS oxydent et inhibent les MAPK phosphatases, ce qui provoque une augmentation de la prolifération et de la survie, un effet particulièrement avantageux pour les cellules cancéreuses. En matière de régulation transcriptionnelle, les ROS influent sur la phosphorylation, l’activation, l’oxydation, et la liaison de l’ADN de facteurs de transcription tels que AP-1, NF-κB, p53 et HIF-1α, entraînant des modifications dans l’expression de gènes cibles. L’augmentation de la production de ROS par les mitochondries défectueuses des cellules cancéreuses va aussi causer une activation du facteur de transcription Ets-1, un facteur de plus en plus associé aux cancers agressifs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fli1 is a member of the Ets family of transcription factors and is preferentially expressed in hematopoietic cell lineages. Its expression level is linked to the pathogenesis of lupus. In this study, we identified mechanisms involved in the transcriptional regulation of the mouse and human Fli1 promoters. We show that the Fli1 promoter is upregulated by Ets factors Ets1, Ets2, Fli1 and Elf1 either alone or in combination with GATA factors, but is inhibited by Tel. In vitro binding studies show that Elf1, Tel and Fli1 in T cells bind the three Ets-binding sites in the murine Fli1 proximal promoter. We identified transcription factor-binding sites in the human Fli1 promoter region that function in T cells in a similar manner to those in the mouse promoter. Furthermore, we show similar binding of Ets factors to the endogenous mouse and human Fli1 promoters in T cells and knocking down Ets1 results in an upregulation of Fli1 expression. Together, these results suggest that the human and mouse genes are regulated similarly and that Ets1 may be important in preventing the overexpression of Fli1 in T cells. This report lays the groundwork for identifying targets for manipulating Fli1 expression as a possible therapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevailing theories suggest that luminal cells are the origin of prostate cancer because it is histologically defined by basal cell loss and malignant luminal cell expansion. We introduced a series of genetic alterations into prospectively identified populations of murine basal/stem and luminal cells in an in vivo prostate regeneration assay. Stromal induction of FGF signaling, increased expression of the ETS family transcription factor ERG1. and constitutive activation of P13K signaling were evaluated. Combination of activated P13K signaling and heightened androgen receptor signaling, which is associated with disease progression to androgen independence, was also performed. Even though luminal cells fail to respond, basal/stem cells demonstrate efficient capacity for cancer initiation and can produce luminal-like disease characteristic of `human prostate cancer in multiple models. This finding provides evidence in support of basal epithelial stem cells as one target cell for prostate cancer initiation and demonstrates the propensity of primitive cells for tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proportion of polyploid plant species increases at higher latitudes, and it has been suggested that original postglacial Arctic immigrants of some large groups, including grasses, were polyploid. We analyzed noncoding nuclear and chioroplast DNA of all North American diploid Puccinellia (Poaceae) and a subset of arctic polyploids to hypothesize evolutionary relationships among diploids and to evaluate the parentage of polyploids. Diploids formed three lineages: one uniting arctic species P. arctica and P. banksiensis; a second comprising arctic species P. tenella, P. alaskana, P vahliana, and P wrightii; and a third uniting the two temperate species P lemmonii and P parishii. The arctic species P angustata (hexaploid) and P andersonii (primarily octoploid) apparently derive from the P arctica-P. banksiensis lineage based on ITS and chloroplast sequences, and share an ancestor with arctic triploid/tetraploid P phryganodes based on nrDNA sequences. Sequence comparisons also suggest tetraploid P bruggeman- nii evolved from two arctic lineages: P vahliana-P wrightii and P arctica-P. banksiensis. These patterns and the predominance of arctic rather than temperate diploid species support the idea that diploid Puccinellia recolonized the Arctic from northern glacial refugia like Beringia, and also fonned stabilized polyploid hybrids during these refugial events or subsequently during postglacial colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the evolutionary history of the widely studied, cosmopolitan polymorphic species Dodonaea viscosa (hop bush, varnish tree). Location All continents except Antarctica, extending from 44° S (in the South Island of New Zealand) to 33° N (in California and Arizona). Methods For 50 samples across the worldwide distribution, Bayesian analyses of nuclear ribosomal transcribed spacers (ITS 1, ITS 2 and partial ETS) were performed. The alignment was partitioned by secondary structure and analysed using separate models of sequence evolution for each spacer’s stem and loop partition. Bayesian relaxed-clock estimations of divergence times were used to investigate the tempo of the transoceanic dispersal history of Dodonaea viscosa. Results The widely distributed Dodonaea viscosa evolved in Australia from its most recent common ancestor in the Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene and subsequently split into two distinct, geographically based, intraspecific lineages. There are a number of regional subclades that are also supported by specific molecular elements. Main conclusions Dodonaea viscosa is not an old lineage, as has often been speculated based primarily on its vast distribution. It diverged from its most recent common ancestor and subsequently dispersed and established around the world within the last 2 Myr. Two distinct lineages within Dodonaea viscosa, which have been shaped by Quaternary climatic change, have separate dispersal histories. The molecular investigations have identified that, although there are least two evolutionary lineages within the complex, they do not correlate with any distinct morphological subunits. It is proposed that Dodonaea viscosa (including D. biloba and D. procumbens) be recognized as an ochlospecies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Zooplankton metabolic rates, determined from electron transfer system (ETS) activity, were studied at two seamounts (Seine: 34°N, 14°W, summit depth ∼170m; Sedlo: 40°N, 27°W, summit depth ∼750m) in the northeast (NE) Atlantic during three cruises in November 2003, April 2004 and July 2004. ETS activity and respiratory carbon demand were measured for samples taken at seamount and open-ocean locations in order to probe the hypothesis of locally enhanced seamount productivity. ETS activity and biomass revealed no consistent diel patterns of feeding activity and vertical migration at Seine and Sedlo Seamounts. Spatial differences of biomass-specific ETS activity were observed at both seamounts and coincided with differences in food abundance and quality. At Seine Seamount in April 2004, biomass-specific ETS activity was on average higher at the seamount locations compared to the open ocean, though the enhancement was of a lower magnitude than spatial and temporal variability and had no apparent influence on zooplankton respiratory carbon demand or biomass. A persistent pattern of reduced zooplankton biomass above the summit location at Seine Seamount in April 2004 and July 2004 resulted in a local reduction of respiratory carbon demand. At Sedlo Seamount in November 2003, large spatial differences in biomass-specific ETS activity observed at the seamount locations resulted in a large range of respiratory carbon demand at the seamount, but were not reflected in zooplankton biomass. The depth-integrated (0–150m) median respiratory carbon demand of the zooplankton community estimated from day and night hauls was 2.1mgCm−2 d−1 at Seine Seamount (range: 0.3–6.3) and 2.9mgCm−2 d−1 at Sedlo Seamount (range: 1.6–12.0). The sporadic nature and low magnitude of locally higher zooplankton respiration rates at the seamounts, which did not result in locally higher zooplankton standing stock biomass, lead us to reject the hypothesis that locally enhanced seamount productivity provides an autochthonous food supply to the resident faunas at Seine and Sedlo Seamounts. Instead, we conclude that the faunas at both seamounts are more likely supported by advection of food from the surrounding ocean. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The vertical distribution (0–550 m) of zooplankton biomass, and indices of respiration (electron transfer system [ETS]) and structural growth (aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases activity [AARS]), were studied in waters off the Antarctic Peninsula during the austral summer of 2000. The dominant species were the copepod Metridia gerlachei and the euphausiid Euphausia superba. We observed a vertical krill/copepod substitution in the water column. The zooplankton biomass in the layer at a depth of 200–500 m was of the same magnitude as the biomass in the layer at a depth of 0–200 m, indicating that biomass in the mesopelagic zone is an important fraction of the total zooplankton in Antarctic waters. The metabolic rates of the zooplankton community were sustained by less than 0.5% of the primary production in the area, suggesting that microplankton or small copepods are the main food source. Neither food availability nor predation seemed to control mesozooplankton biomass. The wide time lag between the abundance peak of the dominant copepod ( M. gerlachei) and the phytoplankton bloom is suggested to be the main explanation for the low summer zooplankton biomass observed in these waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the developing interaction and cross-scale effects between the company-focused EU emissions trading (ETS) and the country-focused international climate regime, in particular the Kyoto Protocol. Key questions discussed are first, what has been the character of selected interactions so far—synergistic or disruptive? Second, what kinds of interaction mechanisms have been driving the interactions; normative, cognitive, or utilitarian? Third, with regard to cross-scale effects, has significant learning taken place between institutions at different levels? Four sub-cases of interaction are analysed: first, the interaction between the Kyoto Protocol as source and the ETS as target which started after the adoption of the Protocol in late 1997. Second, a next phase of interaction started in 2004 when the EU states started to develop national allocation plans (NAPs) where bringing in credits/allowances developed under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) became one compliance strategy. Third, the opposite relationship is examined, i.e., with the ETS as the source and the Kyoto Protocol institutions as targets. The first phase started after the adoption of the 2003 ET Directive and with the developing ETS possibly leading to a more rapid and extensive CDM development than would otherwise have been the case. Fourth and finally, a separate case of interaction deals with the possible role the ETS plays and could play for an emerging global carbon market. Key findings are that these cases are mainly of a synergistic nature. Furthermore, in order to understand the driving forces, it is necessary to draw upon several interaction mechanisms, particularly cognitive and utilitarian ones. Finally, as to cross-scale learning, the post-2012 global regime may avoid pitfalls related to the allocation process experienced by the ETS. But the learning and diffusion potential should not be exaggerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The phylogenetic relationships within many clades of the Crassulaceae are still uncertain, therefore in this study attention was focused on the “Acre clade”, a group comprised of approximately 526 species in eight genera that include many Asian and Mediterranean species of Sedum and the majority of the American genera (Echeveria, Graptopetalum, Lenophyllum, Pachyphytum, Villadia, and Thompsonella). Parsimony and Bayesian analyses were conducted with 133 species based on nuclear (ETS, ITS) and chloroplast DNA regions (rpS16, matK). Our analyses retrieved four major clades within the Acre clade. Two of these were in a grade and corresponded to Asian species of Sedum, the rest corresponded to a European–Macaronesian group and to an American group. The American group included all taxa that were formerly placed in the Echeverioideae and the majority of the American Sedoideae. Our analyses support the monophyly of three genera –Lenophyllum, Thompsonella, and Pachyphytum; however, the relationships among Echeveria, Sedum and the various segregates of Sedum are largely unresolved. Our analyses represents the first broad phylogenetic framework for Acre clade, but further studies are necessary on the groups poorly represented here, such as the European and Asian species of Sedum and the Central and South American species of Echeveria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Molecular DNA based data sets are the most important resource for phylogenetic reconstruction. Among the various marker systems, which were introduced and optimized within the last decade, coding sequences played an important role, especially when molecular clock approaches and multi-gene datasets were assembled. However, non-coding DNA sequences do not only play a quantitatively dominant role, as demonstrated by the two examples nuclear ITS (Internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA) and plastidic trnL-F region, but there is also a wide range of different marker systems that can be applied in different ways. Herein, we review the application of several non-coding nuclear DNA marker systems for phylogenetic reconstructions and summarize valuable information for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pax5 (paired box binding factor 5) is a critical regulator of transcription and lineage commitment in B lymphocytes. In B cells, mb-1 (Ig-α/immunoglobulin-associated α) promoter transcription is activated by Pax5 through its recruitment of E74-like transforming sequence (Ets) family proteins to a composite site, the P5-EBS (Pax5-Ets binding site). Previously, X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed a network of contacts between the DNA-binding domains of Pax5 and Ets-1 while bound to the P5-EBS. Here, we report that Pax5 assembles these ternary complexes via highly cooperative interactions that overcome the autoinhibition of Ets-1. Using recombinant proteins, we calculated K d(app) values for the binding of Pax5, Ets-1, and GA-binding proteins, separately or together, to the P5-EBS. By itself, Pax5 binds the P5-EBS with high affinity (K d ≅2 nM). Ets-1(331–440) bound the P5-EBS by itself with low affinity (K d =136 nM). However, autoinhibited Ets-1(280–440) alone does not bind detectably to the suboptimal sequences of the P5-EBS. Recruitment of Ets-1(331–440) or Ets-1(280–440) resulted in highly efficient ternary complex assembly with Pax5. Pax5 counteracts autoinhibition and increases binding of Ets-1 of the mb-1 promoter by >1000-fold. Mutation of Pax5 Gln22 to alanine (Q22A) enhances promoter binding by Pax5; however, Q22A greatly reduces recruitment of Ets-1(331–440) and Ets-1(280–440) by Pax5 (8.9- or >300-fold, respectively). Thus, Gln22 of Pax5 is essential for overcoming Ets-1 autoinhibition. Pax5 wild type and Q22A each recruited GA-binding protein α/β1 to the mb-1 promoter with similar affinities, but recruitment was less efficient than that of Ets-1 (reduced by ∼8-fold). Our results suggest a mechanism that allows Pax5 to overcome autoinhibition of Ets-1 DNA binding. In summary, these data illustrate requirements for partnerships between Ets proteins and Pax5. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The polyploid series of Centaurea toletana comprises diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid cytotypes. Previous studies suggested that the tetraploid was an autopolyploid, while the hexaploid was an allopolyploid and should be considered a different species, C. argecillensis. Sequencing of the ITS and rps4-trnT-trnL, ycf3-trnS, and rpL16 regions, and extensive cloning and sequencing of the ETS region have revealed that many diploid individuals and populations show different ribotypes, likely resulting from ancient hybridization events. Ribotypes found in the diploid populations are also present in tetraploid populations. The extreme difficulties in classifying the tetraploid as auto- or allopolyploid are discussed. The hexaploid C. argecillensis also shows many different ribotypes, including a ribotype not found in the diploids and making an autopolyploid origin unlikely. The pattern of introgression and gene flow implicates several species from the Iberian Peninsula and the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco as genetic donors in ancient hybridization events. This long-reaching network of hybridization may trace its origin to the climatic history of the western Mediterranean during the Neogene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: CD6 is a lymphocyte surface receptor involved in lymphocyte activation and differentiation processes that is constitutively expressed on developing and mature T cells and on the B1a cells. To define the molecular basis for the tissue-specific expression of CD6 we have identified the transcription factors that control the activity of the proximal regulatory region of the human CD6 gene. The TATA-less CD6 promoter contains multiple transcriptional start sites, and its preferential activity in human T lymphocytes is dependent on RUNX- and Ets-binding sites located within a highly conserved region. RUNX and Ets-1 factors transactivated the CD6 promoter through recognition of the −215 and −230 binding sites, respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that RUNX1 constitutively occupies the CD6 promoter in vivo, and knockdown experiments demonstrated that the steady-state level of CD6 mRNA is dependent on the expression of RUNX1, RUNX3 and Ets-1 transcription factors. Therefore, RUNX1/3 and Ets1 control the expression of CD6 in human T lymphocytes, thus expanding the range of T-cell specific and developmentally regulated lymphocyte gene targets involved in T-cell activation and differentiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The smoke of waterpipe contains numerous substances of health concern, but people mistakenly believe that this smoking method is less harmful and addictive than cigarettes. An experiment was performed in a 57m3 room on two dates with no smoking on the first date and waterpipe smoking for 4h on the second date. We measured volatile organic compounds (VOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), metals, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (e.g. NO), as well as particle mass (PM), particle number concentration (PNC) and particle surface area in indoor air. High concentrations were observed for the target analytes during the 4-h smoking event. The median (90th percentile) values of PM2.5, PNC, CO and NO were 393 (737μg/m3), 289,000 (550,000 particles/cm3), 51 (65ppm) and 0.11 (0.13ppm), respectively. The particle size distribution has a maximum of particles relating to a diameter of 17nm. The seven carcinogenic PAH were found to be a factor 2.6 higher during the smoking session compared to the control day. In conclusion, the observed indoor air contamination of different harmful substances during a WP session is high, and exposure may pose a health risk for smokers but in particular for non-smokers who are exposed to ETS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Studies of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) blood kinetics have so far been performed on healthy volunteers with ingestion of low to moderate doses of ethanol. These data are not necessarily transferable to heavy drinkers where the consumed doses of ethanol are much higher. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of EtG and ethyl sulphate (EtS) in blood in heavy drinkers after termination of alcohol ingestion. Sixteen patients from an alcohol withdrawal clinic were included directly after admission. Time of end of drinking, estimated daily intake of ethanol (EDI) and medical history were recorded. Three to five blood samples over 20–43h were collected from each patient subsequent to admission. The median EDI was 172g (range 60–564). The first sample was collected median 2.5h after end of drinking (range 0.5–23.5). Two patients had levels of EtG and EtS below LOQ in all samples, the first collected 19.25 and 23.5h after cessation of drinking, respectively. Of the remaining 14 patients, one subject, suffering from both renal and hepatic disease, showed concentrations of EtG and EtS substantially higher than the rest of the material. This patient''s initial value of EtG was 17.9mg/L and of EtS 5.9mg/L, with terminal elimination half lives of 11.9h for EtG and 12.5h for EtS. Among the remaining 13 patients, the initial median values were 0.7g/L (range 0–3.7) for ethanol, 1.7mg/L (range 0.1–5.9) for EtG and 0.9mg/L (range 0.1–1.9) for EtS. Elimination occurred with a median half-life of 3.3h for EtG (range 2.6–4.3) and 3.6h for EtS (range 2.7–5.4). In conclusion, elimination of EtG in heavy drinkers did not significantly differ from healthy volunteers, and EtS appeared to have similar elimination rate. In the present work, there was one exception to this, and we propose that this could be explained by the patient''s renal disease, which would delay excretion of these conjugated metabolites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims The aims of this study were (i) to assess the effect of additional urinary ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulphate (EtS) assessment on diagnosed relapse rates in detoxified alcohol-dependent patients; and (ii) to compare dropout rates between EtG- and EtS-negative and -positive patients. Design Two studies on detoxified alcohol-dependent patients. If patients had no indication of relapse they were asked for a urinary sample at discharge from in-patient treatment 3, 6 and 12 weeks after discharge (study 1) and 1, 3 and 6 weeks after discharge (study 2), respectively. Setting Department of Psychiatry, University of Luebeck, Germany. Participants A total of 107 and 32 detoxified alcohol-dependent patients having participated in a 3-week in-patient motivation enhancement programme. Measurement Personal interviews, breathalyzer tests, assessment of urinary EtG and EtS with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS analysis). Finding Urinary EtG and EtS were always positive at the same time. In the first study 13.5% of the patients were already positive before being discharged from hospital. At the follow-ups 3, 6 and 12 weeks after discharge 12.2, 19.4 and 28.0%, respectively, of the patients coming to the follow-up and denying relapse were positive on urinary EtG and EtS. In the second study, of those patients showing up for follow-up after 1 week and denying relapse, EtG and EtS were positive in four cases (17.4%). Only one EtG- and EtS-positive relapser (3.1%) came to the next follow-ups. In both studies the rates of detected relapses were significantly higher for early follow-ups if urinary EtG and EtS results were considered additionally. Dropout rates until the next follow-up were significantly higher among positive than EtG- and EtS-negative patients. Conclusion Urinary EtG and EtS improve verification of abstinence in studies of alcohol-dependent patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more countries are incorporating the instrument of emissions trading into their national climate policies. This emerging mosaic of emissions trading schemes (ETS) raises the question of whether they should be linked with each other. From an economic point of view, linking of domestic schemes is supposed to increase the economic efficiency of carbon markets. In addition, linking is also expected by some to yield substantial political benefits in terms of the evolution of the UNFCCC/Kyoto regime. However, these optimistic prospects are based on a best-case scenario where all major countries establish environmentally effective emissions trading systems and then link them with each other. Real-life politics might develop rather differently. This paper therefore examines to what extent the current status of emissions trading in industrialised countries provides a basis for reinforcing and moving forward the international climate regime through linking domestic ETS. After comparing emerging emissions trading schemes from an institutional perspective, it emerges that not only emissions trading is at a very early stage in most countries, in addition the emerging systems are probably going to be designed very differently from the EU ETS. While for some design features such as the coverage design differences do not matter, there are some areas where the plans in many non-EU countries look crucially different from the EU system. The outlook for a linked international ETS is therefore currently still very uncertain. Given this state of affairs, the EU should proactively engage with the non-EU countries to try to harmonise their developing national emissions trading schemes with the EU ETS, widely disseminate the lessons it has learned from the EU ETS, strongly make the case for environmental integrity and at the same time make clear that systems that want to link to the EU ETS will need to meet certain quality criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular and morphological data were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of Camphorosmeae (Chenopodiaceae) in Australia, a tribe adapted to and widespread in the temperate arid and semiarid areas of the continent. A total of 71 species, representing nearly half of the species and all 14 currently recognized endemic genera, were sampled. Of seven molecular markers tested (ETS, ITS, the trnL-trnF spacer, the trnP-psaJ spacer, the rpS16 intron, the rpL16 intron, and the trnS-trnG spacer), only the nuclear ETS and ITS provided enough variation for phylogenetic studies in the group. Phylogenetic hypotheses inferred from molecular data do not support the current taxonomy of Camphorosmeae in Australia. Neobassia, Threlkeldia, Osteocarpum, and Enchylaena should be subsumed into the species-rich genera Sclerolaena and Maireana. Of 15 morphological characters, only the fruiting perianth provided some support for the taxonomic implications of the DNA-based phylogeny. Indumentum characters, which were reported to be of taxonomic significance in several groups in Chenopodiaceae, did not provide support for the molecular phylogeny of Camphorosmeae in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although reticulate evolution has been a frequent occurrence during the history of plants, determining how it has contributed to plant evolution will require analyzing many nuclear loci and developing effective analytical methods. The objective of this study was to make progress toward meeting these requirements in the evolutionarily complex subtribe Machaerantherinae. The 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) spacer was investigated to characterize its structure and variation. Analysis of the spacer supported relationships that were mostly the same as those supported by ITS and ETS sequence data. Two methods were used to estimate support for 11 occurrences of incongruence between 55/ITS/ETS and cpDNA data sets. The live best-supported incongruences were proposed to have had reticulate evolutionary histories. For Arida blepharophylla, Xanthis,na rhizomatum, and Pyrrocoina, 5S and ITS/ETS evidence supported the same or similar relationships, indicating that these two regions of the nuclear genome were descended from the same ancestor or from two closely related ancestors, with cpDNA coming from a more distantly related ancestor. The 5S and ITS/ETS evidence disagreed on the relationships of Arida riparia, suggesting that its ITS/ETS region came from one ancestor and its 5S region and cpDNA from a different ancestor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical stretch plays a crucial role in articular joints. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is well known that fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) produce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), resulting in local invasion into and degradation of bone and cartilage. We sought to examine whether mechanical stretch regulates the expression and underlying signal pathways of MMP secretion (MMP-1, -3, -13) in RA-FLS. FLS were grown on elastic silicone membrane in an equibiaxial strain apparatus and were exposed to 6% mechanical stretch (equivalent to gentle stretch exercise) for 15 min and 75 min, respectively. Semiquantitative PCR and real-time PCR were used to measure and analyze gene expression. Protein levels were determined by Western blotting. The results showed that 15 min of mechanical stretch inhibited MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA and protein level. However, the degree of inhibition by 75 min of stretch in expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13 was lower compared with 15 min stretch groups. The mRNA expression of ERK-1, ets-1 and citied-2 were increased by 6% mechanical stretch under both time points, however c-jun and c-fos mRNA level were affected differently after 15 min and 75 min mechanical stretch compared to control group. There were no significant changes on MMP-3 and ets-2 mRNA level under both 6% mechanical stretch time points. In the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), the stretch also reduced the mRNA expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13. In short, our results showed that gentle mechanical strain affects MMP-1 and MMP-13 expression, potentially through the ERK-1-ets-1-cited-2-c-jun signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to analyse the susceptibility of textile polymers, polyamide and polypropylene, used in the manufacture of floor coverings, to the sorption of nicotine from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) polluted air and nicotine itself. Polypropylene fibres were modified by means of titanium dioxide doped with nanosilver particles (TiO2/Ag). The decomposition kinetics of nicotine adsorbed by polypropylene fibres and the catalytic effect of TiO2/Ag on the decomposition of nicotine were investigated. Having analysed the concentrations of nicotine adsorbed from ETS by polyamide fibres and polypropylene fibres, it was found that the latter demonstrate a much stronger sorption of nicotine. It was also observed that the nanomodifier TiO2/Ag substantially accelerates the photocatalytic decomposition of nicotine adsorbed by polypropylene fibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National surveys of the exposure of non-smokers to secondhand smoke based on serum cotinine analyses have consistently identified certain groups within the population including children, males and non-Hispanic Blacks as having relatively greater exposure. Although these differences in mean serum cotinine concentrations probably represent differences in exposure of individuals in their daily lives, it is also possible that metabolic or other differences in response might influence the results. To better define the nature of those findings, we have examined the response of 40 non-smokers including both men and women and African-Americans and whites to sidestream (SS) cigarette smoke generated by a smoking machine under controlled conditions. In this study, participants were exposed to aged, diluted SS smoke (ADSS) generated in an environmental chamber with a mean air nicotine concentration of 140 μg m-3 and 8.6 ppm CO for 4 h. Salivary cotinine was measured every 30 min, and serum cotinine samples were taken prior to, and 2 h after exposure. Urinary nicotine metabolites and NNAL, a tobacco-specific nitrosamine, and 4-aminobiphenyl (4-AB) haemoglobin adducts were also measured prior to and 2 h following the exposure. Under these uniform, controlled conditions, we found a similar response to ADSS smoke exposure among all the participants. In all cases a significant increase in biomarker concentration was noted following exposure, and the short-term increases in salivary cotinine concentration were quite similar at approximately 12 pg ml-1 min-1 among the groups. In this small study, no significant differences by gender or race were seen in the mean increases observed in cotinine, NNAL or 4-AB adducts following 4 h of exposure. Thus, our results are most consistent with a relatively uniform response in tobacco biomarker concentrations following short-term exposure to ADSS tobacco smoke, and suggest that biomarker measurements are capable of effectively indicating increases in exposure among groups of non-smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Helichrysum has 500-600 species in Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean basin, Macaronesia, western and central Asia, and India. The aims of this study are to confirm the exclusion of Castroviejoa from Helichrysum, to elucidate the origin of the Macaronesian endemics, to confirm the monophyly of the Mediterranean-Asiatic group, and, within this group, to contrast molecular data with sectional classification and to provide insight into trends in character evolution and biogeography. To address these issues, ITS and ETS sequences were used in phylogenetic analyses. Results show that Castroviejoa is excluded from Helichrysum. The phylogeny obtained suggests a southern African origin for Helichrysum and several subsequent migrations throughout the African continent. The species from the Canary Islands do not form a monophyletic clade, suggesting that at least two independent colonization events occurred. Helichrysum makranicum, from Oman and southern Iran, is the closest relative of a clade consisting of two endemics of the Canary Islands, providing new evidence of the phytogeographical links between Macaronesia and eastern Africa-southern Arabia. Helichrysum gossypinum, the third endemic of the Canary Islands, is the sister species of a monophyletic Mediterranean and Asiatic group, with the four endemics of Madeira sister to all of them.Within the Mediterranean-Asiatic clade, sect. Stoechadina is monophyletic, but sect. Helichrysum and sect. Virginea are not. Once in the Mediterranean region, the genus is hypothesized to have diversified and expanded to the east up to western and central Asia and to have suffered a reduction in woodiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the development of a cap on the use of so-called ‘project credits’ in the EU emissions trading scheme. It investigates how the issue of such a limit was addressed in the negotiations of the Linking Directive, and how it has been dealt with in the later implementation of this directive. The article applies two explanatory approaches: one based on intergovernmentalist theory, assuming that the cap reflected the preferences of the EU Member States; and one based on the multi-level governance model, assuming that the cap expressed the preferences of EU institutions rather than Member States. What is found is a two-stage development: during the negotiations of the Linking Directive, Member States managed to secure a no-cap solution allowing extensive use of the project credits. In the later implementation phase, however, when the emissions trading scheme was up and running and a certain legitimacy for the system had been established, the Commission managed to ‘regain control’ by bringing back a cap. Thus, the project credit cap—and by that, the very nature of the EU emissions trading scheme—has been the subject of a continuing power struggle within the EU—and different theoretical perspectives explain different stages of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transferrin receptors (TfR) are overexpressed in brain tumors, but the pathological relevance has not been fully explored. Here, we show that TfR is an important downstream effector of ets transcription factors that promotes glioma proliferation and increases glioma-evoked neuronal death. TfR mediates iron accumulation and reactive oxygen formation and thereby enhanced proliferation in clonal human glioma lines, as shown by the following experiments: (1) downregulating TfR expression reduced proliferation in vitro and in vivo; (2) forced TfR expression in low-grade glioma accelerated proliferation to the level of high-grade glioma; (3) iron and oxidant chelators attenuated tumor proliferation in vitro and tumor size in vivo. TfR-induced oxidant accumulation modified cellular signaling by inactivating a protein tyrosine phosphatase (low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatase), activating mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt and by inactivating p21/cdkn1a and pRB. Inactivation of these cell cycle regulators facilitated S-phase entry. Besides its effect on proliferation, TfR also boosted glutamate release, which caused N-methyl- d-aspartate-receptor-mediated reduction of neuron cell mass. Our results indicate that TfR promotes glioma progression by two mechanisms, an increase in proliferation rate and glutamate production, the latter mechanism providing space for the progressing tumor mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The goal of this study was to examine metabolic capacity in four clones of Daphnia pulex (differing in ploidy levels and geographic origin) after a 4-day exposure to different temperature and pH treatments. Citrate synthase, electron transport system and lactate dehydrogenase capacities were not different among clones and treatments. Our results do not support the hypothesis that polyploid clones have higher metabolic capacity than diploid clones under extreme environmental conditions. Other factors must explain the prevalence of polyploid clones in extreme habitats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and partial external transcribed spacers (ETSf) are popularly used to infer evolutionary hypotheses. However, there is generally little consideration given to the secondary structures of these small RNA molecules and their potential effects on sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyzes. Intergeneric relationships amongst three of the four major lineages in the Sapindaceae, the Dodonaeoideae, Hippcastanoideae and Xanthoceroideae were assessed by firstly, generating secondary structure predictions for ITS and partial ETSf sequences, and then these predictions were used to assist alignment of the sequences. Secondly, the alignment was analyzed using RNA specific models of sequence evolution that account for the variation in nucleotide evolution in the independent loops and covariating stems regions of the ribosomal spacers. These models and phylogeny drawn from these analyzes were compared with that from analyzes using ‘traditional’ 4-state models and previous plastid analyzes. These analyzes identified that paired-site models developed to deal specifically with stem structures in RNA encoding sequences more appropriately account for the evolutionary history of the sequences than traditional 4-state substitution models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) may prove a powerful incentive to advance operations of CO2 capture and storage (CCS) in the European Union, provided that the CO2 market price is sufficiently high and predictable, and CCS operations will be included in the scheme. This will require clear rules for accounting emissions from CCS installations. The European Commission aims to complement the 2007 Monitoring and Reporting Guidelines (MRGs) for the EU ETS with annexes for CCS operations. This paper presents insights gained from work on these MRGs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sectoral coverage is a chief challenge in the design of carbon mitigation policies, this paper addresses such a concern within a hybrid regulation setting in which a carbon tax is adopted for complementary regulation of emission sources outside the Emission Trading System (ETS) in China. With a focus on the efficiency of the hybrid system, the regulated sectors are identified by linkage analysis and the resulting price changes is captured by the input-output (I-O) price model. The simulation shows that, in terms of the price incentives, the proposed carbon tax is a necessary complement to the ETS, in respect of both magnitude and structure. As a result, a mixed policy setting can be expected to have an efficiency advantage over the ETS alone. Understanding of the joint determination of the sectoral coverage and the corresponding price incentive effect is a new contribution to the theoretical literature on designing market-based carbon policies, which has substantial policy implication for the future design of instruments targeted at achieving China's post-2020 mitigation commitments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hair nicotine is a known biomarker for monitoring long-term environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and smoking status. In general, hair nicotine assay involves alkaline digestion, extraction and instrumental analysis. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) assay currently developed has shown to be of high throughput with average ∼100 hair samples being extracted and analyzed per day. This was achieved through simplified extraction procedure and shortened GC analysis time. The extraction was improved by using small volume (0.4mL) of organic solvent that does not require further evaporation and salting steps prior to GC–MS analysis. Furthermore, the amount of hair utilized in the extraction was very little (5mg) while the sensitivity and selectivity of the assay is equal, if not better than other established methods. The linearity of the assay (r 2 >0.995), limit of quantitation (0.04ng/mg hair), within- and between-assays accuracies and precisions (<11.4%) and mean recovery (92.6%) were within the acceptable range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• We explore the impact mechanism of ETS on CO 2 emissions from the service sector. • SCM is used to estimate the ETS policy effect. • Intermediate approach is used to identify the carbon emission reduction efficiency. • ETS can be an effective tool to control CO 2 emissions from the service sector. • ETS influences CO 2 emissions by carbon emission reduction efficiency. The service sector has a vital role in achieving emissions reduction, but existing studies on emission trading scheme (ETS) seldom consider CO 2 emissions from service sector. Among the seven ETS pilots in China, those in Beijing and Shanghai cover the service sector. This paper focuses on the Beijing and Shanghai pilots and divides the service sector into the transportation sector and the other service sector. After that, it integrates the synthetic control method and the intermediate approach to analyze the impact mechanism of the ETS on the CO 2 emissions from the service sector. The results show that the ETS has a negative effect on CO 2 emissions from the service sector in China, but the abatement effect is heterogeneous by region and sector. Meanwhile, during the sample period, the impact mechanism of the ETS on CO 2 emissions from the service sector is carbon emission reduction efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: DUSP6/MKP-3 is a dual specificity phosphatase exclusively specific to MAPK1/ERK2 for its substrate recognition and dephosphorylating activity. DUSP6 is demonstrated to play a negative regulatory role in MAPK1 in a feedback loop manner; however, the regulation mechanisms of its expression in human cells have been largely unknown. We previously found that human pancreatic cancer cells frequently lost DUSP6 expression, which could induce constitutively active MAPK1, and the loss was associated with hypermethylation of the CpG cluster region of intron 1 of DUSP6. In this study, we investigated the promoter activity of intron 1 of DUSP6 in human cells. We demonstrated that the intron indeed had promoter activity and this activity was associated with MAPK1 activity. Moreover, promoter activity depended on a consensus binding sequence of ETS transcription factors and ETS2 was specifically associated with the intron. Because ETS2 is a direct target of MAPK, these results indicate that intron 1 of DUSP6 plays a crucial role in transcriptional regulation of DUSP6 in a feedback loop manner responding to MAPK1 via ETS2 in human cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The phylogenetic utility of chloroplast (atpB-rbcL, petD, rps16, trnL-F) and nuclear (ETS, ITS) DNA regions was investigated for the tribe Spermacoceae of the coffee family (Rubiaceae). ITS was, despite often raised cautions of its utility at higher taxonomic levels, shown to provide the highest number of parsimony informative characters, in partitioned Bayesian analyses it yielded the fewest trees in the 95% credible set, it resolved the highest proportion of well resolved clades, and was the most accurate region as measured by the partition metric and the proportion of correctly resolved clades (well supported clades retrieved from a combined analysis regarded as “true”). For Hedyotis, the nuclear 5S-NTS was shown to be potentially as useful as ITS, despite its shorter sequence length. The chloroplast region being the most phylogenetically informative was the petD group II intron. We also present a phylogeny of Spermacoceae based on a Bayesian analysis of the four chloroplast regions, ITS, and ETS combined. Spermacoceae are shown to be monophyletic. Clades supported by high posterior probabilities are discussed, especially in respect to the current generic classification. Notably, Oldenlandia is polyphyletic, the two subgenera of Kohautia are not sister taxa, and Hedyotis should be treated in a narrow sense to include only Asian species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A simple direct injection method for analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or other organic components of particulate matter by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was developed. This method uses a small custom brass capsule to insert a particulate sample deposited on a quartz fiber filter or powdery sample directly into a GC injector inlet. This approach was applied in the analysis of PAHs in diesel emissions and other particulate samples, which are introduced into the GC and analyzed by MS using selected ion monitoring mode. Quantitation is based on the concentration of PAHs in a standard reference material (SRM), which are certified by US National Institute of Standard Technology to avoid matrix effects on extraction efficiency. A standard filter is prepared by deposition of small amount of SRM of diesel particulate or ambient PM on quartz fiber filter. By this method, the linearity for 12 kinds of PAHs (3 to 6 rings) was demonstrated from 0.022 mg to 0.65 mg of SRM 1650. The linearity of BaP, for example, was confirmed from 0.028 to 0.845 ng. The reproducibility of this method determined by analyzing the standard filter was 15.4%. By selecting an appropriate SRM as a standard material, this method is applicable for analyzing PAHs in fine particulate matter of less than 1 µm from various origins. Preliminary results for a series of ambient particulate matter, roadside PM, diesel soot and sidestream smoke, are presented. This method enables analysis of organic chemical substances, for example PAHs, in PM without any pretreatment using organic solvent, and without any expensive modification of GC instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To determine the current status of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in new mothers living in urban Shanghai. Study Design and Setting: A cross-sectional study was carried out in three communities of Shanghai from June 2005 to August 2006. A total of 950 new mothers with infants aged 5–8 months were recruited in community health centers by trained health workers. The prevalence of ETS exposure was determined for before, during, and after pregnancy. Chi-square test and logistical regression analysis were used in statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of ETS exposure was 55.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.2, 59.6) before pregnancy and decreased significantly to 41.9% (95% CI: 38.2, 45.6) during pregnancy. However, the amount and time of exposure to ETS changed little before, during, and after pregnancy for those exposed. Among husbands who ever smoked, 14.4% stopped smoking before pregnancy, 38.1% changed smoking behaviors during pregnancy, and after pregnancy10.7% quitted smoking, whereas three nonsmoking husbands began to smoke. Conclusion: Pregnancy is a very important time period to implement tobacco control projects targeting young male smokers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using plastid, ITS, and ETS sequences, we investigated the parentage of polyploids Tragopogon buphthalmoides, T castellanus, T coloratus, T graciliis, T Iatifolius, and T tuberosus. One of the parents of T. tuberosus is a member of the Collini clade (likely T marginatus) and the second parent is part of the Angustissimi clade, most likely T pusillus. Tragopogon bornmuelleri and T. rechingeri are not likely parents of T. buphthalmoides. Tragopogon crocifolus and T. lamottei are parents of T. castellanus. Tragopogon latifolius var. Iatifolius is an allotetroploid, with one parent from the Angustissirni clade (T. graminifolius or T. pusillus) and the other parent is a diploid or tetraploid from the Profundisulcati clade (likely T. buphthalmoides); one likely parent of tetraploid T. coloratus is a tetraploid T. buphthalmoides and the other one is a diploid T. australis (T. porrifolius ssp. australis). Molecular data clearly argue against the inclusion of this tetraploid within T. coloratus (2n = 12). Tragopogon tomentosulus is not closely related to T. gracilis. Tragopogon acanthocarpus is non-monophyletic based on rDNA and plastid sequence data. Homogenization of rDNA repeats has occurred to varying degrees in the Eurasian polyploids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the genus Acacia s.s. (tribe Acacieae) and its relationship among tropical legumes, including the tribe Ingeae. A sampling of species from tribe Ingeae found that the closest relative of this species is the Australian species of the genus Paraserianthes s.l. The intergeneric relationships of tribe Ingeae are discussed.

The phylogenetic relationships of the tropical African genus Virectaria with its associated genera within the tribe Sabiceeae s.l. (Ixoroideae and Rubiaceae) were inferred from the combined analysis of nuclear ITS and chloroplast rpoC1 and trnT-F nucleotide sequence data. Phylogenetic relationships within Virectaria were investigated using combined analyses of ETS (nrDNA), ITS, rpoC1 and trnT-F sequence data. The present analyses further show that Hekistocarpa is sister to the Tamridaea–Virectaria–Sabicea clade, Tamridaea and Virectaria are sister genera, and Sabicea s.l. is sister to the Tamridaea–Virectaria clade. Our results strongly support the monophyly of Virectaria and the sister-group relationships between V. multiflora and V. herbacoursi, V. angustifolia and V. procumbens, and V. major and V. belingana. Our analyses indicate a tropical African origin for Sabiceeae s.l., a long isolated evolution for Tamridaea and a wide range of dispersal of Virectaria species in the Lower-Guinean, Upper-Guinean and Congolian regions, without a clearly defined direction of migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has recently been shown that the majority of prostate cancers harbour a chromosomal rearrangement that fuses the gene for an androgen-regulated prostate-specific serine protease, TMPRSS2, with a member of the ETS family of transcription factors, most commonly ERG. These are among the most common genetic alterations in any human solid tumour. This knowledge may provide us with clues to prostate carcinogenesis, and may lead to the development of important molecular-based biomarkers for patients with localised prostate cancer. The most common variant is fusion between the 5'-untranslated region of TMPRSS2 and the 3' region of ERG. However, over 20 other fusion variants have now been described (involving over 10 different genes) and the number of variants continues to grow. Fusion products can be identified by several techniques, including FISH, RT-PCR, and expression profiling using exon arrays. The protein products associated with the fusion transcripts have not been characterised, and the phenotypic expression of the various products of gene fusion on prostate cancer histology, or on the clinical course of cancer, are not yet understood. Several early cohort studies suggest that the presence of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion product is associated with relatively poor cancer-specific survival. Studies that examine how individual variants and their associated phenotypes affect prostate cancer presentation and progression are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a practitioner's response to Susan Batchelor's article 'Prove me the bam!': Victimization and agency in the lives of young women who commit violent offences', published in Probation Journal (December, 2005). The article drew on research Susan Batchelor had undertaken at HMPYOI Cornton Vale in Scotland with 21 young women aged from 16 to 24 years-old who were imprisoned for violent offences. Susan Batchelor's findings challenge the notion that female violence is 'abnormal' or 'bizarre', suggesting instead that it is a rational response in lives characterized by multiple disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in cars and homes in Queensland. Method: 1,026 randomly selected Queensland residents (84% response) participated in a computer assisted telephone survey to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about ETS in cars and homes; and attitudes towards restrictions on smoking in a range of contexts. Results: Most respondents are aware of the negative health effects of ETS and have smoking bans in their cars (75.8%) and homes (76.8%), however bans are less prevalent for smokers (cars: 37.9%; homes: 51%; p=0.000). For cars/homes, most smokers who did not have smoking bans would not smoke at all around pregnant women (67.7%/53.7%); fewer would refrain for children =12 years (48.2%/35.1%); non-smoking adults (31.3%/17.9%); and children 13-17 years (30.9%/21.2%). Parent smokers are less likely to not smoke at all around children 2years (p=0.000) compared to non-parent smokers. Most respondents support car/ home smoking bans for children =12 years (80.5%/66.1%); children 13-17 years (78.2%/64.7%); and pregnant women (80.5%/67%). Conclusions: There is strong community support for legislation targeting ETS in cars and homes, however this varies by context, smoking and parental status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eurybioid asters Oreostemma, Herrickia, Eurybia, and Triniteurybia form a complex that is part of the North American clade of tribe Astereae. They comprise 31 species of perennial herbs that are widely distributed on the continent. Previous analyses had shown poor resolution among the four genera and among the species, particularly within Eurybia (23 spp.), which includes diploids and polyploids. We investigated phylogenetic relationships within the group using the nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS regions, in separate and combined parsimony and Bayesian analyses. We detected incongruence between the ITS and ETS regions when polyploids were included, and so only diploids were considered in the combined analyses. Eurybia pygmaea (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom is confirmed as a member of Symphyotrichum; Eurybia is monophyletic once this species is re-classified. The eurybioids form a paraphyletic grade with Oreostemma, sister to the remaining taxa, followed in succession by Herrickia, Eurybia, and Triniteurybia, and with the latter genus sister to subtribe Machaerantherinae. Thus the xeric Machaerantherinae (x = 6, 5, 4) is nested within the grade of mesic eurybioids (x = 9). Although largely grouping together, the polyploid taxa of Eurybia apparently do not constitute a clade and their relationships to the diploid taxa and to each other could not be assessed further. Among the diploids, two clades emerge: one including the western Eurybia integrifolia (Nutt.) G.L. Nesom and Eurybia sibirica (L.) G.L. Nesom, and the southeastern Eurybia eryngiifolia (Torr. & A. Gray) G.L. Nesom; and a second including the western Eurybia radulina (A. Gray) G.L. Nesom, the eastern cordate-leaved (sect. Eurybia) and the narrow-leaved, mostly coastal plain species of Eurybia. Our analyses, therefore, do not support the current classifications of Eurybia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ELF5, an Ets family transcription factor found exclusively in epithelial cells, is expressed in the distal lung epithelium during embryogenesis, then becomes restricted to proximal airways at the end of gestation and postnatally. To test the hypothesis that ELF5 represses distal epithelial differentiation, we generated a transgenic mouse model in which a doxycycline inducible HA-tagged mouse Elf5 transgene was placed under the control of the lung epithelium-specific human SFTPC promoter. We found that expressing high levels of ELF5 during early lung development disrupted branching morphogenesis and produced a dilated epithelium. The effects of ELF5 on morphogenesis were stage-dependent, since inducing the transgene on E16.5 had no effect on branching. ELF5 reduced expression of the distal lung epithelial differentiation markers Erm, Napsa and Sftpc, and type II cell ultrastructural differentiation was immature. ELF5 overexpression did not induce the proximal airway epithelial markers Ccsp and Foxj1, but did induce expression of p63, a marker of basal cells in the trachea and esophagus. High ELF5 levels also induced the expression of genes found in other endodermal epithelia but not normally associated with the lung. These results suggest that precise levels of ELF5 regulate the specification and differentiation of epithelial cells in the lung. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Broad phylogenetic analyses of Crassulaceae have retrieved a large dade comprising as much as one-third of the species diversity present in the family as a whole. This so-called Acre dade (Sedoideae) includes familiar genera such as Echeveria, Graptopetalum, and Thompsonella, and while it is consistently recovered in studies at the family level, relationships within the clade as well as the monophyly of many of the constituant genera have yet to be established. Results of a phylogenetic study of a genus within the Acre clade, Thompsonella, are here reported. Morphological evidence was gathered and molecular (nuclear ETS and ITS) DNA sequences were generated for forty-seven taxa from the Acre dade, including all recognized members of Thompsonella. Parsimony analysis of the combined data retrieved Thompsonella as a monophyletic group and retrieved species in Graptopetalum, Thompsonella, Echeveria, Pachyphytum and Sedum sect. Pachysedum in a dade; this group was previously identified as the "Echeveria group". Results indicate that only a few genera in the Acre clade are monophyletic and that to establish their generic limits further sampling mainly in the large Echeveria and Sedum genera is needed. Results from morphological and molecular analyses disagree in the position of T. mixtecana. However, an additional restricted analysis performed solely with cpDNA (rps16) placed this species within Thompsonella, suggesting a hybrid origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ETS gene family is frequently involved in chromosome trans-locations that cause human cancer, including prostate cancer, leukemia, and sarcoma. However, the mechanisms by which oncogenic ETS proteins, which are DNA-binding transcription factors, target genes necessary for tumorigenesis is not well understood. Ewing's sarcoma serves as a paradigm for the entire class of ETS-associated tumors because nearly all cases harbor recurrent chromosomal translocations involving ETS genes. The most common translocation in Ewing's sarcoma encodes the EWS/FLI oncogenic transcription factor. We used whole genome localization (ChIP-chip) to identify target genes that are directly bound by EWS/FLI. Analysis of the promoters of these genes demonstrated a significant over-representation of highly repetitive GGAA-con- taming elements (microsatellites). In a parallel approach, we found that EWS/FLI uses GGAA microsatellites to regulate the expression of some of its target genes including NROBI, a gene required for Ewing's sarcoma oncogenesis. The microsatellite in the NROBI promoter bound EWS/FLI in vitro and in vivo and was both necessary and sufficient to confer EWS/FLI regulation to a reporter gene. Genome wide computational studies demonstrated that GGAA microsatellites were enriched close to EWS/FLI-up-regulated genes but not down-regulated genes. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the ability of EWS/FLI to bind DNA and modulate gene expression through these repetitive elements depended on the number of consecutive GGAA motifs. These findings illustrate an unprecedented route to specificity for ETS proteins and use of microsatellites in tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) in Carex Subgenus Vignea (Cyperaceae). It notes that the intraindividual polymophisms of the internal and external transcribed spacers (ITS, ETS) may lead to problems in their use for phylogeny reconstruction, though nrDNA may be a powerful phylogenetic marker. These problems could be attributed to the incomplete concerted evolution coupled with hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting.