bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental evaluation of nest shelter effects on weight loss in incubating common eidersSomateria mollissima
Authors: Fast Peter L. F. , Grant Gilchrist H. , Clark Robert G.
Published: November 2007

Evaluating consequences of habitat selection is an important step in understanding life history strategies and behavioural decisions of animals.Kilpi and Lindström (1997)found that incubating common eidersSomateria mollissimaon exposed, treeless islands lost weight faster than females nesting on wooded islands and proposed that this difference was due to adverse incubation conditions at exposed nests. Therefore, we tested whether common eiders gained an advantage when nesting in sheltered habitats by placing artificial shelters over randomly‐selected females after the onset of incubation within an eider colony in arctic Canada. We predicted that sheltered females would be heavier on completion of incubation than control hens lacking shelters. Females nesting in artificial shelters experienced a more moderate thermal environment at both cold and warm temperature extremes. Eiders nesting in shelters were heavier than control females during mid incubation, consistent with habitat‐specific rates of weight loss reported byKilpi and Lindström (1997). Natural overhead cover was available at potential nests but few eiders used those sites. We suspect that microclimatic advantages offered by sheltered sites may be offset by costs of increased female vulnerability to predators. Further work is needed to test this hypothesis, and to determine mechanisms responsible for lower weight loss in eiders attending well concealed nests.
Pareto front analysis of flight time and energy use in long‐distance bird migration
Authors: Vrugt Jasper A. , Van Belle Jelmer , Bouten Willem
Published: November 2007

Optimality models are frequently used in studies of long distance bird migration to help understand and predict migration routes, stopover strategies and fuelling behaviour in a spatially varying environment. These models typically evaluate bird behaviour by focusing on a single optimization currency, such as total migration time or energy‐use, without explicitly considering trade‐offs between the involved objectives. In this paper, we demonstrate that this classic single‐objective approach downplays the importance of variability in bird behaviour. In the light of these considerations, we therefore propose to use a full multi‐criteria optimization method to isolate the set of non‐dominated, efficient or Pareto optimal solutions. Unlike single‐objective optimization where there is only one combination of bird behaviour maximizing fitness, the Pareto solution set represents a range of optimal solutions to conflicting objectives. Our results demonstrate that this multi‐objective approach provides important new ways of analyzing how environmental factors and behavioural constraints have driven the evolution of migratory behaviour.
Are parametric models suitable for estimating avian growth rates?
Authors: Brown William P. , Eggermont Paul , LaRiccia Vincent , Roth Roland R.
Published: November 2007

For many bird species, growth is negative or equivocal during development. Traditional, parametric growth curves assume growth follows a sigmoidal form with prescribed inflection points and is positive until asymptotic size. Accordingly, these curves will not accurately capture the variable, sometimes considerable, fluctuations in avian growth over the course of the trajectory. We evaluated the fit of three traditional growth curves (logistic, Gompertz, and von Bertalanffy) and a nonparametric spline estimator to simulated growth data of six different specified forms over a range of sample sizes. For all sample sizes, the spline best fit the simulated model that exhibited negative growth during a portion of the trajectory. The Gompertz curve was the most flexible for fitting simulated models that were strictly sigmoidal in form, yet the fit of the spline was comparable to that of the Gompertz curve as sample size increased. Importantly, confidence intervals for all of the fitted, traditional growth curves were wholly inaccurate, negating the apparent robustness of the Gompertz curve, while confidence intervals of the spline were acceptable. We further evaluated the fit of traditional growth curves and the spline to a large data set of wood thrushHylocichla mustelinamass and wing chord observations. The spline fit the wood thrush data better than the traditional growth curves, produced estimates that did not differ from known observations, and described negative growth rates at relevant life history stages that were not detected by the growth curves. The common rationale for using parametric growth curves, which compress growth information into a few parameters, is to predict an expected size or growth rate at some age or to compare estimated growth with other published estimates. The suitability of these traditional growth curves may be compromised by several factors, however, including variability in the true growth trajectory. Nonparametric methods, such as the spline, provide a precise description of empirical growth yet do not produce such parameter estimates. Selection of a growth descriptor is best determined by the question being asked but may be constrained by inherent patterns in the growth data.
Neighbour‐stranger song discrimination in territorial ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana males
Authors: Skierczynski Michał , Czarnecka Kamila M. , Osiejuk Tomasz S.
Published: November 2007

Neighbour‐stranger discrimination has been demonstrated in many species, but the mechanisms employed in discrimination vary. We tested whether an oscine bird with small repertoire size, the ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana, discriminated between songs of neighbours and strangers. We performed playback experiments to measure response of males to a repeated single example of a single song type derived from a repertoire of a neighbour or stranger. Thirteen males were tested twice each, and in both cases songs were broadcast from the territory boundary shared by the subject male and the neighbour. Subjects responded more aggressively to songs of strangers than neighbours, i.e. they approached the loudspeaker faster and came closer and did more flights during the playback of stranger song. We found no significant differences in vocal response between treatments. We conclude that ortolan bunting can discriminate between songs of neighbours and strangers. This study provides experimental evidence for ortolan buntings in neighbour‐stranger discrimination. It also demonstrates that a single example of song is enough to discriminate between neighbours and strangers. We discuss which song characteristics are the possible acoustic basis for discrimination in the studied species.
Calibrating molecular estimates of substitution rates and divergence times in birds
Authors: Ho Simon Y. M.
Published: November 2007

Many evolutionary studies of birds rely on the estimation of molecular divergence times and substitution rates. In order to perform such analyses, it is necessary to incorporate some form of calibration information: a known substitution rate, radiometric ages of heterochronous sequences, or inferred ages of lineage splitting events. All three of these techniques have been employed in avian molecular studies, but their usage has not been entirely satisfactory. For example, the ‘traditional’ avian mitochondrial substitution rate of 2% per million years is frequently adopted without acknowledgement of the associated uncertainty. Similarly, fossil and biogeographic information is almost always converted into an errorless calibration point. In both cases, the resulting estimates of divergence times and substitution rates will be artificially precise, which has a considerable impact on hypothesis testing. In addition, using such a simplistic approach to calibration discards much of the information offered by the fossil record. A number of more sophisticated calibration methods have recently been introduced, culminating in the development of probability distribution‐based calibrations. In this article, I discuss the use of this new class of methods and offer guidelines for choosing a calibration technique.
Distinguishing dung from blue, red and yellow‐backed duikers through noninvasive genetic techniques
Authors: Van Vliet Nathalie , Zundel Stéphanie , Miquel Christian , Taberlet Pierre , Nasi Robert
Published: November 2007

Dung counts have been widely used to estimate duiker abundance and densities in tropical African forests. However, one of the major limitations of this method is that species’ identification of dung based on morphological characteristics is extremely difficult in most cases. Some authors made the assumption that dung pellets could at least be distinguishable between the blue duiker, the red duikers and the yellow‐backed duiker. However, this study is the first attempt to test the reliability of field identification. In this study, we suggest a method based on a noninvasive genetic protocol to identify duiker species. The comparison of field and genetic identifications shows that only dung fromCephalophus silvicultorwas identified in the field without error. The rate of error for red duikers and the blue duiker is high and any attempt to distinguish among those species will result in wrong estimations for each species. We recommend the use of DNA tests to ensure reliable species’ identification when duiker censuses based on dung counts are used. This methodological input will probably strengthen the dung count technique and increase its reliability for duiker species abundance estimations and spatial distribution studies.
Remifentanil for general anaesthesia: a systematic review
Authors: Komatsu R. , Turan A. M. , Orhan‐Sungur M. , McGuire J. , Radke O. C. , Apfel C. C.
Published: November 2007

We performed a quantitative systematic review of randomised, controlled trials that compared remifentanil to short‐acting opioids (fentanyl, alfentanil, or sufentanil) for general anaesthesia. Eighty‐five trials were identified and these included a total of 13 057 patients. Intra‐operatively, remifentanil was associated with clinical signs of deeper analgesia and anaesthesia, such as fewer responses to noxious stimuli (relative risk 0.65, 95% CI 0.48–0.87), more frequent episodes of bradycardia (1.46, 1.04–2.05), more hypotension (1.68, 1.36–2.07) and less hypertension (0.60, 0.46–0.78). Postoperatively, remifentanil was associated with faster recovery (difference in extubation time of −2.03, 9.5% CI, −2.92 to −1.14 min), more frequent postoperative analgesic requirements (1.36, 1.21–1.53) and fewer respiratory events requiring naloxone (0.25, 0.14–0.47). Remifentanil had no overall impact on postoperative nausea (1.03, 0.97–1.09) or vomiting (1.06, 0.96–1.17), but was associated with twice as much shivering (2.15, 1.73–2.69). Remifentanil does not seem to offer any advantage for lengthy, major interventions, but may be useful for selected patients, e.g. when postoperative respiratory depression is a concern.
Pre‐operative analgesia with rectal diclofenac and/or paracetamol in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair
Authors: Riad W. , Moussa A.
Published: November 2007

Both rectal diclofenac and paracetamol are commonly used to treat acute postoperative pain in children but combining them to improve the quality of analgesia is controversial. This study aimed to detect whether the pre‐operative combined administration of rectal diclofenac and paracetamol is superior to either drug alone. One hundred and eight patients were randomly assigned to receive either rectal diclofenac 1 mg.kg−1 or paracetamol 40 mg.kg−1 or their combination 1 h prior to surgery. In the first 24 h postoperatively, pain was assessed using the Wong and Baker Pain Scale. If the patients experienced a pain score of 2 or more, morphine was given. The total dose of morphine and number of doses required were recorded. Children who received the rectal diclofenac‐paracetamol combination experienced a lower pain scale and a decreased need for morphine compared with children receiving each drug alone.
Pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin 18% in lactating sheep and goats
Authors: ESCUDERO E. , CÁRCELES C. M. , FERNANDEZ‐VARON E. , MARIN P. , BENCHAOUI H.
Published: November 2007

The pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin administered at 6 mg/kg bodyweight by the intravenous and subcutaneous (s.c.) routes were determined in sheep and goats. Milk concentrations were also determined following s.c. administration. Plasma and milk concentrations of danofloxacin were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration–time curves were analysed by noncompartmental methods. Danofloxacin had a similar large volume of distribution at steady state in sheep and goats of 2.19 ± 0.28 and 2.43 ± 0.13 L/kg, and a similar body clearance of 0.79 ± 0.15 and 0.98 ± 0.13 L/kg·h, respectively. Following s.c. administration, danofloxacin achieved a similar maximum concentration in sheep and goats of 1.48 ± 1.54 and 1.05 ± 0.09 mg/L, respectively at 1.6 h and had a mean residence time of 4.93 ± 0.79 and 4.51 ± 0.44 h, respectively. Danofloxacin had an absolute bioavailability of 93.6 ± 13.7% in sheep and 97.0 ± 15.7% in goats and a mean absorption time of 2.07 ± 0.75 and 2.01 ± 0.53 h, respectively. Mean danofloxacin concentrations in milk after s.c. administration to sheep were approximately 10 times higher than plasma at 12 h postdose and remained eight times higher at 24 h postdose. In goats, mean concentration of danofloxacin in milk were approximately 13 times higher than plasma at 12 h postdose and remained four times higher at 24 h postdose. Thus, danofloxacin 18% administered s.c. to lactating ewes and goats at a dose rate of 6 mg/kg was characterized by extensive absorption, high systemic availability and high distribution into the udder resulting in higher drug concentrations being achieved in milk than in plasma.
Estrous cycle‐dependent differences in responsiveness to prostaglandins and contractile agents in sheep (Ovis aries) cervical smooth muscle
Authors: PEREIRA A. F. , MELO L. M. , AVELAR S. R. G. , MOURA R. R. , LEAL‐CARDOSO J. H. , FREITAS V. J. F.
Published: November 2007

We investigated the influence of the phase of the estrous cycle on mechanical responses elicited in sheep cervix by potassium chloride (KCl), acetylcholine chloride (ACh), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). The cervix of adult ewes (n = 48) were classified according to the presence or absence of corpora lutea (luteal or follicular phase, respectively). Muscle strips of the circular and longitudinal layers were prepared in an organ bath and coupled to an isometric force transducer. Concentration–response curves were obtained noncumulatively. KCl and ACh produced concentration‐dependent contractions in all preparations in both phases of the estrous cycle. However, maximum effect, EC50 and slope values of KCl and ACh were not significantly different between muscle layers, as well as between the phases of the estrous cycle. The prostanoid, PGF2α, produced a significant reduction in the amplitude of spontaneous contractions for all preparations. The depressant effect of PGF2α on spontaneous contractions of circular smooth muscle was significantly greater during the follicular than the luteal phase, whilst the depressant effect of PGF2α on the longitudinal layer did not differ between phases of the estrous cycle. PGE1 significantly reduced the amplitude of spontaneous contractions on circular but not on longitudinal preparations. In conclusion, we have characterized with in vitro preparations of circular and longitudinal muscle layers of ewes during the follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle, the parameters of the K‐ and ACh‐induced contractions on cervix and the efficacy of PGF2α and PGE1 on inhibition spontaneous contractile activity.
Genetic structuring of the temperate gorgonian coral (Corallium rubrum) across the western Mediterranean Sea revealed by microsatellites and nuclear sequences
Authors: COSTANTINI F. , FAUVELOT C. , ABBIATI M.
Published: November 2007

In the past decades, anthropogenic disturbance has increased in marine costal habitats, leading to dramatic shifts in population size structure of various marine species. In the temperate region, the gorgonian coral (Corallium rubrum) is one of the major disturbed species, mostly owing to the exploitation of its red skeleton for jewellery purposes. Red coral is a gonocoric species inhabiting subtidal rocky habitats in the Mediterranean and neighbouring Atlantic coasts. In order to investigate the spatial genetic structuring ofC. rubrum, five microsatellite markers and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS‐1) sequences were analysed in 11 samples from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Phylogenetic reconstructions obtained from ITS‐1 sequences analysis showed that samples from Minorca and Sardinia islands were the most divergent while the three samples from the Tuscan archipelago (Argentario, Giannutri and Elba) appeared genetically homogeneous. Both markers revealed a strong structuring over large spatial scales (though to a different extent) with no isolation by distance pattern. Microsatellite‐basedFSTestimates appeared much smaller than ITS‐based estimates and not significantly correlated, likely due to microsatellite allele size homoplasy typical of these highly polymorphic loci. Our study shows that the absence of clear patterns of genetic structuring over large spatial scales together with strong genetic structuring should be interpreted with caution because such patterns may hide underlying small‐scale genetic structuring. Our results further confirm that effective larval dispersal in red coral is highly restricted in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, suggesting that an increase of anthropogenic disturbance could aggravate the disappearance of red coral, not only along the Mediterranean coasts but also, and with more intensity, in the main Mediterranean islands.
No evidence for loss of genetic variation following sequential translocations in extant populations of a genetically depauperate species
Authors: TAYLOR SABRINA S. , JAMIESON IAN G.
Published: November 2007

Repeated population bottlenecks can lead to loss of genetic variation and normally should be avoided in threatened species to preserve evolutionary potential. We examined the effect of repeated bottlenecks, in the form of sequential translocations, on loss of genetic variation in a threatened passerine, the saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus), a species that has recovered from a remnant population with historically low levels of genetic variation. Although a slight but nonsignificant loss of alleles may have occurred between the first‐order translocation and the extirpated source population, first‐, second‐, and third‐order translocated populations had very similar levels of genetic variation to each other. The most obvious difference among the seven island populations appeared to lie in allele frequencies with little or no loss of alleles among extant populations. Although sequential translocations are known to cause loss of variation in genetically diverse species, our study indicates that genetically depauperate species may be less sensitive to loss of genetic variation through founder events presumably because the few remaining alleles are well represented in founding individuals. These results show that ancient bottlenecks may have a long‐term effect on genetic variation, to the extent that contemporary population bottlenecks may leave no appreciable genetic signature. Our results suggest that subjecting genetically depauperate endangered species to sequential translocations could be used to rapidly establish new populations without further eroding genetic variation.
Complexity in efflux pump control: cross‐regulation by the paralogues TtgV and TtgT
Authors: Terán Wilson , Felipe Antonia , Fillet Sandy , Guazzaroni María‐Eugenia , Krell Tino , Ruiz Raquel , Ramos Juan L. , Gallegos María‐Trinidad
Published: November 2007

Pseudomonas putida DOT‐T1E, known for its high tolerance to solvents, possesses three Resistance–Nodulation–Cell Division‐type (RND) efflux pumps, namely TtgABC, TtgDEF and TtgGHI, which are involved in the active extrusion of solvents. Expression of the ttgABC and ttgGHI operons was previously shown to be regulated by the adjacently encoded repressors, TtgR and TtgV, respectively. Upstream of the third RND operon, ttgDEF, is located a putative regulator gene, ttgT. In this study, TtgT is shown to bind to the promoter region of the ttgDEF operon, and to be released from DNA in the presence of organic solvents. In vitro studies revealed that TtgV and TtgT bind the same operator sites in both the ttgDEF and the ttgGHI promoters. However, the affinity of TtgV for the ttgDEF operator was higher than that of TtgT, which, together with the fact that the ttgV promoter seems to be almost twice stronger than the ttgT promoter, explains why TtgV takes over in the regulation of the two efflux pump operons. The functional replacement of the cognate, chromosomally encoded TtgT by the plasmid‐encoded paralogue TtgV illustrates a new mode of efflux pump regulation of which the physiological relevance is discussed.
The abundances of nearby red clump giants
Authors: Liu Y. J. , Zhao G. , Shi J. R. , Pietrzyński G. , Gieren W.
Published: November 2007

Based on the analysis of high-resolution spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio, we have determined the abundances of the α-elements O, Si, Ca and Ti, the iron peak elements V, Fe and Ni, and the heavy element Ba without the consideration of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) effect and the light neutron-rich elements Na, Mg and Al with an NLTE analysis for 63 nearby red clump giants. Fe abundances cover a logarithmic range between −0.60 and +0.35 relative to solar. All abundance ratios with respect to Fe are similar to those found in the Sun. Hyperfine structure (HFS) was taken into account when calculating V lines. The difference in abundances obtained with and without HFS can be as large as 0.5 dex.
Microglial activation in white matter lesions and nonlesional white matter of ageing brains
Authors: Simpson J. E. , Ince P. G. , Higham C. E. , Gelsthorpe C. H. , Fernando M. S. , Matthews F. , Forster G. , O'Brien J. T. , Barber R. , Kalaria R. N. , Brayne C. , Shaw P. J. , Stoeber K. , Williams G. H. , Lewis C. E. , Wharton S. B. ,   the MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Neuropathology Study Group
Published: November 2007

White matter lesions (WML), a common feature in brain ageing, are classified as periventricular (PVL) or deep subcortical (DSCL), depending on their anatomical location. Microglial activation is implicated in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, but the microglial response in WML is poorly characterized and its role in pathogenesis unknown. We have characterized the microglial response in WML and control white matter using immunohistochemistry to markers of microglial activation and of proliferation. WML of brains from an unbiased population‐based autopsy cohort (Medical Research Council's Cognitive Function and Ageing Study) were identified by post mortem magnetic resonance imaging and sampled for histology. PVL contain significantly more activated microglia, expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and the costimulatory molecules B7‐2 and CD40, than either control white matter (WM) or DSCL. Furthermore, we show that significantly more microglia express the replication licensing protein minichromosome maintenance protein 2 within PVL, suggesting this is a more proliferation‐permissive environment than DSCL. Although microglial activation occurs in both PVL and DSCL, our findings suggest a difference in pathogenesis between these lesion‐types: the ramified, activated microglia associated with PVL may reflect immune activation resulting from disruption of the blood brain barrier, while the microglia within DSCL may reflect an innate, amoeboid phagocytic phenotype. We also show that microglia in control WM from lesional cases express significantly more MHC II than control WM from nonlesional ageing brain, suggesting that WML occur in a ‘field‐effect’ of abnormal WM.
Early attenuation of lesional interleukin‐16 up‐regulation by dexamethasone and FTY720 in experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zhang Z. , Fauser U. , Schluesener H. J.
Published: November 2007

Aims: Interleukin‐16 (IL16) is an immunomodulatory cytokine, which induces lymphocyte migration, expression of proinflammatory IL1β, IL6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α, and modulates apoptosis. IL16 expression has been observed in several central nervous system diseases and may play a role in promoting inflammatory responses. Inflammation contributes considerably to secondary injury following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to investigate early IL16 expression following experimental TBI and the effects of dexamethasone and FTY720 on early expression of IL16 in TBI rats. Methods: Rat TBI was induced using an open‐skull weight‐drop model. IL16 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. TBI rats received an intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg in 1 ml saline), FTY720 (1 mg/kg in 1 ml saline) or saline (1 ml) on Day 0 and Day 2 immediately after surgery. Results: Significant up‐regulation of IL16 was seen as early as 24 h post TBI. Double‐staining experiments, together with morphological classification, revealed a multicellular origin of IL16, including activated microglia/macrophages (about 85%), astrocytes (about 8%), neurones (about 5%) and granulocytes. Following peripheral administration of dexamethasone and FTY720, attenuated numbers of IL16+ cells were observed on Days 1 and 2 but not on Day 4 post TBI for dexamethasone and on Day 4 but not earlier for FTY720 respectively. Conclusions: Our observations reveal that dexamethasone and FTY720 have different but complementary effects on reduction of early IL16 expression following TBI.
Identification of novel pathogen‐responsive cis‐elements and their binding proteins in the promoter of OsWRKY13, a gene regulating rice disease resistance
Authors: CAI MENG , QIU DEYUN , YUAN TING , DING XINHUA , LI HONGJING , DUAN LIU , XU CAIGUO , LI XIANGHUA , WANG SHIPING
Published: November 2007

The WRKY transcription factor superfamily controls diverse developmental and physiological processes in plants. However, little is known about the factors that directly regulate the function of WRKY genes. In this study, we identified cis‐acting elements and their binding proteins of rice OsWRKY13, a gene that plays a pivotal role in disease resistance against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Two novel pathogen‐responsive cis‐elements, PRE2 and PRE4, were characterized from the promoter region of OsWRKY13. The two cis‐elements negatively regulate gene expression without pathogen challenge, and positively regulate gene expression after pathogen‐induced protein binding. OsWRKY13 binds to PRE4, which harbours a novel W‐like box. Another five proteins (Rad51‐like; tubby‐like; SWIM zinc finger and nucleotide‐binding adaptor shared by APAF‐1, certain R proteins and CED‐4 (NB–ARC) domain containing proteins; and an unknown protein) also bind to one of the two cis‐elements. Different proteins interacting with the same cis‐element appear to have different DNA‐binding core sequences. These proteins localize in the nucleus and show differential expression upon pathogen challenge. These results suggest that OsWRKY13 expression is regulated by multiple factors to achieve disease resistance.
Variation in gross and histological appearance of the canine pars flaccida
Authors: Cole Lynette K. , Weisbrode Steven E. , Smeak Daniel D.
Published: November 2007

The tympanic membrane is divided into the pars flaccida (PF) and pars tensa. Otoscopic differences in the appearance of the PF in the dog (flat vs. bulging) have been reported anecdotally. The purpose of this study was to histologically examine the canine PF to determine if differences exist between a flat and a bulging PF. We hypothesized that differences in the PF may be structural or due to an increased pressure in the middle ear. Four adult canine cadavers were used (two had bilateral bulging PF, two had bilateral flat PF). The ear specimens were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, decalcified, routinely processed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue (staining for mast cells), and Verhoeff–van Gieson (staining for elastic fibres). One blinded investigator evaluated each PF histologically. Seven ears (three with bulging PF, four with flat PF) were evaluated in the study. The PF was identified in all seven ears. No histological differences that distinguished a bulging PF from a flat PF were identified. Six ears were evaluated for the presence of mast cells and elastic fibres. Less than one mast cell per ¥40 field was identified in the PF in five of six ears. No elastic fibres were identified in any of the six PF. Based on the results of this study, it appears unlikely that there is a structural difference that accounts for a bulging PF. Therefore, there may be increased middle ear pressure in dogs with a bulging PF.
Availability and biodegradation of metribuzin in alluvial soils as affected by temperature and soil properties
Authors: BENOIT P , PERCEVAL J , STENRØD M , MONI C , EKLO O M , BARRIUSO E , SVEISTRUP T , KVÆRNER J
Published: November 2007

Herbicide degradation in soils is highly temperature‐dependent. Laboratory incubations and field experiments are usually conducted with soils from the temperate climatic zone. Few data are available for cold conditions and the validation of approaches to correct the degradation rate at low temperatures representative of Nordic environments is scarce. Laboratory incubation studies were conducted at 5, 15 and 28°C to compare the influence of temperature on the dissipation of metribuzin in silt/sandy loam soils in southern and northern Norway and in a sandy loam soil under temperate climate in France. Using14C‐labelled metribuzin, sorption and biodegradation were studied over an incubation period of 49 days. Metribuzin mineralisation and total soil organic carbon mineralisation rates showed a positive temperature response in all soils. Metribuzin mineralisation was low, but metabolites were formed and their abundance depended on temperature conditions. The rate of dissipation of14C‐metribuzin from soil pore water was strongly dependent on temperature. In Nordic soils with low organic content, metribuzin sorption is rather weak and biodegradation is the most important process controlling its mobility and persistence.
Does soil nitrogen affect early competitive traits of annual weeds in comparison with maize?
Authors: BERGER A , MCDONALD A J , RIHA S J
Published: November 2007

Soil nitrogen (N) is considered an important driver of crop‐weed interactions, yet the mechanisms involved have been only partially explored, especially with respect to early‐season growth, when competitive hierarchies are formed. This study characterises the effects of different N levels on biomass accumulation and plant morphology for maize (Zea mays), and four important weed species (Amaranthus retroflexus, Abutilon theophrasti, Setaria faberi, and Chenopodium album). Under glasshouse conditions, plants were grown in separate pots and irrigated with nutrient solution at four N concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 2, 5 μm L−1) until 57 days after emergence. Except for S. faberi, which was unresponsive to N, the relative biomass growth rates (RGR) of maize and the broad‐leaved weeds were positively and similarly affected by increasing nitrogen. At all N levels, maize had a height advantage by virtue of its larger seed size, which conferred early growth benefits independent of RGR. At low N, biomass growth was instrumental to S. faberi’s improved competitive position, whereas height development per unit biomass improved the competitive position of A. theophrasti, C. album and A. retroflexus. The approach presented could be applied to other crop‐weed systems to evaluate environmental impacts on competitive outcomes.
Characterization and application of three novel monoclonal antibodies against human 4‐1BB: distinct epitopes of human 4‐1BB on lung tumor cells and immune cells
Authors: Zhang G.‐B. , Dong Q.‐M. , Hou J.‐Q. , Ge Y. , Ju S.‐G. , Lu B.‐F. , Zhang X.‐G.
Published: November 2007

4‐1BB, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, is a costimulatory receptor that is primarily expressed on activated T cells and professional antigen‐presenting cells. In this study, the expression pattern of 4‐1BB on immunology cells and tumor cells was explored by flow cytometry using newly generated three anti‐4‐1BB monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; 6F9, 7D6, and 1G11), which bind to distinct 4‐1BB epitopes. Compared with the available 4‐1BB mAb 4B4‐1 that recognized 4‐1BB on activated T cells and monocytes, the novel mAbs also could recognize 4‐1BB on some cancer cell lines, particularly on lung cancer cell lines such as SPC‐A‐1, H446, H460, and H1299 by flow cytometry analysis, western blot, and RT‐PCR. Immunohistochemistry staining showed the 4‐1BB was expressed on lung tumor tissue (33/35) but not on normal lung tissue (3/3). It was determined that 4‐1BB was strictly expressed on lung cancer cells, which may provide information on the 4‐1BB signal in tumor immunology mechanism.
Galα(1‐3)Gal expression of the cornea in vitro, in vivo and in xenotransplantation
Authors: Lee Hyeon II , Kim Mee Kum , Oh Joo Youn , Ko Jung Hwa , Lee Hyun Ju , Wee Won Ryang , Lee Jin Hak
Published: November 2007

Abstract:  Background:  To investigate αGal (Galα1‐3Galβ1‐4GlcNAc‐R) expression of the porcine cornea in vitro, in vivo and after xenotransplantation.

Methods:  Using the GS‐IB4 lectin (Griffonia simplifolia I isolectin B4), the expression of αGal was evaluated in the normal porcine cornea and in cultured corneal stromal and endothelial cells of the second passages. The distribution of αGal epitopes was also evaluated in corneal grafts at 4, 7 and 10 days after pig‐to‐rat orthotopic corneal transplantation.

Results:  The expression of αGal was mostly confined to the anterior stromal keratocytes of the normal porcine cornea. However, reactivity for GS‐IB4 was markedly increased during cell culture passage (P)—by 18.0% (P1) and 39.0% (P2) in cultivated keratocytes, and by 62.1% (P1) and 87.1% (P2) in cultured endothelial cells. The expression of αGal epitopes was gradually enhanced in all corneal layers of the graft after transplantation.

Conclusion:  αGal expression in the cornea was gradually induced during in vitro culture and after xenotransplantation, suggesting a role of putative Gal‐related acute humoral rejection in porcine corneal xenotransplantation.
Systemic immune modulation using chemokine receptor 7 expressing porcine Sertoli cells
Authors: Lee Hak‐Mo , Lim Hong‐Gook , Oh Byoung Chol , Park Chun Soo , Lee Dong‐Sup , Lee Jeong Ryul
Published: November 2007

Abstract:  Background:  Sertoli cells (SC) are known to have active mechanism for evading humoral immune response and are known to have immune modulatory effects in the presence of other antigens. This has led us to hypothesize that systemic immune modulating effect of SC might be optimized by their residence on peripheral lymph node. This study was designed to evaluate our new strategy to promote preventive or therapeutic effects of SC in systemic immune modulation for organ transplantation.

Methods:  For this purpose, we created chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) expressing porcine SC (NPSCi‐CCR7) to facilitate their migration into lymphoid organ in vivo and their potential to modulate systemic immune responses was evaluated using mouse allogeneic skin graft model.

Results:  Directed migration of NPSCi‐CCR7 cells from periphery into lymphoid organs was dramatically promoted compared to control NPSCi cells. Also pre‐transplantation of NPSCi‐CCR7 significantly suppressed lymphocyte proliferation and prolonged the allogeneic skin graft survival.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that our new strategy to traffic SC to lymphoid organs using CCR7 is very effective and can be extended to traffic other immune modulatory cells or proteins to primary and secondary lymphoid structures to augment their therapeutic potential.
Normal human serum contains high levels of anti‐Galα1‐4GlcNAc antibodies
Authors: Obukhova Polina , Rieben Robert , Bovin Nicolai
Published: November 2007

Abstract:  Background:  Natural xenoreactive antibodies (Abs) directed against the Bdi‐epitope (Galα1–3Galβ) on the cells of non‐primate mammals take part in hyperacute rejection of xenotransplanted organs. We found that some Abs, which were one‐step affinity purified on Bdi‐Sepharose, cross‐reacted with the disaccharide Galα1–4GlcNAcβ. The epitope Galα1‐4GlcNAc has not been identified on mammals or bacterial polysaccharides yet.

Methods:  To isolate the antibodies of the corresponding specificity the disaccharide was immobilized on Sepharose and antibodies were affinity purified from pooled serum of blood group O individuals.

Results:  These one‐step purified Abs cross‐reacted with Bdi, but after a prior absorption step on Bdi‐Sepharose no cross‐reactivity with Bdi was observed any longer. Surprisingly, the quantity of anti‐Galα1‐4GlcNAc isolated from the same serum pool, 4–7 μg/ml, was equal to that of anti‐Bdi or more. Independently of ABO blood groups all the tested healthy donors had anti‐Galα1‐4GlcNAc Abs at a similar level. Monospecific anti‐Galα1‐4GlcNAc Abs were not cytotoxic towards porcine cells.

Conclusions:  1. The actual concentration of monospecific, xenoreactive Galα1–3Galβ Abs in blood may be considerably lower than the value referred to in the literature for ‘anti‐αGal’ or ‘anti‐Galili’ antibodies. 2. Anti‐Galα1‐4GlcNAc Abs seem not to be important for xenotransplantation.
Genetic aspects concerning drip loss and water‐holding capacity of porcine meat
Authors: Jennen D. G. J. , Brings A. D. , Liu G. , Jüngst H. , Tholen E. , Jonas E. , Tesfaye D. , Schellander K. , Phatsara C.
Published: November 2007

The amount and distribution of water inside the meat has a considerable influence on its properties. High losses of fluid in the form of drip may affect financial output, nutritional value, consumer appeal and/or technological properties of porcine meat. Therefore, a deeper insight into the traits water‐holding capacity (WHC) and drip is favourable on behalf of producers, industry and consumers. Similar to most meat quality traits, WHC and drip loss (DRIP) are moderately heritable. The genetic correlation between these two traits is high. Correlation to other meat quality traits, such as pH value, cooking loss, reflectance, etc. is existent as predictable. Two major genes are known, RYR1 on chromosome 6 and RN on chromosome 15, to influence meat quality in general and WHC in particular. Furthermore, a number of candidate genes exist, e.g. phosphoglycerate mutase 2. Within the variety of quantitative trait loci (QTL) experiments, a number of QTL have been identified. QTL for DRIP and/or WHC have been found on chromosome 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18; for cooking loss on 7, 14 and18, and for pH value on nearly all chromosomes. Recently, a QTL study for meat quality and body composition traits in a Duroc–Pietrain (DUPI) resource population has been conducted at the University of Bonn, Germany. Four QTL for DRIP were identified on chromosomes 2, 3, 5 and 18. The QTL regions are in agreement with previously published QTL for this and other related traits. Further research and finemapping has begun and candidate genes located within the QTL regions are currently under investigation. Combination and comparison of results should lead to deeper insights in the genetic background of meat quality and DRIP.
Early Pregnancy Diagnosis by Serum Progesterone and Ultrasound in Sheep Carrying Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer‐Derived Pregnancies
Authors: Alexander B , Coppola G , Mastromonaco GF , St. John E , Reyes ER , Betts DH , King WA
Published: November 2007

Contents

Early pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring play an important role following embryo transfer in sheep. The aims of the current study were to investigate (i) the pattern of serum progesterone profiles in sheep carrying somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)‐derived (clone) pregnancies, and (ii) the frequency of pregnancy loss during development following SCNT embryo transfer. Sheep SCNT embryos were made using standard nuclear transfer techniques. Day 7 embryos were surgically transferred to oestrus‐synchronized recipients (n = 27). As a control, normal fertile ewes (n = 12) were bred by natural breeding. Serum was collected from all the ewes on the day of estrus (day 0 sample), 7 days post‐estrus (day 7 sample) and 19 days post‐estrus (day 19 sample) and every 10 days thereafter until lambing or pregnancy loss occurred. Serum progesterone (P4) was assessed using enzyme immunoassay. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound scanning on day 35 of pregnancy followed by subsequent scanning every 10 days. In control ewes, pregnancy rate on day 35 was 83.3% (10/12), whereas in the ewes that received SCNT embryos, it was 22.2% (6/27; p < 0.05). The day 45 pregnancy rate in the control ewes was 83.3%, whereas in the SCNT embryo recipients it was 11.0% (p < 0.05). Hormone analysis revealed that SCNT embryo recipients exhibited a significantly lower P4 profiles at different time points in pregnancy compared to controls (p < 0.05). This study highlights the use of serum progesterone in combination with ultrasound for the investigation of embryo loss and crucial times during development of normal and SCNT embryos in sheep. Further, the serum P4 levels directly reflect the degree of placental development in these two groups.
Protolith natures and U‐Pb sensitive high mass‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon ages of the metabasites in Hainan Island, South China: Implications for geodynamic evolution since the late Precambrian
Authors: Xu De‐Ru , Xia Bin , Li Peng‐Chun , Chen Guang‐Hao , Ma Ci , Zhang Yu‐Quan
Published: November 2007

Abstract  Metabasites within the Paleozoic volcanic‐clastic sedimentary sequences in Hainan Island, South China, show large differences not only in the nature of protoliths, but also in zircon U‐Pb sensitive high mass‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) ages. The protoliths for the Tunchang area metabasites have intraoceanic arc geochemical affinities. In the east‐central island gabbroic to diabasic rocks and pillow lavas are also present, while the Bangxi area metabasites with back‐arc geochemical affinities in the northwest island consist of basaltic, gabbroic and/or picritic rocks. Three types of zircon domains/crystals in the Tunchang area metabasites are defined. Type 1 is comagmatic and yields concordant to approximately concordant 206 Pb/238 U ages ranging from 442.1 ± 13.7 Ma to 514.3 ± 30.2 Ma with a weighted U‐Pb mean age of 445 ± 10 Ma. Type 2 is inherited and yields a weighted 207 Pb/206 Pb mean age of 2488.1 ± 8.3 Ma. Type 3 is magmatic with a 207 Pb/206 Pb age of ca 1450 Ma. Magmatic zircons in the Bangxi area metabasites yield a weighted U‐Pb mean age of 269 ± 4 Ma. We suggest 450 Ma is the minimum age for crystallization of protoliths of the Tunchang area metabasites, because the age range of ca 440–514 Ma probably corresponds to both the time of igneous crystallization and the high‐temperature overprint. The presence of abundant inherited zircons strongly favors derivation of these rocks from a NMORB‐like mantle proximal to continental crust. A protolith age of ca 270 Ma for the Bangxi area metabasites probably records expansion of an epircontinental back‐arc basin and subsequent generation of a small oceanic basin. The presence of ophiolitic rocks with an age of ca 450 Ma, not only in Hainan Island, but also in the Yangtze block, highlights the fact that the South China Caledonian Orogeny was not intracontinental in nature, but characterized by an ocean‐related event.
Microsatellite evidence of facultative outcrossing in cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum): Implications for the evolution of invasiveness
Authors: ASHLEY MICHAEL C. , LONGLAND WILLIAM S.
Published: November 2007

The presence or absence of heterozygous individuals and overall genetic variation were determined for the invasive exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum from four populations in northern Nevada using seven species‐specific polymorphic di‐nucleotide microsatellite markers. Allelic polymorphisms were found in all populations, but not at all loci within each population. Mean genetic diversity across loci within populations ranged from 0.009 ± 0.006 to 0.551 ± 0.073, across populations x̄ = 0.234 ± 0.043. Fifteen individuals from the total sample (8.24%) were heterozygous at 1–4 loci. Two populations exhibited no heterozygosity and the remaining two populations had relative heterozygote proportions of 22.5% and 12.1%. Facultative outcrossing is discussed as an aspect of reproductive plasticity in cheatgrass and as a mechanism promoting the evolution of invasive genotypes.
Pollination ecology of Justicia rusbyi (Acanthaceae), a common understory plant in a tropical mountain forest in eastern Bolivia
Authors: DÖLL STEFANIE , HENSEN ISABELL , SCHMIDT‐LEBUHN ALEXANDER N. , KESSLER MICHAEL
Published: November 2007

The present study reports the species composition, behavior and ecology of floral visitors to a common understory herb, Justicia rusbyi (Acanthaceae), in a tropical mountain forest. Although the analyses were made during the peak flowering period, floral visitors were rare. In total, 22 species were observed visiting. The most frequent visitors were a small species of stingless bee (Meliponinae) and a skipper (Hesperiidae). Approximately three‐quarters of all floral visitors visited only one flower during a stay. Most visitors were observed at noon and in direct sunlight, and there was a positive correlation between the number of J. rusbyi flowers displayed and the number of visitors. The nectar was found to be rich in hexose, which is unusual in bee‐pollinated plants.
Experiences to Date with the First Argon Laser in Australia
Authors: Goldberg Ivan , Hollows Fred , Beaumont Paul , Kennedy Ian
Published: November 2007

Summary

A General description of the Argon Laser Photocoagulator and the principles involved in its use are presented.

Our experience is outlined in treating diabetic retinopathy, central serous retino‐pathy, retinal tears and detachments, branch vein thrombosis, intra‐ocular tumours and vitreous hemorrhages.

Reference is made of the complimtions involved, and prevention and treatment of these.

Since August, 1972, a Model 800 Argon Laser Photocoagulator has been used thera‐ peutically at the Eye Department of the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney. We have found this high‐energy precision device to have advantages over the Xenon Arc Lamp used previously. Therapeutically the laser has been more gratifying than expected.
Hereditary macular Dystrophy
Authors: Constable Ian
Published: November 2007

Summary

Hereditary macular dystrophies require a battery of visual function tests and careful family investigations to establish a precise diagnosis. Sixty‐three such patients were diagnosed in the 12 months of 1976 in one retinal service. Although irreversible, the ophthalmologist must assess the prognosis and risks for other family members as well as provide for occupational guidance or rehabilitation and long‐term follow‐up.