Here, we describe in vivo and ex vivo experiments that implicate

Here, we describe in vivo and ex vivo experiments that implicate the fibrillins as negative regulators of bone resorption. Adult Fbn2(-/-) mice display a greater than normal osteolytic response to locally implanted lipopolysaccharide-coated titanium

particles. Although isolated cultures of Fbn2(-/-) preosteoclasts exhibited normal differentiation and activity, these features were substantially augmented when mutant or wild-type preosteoclasts were co-cultured with Fbn2(-/-) but not wild-type osteoblasts. Greater osteoclastogenic potential of Fbn2(-/-) osteoblasts was largely accounted for by up-regulation of the Rankl gene secondary to heightened TGF beta activity. This conclusion was based on the findings that blockade of TGF

beta signaling blunts Rankl up-regulation in Fbn2(-/-) osteoblasts and bones and that systemic TGF beta antagonism improves locally induced osteolysis in Fbn2(-/-) mice. Abnormally high Rankl AZD4547 expression secondary to elevated TGF beta activity was also noted in cultured osteoblasts from Fbn1(-/-) mice. Collectively our data demonstrated that extracellular microfibrils balance local catabolic and anabolic signals during bone remodeling in addition to implying distinct mechanisms of bone loss in Marfan syndrome and congenital contractural arachnodactyly.”
“Background. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among patients receiving chronic maintenance immunosuppression and is often considered the most important infection in renal transplantation. CMV gastritis has ZD1839 supplier been reported in transplant recipients. Symptoms are usually considered nonspecific, and gastroscopy with biopsy is usually performed to establish the diagnosis.\n\nMethods. We report a case of primary CMV

gastritis in a renal transplant recipient. A 34-year-old man presented 4 months after renal transplantation with a 1-week history of epigastric pain that decreased in supine position, increased while sitting, and further increased when standing or walking. The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. Evaluation revealed CMV viremia selleck inhibitor with a high viral load and CMV gastritis was confirmed using gastroscopy and histopathologic examination. Intravenous ganciclovir was started and continued for 3 weeks. The epigastric pain completely resolved after treatment with ganciclovir.\n\nConclusions. Postural epigastric pain as a sign of CMV gastritis is fairly rare in renal transplant recipients. To our knowledge this is the third article presented in the literature so far.”
“Background: The production of gametocytes is essential for transmission of malaria parasites from the mammalian host to the mosquito vector. However the process by which the asexual blood-stage parasite undergoes commitment to sexual development is not well understood.

60-995 69, 995 1, 995 2, 995 3, 989 5, and 693 1, and visit rates

60-995.69, 995.1, 995.2, 995.3, 989.5, and 693.1, and visit rates were compared across standardized geographic divisions.\n\nResults: Between 1993 and 2005, there were 17.3 million ED visits for acute allergic reactions, representing 1.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2%-1.3%) of all ED visits. Per 1000 population, the Northeast had 5.5 visits (95% CI, 4.7-6.2 visits) and the South

had 4.9 visits (95% CI, 4.3-5.6 visits). In a multivariable model, the Northeast had a higher odds ratio (OR) than the South (1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27; P = .04). The this website association was stronger when restricting the analysis to visits for food-related allergic reactions (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.14-1.56; P < .001).\n\nConclusions: The ED visit rates for acute allergic reactions are higher in northeastern vs southern regions. These observational data are consistent with the hypothesis that vitamin D may play an etiologic Acalabrutinib inhibitor role in anaphylaxis, especially food-induced anaphylaxis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010;104:413-416.”
“Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.), like many fruit trees, cannot be propagated clonally from seed and is instead propagated by the grafting onto rootstocks. Rootstocks affect the growth of scions,

but it is not known why. The circulation of some mRNAs throughout the phloem has recently been shown. To clarify whether RNAs are transported long distance through the graft union of apple trees, we analyzed cDNAs derived from shoot phloem cells by laser capture microdissection. We detected several mRNAs that have already been reported as phloem-transported RNAs in other plants. One of them, MpSLR/IAA14, was probed to transport a long distance through the graft

union in grafted apple plant. These results suggest that a phloem RNA transport system may be involved in the effects of rootstocks on scion growth and cropping.”
“The changes in central and intracardiac hemodynamics were investigated among elderly patients with isolated systolic and systolo-diastolic arterial hypertension (ISAH, SDAH). Inn total, 102 patients with Stage I-II AH were divided into two groups: the main group (37 ISAH individuals) and the control group (65 participants with SDAH), comparable by age and gender structure. All participants selleck kinase inhibitor underwent standard Doppler echocardiography. Left ventricular (LV) stroke volume, LV end-systolic and end-diastolic sizes, ejection fraction (%), and AS (%) were registered. LV myocardial mass (LVMM) and LVMM index were calculated. Total peripheral resistance was assessed non-invasively, using standard formulae. In ISAH patients, disturbances of intracardiac and central hemodynamics and LV geometry were observed, which should be considered while assessing risk level, disease prognosis, and potential therapeutic strategies.”
“A three-year field study of leaf symptoms on eight wheat cultivars was carried out in Po Valley (Northern Italy).

from sites off the Great Barrier Reef, the Maldives, New Caledoni

from sites off the Great Barrier Reef, the Maldives, New Caledonia and Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. A combination of morphological and ribosomal DNA analyses of these cryptogonimids prompted the transfer of these taxa to a new genus, Euryakaina n. g., as E. manilensis n. comb. and E. marina n. comb., based on comparative analysis with other cryptogonimid taxa. Euryakaina n. g. is distinguished from all other cryptogonimid genera by the combination of a fusiform body, the few relatively small, widely spaced oral spines (sometimes absent), a highly lobed ovary, opposite to slightly oblique

testes, vitelline follicles that extend from the anterior margin of the testes to slightly posterior to the intestinal bifurcation, and an excretory vesicle that bifurcates dorsal to the ovary and reunites briefly slightly posterior to the intestinal Liproxstatin-1 in vitro bifurcation. Morphometric analysis of these taxa alone suggests they should be reduced to synonymy, but DNA sequence analyses and ecological niche partitioning provide evidence that they form HKI-272 mouse a cryptic species complex in sympatric lutjanids in the Indo-West

Pacific. The secondary structure of the ITS2 rDNA for species of Euryakaina was also modelled and analysed for the presences of compensatory base changes (CBCs) or hemi-CBCs in order to explore the usefulness of these changes as a tool to help elucidate the taxonomy of this complex system. We also report what

we interpret here as intraspecific variation in the ITS2 rDNA between individuals of E. manilensis from Lutjanus vitta recovered off the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.”
“BACKGROUNDCrude extracts obtained from the edible shoots of Cicerbita alpina using microwave-assisted extraction have find more been qualitatively profiled by liquid chromatography coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometry detector and an electrospray ionization interface (LC/ESI-MS3) for their phenolic content. The main challenge of the present investigation was to create a working strategy designed to obtain a rich phenolic profile despite the limited amount of starting plant material and phytochemical data available. RESULTSThe best extraction conditions (temperature 90 degrees C; time 5 min; solvent methanol:water 50:50; sample weight 3 g) were achieved using a full factorial 2(4) experimental design. Fifteen compounds, including flavonoid conjugates and phenolic acid derivatives, were detected and tentatively identified. The total phenolic content varied from 93.58 mg g(-1) gallic acid equivalents (GAE), for the cultivated plant to 10.54 mg g(-1) GAE for the wild one, whereas the total flavonoid content varied from 145.00 mg g(-1) rutin for the cultivated plant to 25.22 mg g(-1) rutin for the wild one. CONCLUSIONA total of 11 compounds are herein reported, for the first time, as coming from this plant source.


“Background and Objectives: We

compared clinical o


“Background and Objectives: We

compared clinical outcomes in patients who were treated with different chemotherapeutic regimens after resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC).\n\nMethods: Between August 2001 and June 2008, 156 patients who entered into chemotherapy of adjuvant intent after hepatic metastasectomy were reviewed retrospectively.\n\nResults: Of the 156 patients, 58 patients were treated with oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidines (group I), 48 with irinotecan/fluoropyrimidines (group II), and 50 with fluoropyrimidines alone (group III). In the univariate analysis, there was a marginally significant difference among the three groups with respect to the disease-free survival (DFS): 23.4 months in group I, 14.1 months in group II, mTOR inhibitor and 16.3 months in group III, P = 0.088). Group I showed better DFS when compared to the other two groups combined (group II and III) (P = 0.03). Multivariable analysis showed a marginally significant gain in the DFS for group I (P = 0.068). Multiple metastases (P = 0.045) and positive resection margin (P = 0.003) were significantly associated

with poorer DFS.\n\nConclusion: Postoperative combination chemotherapy of oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidines seemed to show better DFS when compared to fluoropyrimidine monotherapy or irinotecan-based combination in patients who underwent liver metastasectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:713-718. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.”
“Background: Restoration of blood flow to an acutely ischemic FHPI mw limb can trigger systemic inflammation. We investigated whether antithrombin III (AT-III) exerts a protective action against remote lung and myocardial injury in an experimental animal model of lower-limb ischemiae-reperfusion.\n\nMethods: Ischemia was induced by lower-limb arterial occlusion for 6 hours in 60 male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into those receiving AT-III (dose, 250 mg/kg) 30 minutes before the reperfusion (group A, n = 30) and those receiving placebo (group B, n = 30). Animals were then sacrificed, and lung and myocardial

tissue samples were taken at baseline, 30 minutes, and 4 hours after reperfusion. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a compound used as indirect index of oxygen free radicals, were estimated in lung and myocardium, and the two groups were compared at different time BKM120 chemical structure points using the independent sample t test.\n\nResults: Animals administered AT-III had significantly lower levels of lung MDA compared with the placebo group at baseline and at 30 minutes, but not at 4 hours (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, and P = 0.9, respectively), indicating a protective action of AT-III against remote lung injury early in the reperfusion phase. With regard to myocardial MDA levels, no statistically significant differences existed between the AT-III and placebo groups at baseline, at 30 minutes, and at 4 hours (P = 0.07, P = 0.

Male rats received 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg BA (i p ) 30 min prior to

Male rats received 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg BA (i.p.) 30 min prior to daily exposure to repeated restraint stress (2 h/day) for 14 days. Activation of the HPA axis in response to repeated restraint stress was confirmed by measuring serum corticosterone levels and the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor in the hypothalamus. Daily BA administration significantly

decreased the duration of immobility in the FST, selleck screening library increased sucrose consumption, and restored the stress-related decreases in dopamine concentrations in the hippocampus to near normal levels. BA significantly inhibited the stress-induced decrease in neuronal tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the ventral tegmental area and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in the hippocampus. Taken together, these findings indicate that administration of BA prior to the repeated restraint stress significantly improves helpless behaviors and depressive symptoms, possibly by preventing the decrease in dopamine and BDNF expression. Thus, BA may be a useful agent for the treatment or alleviation of the complex

symptoms associated with depression.”
“Epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA methylation, histone modifications and noncoding RNAs regulate and maintain gene-expression states. Similar to genetic mutations, alterations in epigenetic regulation can lead to uncontrolled cell division, tumor initiation and growth, invasiveness and metastasis. Research in brain cancer, particularly gliomas, has uncovered this website global and gene-specific DNA hypomethylation, local DNA hypermethylation of gene promoters and the de-regulation of microRNA expression. Understanding epigenetic dysregulation in brain cancers has provided

new tools for prognostication, as well as suggesting new approaches to therapy. There is significant interest in new sequencing-based technologies that map genetic and epigenetic alterations comprehensively and at high resolution. These methods are being applied to brain tumors, and will better define the contribution of epigenetic defects to tumorigenesis.”
“Balneotherapy is appreciated as a traditional treatment modality in medicine. Hungary is rich in thermal mineral waters. Balneotherapy has been in extensive use for centuries and its effects have been studied in detail. Here, we present a systematic Barasertib inhibitor review and meta-analysis of clinical trials conducted with Hungarian thermal mineral waters, the findings of which have been published by Hungarian authors in English. The 122 studies identified in different databases include 18 clinical trials. Five of these evaluated the effect of hydro- and balneotherapy on chronic low back pain, four on osteoarthritis of the knee, and two on osteoarthritis of the hand. One of the remaining seven trials evaluated balneotherapy in chronic inflammatory pelvic diseases, while six studies explored its effect on various laboratory parameters. Out of the 18 studies, 9 met the predefined criteria for meta-analysis.

In the present study, addition of 12-methyltetradecanoic acid (12

In the present study, addition of 12-methyltetradecanoic acid (12-MTA, anteiso-C15:0) to an agar medium markedly repressed surfactant activity in the extracellular fraction of a P. aeruginosa culture in a drop collapse assay. Further, an extracellular fraction of a culture of rhlA mutant P. aeruginosa, which did not produce both rhamnolipids and HAAs, showed a complete loss of surfactant activity and markedly reduced swarming activity. In contrast, an extracellular fraction of a culture of rhlB mutant P. aeruginosa, which produced HAAs but not rhamnolipids, showed selleck chemicals moderate swarming activity

and weak extracellular surfactant activity that was lost on the addition of 12-MTA to the agar medium. Expression of the rhlAB operon from

the plasmid pMR2 restored normal swarming motility on 12-MTA-containing agar medium. Taken together, these findings indicate that 12-MTA reduced extracellular surfactant activity, thus resulting in a swarming defect in P. aeruginosa PAO1.”
“Objective: An increased dose of the prescribed drug or a change of the drug is recommended in the treatment for the patients with urticaria refractory to the standard dose of antihistamines. Efficacy and safety of doubling the dose of cetirizine were compared with olopatadine in the patients with symptoms like wheal or itching, despite the treatment with the standard dose of cetirizine. Methods: Cetirizine was administered at 10 mg once daily to 51 patients with Tariquidar urticaria

for a mean of 10.1 +/- 7.3 days (Period A). Patients with inadequate responses were randomized to either cetirizine 20 mg once daily (dose-increase group) or olopatadine 5 mg twice daily (drug-change group) for a mean of 13.3 +/- 8.3 days (Period B). The severity of wheal and itching, Selleck CCI-779 and the quality of life (QOL) measured by Skindex-16 were evaluated. Results: In Period A, an adequate response was obtained in 64.7% (33/51). Nine patients each with inadequate response were randomized to either the drug-change or dose-increase groups. A significant improvement was observed in the severity of wheal and itching in the dose-increase group in Period B. The QOL was significantly improved in all sub-scales of Skindex-16. Conclusion: Doubling the dose of cetirizine may be efficacious to the patients with urticaria refractory to the regular dose of cetirizine.”
“We report the first documented case of pancreatitis associated with rotavirus infection in an infant. Estimation of amylase level is important in infants with severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, hyperamylasemia should alert one to the presence of overt pancreatitis which should be investigated by lipase estimation and/or imaging.”
“The game domination subdivision number of a graph is defined by the following game. Two players and , playing first, alternately mark or subdivide an edge of which is not yet marked nor subdivided.

Unlike other prokinetic drugs that are utilized in the management

Unlike other prokinetic drugs that are utilized in the management of functional dyspepsia, acotiamide shows little/no affinity for serotonin or dopamine D-2 receptors. Acotiamide is the world’s first approved treatment for functional dyspepsia diagnosed by Rome III criteria, with its first approval occurring in Japan. Phase

III trials in this patient population are in preparation in Europe, with phase II trials selleck completed in the USA and Europe. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of acotiamide, leading to its first approval for use in patients with functional dyspepsia.”
“Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of 2-(quinazolin-4-ylthio)thiazole derivatives, which are for optimizing the in vitro and in vivo antiacute myeloid leukemia (AML) activity of a previously identified FLT3 inhibitor 2-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-ylthio)thiazole (1), are described. SAR studies centering around the head (thiazole) and tails (6- and 7-positions) of the quinazoline moiety of 1 led to the discovery of a series of compounds that exhibited significantly dincreased potency

against FLT3-driven AML MV4-11 cells. Preliminary in vivo assays were carried out on three highly active compounds, whose results showed that 1-5-[7-(3-morpholinopropoxy)quinazolin-4-ylthio]-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl-3-p-tolylurea (20c) had the highest in vivo activity. Further in vitro and in vivo anti-AML studies were then performed on 20c; in an MV4-11 xenograft mouse model, a once-daily dose of 20c at 100 mg/kg for 18 days led to complete tumor regression Bafilomycin A1 without obvious toxicity. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis were carried out to illustrate the

mechanism of action of 20c.”
“Coding variants in tumor necrosis factor check details receptor superfamily member 13B (TNFRSF13B) have been implicated in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), but the functional effects of such mutations in relation to the development of the disease have not been entirely established. To examine the potential contribution of TNFRSF13B variants to CVID, we have applied an evolutionary approach by sequencing its coding region in 451 individuals belonging to 26 worldwide populations, in addition to controls, patients with CVID and selective IgA deficiency (IgAD) from Italy. The low level of geographical structure for the observed genetic diversity and the several neutrality tests performed confirm the absence of recent population-specific selective pressures, suggesting that TNFRSF13B may be involved also in innate immune functions, rather than in adaptive immunity only. A slight excess of rare derived alleles was found in patients with CVID, and thus some of these variants may contribute to the disease, implying that CVID probably fits the rare variants rather than the common disease/common variant paradigm.

The association of SNPs with tumor recurrence and overall surviva

The association of SNPs with tumor recurrence and overall survival was then analyzed by additive, dominant, recessive, and LY2874455 overdominant models in a cohort of 156 HCC

patients. Results: In terms of tumor recurrence, heterozygous of SNP rs1990172 and SNP rs975263 showed a significant high risk of relapse using univariate and multivariate analysis (overdominant, HR(95%CI)=2.27 [1.41-3.66], P=0.001; HR(95%CI)=2.16 [1.37-3.39], P=0.001). But the difference between heterozygous of these two SNPs and overall survival did not reach a significance in all models. The other three investigated SNPs were not significantly associated with tumor recurrence and overall survival (P>0.05). In addition, we found no significant difference in genotype frequencies between HCC and controls. Conclusions: Our data suggest that SNP rs1990172 and SNP rs975263 in the MACC1 gene may be potential genetic markers for selleck chemical HCC recurrence in LT patients.”
“Purpose: The purpose of the study was to prospectively compare operative and postoperative characteristics and outcomes in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) compared with younger patients.\n\nPatients and Methods: Prospectively collected data from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) Global PCNL Study database

were used. Elderly patients were defined as those aged 70 years and above, while younger patients were those between 18 and 70 years of age. Matched and unmatched group comparisons were performed based on imaging modality used for assessing stone-free status. Patient characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes were compared.\n\nResults: The median age of the elderly group vs the young buy BGJ398 group was 74 years (range 70-93 years) vs 49 years. In the unmatched analysis, staghorn stones were seen at higher rates in the elderly group (27.8% vs 21.8%, P = 0.014); however, the mean stone size was not significantly different (465.0 vs 422.8, P =

0.063). The length of hospitalization was significantly longer in the elderly group compared with the young group in the unmatched analysis (5 days vs 4.1 days, P < 0.001). The same difference was not apparent in the matched analysis (5.0 days vs 4.4 days, P = 0.288). Overall complication rates were not significantly different in the unmatched analysis. In the matched analysis, however, a statistically significant higher rate of overall complications was seen. Stone-free rates were similar among all groups.\n\nConclusion: PCNL in elderly patients over the age of 70 years produces results comparable to those seen in younger patients. With only a slightly higher-be it statistically significant-complication rate, the stone-free rate in older patients was the same as in the younger group.

interleukin-2 receptor inhibitor (IL2i) in the Prograf era We fu

interleukin-2 receptor inhibitor (IL2i) in the Prograf era. We further explored the variable of race in the two groups of patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of kidney transplant patients in the USRDS from 2000 through 2005

to compare graft survival (including death) using rATG vs. IL2i with particular reference to outcomes between African-Americans vs. Caucasians. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess patient and graft survival after transplantation, stratified by recipient induction with rATG versus IL2i. Cox regression analysis Selleck LCL161 was performed to assess adjusted survival after transplantation, assessing whether induction rATG (vs. IL2i) was significant as an interaction term (i.e. an effect modifier) with black race for graft survival. Propensity score analysis was used to address potential confounding by indication. Results: In stratified Cox Regression analysis limited to IL2i, black race was significantly associated with graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.17, 95% CI, 1.09-1.26). In analysis limited to rATG induction, black race was not significant (AHR 1.00, 95% CI, 0.92-1.10). We detected a significant interaction JIB-04 concentration between rATG and black race (in comparison with non-black race) for the development of graft loss (AHR, 0.86, 95% CI, 0.76-0.97). Analysis limited to black recipients showed that while use of rATG was

not significantly different from IL2i (AHR 0.95, 95% CI 0.87-1.04), the direction of this association was in the

opposite direction of non-blacks. Conclusions: Patient and graft survival were similar in African-American and Caucasian recipients of kidney transplantation using either rATG or IL2i. Limitations of the study are the retrospective nature of USRDS data, center-bias in using rATG vs. IL2i and lack of data on steroid dosage. Results of the present study call for a critical review of induction practices. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Purpose. Transseptal puncture (TSP) allows left atrial access for curative procedures. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) provides direct visualization of the interatrial septum (IAS), but adds time and expense. We reviewed 100 cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) Epoxomicin scans of patients undergoing AF ablation to determine if the angulation and orientation of the IAS are conserved or variable. Significant variability may suggest a potential role for direct visualization of the IAS during TSP. Methods. We reviewed 100 MDCT scans obtained prior to AF ablation. The IAS plane at the fossa ovalis was identified in axial and coronal images. We measured the angle of the septum relative to an orthogonal plane. Optimal needle orientation was defined as perpendicular to the fossa ovalis. Results. The mean axial plane angle was -60.6 +/- 10.6 degrees; range, -29.5 degrees to -88.7 degrees. The mean coronal plane angle was 142.6 +/- 9.

Total densities were significantly higher in 1996-2002 compared t

Total densities were significantly higher in 1996-2002 compared to 1989-1994, a change coincident with a spectacular rise in the density of the holothurian Amperima. BI 2536 However, total densities exhibited no significant relation to seasons or any significant correlation with modelled organic matter flux, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, Amperima densities, or megafaunal assemblage composition. Over the same period,

species richness and diversity measures decreased and dominance increased, although not significantly. Multivariate analyses revealed three assemblages represented by samples collected in 1989-1994, 1996-July 1997 and October 1997-October 2002. These reflected temporal changes in the densities of higher taxa and species. Trochamminaceans,

notably a small undescribed species, increased from 5-9% (1989-1994) find more to 29-40% (1996-2002) of the assemblage with a corresponding rise in absolute abundance. Species of Hormosinacea and Lagenammina also tended to increase in density from 1996/1997 onwards. Rotaliids, dominated by Alabaminella weddellensis and Epistominella exigua, showed a bimodal distribution over time with peak densities in May 1991 (32%) and September 1998 (28%) and lowest densities in 1996-1997. Responses by these species to seasonal phytodetritus inputs probably explain the relative abundance of E. exigua, and to a lesser extent A. weddellensis, in 1989 and 1991 when phytodetritus was present. A qualitative change in the phytodetrital food, repackaging of food by megafauna, selleck kinase inhibitor increased megafaunal disturbance of the surficial sediment, or a combination of these factors, are possible explanations for the dominance of trochamminaceans from 1996 onwards.

The miliolid Quinqueloculina sp. was virtually absent in multicore samples (0-1 cm, > 63-mu m fraction) from 1989-1994, peaked in September 1996 (22%) when degraded phytodetritus was present on core surfaces, was less common in March 1997, and thereafter was relatively uncommon. However, horizontally sliced box-core samples (0-5 cm, >250-mu m fraction) revealed that large specimens were more abundant in March 1997, and also were concentrated in deeper sediment layers, than in September 1996. We suggest that Quinqueloculina sp. migrated to the sediment surface in response to a 1996 flux event, grew and reproduced, before migrating back into deeper layers as the phytodetrital food became exhausted. Overall, the abyssal time-series revealed decadal-scale changes among shallow-infaunal foraminifera, more or less coincident with changes in the megafauna, as well as indications of shorter-term events related to seasonally-pulsed phytodetrital inputs. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.