bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Chili Peppers (Capsicum spp.)
Authors: Gómez-García María , Ochoa-Alejo Neftalí
Published: September 2013

Capsicum species produce fruits that synthesize and accumulate carotenoid pigments, which are responsible for the fruits’ yellow, orange and red colors. Chili peppers have been used as an experimental model for studying the biochemical and molecular aspects of carotenoid biosynthesis. Most reports refer to the characterization of carotenoids and content determination in chili pepper fruits from different species, cultivars, varieties or genotypes. The types and levels of carotenoids differ between different chili pepper fruits, and they are also influenced by environmental conditions. Yellow-orange colors of chili pepper fruits are mainly due to the accumulation of α- and β-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein and β-cryptoxanthin. Carotenoids such as capsanthin, capsorubin and capsanthin-5,6-epoxide confer the red colors. Chromoplasts are the sites of carotenoid pigment synthesis and storage. According to the most accepted theory, the synthesis of carotenoids in chili peppers is controlled by three loci: c1, c2 and y. Several enzymes participating in carotenoid biosynthesis in chili pepper fruits have been isolated and characterized, and the corresponding gene sequences have been reported. However, there is currently limited information on the molecular mechanisms that regulate this biosynthetic pathway. Approaches to gain more knowledge of the regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis are discussed.
Dillapiole, Isolated from Peperomia pellucida, Shows Gastroprotector Activity against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Lesions in Wistar Rats
Authors: Rojas-Martínez Raúl , Arrieta Jesús , Cruz-Antonio Leticia , Arrieta-Baez Daniel , Velázquez-Méndez Antonio , Sánchez-Mendoza María
Published: September 2013

Peperomia pellucida is a plant used in traditional medicine to treat gastric ulcers. Although this gastroprotective activity was reported, the active compounds have not been identified. Therefore, the aim herein was to identify the most active compound in the gastroprotective activity of P. pellucida using an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer experimental rat model. A gastroprotective effect was observed when the hexane and dichloromethane extracts were tested, with the higher effect being obtained with the dichloromethane extract (82.3 ± 5.6%) at 100 mg/kg. Dillapiole was identified as the most active compound in this extract. Although there have been previous reports on dillapiole, this is the first on its gastroprotective activity. Rats treated with this compound at 3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg showed 23.1, 56.1, 73.2 and 85.5% gastroprotection, respectively. The effect elicited by dillapiole at 100 mg/kg was not attenuated by pretreatment with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a prostaglandin synthesis blocker, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (70 mg/kg, i.p.), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, or N-ethylmaleimide (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a blocker of sulfhydryl groups. This suggests that the gastroprotective mechanism of action of dillapiole does not involve prostaglandins, NO or sulfhydryl groups.
Determination and Pharmacokinetics of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate in Rats by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Chang-Liao Wan-Ling , Hou Mei-Ling , Chang Li-Wen , Lee Chia-Jung , Tsai Yin-Meng , Lin Lie-Chwen , Tsai Tung-Hu
Published: September 2013

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is used to increase the ﬂexibility of plastics for industrial products. However, the illegal use of the plasticizer DEHP in food and drinks has been reported in Taiwan in 2011. In order to assess the exact extent of the absorption of DEHP via the oral route, the aim of this study is to develop a reliable and validated ultra performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method to evaluate the oral bioavailability of DEHP in rats. The optimal chromatographic separation of DEHP and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP; used as internal standard) were achieved on a C18 column. The mobile phase was consisted of 5 mM ammonium acetate-methanol (11:89, v/v) with a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The monitoring ion transitions were m/z 391.4 → 149.0 for DEHP and m/z 313.3 → 149.0 for BBP. The mean matrix effects of DEHP at low, medium and high concentrations were 94.5 ± 5.7% and 100.1 ± 2.3% in plasma and feces homogenate samples, respectively. In conclusion, the validated UPLC-MS/MS method is suitable for analyzing the rat plasma sample of DEHP and the oral bioavailability of DEHP was about 7% in rats.
Probing the Residual Structure in Avian Prion Hexarepeats by CD, NMR and MD Techniques
Authors: Russo Luigi , Raiola Luca , Campitiello Maria , Magrì Antonio , Fattorusso Roberto , Malgieri Gaetano , Pappalardo Giuseppe , La Mendola Diego , Isernia Carla
Published: September 2013

Many proteins perform essential biological functions by means of regions that lacking specific organized structure exist as an ensemble of interconverting transient conformers. The characterization of such regions, including the description of their structural propensities, number of conformations and relative populations can provide useful insights. Prion diseases result from the conversion of a normal glycoprotein into a misfolded pathogenic isoform. The structures of mammal and chicken prion proteins show a similar fold with a globular domain and a flexible N-terminal portion that contains different repeated regions: octarepeats (PHGGGWGQ) in mammals and hexarepeats (PHNPGY) in chickens. The higher number of prolines in the hexarepeat region suggests that this region may retain a significant amount of residual secondary structure. Here, we report the CD, NMR and MD characterization of a peptide (2-HexaPY) composed of two hexarepeats. We combine experimental NMR data and MD to investigate at atomic level its ensemble-averaged structural properties, demonstrating how each residue of both repeats has a different quantified PPII propensity that shows a periodicity along the sequence. This feature explains the absence of cooperativity to stabilize a PPII conformation. Nonetheless, such residual structure can play a role in nucleating local structural transitions as well as modulating intra-molecular or inter-molecular interactions.
Fatty Acid and Phytosterol Content of Commercial Saw Palmetto Supplements
Authors: Penugonda Kavitha , Lindshield Brian
Published: September 2013

Saw palmetto supplements are one of the most commonly consumed supplements by men with prostate cancer and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Some studies have found significant improvements in BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with saw palmetto supplementation, whereas others found no benefits. The variation in the efficacy in these trials may be a result of differences in the putative active components, fatty acids and phytosterols, of the saw palmetto supplements. To this end, we quantified the major fatty acids (laurate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, oleate, linoleate) and phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol) in 20 commercially available saw palmetto supplements using GC-FID and GC-MS, respectively. Samples were classified into liquids, powders, dried berries, and tinctures. Liquid saw palmetto supplements contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of total fatty acids (908.5 mg/g), individual fatty acids, total phytosterols (2.04 mg/g), and individual phytosterols, than the other supplement categories. Powders contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of total fatty acids than tinctures, which contain negligible amounts of fatty acids (46.3 mg/g) and phytosterols (0.10 mg/g). Our findings suggest that liquid saw palmetto supplements may be the best choice for individuals who want to take a saw palmetto supplement with the highest concentrations of both fatty acids and phytosterols.
Crack Orientation and Depth Estimation in a Low-Pressure Turbine Disc Using a Phased Array Ultrasonic Transducer and an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Yang Xiaoxia , Chen Shili , Jin Shijiu , Chang Wenshuang
Published: September 2013

Stress corrosion cracks (SCC) in low-pressure steam turbine discs are serious hidden dangers to production safety in the power plants, and knowing the orientation and depth of the initial cracks is essential for the evaluation of the crack growth rate, propagation direction and working life of the turbine disc. In this paper, a method based on phased array ultrasonic transducer and artificial neural network (ANN), is proposed to estimate both the depth and orientation of initial cracks in the turbine discs. Echo signals from cracks with different depths and orientations were collected by a phased array ultrasonic transducer, and the feature vectors were extracted by wavelet packet, fractal technology and peak amplitude methods. The radial basis function (RBF) neural network was investigated and used in this application. The final results demonstrated that the method presented was efficient in crack estimation tasks.
Cimarronaje en Panamá y Cartagena. El costo de una guerrilla en el siglo XVII
Authors: Vila Vilar Enriqueta
Published: September 2013

La révolte des nègres « marrons » à Panama et à Carthagène des Indes (actuelle Colombie) a souvent revêtu les caractéristiques d'une guerrilla coûteuse au XVIe et surtout au XVIIe siècles. Un premier essai pour chiffrer ces coûts et les moyens mis en œuvre pour combattre la révolte. Modèles économiques et modèles de pacification.
Une lecture politique de "Lope de Aguirre, príncipe de la libertad" de M. Otero Silva
Authors: Singler Christoph
Published: September 2013

Le but principal du roman consiste à démythifier un personnage injustement mis au ban par l'historiographie traditionnelle. En développant un fil argumentatif qui légitime la révolte d'Aguirre, Otero Silva le présente en tant que précurseur de l'indépendance américaine. En un deuxième temps, la réflexion du roman porte sur le satanisme d'Aguirre et sur les conséquences qui en découlent pour son action politique.
Funciones del nivel descriptivo en Los recuerdos del porvenir
Authors: Rubio de Lértora Patricia
Published: September 2013

Identification et analyse des principales fonctions assurées par le niveau descriptif dans le roman de Elena Garro : Los recuerdos del porvenir. Analyse du plan d'énonciation du roman qui permet d'identifier le niveau descriptif comme un des éléments discursifs qui va contribuer de façon décisive à l'ordonnance du texte.
Orígenes poco mencionados de la deuda externa de América Latina
Authors: Schvarzer Jorge
Published: September 2013

L'auteur analyse l'originalité de l'endettement latino-américain de la fin des années 70, la situation créée par des conditions de remboursement non prévues par les débiteurs et les forces sociales et économiques internes en jeu dans ce double mécanisme : la pression pour s'endetter d'abord, pour rembourser ensuite. Il met l'accent sur le rôle des agents économiques des pays endettés qui ont recouru au marché monétaire international avec l'aval de l'Etat, au point que les dépôts à l'étranger sont privés et l'endettement public. Le service des intérêts de la dette à la charge des Etats hypothèque leur fonctionnement même, détermine un profond déséquilibre de la balance commerciale et active l'inflation, rappelant l'Allemagne des années 1922-1923. L'effet politique de la perte de contrôle des paramètres économiques par les Etats endettés est désastreux, leur crédibilité interne se dégrade alors que s'exacerbe le conflit social entre bénéficiaires et victimes de l'inflation Jusqu'à quelle limite la pression externe pourra-t-elle tendre ce ressort ? L'explosion est à redouter si les créanciers ne recherchent pas une solution.
La lengua náhuatl o mexicana. Renacer de la antigua y la nueva palabra (1963-1988)
Authors: Hernández de León-Portilla Ascensión , León-Portilla Miguel
Published: September 2013

Balance y panorama completo de los estudios dedicados a la lengua y cultura nahuas en estos últimos veinticinco años. Se contemplan tres dimensiones del náhuatl : raíz mesoamericana, continuidad histórica y riqueza testimonial. Asi como se subraya el interés universal de hoy en día por los textos nahuas. Estudios ligüísticos, dialectología, aportaciones lexicográficas constituyen los primeros elementos de esta revista. La importancia de los testimonios documentales y de su estudio, tanto en México como en otros países, se analizan y comentan pormenorizadamente. Por fin se presenta la producción actual en lengua náhuatl, florecer de la nueva palabra, que cuenta con destacados poetas y narradores.
Une vision romanesque des Indiens boliviens dans la littérature française du XXe siècle : l'exemple de "L'homme à cheval" de Drieu La Rochelle
Authors: Olivier Guilhem
Published: September 2013

El Indio boliviano según lo ve la literatura francesa del siglo XX a través de la novela L'homme à cheval de Drieu la Rochelle (1942). La experiencia latinoamericana del escritor colaborador de los nazis, cuando su estadía en Buenos Aires donde participó en la revista Sur, se hizo amigo de J.L. Borges, y sobre todo se mostró muy atento a la inspiracón de Alfred Métraux quien le hará conocer rápidamente a Bolivia. Análisis de los resortes íntimos de la Bolivia mítica de Drieu la Rochelle.
Le mouvement des affaires dans l'hôtellerie au cours de l'été 1956 et les perspectives pour la saison d'hiver
Authors: Jankeliowitch R.
Published: September 2013

Au point de vue de l'activité hôtelière la saison d'été 1956 a été presque équivalente à celle de 1955, en dépit du mauvais temps. L'afflux des touristes étrangers a même été plus important que l'an dernier, mais la durée des séjours tend à diminuer et la saison a été un peu écourtée, notamment sur les plages de la Manche et de l'Atlantique et dans les stations de montagne.

Pour la saison d'hiver 1956-1957, les hôteliers prévoient le plus souvent une activité du même ordre que l'année précédente.
Réflexions sur les mouvements de la circulation fiduciaire
Authors: Berger Pierre
Published: September 2013

L'étude de la monnaie est un des éléments principaux de la conjoncture. Cependant, le dialogue entre conjoncturistes et financiers ou banquiers donne toujours une impression de malaise : les uns et les autres n'emploient pas le même langage ; plus exactement, ils ont une vision inverse de la réalité. Le conjoncturiste s'intéresse, avant tout, à une production ou à un flux de biens, le financier aux mouvements monétaires qui mesurent cette production mais s'effectuent en sens inverse. Ainsi en serait-il de deux personnes qui verraient un dessin de deux côtés différents d'une porte vitrée translucide.

Aussi, l'un des efforts le plus important du conjoncturiste, à l'heure actuelle, est d'essayer de comprendre les mouvements monétaires avec une mentalité de banquier. A cet effet, de simples mises au point — qui pourraient paraître descriptives — représentent en fait une étape de la recherche : c'est dans cet esprit que la revue Études et Conjoncture avait publié deux études précédentes de M. Raillon ; c'est dans la même ligne d'idée qu'elle présente aujourd'hui l'étude suivante de M. Berger.

J.D.
Commerce extérieur et conjoncture américaine
Authors: d'Ivangin D.
Published: September 2013

Le commerce extérieur joue un rôle relativement secondaire dans l'économie américaine, mais il tient une place importante dans les échanges mondiaux. Par sa masse il intéresse la plupart des pays du monde. Mais en outre, il se trouve être sensible aux fluctuations de la conjoncture américaine, qui influencent assez régulièrement le niveau des importations des États-Unis. Par le canal de ces dernières les vicissitudes économiques américaines sont susceptibles de retentir sur l'activité des pays partenaires, dans certaines conditions. Le passé récent offre à cet égard deux exemples de recessions de stocks américains dont les effets internationaux se sont trouvés être très différents, et dont l'examen est intéressant pour apprécier le degré de dépendance actuel des économies étrangères par rapport à l'économie américaine.
La situation industrielle au premier trimestre 1957 d'après les chefs d'entreprises
Authors: Jankeliowitch R.
Published: September 2013

Compte rendu d'une enquête conjoncturelle faite par l'I.N.S.E.E. pendant la deuxième quinzaine de janvier 1957. Les restrictions de produits pétroliers n'ont que modérément ralenti le rythme de l'expansion industrielle. Jusqu'en juin, le niveau de production devrait, selon les industriels, se maintenir à 4 % environ au-dessus de celui de la période correspondante de 1956. Un certain tassement de la demande se manifesterait cependant, souvent imputé aux difficultés de prospection de la clientèle par manque de carburant.
University students’ knowledge and attitudes towards leprosy
Authors: Graciano-Machuca Omar , Velarde-de la Cruz Erandi Enif , Ramirez-Dueñas Maria Guadalupe , Alvarado-Navarro Anabell
Published: September 2013

Introduction: Patients with leprosy may be affected psychologically and socially by the negative attitude of society toward leprosy, caused by widespread ignorance and prevailing stereotypes surrounding the disease. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes toward leprosy among students at the University of Guadalajara. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 1,300 students over 18 years of age from various Thematic University Centres in Guadalajara. Students’ degree subjects included the health sciences, humanities, exact sciences (i.e., chemistry, physics), arts, biological-agricultural sciences, and administration. Students were randomly selected regardless of gender and all students were enrolled in either the first, second, or third year of their undergraduate studies. Results: Overall, students showed an intermediate level of knowledge of leprosy. Results showed that 67% correctly responded that leprosy is an infectious disease, 64% knew of the presence of skin lesions, and 60% knew that a microbe causes the disease. Furthermore, 45% correctly responded that leprosy is a disease associated with poverty and 40% responded that leprosy is disabling. Only 31% stated that leprosy is curable. Negative attitudes were evident regarding the question of employing a leprosy patient (57%) and having a leprosy patient as a spouse or partner (30%). Discussion: The results revealed that there is insufficient knowledge of and poor attitudes toward leprosy among students at the University of Guadalajara. It is necessary to improve current health education measures by using updated educational strategies to reduce the stigma of leprosy and the segregation of leprosy patients and their families.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA genes in Cypriot patients
Authors: Krashias George , Bashiardes Stavros , Potamitou Alexia , Potamitis George S , Christodoulou Christina
Published: September 2013

Introduction: The prevalence of H. pylori varies with geographic locations. To date there are no epidemiological data on its prevalence in Cyprus; therefore, we determined the prevalence and molecular characteristics of H. pylori infection in Cypriot patients. Methodology: DNA extracted from 103 gastric biopsies was analyzed for the presence of H. pylori by PCR using primers for ureA. H. pylori-positive biopsies were characterized by PCR using specific primers for cagA and vacA genes. The presence of clarithromycin-associated resistant mutations such as A2143G, A2142G, A2142C in 23S rRNA gene of H. pylori-positive patients was determined using a real-time PCR allelic discrimination assay. Results: H. pylori was detected in 41 (39.8%) biopsies and, out of these, 17 (41.5%) tested positive for the cagA gene. The vacA alleles m1, m2, s1a, s1b, and s2 were detected in 7 (17.1%), 34 (82.9%), 12 (29.3%), 2 (4.9%), and 22 (53.7%) isolates, respectively. One (2.4%) biopsy was vacA s1a and s2-positive while one (2.4%) was positive for vacA s1a, s1b, and s2. Three (7.3%) biopsies were untypable for vacA s1, s1b, and s2. The majority (35; 85.4%) of strains were susceptible to clarithromycin while two (4.9%) had the A2143G mutation. Three (7.3%) had a mixture of an A2143G point mutant and susceptible strains while one (2.4%) had a mixture of an A2142G point mutant and susceptible strains. Conclusions: The distribution of the virulence factors cagA and vacA in the Cypriot strains resembled that of strains circulating in Middle Eastern countries geographically close to Cyprus.
Casuarinicola australis Taylor, 2010 (Hemiptera: Triozidae), newly recorded from New Zealand
Authors: Thorpe Stephen
Published: September 2013

The presence in New Zealand of the triozid Casuarinicola australis Taylor, 2010 is reported for the first time, based on new material from Auckland. This is also the first record of the genus from New Zealand.
A record of Anzygina billi Fletcher & Larivière, 2009 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from New Zealand
Authors: Thorpe Stephen
Published: September 2013

The presence in New Zealand of the typhlocybine cicadellid Anzygina billi Fletcher & Larivière, 2009 is confirmed, based on new material from Auckland. Rubus sp. is confirmed as a host plant.
The millipede family Paradoxosomatidae in the Philippines, with a description of Eustrongylosoma penevi sp.n., and notes on Anoplodesmus anthracinus Pocock, 1895, recorded in Malaysia and Sri Lanka for the first time (Diplopoda, Polydesmida)
Authors: Golovatch Sergei , Stoev Pavel
Published: September 2013

The Philippine fauna of the family Paradoxosomatidae is reviewed and shown to comprise only 12 certain species (+ one dubious), definitely only a fraction of the real diversity to be expected from such a large tropical archipelago. Two new combinations are proposed: Euphyodesmus philippina (Nguyen Duc & Sierwald, 2010), comb. n. ex Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923, and Luzonomorpha polilloensis (San Juan & Lit, 2010), comb. n. ex Prionopeltis Pocock, 1895. The first representative of the large, basically Papuan genus Eustrongylosoma Silvestri, 1896 is described from Luzon, Philippines: E. penevi sp. n. It differs from the other congeners in certain details of gonopod structure, as well as by the particularly long legs. Based on a restudy of the types of Strongylosoma luzoniense Peters, 1864, from Luzon, the species is shown to be a new senior subjective synonym of Helicorthomorpha orthogona (Silvestri, 1898), syn. n. This formally results also in Helicorthomorpha luzoniensis (Peters, 1864), comb. n. Anoplodesmus anthracinus Pocock, 1895 is illustrated and briefly redescribed, based on material from State Pulau Penang, Malaysia, which represents the first formal record of the species in that country. This species is also new to the fauna of Sri Lanka. A review of the Anoplodesmus species reported from Sri Lanka, nearly all of them dubious, is presented.
Cheiloneurus flaccus (Walker, 1847) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), new to New Zealand
Authors: Thorpe Stephen
Published: September 2013

Cheiloneurus flaccus (Walker, 1847) is reported from New Zealand for the first time.
Scutellista caerulea (Fonscolombe, 1832) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), new to New Zealand for the second time!
Authors: Thorpe Stephen
Published: September 2013

In 1921, Scutellista caerulea was imported and released in Nelson, New Zealand, for the biological control of pest scale insects. It was thought to have failed to establish, and is therefore currently considered to be absent from the New Zealand fauna. On 17 April 2013, a live specimen was captured in the wild in Auckland.
MidMedPol: Polychaetes from midlittoral rocky shores in Greece and Italy (Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Keklikoglou Kleoniki , Faulwetter Sarah , Chatzigeorgiou Giorgos , Badalamenti Fabio , Kitsos Militiadis , Arvanitidis Christos
Published: September 2013

This paper describes a dataset of polychaetes (Annelida) from 14 midlittoral rocky shore sampling sites in Greece and Italy (Mediterranean Sea). The dataset combines the outcome of four different projects studying the hard substrate midlittoral zone in the Mediterranean between 1984 and 2009. Samples were collected by scraping and collecting the organisms from a framed area. The maximal sampling depth was 1.5 m. In total, 123 polychaete species were recorded, five of which are new records for the respective biogeographic sectors of the Mediterranean. The dataset contains 788 occurrence records, fully annotated with all required metadata. These data contribute to the knowledge of a previously very understudied regional habitat, since at present, comprehensive lists of the midlittoral communities in the Mediterranean are provided through only a few, paper-based, studies. This dataset is one of the first electronic data compilations of the Mediterranean midlittoral zone communities and certainly the most comprehensive of its kind, contributing to the ongoing efforts of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) which aims at filling the gaps in our current knowledge of the world's oceans. It is accessible at http://ipt.vliz.be/resource.do?r=mediterraneanpolychaetaintertidal.
A new species of Lygistorrhina Skuse (Diptera: Sciaroidea: Lygistorrhinidae) from South Africa
Authors: Blagoderov Vladimir , Papp Laszlo , Hippa Heikki
Published: September 2013

A new species of Lygistorrhina (Diptera, Sciaroidea, Lygistorrhinidae) from South Africa is described and a key for Afrotropical species of the genus is provided.
A new species of Tychobythinus Ganglbauer, 1896 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from Turkey
Authors: Bekchiev Rostislav
Published: September 2013

A new species of the genus Tychobythinus Ganglbauer, 1896, T. oculatus sp. n., is described from near Köyceğiz, Muğla Province, in southwestern Turkey. The new species is morphologically closely related to T. abnormipes Reitter, 1910, and T. pauper Kiesenwetter, 1858, but can be readily distinguished from both by having very simplified internal armature of the aedeagus, and by the specific shape of the gular depression.
The BioCASe Monitor Service - A tool for monitoring progress and quality of data provision through distributed data networks
Authors: Glöckler Falko , Hoffmann Jana , Theeten Franck
Published: September 2013

The BioCASe Monitor Service (BMS) is a web-based tool for coordinators of distributed data networks that provide information to web-portals and data aggregators via the BioCASe Provider Software. Building on common standards and protocols, it has three main purposes: (1) monitoring provider’s progress in data provision, (2) facilitating checks of data mappings with a focus on the structure, plausibility and completeness, and (3) verifying compliance of provided data for transformation into other target schemas.

Herein two use cases, GBIF-D and OpenUp!, are presented in which the BMS is being applied for monitoring the progress in data provision and performing quality checks on the ABCD (Access to Biological Collection Data) schema mapping.

However, the BMS can potentially be used with any conceptual data schema and protocols for querying web services. Through flexible configuration options it is highly adaptable to specific requirements and needs. Thus, the BMS can be easily implemented into coordination workflows and reporting duties within other distributed data network projects.
Potential indicator species of climate changes occurring in Québec, Part 1: the small brown lacewing fly Micromus posticus (Walker) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae)
Authors: LeSage Laurent , Savard Karine , Klimaszewski Jan
Published: September 2013

Micromus posticus (Walker) is a small brown lacewing fly rarely collected in Canada and represented in collections by only a limited number of specimens. Indeed, fewer than 50 specimens were captured in Québec and Ontario over the last century, all within a small area delimited by the northern shore of Lake Erie, Ottawa and Montréal. Aylmer, located on the north shore of the Ottawa River, northwest of Ottawa, is a new, most southwestern locality record of this species for Québec. The Aylmer specimens were collected 1-7 days later than any of the known specimens collected elsewhere in Québec or in Ontario, and 16-22 days later than in the neighbouring localities, indicating an apparent phenological shift.
EXIF Custom: Automatic image metadata extraction for Scratchpads and Drupal
Authors: Baker Ed
Published: September 2013

Many institutions and individuals use embedded metadata to aid in the management of their image collections. Many deskop image management solutions such as Adobe Bridge and online tools such as Flickr also make use of embedded metadata to describe, categorise and license images. Until now Scratchpads (a data management system and virtual research environment for biodiversity) have not made use of these metadata, and users have had to manually re-enter this information if they have wanted to display it on their Scratchpad site. The Drupal described here allows users to map metadata embedded in their images to the associated field in the Scratchpads image form using one or more customised mappings. The module works seamlessly with the bulk image uploader used on Scratchpads and it is therefore possible to upload hundreds of images easily with automatic metadata (EXIF, XMP and IPTC) extraction and mapping.
Morphological variation in Echinorhynchus truttae Schrank, 1788 and the E. bothniensis Zdzitowiecki & Valtonen, 1987 species complex from freshwater fishes of northern Europe
Authors: Wayland Matthew
Published: September 2013

Echinorhynchus truttae and the Echinorhynchus bothniensis species complex are common parasites of salmoniform and other fishes in northern Europe. Echinorhynchus bothniensis and its sibling species Echinorhynchus \'bothniensis\' are thought to be closely related to the Nearctic Echinorhynchus leidyi Van Cleave, 1924 based on morphological similarity and common usage of a mysid intermediate host. This study provides the first analysis of morphological and meristic variation in Echinorhynchus truttae and expands our knowledge of anatomical variability in the Echinorhynchus bothniensis group. Morphological variability in Echinorhynchus truttae was found to be far greater than previously reported, with part of the variance attributable to sexual dimorphism. Echinorhynchus truttae, the two species of the Echinorhynchus bothniensis group and Echinorhynchus leidyi displayed considerable interspecific overlap in the ranges of all conventional morphological characters. However, Proboscis profiler, a tool for detecting acanthocephalan morphotypes using multivariate analysis of hook morphometrics, successfully separated Echinorhynchus truttae from the other taxa. The Echinorhynchus bothniensis species group could not be reliably distinguished from Echinorhynchus leidyi (or each other), providing further evidence of the affinity of these taxa. Observations on the distribution of Echinorhynchus truttae in its definitive host population are also reported.
Faunistic diversity of spiders (Araneae) in Galichitsa mountain (FYR Macedonia)
Authors: Deltshev Christo , Komnenov Marjan , Blagoev Gergin , Georgiev Teodor , Lazarov Stoyan , Stojkoska Emilija , Naumova Maria
Published: September 2013

A total of 294 species from 31 families have been found in Galichitsa Mt. Of them, 85 species are new to the mountain, while 20 are also new to the fauna of FYR of Macedonia. According to their current distribution the established species can be assigned to 17 zoogeographical categories, grouped into 5 complexes (Cosmopolitan, Holarctic, European, Mediterranean, Endemics of Balkans). Dominant are Holarctic species (66.0%) followed by European (16.5%) and Mediterranean (9.3%). The endemics (6.2%) and Southeast European species (1.7%) emphasize the local character of this fauna, but its low percentage suggests an important process of colonization.
First record of Tettigettalna mariae Quartau & Boulard, 1995 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadoidea) in Spain
Authors: Simões Paula , Nunes Vera , Mendes Raquel , Quartau José
Published: September 2013

Tettigettalna mariae Quartau & Boulard 1995 is recorded for the first time in Spain. Thought to be endemic to Portugal (occurring in the southern province of Algarve), the present paper adds its distribution to southern Spain, being an Iberian endemism. The acoustic signals of the new specimens collected were recorded in different localities of Huelva province, in Andalusia during August 2012. According to their present known distribution, specimens of T. mariae tend to be sparsely distributed in small range populations in southern Iberian Peninsula, favouring wooded areas with Pinus pinea.
A contribution to the study of the Lower Volga center of scarab beetle diversity in Russia: checklist of the tribe Aphodiini (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) of Dosang environs
Authors: Frolov Andrey , Akhmetova Lilia
Published: September 2013

The field sampling of the Aphodiini scarab beetles in Dosang environs (Astrakhan Province, European Russia) in 2006–2012 resulted in the collection of 44 species. All but one of them belong to Aphodius Hellwig (sensu lato). This is apparently the richest recorded local Aphodiini fauna in Russia. The high Aphodiini diversity in the area can be explained by the long vegetative season with high effective heat sum, large livestock providing abundant food resources throughout the year, and location in the transition belt between Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain and Desert floristic districts. The core fauna consists of mesophilous species widely distributed in the Palearctic region and confined to the intrazonal habitats. Other species have ranges mostly limited to the steppe, semidesert, and desert zones.
Targeting a portion of central European spider diversity for permanent preservation
Authors: Čandek Klemen , Gregorič Matjaž , Kostanjšek Rok , Frick Holger , Kropf Christian , Kuntner Matjaž
Published: September 2013

Given the limited success of past and current conservation efforts, an alternative approach is to preserve tissues and genomes of targeted organisms in cryobanks to make them accessible for future generations. Our pilot preservation project aimed to obtain, expertly identify, and permanently preserve a quarter of the known spider species diversity shared between Slovenia and Switzerland, estimated at 275 species. We here report on the faunistic part of this project, which resulted in 324 species (227 in Slovenia, 143 in Switzerland) for which identification was reasonably established. This material is now preserved in cryobanks, is being processed for DNA barcoding, and is available for genomic studies.
The millipede Typhloglomeris caucasica Golovatch, 1975 found epigeically (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridellidae)
Authors: Golovatch Sergei , Chumachenko Yuri
Published: September 2013

The millipede Typhloglomeris caucasica Golovatch, hitherto considered as a troglobite confined to several caves near Sochi, western Caucasus, Russia, is recorded epigeically in the same region, and is therefore a troglophile.
First record of the male of the widespread Calliscelio elegans (Perkins) (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae) along with some taxonomic notes on the species
Authors: Rajmohana Keloth , Peter Abhilash , Narendran TC
Published: September 2013

The hitherto unknown male of the widespread and tramp species, Calliscelio elegans (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae) is hereby reported for the first time, from India. The two sexes are chromatically quite similar. The male has the same conspicuous banding pattern in the forewing as that of the female. The status of Calotelea tanugatra Narendran (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae) from India is reviewed and is proposed to be a junior synonym of Calliscelio elegans, new synonymy. Distribution of C. elegans in India is mapped.
A visual identification key utilizing both gestalt and analytic approaches to identification of Carices present in North America (Plantae, Cyperaceae)
Authors: Jones Timothy
Published: September 2013

Images are a critical part of the identification process because they enable direct, immediate and relatively unmediated comparisons between a specimen being identified and one or more reference specimens. The Carices Interactive Visual Identification Key (CIVIK) is a novel tool for identification of North American Carex species, the largest vascular plant genus in North America, and two less numerous closely-related genera, Cymophyllus and Kobresia. CIVIK incorporates 1288 high-resolution tiled image sets that allow users to zoom in to view minute structures that are crucial at times for identification in these genera. Morphological data are derived from the earlier Carex Interactive Identification Key (CIIK) which in turn used data from the Flora of North America treatments. In this new iteration, images can be viewed in a grid or histogram format, allowing multiple representations of data. In both formats the images are fully zoomable.
Chinese species of egg-parasitoids of the genera Oxyscelio Kieffer, Heptascelio Kieffer and Platyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae s.l., Scelioninae)
Authors: Johnson Norman , Burks Roger , Austin Andrew , Zaifu Xu
Published: September 2013

To date, the known Chinese fauna of egg-parasitoids of the genus Oxyscelio Kieffer encompasses two species from the mainland – O. doumao Burks and O. nubbin Burks. Here we record eighteen species of Oxyscelio from collections in mainland China: O. arvi Burks, O. ceylonensis (Dodd), O. convergens Burks, O. cordis Burks, O. crebritas Burks, O. cuculli Burks, O. dermatoglyphes Burks, O. doumao Burks, O. florus Kononova, O. granorum Burks, O. intermedietas Burks, O. jugi Burks, O. kramatos Burks, O. longiventris Burks, O. naraws Kozlov & Lê, O. perpensus Kononova, O. planocarinae Burks, and O. striarum Burks. Oxyscelio is primarily found in the tropics, and most of these species are shared with Taiwan and southeast Asia. Three species previously known only from Japan, O. arvi, O. florus, O. perpensus, are shared. The Chinese species are recorded from Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hebei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Zhejiang as well as additional material from Taiwan. Heptascelio hamatus Masner & Johnson and Platyscelio pulchricornis Kieffer are both recorded from Hainan and Guangdong, as well as records of P. pulchricornis from Sarawak and Thailand.
Spider hosts (Arachnida, Araneae) and wasp parasitoids (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ephialtini) matched using DNA barcodes
Authors: Miller Jeremy , Belgers J. Dick , Beentjes Kevin , Zwakhals Kees , van Helsdingen Peter
Published: September 2013

The study of parasitoids and their hosts suffers from a lack of reliable taxonomic data. We use a combination of morphological characters and DNA sequences to produce taxonomic determinations that can be verified with reference to specimens in an accessible collection and DNA barcode sequences posted to the Barcode of Life database (BOLD). We demonstrate that DNA can be successfully extracted from consumed host spiders and the shed pupal case of a wasp using non-destructive methods. We found Acrodactyla quadrisculpta to be a parasitoid of Tetragnatha montana; Zatypota percontatoria and Z. bohemani both are parasitoids of Neottiura bimaculata. Zatypota anomala is a parasitoid of an as yet unidentified host in the family Dictynidae, but the host species may be possible to identify in the future as the library of reference sequences on BOLD continues to grow. The study of parasitoids and their hosts traditionally requires specialized knowledge and techniques, and accumulating data is a slow process. DNA barcoding could allow more professional and amateur naturalists to contribute data to this field of study. A publication venue dedicated to aggregating datasets of all sizes online is well suited to this model of distributed science.
Xanthichthys greenei, a new species of triggerfish (Balistidae) from the Line Islands
Authors: Pyle Richard , Earle John
Published: September 2013

Xanthichthys greenei sp. n. is described from six specimens, 97-154 mm standard length (SL) collected from mesophotic coral ecosystems (90-100 m) at Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Line Islands, part of the Republic of Kiribati in the Central Pacific. Of the six species of Xanthichthys, it is most similar to the Atlantic X. ringens and the Indo-West Pacific X. lineopunctatus, sharing with these species the character of three pigmented cheek grooves. It is distinctive in its low body scale row count (33-35, other Xanthichthys species with 39 or more), small size (maximum SL 154 mm, other species over 225 mm), and color pattern of scattered dark spots sub-dorsally and no other spots or lines on body.
Low Levels of Antibodies Against Oxidized but not Nonoxidized Cardiolipin and Phosphatidylserine Are Associated with Atherosclerotic Plaques in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Su Jun , Frostegård Anna G. , Hua Xiang , Gustafsson Thomas , Jogestrand Tomas , Hafström Ingiäld , Frostegård Johan
Published: September 2013

Objective.

We have reported that the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques and their echolucency was increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We here study antibodies against oxidized cardiolipin (anti-OxCL) and phosphatidylserine (anti-OxPS) in SLE and in relation to atherosclerosis measures.

Methods.

Patients with SLE (n = 114) were compared with age- and sex-matched population-based controls (n = 122). Common carotid intima-media thickness and plaque occurrence were determined by B-mode ultrasonography. Plaques were graded according to echogenicity as 1–4, with 1 being echolucent. Antibodies were determined by ELISA.

Results.

In the SLE group, the prevalence of low IgM anti-OxPS and low total IgM levels (below 33rd percentile) was increased compared to controls (p = 0.045 and p = 0.0079, respectively). Among SLE patients with atherosclerotic plaques, the prevalence of low IgM anti-OxPS (p = 0.0019) and anti-OxCL (p = 0.031) was increased. Only IgM anti-OxPS remained significant (p = 0.019) after adjusting for other significant factors. Echolucent plaques (total, or left side) were more prevalent among SLE patients with low IgM anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS when controlled for other significant factors (p < 0.05). Low total IgM was independently associated with echolucent plaque on left side (p < 0.05), but not other atherosclerosis measures. IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and antiphosphatidylserine antibodies (anti-PS) were higher among SLE patients with cardiopulmonary disease, including arterial, valvular, and venous disease (p < 0.05). There were no associations between antibodies and other disease manifestations or activity. Both anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS, in contrast to aCL, and anti-PS, were cofactor−β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI)-independent.

Conclusion.

The prevalence of low levels of IgM anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS (both cofactor-β2-GPI-independent) is associated with the presence of plaques and echolucent plaques in SLE.
Determining Best Practices in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis by Comparing Differences in Treatment at Sites in the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort
Authors: Harris Jamie A. , Bykerk Vivian P. , Hitchon Carol A. , Keystone E.C. , Thorne J. Carter , Boire Gilles , Haraoui Boulos , Hazlewood Glen , Bonner Ashley J. , Pope Janet E.
Published: September 2013

Objective.

To determine site variation by comparing outcomes across sites in an early rheumatoid arthritis cohort.

Methods.

Sites from the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort database with at least 40 patients were studied. Comparisons were made among sites in change in 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), proportion of patients in DAS28 remission, and treatment strategies.

Results.

The study included 1138 baseline patients at 8 sites, with baseline (SD) age 52 years (16.9); 72% women; 23% erosions; 54% ever smokers; 51% rheumatoid factor-positive; 37% anticitrullinated protein antibody-positive; disease duration 187 (203) days; DAS28 4.5 (1.4). Site had an effect on outcomes when adjusting for confounders. At 6 and 12 months, sites B and H, the 2 largest sites, had the best changes in DAS28 (−1.82 and −2.09, respectively, at 6 mos, and −2.27 for both at 12 mos; p < 0.001). Site H had the most patients in DAS28 remission at 6 months [64.5% compared to other sites that had from 34.1% to 51.7% (p < 0.001)], and at the last followup, sites B and H had the most in remission. Subcutaneous methotrexate was used more overall and earlier at sites B and H. Those sites used less steroid therapy, and site B had the second-highest use of triple disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs at any visit. Medications were increased more in 2 of the 3 smallest sites. Biologics were used by 9 months most in the smallest (50.0%) and then largest (19.6%) sites.

Conclusion.

Sites in an early inflammatory arthritis cohort yielded different outcomes. Better outcomes up to 12 months may result from initial treatment with early combination therapy and/or subcutaneous methotrexate.
High Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Takayasu Arteritis: Increased Cardiovascular Risk and Lower Adiponectin Serum Levels
Authors: da Silva Thiago Ferreira , Levy-Neto Maurício , Bonfá Eloisa , Pereira Rosa Maria R.
Published: September 2013

Objective.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) tends to be high among rheumatic patients, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in these conditions. We aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) and its association with risk factors and adipokine and cytokine levels.

Methods.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 45 consecutive women with TA and 47 healthy controls matched by age and body mass index.

Results.

The prevalence of MetS (International Diabetes Federation/American Heart Association criteria) was higher in TA compared to controls (33.34 vs 8.51%, p = 0.003). Patients with TA had a higher frequency of hypertension (p < 0.001) and dyslipidemia (p = 0.001) and higher levels of insulin (p = 0.021), homeostasis model assessment index (p = 0.024), apolipoprotein E (p = 0.029), resistin (p = 0.018), and C-reactive protein (CRP, p < 0.001) compared to healthy subjects, with similar levels of adiponectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1; p > 0.05). Further analysis of patients with TA with and without MetS revealed a higher frequency of overweight/obesity (66.66 vs 26.66%, p = 0.022), higher Framingham score ≥ 1 (p = 0.032), and lower adiponectin levels (20.37 ± 21.16 vs 38.64 ± 22.62 μg/ml, p = 0.022) in the patients with MetS. No differences were found regarding disease duration, activity, glucocorticoid use, resistin, and PAI-1 levels in the 2 groups of patients with TA (p > 0.05). Patients with and without MetS showed no differences in cytokine levels [interleukin 12 (IL-12, IL-1a, IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α]. IL-6 had a positive Pearson correlation with CRP only in TA patients with MetS (r = 0.57; p = 0.050).

Conclusion.

A high prevalence of MetS was observed in patients with TA and this comorbidity seems to identify a subgroup of overweight/obese patients with high cardiovascular risk without a significant association with disease status. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to observe the effects of controlling this modifiable risk factor in the quality of life and survival of patients with TA.
Juvenile Versus Adult-onset Ankylosing Spondylitis — Clinical, Radiographic, and Social Outcomes. A Systematic Review
Authors: Jadon Deepak R. , Ramanan Athimalaipet V. , Sengupta Raj
Published: September 2013

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has 2 main modes of onset: juvenile-onset AS (JoAS) and adult-onset AS (AoAS). It is not known whether JoAS is a subtype of AS, or AS modulated by early age of onset and longer disease duration. We performed a systematic review of the literature, identifying 12 articles and 1 abstract directly comparing JoAS and AoAS cohorts, with observational study design. Patients with JoAS appear to have more peripheral joint involvement both clinically and radiographically (especially knees and ankles) and more root joint involvement (hips and shoulders); they are more likely to proceed to hip arthroplasty and often initially present with peripheral rather than axial symptoms. Patients with AoAS appear to have more axial symptoms and radiographic disease, particularly in the lumbar spine, and worse axial metrology. In terms of other characteristics, more evidence is needed to confidently state whether JoAS and AoAS are different.