bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arthropod community diversity and trophic structure: a comparison between extremes of plant stress
Authors: TROTTER R. TALBOT , COBB NEIL S. , WHITHAM THOMAS G.
Published: September 2010

Abstract 1. Previous studies have shown that plant stress and plant vigour impact the preference and performance of many insect species. Global climate‐change scenarios suggest that some regions such as continental interiors may become increasingly subject to severe drought. In combination, these two issues suggest that drought‐driven plant stress may impact insect communities on a landscape scale. While there have been many population studies relating plant stress to the life history of individual herbivore species, far less is known about how plant stress affects entire communities.

2. To study the effect of plant stress on arthropod communities, arthropods were sampled from the canopies of pinyon pines (Pinus edulis) growing at sites with a history of chronically high environmental stress (e.g. lower water potentials, soil moisture, and reduced growth rates), and those growing under more favourable conditions. Sampling in these environments yielded >59 000 arthropods, representing 287 species from 14 orders and 80 families, and revealed three major community patterns.

3. First, chronic stress significantly altered community composition. Second, trees growing under high stress supported about 1/10th the number of arthropods, and roughly half the species as trees growing under more favourable conditions. Third, of the 33 abundant herbivore species that exhibited a significantly skewed distribution towards either high‐ or low‐stress trees, 73% were skewed with higher numbers on low‐stress trees.

4. The pattern of potentially reduced arthropod diversity and abundance on stressed pines observed in this study may further compound the loss of species resulting from the recent, landscape‐scale drought‐induced mortality of pines in the southwestern USA.
Fit for succession – community structure and life strategies of leafhoppers in urban brownfields
Authors: STRAUSS BARBARA , BIEDERMANN ROBERT
Published: September 2010

Abstract 1. Urban brownfields offer an excellent opportunity to study successional processes. Changes in the frequencies of biological traits during succession are of particular interest. They shed light on the general reasons why species emerge and vanish during the course of succession.

2. Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) occurrence data (3763 species observations) of 194 species were studied. Data was collected on 246 brownfield plots, aged 0–40 years, in two cities in Northern Germany.

3. Four categorical traits were studied: host‐plant type, phagy, dormancy, and voltinism. In these traits, two aspects were analysed: (1) changes in trait category frequencies during succession, and (2) distribution of trait categories (i) within the brownfield species pool versus the German species pool and (ii) within species observations.

4. Trait categories showed clear successional trends. Young successional stages were related to feeding on herbs, polyphagy, egg overwintering, and two generations per year.

5. By analysing combinations of two traits, species could be assigned to four functional groups: species associated with young, intermediate and old sites, and one group indifferent to site age. The pioneer group comprised the least number of species, but the highest number of observations.

6. Categories associated with young site age were over‐represented in the brownfield species pool. Moreover, within this already biased species pool, species with pioneer trait categories occurred with higher frequency. For the slow colonisers among leafhoppers, brownfields seem to be habitats that are hard to exploit.
Reproductive strategies of two forms of flightless males in a non‐pollinating fig wasp under partial local mate competition
Authors: WANG ZHEN‐JI , PENG YAN‐QIONG , COMPTON STEPHEN G. , YANG DA‐RONG
Published: September 2010

1. The underlying basis of alternative male reproductive strategies is either genetic or environmental. Several non‐pollinating fig wasp lineages have dimorphic males, typically with winged males that disperse from natal figs to mate and flightless males that seek mating opportunities in natal figs.

2. Walkerella sp. from Ficus benjamina has dark and pale wingless males. Observations and experiments in Xishuangbanna, Southern China found that (i) the sex ratio of Walkerella sp. did not vary with foundress number or brood size. (ii) The frequency of dark males increased with brood size and foundress number and they were absent from figs with a single foundress. This produced a higher proportion of dark males at higher densities. (iii) Males of both morphs fought, but injuries to dark males were more frequent. (iv) Dark males were more likely to disperse away from their natal figs and (v) they were more resistant to dehydration.

3. Responses to selection are constrained by the genetic options available. Consequently, selection pressures acting on different lineages can produce similar outcomes that are achieved in different ways. Walkerella species lack winged males, but dark males display some of their features, dispersing from natal figs and displaying appropriate physiological and behavioural adaptations. However, dark males also displayed increased levels of damage from fighting – a feature unlikely to be shared with the winged males of other species.
Partial local mate competition in the wasp Trichogramma euproctidis: the role of emergence sex ratio on female mating behaviour
Authors: MARTEL VÉRONIQUE , DOYON JOSÉE , BOIVIN GUY
Published: September 2010

1. Parasitic wasps with structured populations are generally assumed to follow the local mate competition (LMC) model: females lay only the minimal number of sons necessary to inseminate all daughters in the emergence patch, and increase this number when faced with additional broods from unrelated females. After emergence, daughters mate with local males before dispersing for host location and oviposition. The main predictions from the model have been verified for many species.

2. Conflicting evidence exists on the status of the egg parasitoids Trichogramma regarding their on‐patch versus off‐patch mating. Although the life‐history traits of several species indicate that mating must occur on the emergence patch, recent data suggest that mating could occur outside the natal patch.

3. In this study, we measured the level of off‐patch mating in the egg parasitoid Trichogramma euproctidis using two isofemale lines in a greenhouse experiment. The impact of the sex ratio on the level of off‐patch mating was also tested.

4. The overall off‐patch mating proportion was 40.5% with a range between 0 and 85.7%, and was influenced by the sex ratio on the emergence patch: the more males available at emergence, the less off‐patch mating occurring.

5. The mating structure of this species can be described as partial LMC.
The impact of an ant–aphid mutualism on the functional composition of the secondary parasitoid community
Authors: SANDERS DIRK , FRANK VAN VEEN F. J.
Published: September 2010

1. Mutualistic and antagonistic interactions, although often studied independently, may affect each other, and food web dynamics are likely to be determined by the two processes working in concert.

2. The structure, and hence dynamics, of food webs depends on the relative abundances of generalist and specialist feeding guilds. Secondary parasitoids of aphids can be divided into two feeding guilds: (i) the more specialised endoparasitoids, which attack the primary parasitoid larvae in the still living aphid, and (ii) the generalist ectoparasitoids, which attack the pre‐pupa of the primary or secondary parasitoid in the mummified aphid.

3. We studied the effect of an ant–aphid mutualism on the relative abundance of these two functional groups of secondary parasitoids. We hypothesised that generalists will be negatively affected by the presence of ants, thus leading to a greater dominance of specialists.

4. We manipulated the access of ants (Lasius niger) to aphid colonies in which we placed parasitised aphids. Aphid mummies were collected and reared to determine the levels of endo‐ and ecto‐secondary parasitism.

5. When aphids were attended by L. niger the proportion of secondary parasitism by ectoparasitoids dropped from 26 to 8% of the total number of parasitised aphids, with Pachyneuron aphidis most strongly affected, while endoparasitoids as a group did not respond. However, among these Syrphophagus mamitus profited from ant attendance becoming the dominant secondary parasitoid, while parasitisation rates of Alloxysta and Phaenoglyphis declined.

6. The shift to S. mamitus as dominant secondary parasitoid in ant‐attended aphid colonies is likely due to the behavioural plasticity of this species in response to ant aggression, and a release from tertiary parasitism by generalist ectoparasitoids.

7. The reduction of secondary parasitism by generalist ectoparasitoids reduces the potential for apparent competition among primary parasitoids with consequences for the dynamics of the wider food web.
Intestinal effects of α‐glucosidase inhibitors: absorption of nutrients and enterohormonal changes
Authors: GÖKE B. , HERRMANN C. , GÖKE R. , FEHMANN H. C. , BERGHÖFER P. , RICHTER G. , ARNOLD R.
Published: September 2010

The present paper addresses the question how α‐glucosidase inhibitors affect glucose homeostasis. To facilitate this already established data on the effects of induced malabsorption on gut hormones such as gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) in connection with preliminary findings which deal with the new incretin hormone glucagon‐like peptide 1 (7–36) amide (GLP‐1) are discussed. To emphasize the possibly important impact of a regulated GLP‐1 release in response to glucosidase inhibitor treatment we evaluate the recently introduced concept of ‘glucose competence’ of pancreatic β‐cells.

The slowing of nutrient (i.e. glucose) absorption by therapeutic means (for example, arcabose) could supplement a new approach in the treatment of type 2 diabetics which would utilize the well‐preserved insulinotropic activity of GLP‐1 in these patients, its glucagon‐lowering effect, and its possible inhibition of gastric emptying rates, the latter helping to reduce the requirement for rapid insulin secretory responses as is intended while using α‐glucosidase inhibitor treatment.
The use of acarbose in the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia
Authors: LEFEBVRE P. J. , SCHEEN A. J.
Published: September 2010

This paper reviews the use of acarbose in the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia. In diet‐or sulfonylurea‐treated patients, acarbose may reduce the incidence of late postprandial hypoglycaemia. In insulin‐treated patients, acarbose treatment usually requires reduction of the insulin dose; one study has shown that 100 mg acarbose at night significantly reduces the incidence of mid‐evening and nocturnal hypoglycaemia. Several studies have suggested acarbose to be a useful adjunct to the management of reactive hypoglycaemia in the non‐diabetic patients. Long‐term prospective studies are still needed to document this last indication of acarbose or other α‐glycosidase inhibitors.
Composition and function of microbial communities during the early decomposition stages of foliar litter exposed to elevated CO2concentrations
Authors: Zheng J. Q. , Han S. J. , Wang Y. , Zhang C. G. , Li M. H.
Published: September 2010

Foliar litter derived from trees exposed to elevated CO2concentration decreases in quality relative to foliar litter exposed to ambient CO2. This change in quality could in turn affect the composition and function of microbial communities associated with litter transformation and mineralization. We evaluated the effects of decomposing litter obtained from three tree species,Pinus koraiensis,P. sylvestriformisandQuercus mongolicus, on the structure and function of microbial communities by burying litter‐bags and sampling the litters at intervals over a 429‐day period. Foliar litter collected from trees exposed to elevated CO2had greater C and lignin contents, and lost the mass at a slower rate than that collected from trees growing in ambient CO2, except forP. koraiensislitter. The CO2responses of enzyme activity in litter were species‐dependent. Molecular fingerprinting by means of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) demonstrated that elevated CO2more strongly affected the fungal community than the bacterial community in decomposing litter. In samples ofP. koraiensislitter that had been exposed to elevated CO2, sequences belonging to Basidiomycota showed increases in relative intensity, which were accompanied by significant increases in enzyme activities. Our results showed that enzyme activities and micro‐decomposer composition have different, litter‐specific responses to changes in litter biochemistry, which indicate that exposure of trees to elevated CO2has varying effects on litter decomposition.
Is ‘grey literature’ a reliable source of data to characterize soils at the scale of a region? A case study in a maritime pine forest in southwestern France
Authors: Augusto L. , Bakker M. R. , Morel C. , Meredieu C. , Trichet P. , Badeau V. , Arrouays D. , Plassard C. , Achat D. L. , Gallet‐Budynek A. , Merzeau D. , Canteloup D. , Najar M. , Ranger J.
Published: September 2010

Soil scientists are receiving increasing numbers of requests for expert advice on soil over large areas, but at a high resolution. We tested the use of the soil data contained in sources of information that are not directly accessible (referred to as ‘grey’ data) to accomplish this task. We collected grey data about a pine forest, which is currently the subject of drastic, and questionable, changes in management, including a rapid rate of biomass removal. These grey data (from 266 sites) were compared with soil data obtained directly from our field sampling (83 sites). Our comparisons showed that the two sources of data were consistent when the variables concerned had been sampled and analysed by using methods shared by the soil scientists such as particle‐size distribution. Conversely, significant discrepancies appeared for variables for which different methods existed, such as for CEC. For the latter, using corrective equations gave contrasting results, depending on the soil variable. The final database was used to characterize the soils of the study region. Results showed that soils of the study region (mainly sandy podzols and arenosols) were acidic and particularly oligotrophic. Several important properties (CEC, phosphorus cycling, pH, bulk density) were related to the organic fraction or carbon (C) content of soils. For instance, CEC values were linearly and exclusively dependent on C content. The most oligotrophic sites of the study region were clearly not suitable for the new intensive management of the forest in the long term. For the other sites, the question remains open because some specific data are still needed before drawing conclusions. We conclude that as a complement to conventional soil studies, the grey literature is a useful source of data and information to characterize soils at a regional scale.
Contributions of different parent materials in soils developed from periglacial cover‐beds
Authors: Stückrad S. , Sabel K‐J. , Wilcke W.
Published: September 2010

Soils frequently develop from mixtures of different parent materials. We quantified the contributions of different parent materials to the substrate for recent soil development using trace metal concentrations and Pb isotope ratios as input data for end‐member mixing analyses (EMMAs). We examined six transects (320–775 m) at two sites in the Rhenish Slate Mountains. Soil types ranged from acid Cambisols to stagnic Luvisols developed from periglacial cover‐beds. Sixteen O, 11 A, 120 B and 10 C horizons were analysed for total trace metal concentrations and partly also 206Pb:207Pb ratios. Most metal concentrations in the B horizons were in the background range, except for Pb, which partly had elevated concentrations of up to 135 mg kg−1. The depth distribution of metal concentrations and 206Pb:207Pb ratios suggested that metals deposited from the atmosphere had hardly reached the B horizons. A principal component analysis (PCA) of the trace element concentrations in the 120 B horizons identified four main metal sources of the B horizons, which we interpreted as bedrock (slate), loess, Laacher See tephra (LST) resulting from the last volcanic eruption in the Eifel mountains and ore veins. The slate was characterized by Cr and Zn, the loess by Zr, the LST by Nb and the ore veins by Pb. Based on EMMAs with four end‐members using two different sets of tracers (Set 1: concentration ratios of Zr:Cr, Nb:Cr, Pb:Cr, Set 2: Zr:Zn, Nb:Zn, and Pb:Zn), slate, loess and LST contributed, on average, 39–40, 22–24 and 37–38%, respectively, at Site 1 and 19–21, 53–63 and 18–26%, respectively, at Site 2. In contrast, the ore contribution was consistently estimated at 0%. An additional EMMA with two end‐members based on the 206Pb:207Pb ratios estimated the contribution of the ore at 0.02%. We conclude that EMMAs based on trace element concentrations and isotope ratios provide a tool for determining the contribution of different parent materials to the substrate from which soils develop, at least at a small regional scale and if an appropriate tracer that distinguishes all the considered substrates is found.
Dynamics of caesium in aerated and flooded soils: experimental assessment of ongoing adsorption and fixation
Authors: Wang G. , Staunton S.
Published: September 2010

The fate of the radioisotopes of caesium (134Cs, 135Cs and 137Cs) in the environment depends largely on the extent and reversibility of its adsorption on soil, but there is still debate as to the underlying mechanisms and the best experimental approach to study the processes. The aim of this study was to elucidate the variation of the interaction of a trace amount of 137Cs with soil and to find the best methodology to monitor these changes. The loss of 137Cs from solution has been monitored over 4 months in soil microcosms at 20°C under both flooded and aerated conditions, and with or without organic amendments (leaf compost or lucerne straw). These treatments were chosen to vary concentrations of potassium and ammonium that compete with Cs for adsorption. We distinguished between spatial heterogeneity within soil aggregates leading to diffusion limitation of adsorption, adsorption kinetics at the soil‐solution interface and changes in soil affinity caused by the dynamics of competing cations. The extractability of 137Cs by stable Cs was used to probe the degree of fixation. Adsorption was initially under‐estimated, caused by equilibration of 137Cs within soil aggregates at a sub‐millimetre scale. Ammonium produced under reducing conditions in flooded samples and potassium released by lucerne straw inhibited 137Cs adsorption by up to a factor of 2. Important differences between samples were masked when soil was suspended in a simple electrolyte solution, thus diluting the competing cations, potassium and ammonium. There was evidence of increased fixation both during incubation and by air‐drying leading to up to a two‐fold decrease in extraction. Monitoring of dynamics of Cs and competing cations in soil solution provided useful information that was lost when soil was suspended in solution or air‐dried.
Habitat preferences and survival in wildlife reintroductions: an ecological trap in reintroduced grey partridges
Authors: Rantanen Elina M. , Buner Francis , Riordan Philip , Sotherton Nick , Macdonald David W.
Published: September 2010

1. Wildlife reintroductions can help to restore populations and save species from extinction. However, success rates of reintroductions are low due to inherent problems, such as behavioural deficiencies resulting in high post‐release predation rates among captive‐bred animals. In particular, the released animals may use habitats maladaptively, leading to an ecological trap, i.e. preference for low‐quality habitats leading to reduced survival and/or breeding success. Ecological traps in reintroductions can be identified only through intensive studies of habitat preferences and survival of known individuals, but such studies are lacking.

2. We investigated habitat preferences and their relationship with survival by radio‐tracking reintroduced, captive‐bred grey partridges Perdix perdix, a widely reintroduced commercial game species and native farmland bird of conservation concern in the UK. The low success rate of grey partridge releases could be due to maladaptive habitat use and a possible ecological trap.

3. Grey partridges released as pairs in spring showed preferences for crop and field margin habitat. The use of crops had a positive, and use of field margins a negative, association with survival, suggesting field margins could serve as ecological traps for released grey partridges. Predation rates were high, and field margins probably hosted concentrated predator activity.

4. Grey partridges released as family groups (coveys) in autumn exhibited a preference for game covers, i.e. areas of tall vegetation specifically planted to provide cover for game birds, and mortality rates were lower than in spring. Habitat use did not affect survival in autumn.

5. Synthesis and applications. We have shown that newly released grey partridge pairs behave maladaptively by preferring a habitat which has a negative association with survival. In grey partridge reintroductions, we recommend releasing grey partridge family groups in autumn rather than releasing pairs of birds in spring, and providing game covers that could induce the groups to settle onto the release areas. In reintroductions in general, the habitat preferences of the released animals should be documented together with their fates, to enable detection of possible ecological traps that could threaten the success of these conservation efforts.
The reproductive benefits of livestock farming in barn swallowsHirundo rustica: quality of nest site or foraging habitat?
Authors: Grüebler Martin U. , Korner‐Nievergelt Fränzi , Von Hirschheydt Johann
Published: September 2010

1. In many parts of the world, changes in agricultural land‐use have led to significant declines of bird species, including aerial insectivores such as barn swallows. In particular, barn swallow populations have been declining across Europe where mixed and livestock farming have been replaced by arable farming.

2. A positive association between livestock farming and barn swallow reproductive success is well documented but the specific roles of micro‐ and macroenvironment, which are not mutually exclusive, remain unclear. A positive effect of livestock on swallow breeding performance might be due to improved feeding conditions associated with dung around cattle farms (macrohabitat). Barn swallows also might profit from raised and more constant temperatures at the nest site in stables housing farm animals (microhabitat).

3. We analysed data on barn swallows breeding across Switzerland to quantify the effects of livestock farming at the micro‐ and macrohabitat on the reproductive success of single‐ and double‐brood pairs. We focus on the effects of nest temperature (expressed as presence of livestock) and food availability around the nest (quantified by the number of manure heaps providing large number of flies).

4. The presence of livestock in the building with the nest and large numbers of manure heaps around nest sites increased nestling survival in double‐brood but not in single‐brood pairs. Furthermore, the presence of livestock tended to increase the probability of pairs rearing double broods and increased the annual output of double‐brood pairs by 0·8 chicks. Both factors of livestock farming combined increased the annual output by 1·6 chicks.

5. Synthesis and applications.The productivity of barn swallows depends on the characteristics of the micro‐ and the macrohabitat. Since changes in farming systems, grazing patterns, landscape heterogeneity and climate may have different effects on micro‐ and macrohabitats, respectively, they affect productivity of declining bird species in a complex way. Measures designed to enhance habitat quality in aerial insectivores should improve microclimatic conditions at the nest and increase the number of food patches providing airborne insects. In general, habitat improvements should include both spatial scales, namely suitable sites for nesting and accessible food resources on the foraging grounds.
Interspecific variation in functional traits, not climatic differences among species ranges, determines demographic rates across 44 temperate and Mediterranean tree species
Authors: Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Mencuccini Maurizio , Vayreda Jordi , Retana Javier
Published: September 2010

1. Surprisingly little is known about the relationship between functional traits and demographic rates of tree species under field conditions, particularly for non‐tropical species.

2. We studied the interspecific relationship between key functional traits (wood density (WD), maximum tree height, specific leaf area, nitrogen (N) content of leaves, leaf size and seed mass), demographic rates (relative growth rate (RGR) and mortality rate (MR)) and climatic niche for the 44 most abundant tree species in Spain.

3. Demographic data were derived from the Spanish Forest Inventory, a repeated‐measures scheme including c. 90 000 permanent plots spread over a territory of c. 500 000 km2. Functional traits data came primarily from a more detailed forest inventory carried out in Catalonia, NE Spain.

4. Our study region covers a wide range of climatic conditions and, not surprisingly, the studied species differed markedly in their climatic niche. Despite that fact, our results showed that the variability in demographic rates across species was much more related to differences in functional traits than to differences in the average climate among species.

5. Maximum tree height and, particularly, WD, emerged as key functional traits, and were the best predictors of demographic rates in our study. These two variables also mediated the marginally significant relationship between RGR and MR, suggestive of a weak trade‐off between growth and survival.

6. The main aspects of our results were not altered by the explicit incorporation of phylogenetic effects, suggesting that the observed relationships are not due to divergences between a few major clades.

7. Synthesis. Our study gives support to the notion that variation in functional traits across species allows them to perform largely independently of climatic conditions along environmental gradients.
The phylogenetic structure of plant facilitation networks changes with competition
Authors: Verdú Miguel , Jordano Pedro , Valiente‐Banuet Alfonso
Published: September 2010

1. Ecological communities are assembled as complex networks of both positive (i.e. facilitation) and negative (i.e. competition) interactions. In networks established among plant species, many facilitative interactions occurring between a benefactor – a nurse – and a beneficiary – a facilitated seedling ‐ turn into competition over time as the facilitated seedling grows and outcompetes the nurse. The facilitative associations that disappear over time are mainly restricted to closely related taxa, because close relatives tend to share niche requirements and compete more strongly for the same resources. In consequence, the phylogenetic structure of a network might change as positive associations become negative.

2. This study is aimed to characterize how the overall (i.e. nestedness and connectance) and the phylogenetic structure of facilitation networks in semi‐arid communities change when facilitation turns into competition and some of the early species associations established by facilitation disappear.

3. We show that the initial facilitation networks retain the overall, but not the phylogenetic, structure. Phylogenetic analyses show that as seedlings, facilitated species tend to associate with the same subset of nurses while, on the contrary, nurses are indifferent to the identity of their facilitated seedlings. But when competition becomes important, closely related nurse species appear associated with only a subset of facilitated species in the community.

4. Synthesis. Temporal rearrangements in the phylogenetic structure of the facilitation networks provide evidence that plant–plant species interactions lead to highly species‐specific networks in which the phylogenetic history has a pervasive influence not only on recruitment but also on adult community composition. The use of phylogenetic methods combined with complex network approaches opens the possibility to understand the complexity of ecological interactions occurring in nature as for example those occurring when biological invasions take place or those producing coextinction cascades following species removal from ecosystems.
Impact of the changing food environment on dietary practices of an Inuit population in Arctic Canada
Authors: Mead E. , Gittelsohn J. , Kratzmann M. , Roache C. , Sharma S.
Published: September 2010

Background:  Nutritional inadequacies and increasing chronic disease prevalence amongst Inuit in the Canadian Arctic highlight the need to address dietary practices. Research is needed to investigate the individual and environmental factors impacting diet to guide interventions. The present study aimed to explore multiple community perspectives of key factors affecting food choice and availability in Inuit communities in Nunavut, Canada.

Methods:  Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted with Inuit adults (n = 43) in two communities in Nunavut, Canada, and included community members, community leaders, elders, health staff and food shop staff. The interviewer transcribed the audio‐taped interviews. Data were analysed using codes and the constant comparative method to determine categories and emergent themes.

Results:  Thirty‐three Inuit (27 females and six males) and 10 non‐Inuit (four females and six males) adults participated. Traditional foods procured through hunting and gathering were considered the healthiest by community members, although multiple factors inhibited their procurement, including high petrol cost and decrease in traditional knowledge about hunting and gathering practices. Cost and quality were the main barriers to purchasing healthy foods at the shops. Community leaders and health staff identified multiple barriers to healthy eating in the community, such as skills to prepare some shop‐bought foods. Shop managers identified several challenges to providing fresh produce and other perishable foods, such as long transportation routes that increase costs and harsh climatic conditions that may cause spoilage. They also cited factors influencing their decisions regarding whether to stock/discontinue certain foods, such as customers’ requests, food cost and shelf‐life.

Conclusions:  An intervention to reduce chronic disease risk and improve dietary adequacy amongst Nunavut Inuit may be effective by supporting individual behaviour modifications with food environment changes.
A novel double‐tryptophan peptide pheromone controls competence in Streptococcus spp. via an Rgg regulator
Authors: Mashburn‐Warren Lauren , Morrison Donald A. , Federle Michael J.
Published: September 2010

All streptococcal genomes encode the alternative sigma factor SigX and 21 SigX‐dependent proteins required for genetic transformation, yet no pyogenic streptococci are known to develop competence. Resolving this paradox may depend on understanding the regulation of sigX. We report the identification of a regulatory circuit linked to the sigX genes of mutans, pyogenic, and bovis streptococci that uses a novel small, double‐tryptophan‐containing sigX‐inducing peptide (XIP) pheromone. In all three groups, the XIP gene (comS), and sigX have identical, non‐canonical promoters consisting of 9 bp inverted repeats separated from a −10 hexamer by 19 bp. comS is adjacent to a gene encoding a putative transcription factor of the Rgg family and is regulated by its product, which we designate ComR. Deletion of comR or comS in Streptococcus mutans abolished transformability, as did deletion of the oligopeptide permease subunit oppD, suggesting that XIP is imported. Providing S. mutans with synthetic fragments of ComS revealed that seven C‐terminal residues, including the WW motif, cause robust induction of both sigX and the competent state. We propose that this circuit is the proximal regulator of sigX in S. mutans, and we infer that it controls competence in a parallel way in all pyogenic and bovis streptococci.
The future role of the Scandinavian anaesthesiologist: a web‐based survey
Authors: ÅNEMAN A. , MELLIN‐OLSEN J. , SØREIDE E. ,   on behalf of the SSAI Position Paper Task Force
Published: September 2010

Background: The Board of the Scandinavian Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI) decided in 2008 to undertake a survey among members of the SSAI aiming at exploring some key points of training, professional activities and definitions of the specialty.

Methods: A web‐based questionnaire was used to capture core data on workforce demographics and working patterns together with opinions on definitions for practice/practitioners in the four areas of anaesthesia, intensive care medicine, emergency medicine and pain medicine.

Results: One thousand seven hundred and four responses were lodged, representing close to half of the total SSAI membership. The majority of participants reported in excess of 10 years of professional experience in general anaesthesia and intensive care medicine as well as emergency and pain medicine. While no support for separate or secondary specialities in the four areas was reported, a majority of respondents favoured sub‐specialisation or recognition of particular medical competencies, notably so for intensive care medicine. Seventy‐five percent or more of the respondents supported a common framework of employment within all four areas irrespective of further specialisation.

Conclusions: The future of Scandinavian anaesthesiology is likely to involve further specialisation towards particular medical competencies. With such diversification of the workforce, the majority of the respondents still acknowledge the importance of belonging to one organisational body.
Outcome of drowned hypothermic children with cardiac arrest treated with cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: SUOMINEN P. K. , VALLILA N. H. , HARTIKAINEN L. M. , SAIRANEN H. I. , KORPELA R. E.
Published: September 2010

Background: There is a lack of data on the outcome of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) rewarming of hypothermic children with cardiac arrest following drowning.

Aim of the study: To retrospectively analyze single‐center outcome of drowning victims treated with CPB.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included all hypothermic drowning victims admitted to the Hospital for Children and Adolescents with attempted resuscitation on CPB between 1994 and 2008 inclusive. Median sternotomy and cannulation of the ascending aorta and the right atrium for CPB were performed on all victims.

Results: Nine hypothermic drowning victims, comprising five boys and four girls, with a median age of 3.8 years (range, 1.5–10 years). The median submersion time was 38 min (range, 5–75 min) and the median water temperature was 6.5 °C (range, 0.2–16.5 °C). The median core temperature was 21.9 °C (range 17.7–32.8 °C) at arrival to the hospital. All nine children were able to be weaned from CPB. Only one child, with mild to moderate neurological deficit, became a long‐term survivor. She was slowly rewarmed up to 33 °C with CPB and kept in mild hypothermia for 48 h.

Conclusions: Large numbers of submerged children can be primarily resuscitated with CPB. Unfortunately, many of them will decease from severe hypoxic brain injury. Slow rewarming with CPB may improve the likelihood of a better neurological outcome.
Random regression models to estimate genetic parameters for test‐day milk yield in Brazilian Murrah buffaloes
Authors: Sesana R.C. , Bignardi A.B. , Borquis R.R.A. , El Faro L. , Baldi F. , Albuquerque L.G. , Tonhati H.
Published: September 2010

The objective of this work was to estimate covariance functions for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects and, subsequently, to obtain genetic parameters for buffalo’s test‐day milk production using random regression models on Legendre polynomials (LPs). A total of 17 935 test‐day milk yield (TDMY) from 1433 first lactations of Murrah buffaloes, calving from 1985 to 2005 and belonging to 12 herds located in São Paulo state, Brazil, were analysed. Contemporary groups (CGs) were defined by herd, year and month of milk test. Residual variances were modelled through variance functions, from second to fourth order and also by a step function with 1, 4, 6, 22 and 42 classes. The model of analyses included the fixed effect of CGs, number of milking, age of cow at calving as a covariable (linear and quadratic) and the mean trend of the population. As random effects were included the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. The additive genetic and permanent environmental random effects were modelled by LP of days in milk from quadratic to seventh degree polynomial functions. The model with additive genetic and animal permanent environmental effects adjusted by quintic and sixth order LP, respectively, and residual variance modelled through a step function with six classes was the most adequate model to describe the covariance structure of the data. Heritability estimates decreased from 0.44 (first week) to 0.18 (fourth week). Unexpected negative genetic correlation estimates were obtained between TDMY records at first weeks with records from middle to the end of lactation, being the values varied from −0.07 (second with eighth week) to −0.34 (1st with 42nd week). TDMY heritability estimates were moderate in the course of the lactation, suggesting that this trait could be applied as selection criteria in milking buffaloes.
Seamount science scales undersea mountains: new research and outlook
Authors: Schlacher Thomas A. , Rowden Ashley A. , Dower John F. , Consalvey Mireille
Published: September 2010

Conventional wisdom suggests that seamounts harbour high levels of biodiversity and endemism, play important roles in marine biogeography, are hotspots of biological carbon processing, and support substantial fisheries. However, since fewer than 300 seamounts have been thoroughly sampled, these generalizations remain largely untested. This has provided the motivation for a number of seamount‐focused research projects in recent years, including CenSeam, a field project within the Census of Marine Life. This issue presents some of the research output facilitated by CenSeam. Here we summarize the main findings and provide a précis of future research directions highlighted by contributors to the issue. Recent studies show that seamounts can have comparable levels of benthic diversity and endemism to continental margins, but their communities also include a distinct composition of species that can attain higher biomass. Reported geographic differentiation among seamount communities suggests limited larval dispersal, local speciation, geographic isolation, or a combination of these processes. Genetic studies contained in the issue address these themes explicitly, documenting complex patterns of connectivity that depend on spatial scale and life history characteristics. Globally, seamount ecosystems are also under pressure from bottom‐contact fishing and ocean acidification. Contributions detailing the footprint of trawling and a risk assessment confirm what has long been suspected: seamount ecosystems are highly vulnerable to disturbance by bottom trawling and recovery from fishing impacts is a lengthy process, likely requiring decades at a minimum. A predicted shallowing of the aragonite saturation horizon caused by ocean acidification is predicted to place deep‐water corals at risk, but seamounts may yet provide a spatial/chemical refuge from these impacts. The issue concludes with a ‘myth‐buster’ synthesis that updates the status of the various seamount ecological paradigms.
Clinical aspects of very‐low‐birthweight infants showing reopening of ductus arteriosus
Authors: Uchiyama Atsushi , Nagasawa Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Yutaka , Tatebayashi Koji , Suzuki Hiroko , Yamada Keitaro , Arai Mayuki , Kohno Yoshinori
Published: September 2010

Background:  Indomethacin is used to treat the hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants. Some infants show ductus arteriosus reopening after effective constriction by the drug. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of such infants.

Methods:  We studied 57 very‐low‐birthweight infants with effective constriction of patent ductus arteriosus by the initial course of indomethacin. They were classified into the reopened group if they developed hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus again or into the closed group if they showed complete closure. Clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups.

Results:  Ductus arteriosus reopening was shown in 15 (26%) of the 57 infants. These 15 infants had successful clinical ductal closure after a subsequent course of indomethacin or oral mefenamic acid treatment or surgical ligation without any severe complications. Infants in the reopened group showed significantly higher rates of developing chronic lung disease at 36 weeks of gestation than those in the closed group (53% vs 18%; P= 0.009). Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed ductus arteriosus reopening was the only independent risk factor for developing chronic lung disease at 36 postconceptional weeks in this population (adjusted odds ratio, 6.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–31.2; P= 0.02).

Conclusions:  Incomplete closure of the ductus arteriosus is associated with recurrence of a clinically significant patent ductus arteriosus and reopening of the ductus after initial closure with indomethacin is associated with chronic lung disease.
NARROW‐BAND IMAGING COMBINED WITH MAGNIFIED ENDOSCOPY FOR CANCER AT THE HEAD AND NECK REGION
Authors: Muto Manabu , Ugumori Toru , Sano Yasush I , Ohtsu Atsushi , Yoshida Shigeaki
Published: September 2010

While detection of lesions at an earlier stage in head and neck mucosal sites would obviously be of great merit to patients, there has been no modality to discover such lesions. Herein, we investigate a possibility of clinical application of narrow‐band imaging (NBI) endoscopy, which is a brand new optical technique that allows non‐invasive visualization of the microvessels at the organ surface. We found that NBI technology could be a promising and powerful tool for identifying carcinomas at an earlier stage in head and neck mucosal sites. This may open a new door in the field of head and neck oncology.
A CASE OF CHOLESTEROSIS OF THE COMMON BILE DUCT DIAGNOSED BY PERORAL CHOLANGIOSCOPY
Authors: Arisaka Yoshifumi , Masuda Daisuke , Yamada Yoshitomo , Hirata Ichiro , Katsu Ken‐ichi
Published: September 2010

We experienced a case of cholesterosis of the common bile duct in which peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) was very useful for making a diagnosis. The patient was a 66‐year‐old man. He was admitted for examination of an asymptomatic mass in the pancreas. The mass was diagnosed as a serous cystic tumor of the pancreas. While examining the tumor, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) incidentally revealed a 7 mm irregular filling defect in the distal common bile duct. EST was then performed, followed by POCS, which revealed a clump of yellowish‐white Ip or Isp polyps in the distal bile duct. Histological examination of biopsy specimens taken under direct vision gave a diagnosis of cholesterol polyps containing foamy cells. POCS was useful for allowing direct observation of the characteristic color of cholesterol polyps, and for obtaining biopsy specimens under direct vision.
PERORAL CHOLANGIOSCOPY USING A NEW THINNER VIDEOSCOPE (CHF‐B260)
Authors: Igarashi Yoshinori , Okano Naoki , Satou Daisuke , Miura Tomihiro , Miki Kazumasa
Published: September 2010

The CHF‐B260 videoscope has a 3.4 mm outer diameter, 1.2 mm forceps channel, and two‐way angulations function (70° up and 70° down). Peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) was performed using the CHF‐B260 in 13 patients who were admitted to our hospital between October 2002 and June 2004. The CHF‐B260 was successfully inserted into the bile duct in all cases. Clear images were obtained in 11 patients. Endoscopic images for two cases of malignant stricture due to metastasis of colon cancer and gallbladder cancer were not clear because of bleeding from the tumors. POCS was performed safely in all patients without any complications. POCS with the CHF‐B260 was very useful for the diagnosis of biliary disorders. If the outer diameter and biopsy channel of CHF‐B260 are improved, POCS will become even more effective for the diagnosis of biliary disorder.
DEVELOPMENT OF SPORADIC GASTRIC FUNDIC GLAND POLYP AFTER ERADICATION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI
Authors: Okano Akihiro , Takakuwa Hiroshi , Matsubayashi Yuji
Published: September 2010

The pathogenesis of sporadic gastric fundic gland polyps (FGP) without familial adenomatous polyposis remains unclear. However, development of FGP is associated with normal gastric mucosa without Helicobacter pylori infection. We report two cases of FGP newly developed after successful eradication therapy of H. pylori infection. H. pylori‐associated gastric ulcers occurred in the two patients; H. pylori eradication was performed in the patients and was successful. The patients have not received medication of long‐term proton pump inhibitors. Follow‐up gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated a FGP in the fundus of the stomach of each patient after eradication therapy. Regression of sporadic FGP can be observed to coincide with the acquisition of H. pylori infection. Conversely, the present cases demonstrated that the curing of H. pylori infection could lead to the development of FGP.
PERCUTANEOUS DILATATIONAL TRACHEOSTOMY COMPLICATED BY DELAYED LIFE‐THREATENING HAEMORRHAGE
Authors: Bernard Stephen A. , Jones Bruce MacC. , Shearer William A.
Published: September 2010

Book reviews in this article:

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy has become increasingly popular as an alternative to formal surgical tracheostomy. We report a case of profuse, life‐threatening haemorrhage which occurred after percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.
PRIMARY ADENOCARCINOMA IN A COLONIC ‘OESOPHAGEAL’ SEGMENT
Authors: Theile David E. , Smithers B. Mark , Strong Russell W. , Windsor Clement J.
Published: September 2010

Book reviews in this article:

A case of primary adenocarcinoma of the colon in a segment used to reconstruct after an oesophageal resection is reported. The original lesion was a relatively advanced adenocarcinoma of the gastro‐oesophageal junction. An ACPS ‘C’ colon carcinoma was diagnosed 12 years later. A curative resection was achieved.

The literature is reviewed in regard to late complications in colonic interpositions, including primary carcinomas.