Gene expression studies in different genotypes of an ectomycorrhizal fungus require a 1 high number of reliable reference genes. 2 3

Abstract 13 Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) has become the standard technique for the 14 expression analysis of a set of chosen genes of interest. The accuracy and reliability of qRT-15 PCR measurements strongly depends on the normalization with appropriate endogenous 16 reference genes. In this study a set of candidate reference genes for the use in gene expression 17 studies of a basidiomycete fungus, Suillus luteus, exposed to toxic concentrations of zinc or 18 cadmium was identified, evaluated and validated. Seven candidate genes were selected from 19 cDNA-AFLP as stably expressed and the algorithms geNorm and Normfinder were used to 20 evaluate these genes alongside the traditionally used housekeeping genes (actin, tubulin) in 21 different S. luteus isolates. The use of several S. luteus isolates revealed that each isolate has 22 its own most stably expressed set of reference genes, regardless of the metal treatments, i

Inoculation with Rhizobium etli enhances organic acid exudation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) subjected to phosphorus deficiency

status: publishe

A systematic review of correlates of physical activity in patients with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: The present review evaluates systematically the published quantitative studies of correlates of PA in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL and PEDro were searched from their inception to 1 July 2011 combining the medical subject heading 'schizophrenia' with 'physical activity' or 'physical inactivity' or 'exercise' or 'health education' or 'health behaviour' or 'health promotion'. RESULTS: Out of 68 potentially eligible studies, 25 papers (n = 25,013) evaluating 36 correlates were included. Correlates consistently associated with lower PA participation are the presence of negative symptoms and cardio-metabolic comorbidity. Also, side-effects of antipsychotic medication, lack of knowledge on cardiovascular disease risk factors, no belief in the health benefits, a lower self-efficacy, other unhealthy lifestyle habits and social isolation correlated with lower PA participation. The quality of the PA measurement was not related to the proportion of significant associations (χ(2) = 3.8, P = 0.07). Current gaps in literature that need to be examined more in detail are the role of environmental and policy-level factors on PA participation in patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: All correlates should be confirmed in prospective studies, and interventions to improve the modifiable variables should be developed and evaluated.status: publishe

ALTERNATIVE OXIDASE1a modulates the oxidative challenge during moderate Cd exposure in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves

This study aims to unravel the functional significance of alternative oxidase1a (AOX1a) induction in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves exposed to cadmium (Cd) by comparing wild-type (WT) plants and aox1a knockout mutants. In the absence of AOX1a, differences in stress-responsive transcript and glutathione levels suggest an increased oxidative challenge during moderate (5 mu M) and prolonged (72 h) Cd exposure. Nevertheless, aox1a knockout leaves showed lower hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation as compared to the WT due to both acute (24 h) and prolonged (72 h) exposure to 5 mu M Cd, but not to 10 mu M Cd. Taken together, we propose a working model where AOX1a acts early in the response to Cd and activates or maintains a mitochondrial signalling pathway impacting on cellular antioxidative defence at the post-transcriptional level. This fine-tuning pathway is suggested to function during moderate (5 mu M) Cd exposure while being overwhelmed during more severe (10 mu M) Cd stress. Within this framework, ethylene is required - either directly or indirectly via NADPH oxidase isoform C - to fully induce AOX1 expression. In addition, reciprocal crosstalk between these components was demonstrated in leaves of A. thaliana plants exposed to Cd

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation on state anxiety and subjective well-bieng in people with schizophrenia: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of a single progressive muscle relaxation session compared with a control condition on state anxiety, psychological stress, fatigue and subjective well-being in patients with schizophrenia. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: An acute inpatient care unit of an University Psychiatric Centre. SUBJECTS: Sixty-four out of 88 eligible patients with schizophrenia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to either a single progressive muscle relaxation session during 25 minutes or a resting control condition with the opportunity to read for an equal amount of time. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Before and after the single interventions the State anxiety inventory and the Subjective exercise experiences scale were completed. Effect sizes were calculated. RESULTS: Only within progressive muscle relaxation, participants (n=27) showed decreased state anxiety, psychological stress and fatigue and increased subjective well-being. Between-group differences in post scores were found for state anxiety, subjective well-being and psychological stress, but not for fatigue. The effect size favouring progressive muscle relaxation was 1.26 for subjective well-being and -1.25 and -1.02 for respectively state anxiety and psychological stress. CONCLUSIONS: Progressive muscle relaxation is highly effective in reducing acute feelings of stress and anxiety in patients with schizophrenia. A reduction in stress and state anxiety is associated with an increase in subjective well-being.status: publishe

Fysiotherapie bij mensen met schizofrenie. Een literatuuronderzoek

status: publishe