bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonstationary effects of productivity, seasonality, and historical climate changes on global amphibian diversity
Authors: Gouveia Sidney F. , Hortal Joaquín , Cassemiro Fernanda A. S. , Rangel Thiago Fernando , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre F.
Published: August 2012

Attempts to explain the origin of species diversity gradients often lack generality across geographic regions or taxa. One possible reason for this is that species respond differently to the same environmental descriptors (e.g. climate) across geographical space, i.e. the diversity–environment relationship is spatially nonstationary. Here we evaluate the spatial nonstationarity of the relationships between amphibian species richness and variables representing three primary climatic hypotheses: historical climate variability, seasonality and productivity. We formulated nonstationary explicit predictions for the taxon based on its ecophysiological attributes. We employed two global approaches that assume stationarity – standard non‐spatial OLS regression and spatial eigenvector mapping (SEVM) – and compared them with a nonstationary partial GWR (Geographically Weighted Regression), which allows the investigation of the relative contributions of each predictor regionally, helping to portray large‐scale patterns. Although productivity was a better correlate to species richness than the other factors in both global and local approaches, no single hypothesis fully explained the worldwide pattern of species richness. Spatial nonstationarity was present in all relationships, and substantial fractions of the variation in the data were unexplained due to collinearity. We discuss some noteworthy regional cases and propose that the history of exposure to specific environmental conditions is responsible for geographical differences in the amphibian–climate relationships, as stated by the niche conservatism hypothesis. Finally, we argue that there is a trade‐off in the selection of the spatial scale analysed – regional vs global – regarding the generality vs the explanatory power of the resulting pattern of species richness.
First flowering of wind‐pollinated species with the greatest phenological advances in Europe
Authors: Ziello Chiara , Böck Andreas , Estrella Nicole , Ankerst Donna , Menzel Annette
Published: August 2012

Increasing risk of pollinosis (hay fever) is one of the most anticipated consequences of climate change on human health. Wind‐pollinated plants are representative of allergenic species because they include species with the highest capability of causing allergy‐related diseases in humans. Therefore, changes in wind‐pollinated species may reflect impacts of climate change on allergenic plants. In particular, flowering is one of the developmental stages most affected by climate change. This report specifically addresses changes in flowering dates that have occurred during the three decades 1971–2000 as a function of pollination mode and woodiness. The assessment is made using a phenological data set comprising trends of flowering dates of 29 species in 983 locations in Europe. Linear mixed models assessing the statistical significance of trends while adjusting for spatial correlation are used. The main results indicate for the first time that the onset of flowering of wind‐pollinated plants advanced more than for insect‐pollinated plants, while full flowering phases tended to advance less. These novel findings are contrary to the results of Fitter and Fitter (2002) for Oxfordshire, who reported larger advances of insect‐pollinated plants. Onset of flowering and full flowering of insect‐pollinated species are more likely to advance for seasons early in the year; instead, wind‐pollinated plants showed no dependence of trends on the season (first flowering) or a decreased advance of phases that are early in the year (full flowering). The effect of woodiness could not be unambiguously defined, but seems to be of minor importance. The presented findings suggest a lengthening of the flowering period in general, which might lead to an increasing time of exposure to airborne pollen of allergic subjects, with consequent likely increment in severity and incidence of allergic symptoms.
Homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12 and B6 in mothers of children with neural tube defects in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Gu Qiang , Li Ying , Cui Zhi‐Li , Luo Xiao‐Ping
Published: August 2012

Aim:  To investigate the maternal homocysteine (Hcy), folate, vitamin B12 and B6, and their relations to neural tube defects (NTDs).

Methods:  Thirty mothers of NTDs offspring and another 60 mothers of normal children were enrolled as the patient and control groups from Xinjiang, China, from January 2008 to May 2011. The plasma levels of Hcy, folate, vitamin B12 and B6 were measured and compared between the two groups.

Results:  The morbidity of NTDs was 2.44% in Xinjiang. The Hcy was significantly higher in patient group than in control group (15.1 ± 7.8 vs. 8.5 ± 4.0 μmol/L, p < 0.001). The folate in patient group (9.7 ± 8.1 μg/L) was lower than in control group (15.0 ± 8.1 μg/L, p < 0.001). The vitamin B12 was 181.3 ± 107.7 and 394.3 ± 386.3 ng/L in patient and control groups, respectively, with a significant difference (p < 0.001). The abnormal frequency of Hcy and vitamin B12 was statistically different in two groups. The difference of vitamin B6 between the patients and controls was marginal (48.7 ± 16.5 vs. 42.0 ± 10.5 mg/L, p = 0.051). Moreover, folate and vitamin B12 levels were negatively correlated with Hcy while vitamin B6 was positively correlated with Hcy. Positive correlation was observed between folate and vitamin B12 levels.

Conclusion:  Our data confirm that higher Hcy, lower folate and vitamin B12 are risk factors for NTDs. Besides folate, vitamin B12 should be supplied to decrease NTDs occurrence. Further study is required to investigate the levels and accurate role of vitamin B6.
Hyper‐temporal remote sensing helps in relating epiphyllous liverworts and evergreen forests
Authors: Jiang Yanbin , de Bie C.A.J.M. , Wang Tiejun , Skidmore A.K. , Liu Xuehua , Song Shanshan , Shao Xiaoming
Published: August 2012

Question

Is there, at the macro‐habitat scale, a relationship between the fraction of evergreen forests and the presence probability of epiphyllous liverworts? Can these two parameters be estimated and mapped using an NDVI‐based indicator that is derived from time‐series of SPOT‐VGT imagery?

Location

Southern China.

Methods

Applying the ISODATA algorithm, we classified SPOT‐VGT NDVI time‐series imagery and produced an NDVI map at 1‐km2 resolution containing 128 NDVI classes. That map and the National Land Cover Map of China (2000) were used to prepare a scheme for field sampling. For 537 1‐km2 areas, located in 19 blocks of 100 km × 100 km, field data were collected. They represented 51 preselected NDVI classes that were assumed to contain evergreen forests. Data on the fractions of forest and evergreen forest, the fraction of evergreen forest in forest present and presence probability of epiphyllous liverworts were regressed against different NDVI class‐specific indicators by means of weighted least‐squares regression (WLSR).

Results

The SPOT‐VGT NDVI for March was found to best explain the variation between 1‐km2 areas in the presence probability of epiphyllous liverworts (R2 = 0.64; linear relationship; RMSE = 0.38) as the area fraction (%) of evergreen forest (R2 = 0.90; exponential relationship; RMSE = 6.1%). Epiphyllous liverworts were only found within 1‐km2 areas when the SPOT‐VGT NDVI value for March was more than 0.50 (model estimate: 0.43 ± 0.20) and the fraction of evergreen forest in 1 km2 was above 14% (model estimate: 5 ± 35%). The estimation errors (with 95% confidence interval) of these two relationships were calculated using a bootstrap resampling method with 1000 replications; they were, respectively, 0.49–0.76 and 0.85–0.94 for R2, and 0.11–0.23 and 5.2–11.9% for RMSE. Other positive relationships were found between the presence probability of epiphyllous liverworts and the fraction of evergreen forest (R2 = 0.64, linear relationship; RMSE = 0.38) and between the fraction of evergreen forest and forest within 1‐km2 areas (R2 = 0.80, linear relationship; RMSE = 29%).

Conclusion

We show that for southern China, the fraction of evergreen forest and the presence probability of epiphyllous liverworts can directly be inferred by making use of SPOT‐VGT NDVI imagery. The findings are fully consistent with earlier reported hotspots for epiphyllous liverworts. At the macro‐habitat scale, the presence probability of epiphyllous liverworts proved quantitatively related to the fraction of evergreen forest. This suggests causal relationships with patch size and/or rainfall patterns. We believe that the derived maps may serve as a foundation for a range of further studies.
NMR investigations of the dual targeting peptide of Thr‐tRNA synthetase and its interaction with the mitochondrial Tom20 receptor in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ye Weihua , Spånning Erika , Unnerståle Sofia , Gotthold David , Glaser Elzbieta , Mäler Lena
Published: August 2012

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized in the cytosol as precursor proteins containing an N‐terminal targeting peptide and are imported into mitochondria through the import machineries, the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM) and the translocase of the inner mitochondrial membrane (TIM). The N‐terminal targeting peptide of precursor proteins destined for the mitochondrial matrix is recognized by the Tom20 receptor and plays an important role in the import process. Protein import is usually organelle specific, but several plant proteins are dually targeted into mitochondria and chloroplasts using an ambiguous dual targeting peptide. We present NMR studies of the dual targeting peptide of Thr‐tRNA synthetase and its interaction with Tom20 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our findings show that the targeting peptide is mostly unstructured in buffer, with a propensity to form α‐helical structure in one region, S6–F27, and a very weak β‐strand propensity for Q34–Q38. The α‐helical structured region has an amphiphilic character and a φχχφφ motif, both of which have previously been shown to be important for mitochondrial import. Using NMR we have mapped out two regions in the peptide that are important for Tom20 recognition: one of them, F9–V28, overlaps with the amphiphilic region, and the other comprises residues L30–Q39. Our results show that the targeting peptide may interact with Tom20 in several ways. Furthermore, our results indicate a weak, dynamic interaction. The results provide for the first time molecular details on the interaction of the Tom20 receptor with a dual targeting peptide.

Database

The backbone chemical shift assignments for ThrRS‐dTP(2–60) have been deposited with the Biological Magnetic Resonance Bank (BMRB) under the accession code 18248

Structured digital abstract

ThrRS‐dTP and Tom20‐4 bind by nuclear magnetic resonance (View interaction)
Expression of human CYP27B1 in Escherichia coli and characterization in phospholipid vesicles
Authors: Tang Edith K. Y. , Tieu Elaine W. , Tuckey Robert C.
Published: August 2012

CYP27B1 is a mitochondrial cytochrome P450 that catalyses the hydroxylation of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 at the C1α‐position to give the hormonally active form of vitamin D3, 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3. We successfully expressed human CYP27B1 in Escherichia coli and partially purified this labile enzyme and carried out a detailed characterization of its kinetic properties in a reconstituted membrane environment. The phospholipid concentration did not affect the enzyme activity in the vesicle‐reconstituted system, although it was influenced by the phospholipid composition, with the addition of cardiolipin lowering the Km for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3. These data are consistent with the enzyme accessing substrate from the hydrophobic domain of the vesicle membrane. Cardiolipin also caused the appearance of inhibition of activity at high substrate concentrations. This substrate inhibition fitted a model for one catalytic and two inhibitory sites on the enzyme for the binding of substrate. The Km for human adrenodoxin was observed to decrease with decreasing substrate concentration, with the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) being largely independent of adrenodoxin concentration. Human CYP27B1 was also active on 25‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and on intermediates of the CYP24A1‐mediated inactivation pathway, 24R,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3, 24‐oxo‐25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 and 24‐oxo‐23,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3, with all these substrates showing comparable kcat values of 50–71 min−1, similar to 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3. The latter two substrates gave higher Km values than that for 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D3. The present study shows that human CYP27B1 can be partially purified in an active form with the enzyme displaying high activity towards a range of substrates in a phospholipid vesicle‐reconstituted system that mimics the inner‐mitochondrial membrane.
Toxic cocktail: Methanol poisoning in a tourist to Indonesia
Authors: Gee Paul , Martin Elizabeth
Published: August 2012

Methanol poisoning has become very uncommon in Australasia with regulations that have reduced its retail availability. This report describes a young tourist who developed sudden onset visual failure and rapid breathing 2 days after ingestion of a complimentary local drink called Arrack when travelling in Indonesia. She presented to a hospital in New Zealand with severe metabolic acidosis and a highly toxic methanol level at 17 mmol/L. The cocktail was consumed at a popular tourist bar but is likely to have been mixed from home‐brewed or ‘moonshine’ alcohol tainted with methanol. The aetiology of methanol poisoning, its optic toxicology and therapeutic measures are discussed, as is the concerning number of methanol poisoning cases among tourists to Indonesia over recent years.
Intended or Unintended Consequences? The Likely Implications of Raising the Bar for Sexual Dysfunction Diagnosis in the Proposed DSM-V Revisions: 2. For Women with Loss of Subjective Sexual Arousal
Authors: Clayton Anita H. , DeRogatis Leonard R. , Rosen Raymond C. , Pyke Robert
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Brotto proposes to combine female sexual desire and arousal disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition.

Aim

We provide evidence that the proposed criteria could potentially exclude from diagnosis or treatment a large number of women with distressing dysfunction in sexual arousal.

Methods

Rating scale data from nontreatment validation studies of patient-reported outcome measures including almost 500 women in North America and Europe, including 49 women diagnosed with arousal disorder only, were compared with the proposed criteria.

Main Outcome Measures

The main measures were an early version of the eDiary (an electronic diary on sexual activity) and four previously validated measures of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), the clinician-rated Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory—Female and the self-rated Female Sexual Function Index, Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, and Female Sexual Distress Scale.

Results

The women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) scored as manifestly sexually dysfunctional and significantly sexually distressed. They had fewer satisfying sexual events (SSEs) vs. women with no FSD, with a lower proportion of SSEs, and significantly fewer orgasms.

Conclusion

Despite evidence presented that women with FSAD have clinically disordered sexual function, our data also suggest that the majority of these women with FSAD would meet none of the six proposed “A” criteria for Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder, raising new validity and utility concerns for the proposed diagnostic classification. Suggestions are made to modify the proposed new criteria so as to include such distressed women.
Excessive Penile Norepinephrine Level Underlies Impaired Erectile Function in Adenosine A1 Receptor Deficient Mice
Authors: Ning Chen , Qi Lin , Wen Jiaming , Zhang Yujin , Zhang Weiru , Wang Wei , Blackburn Michael , Kellems Rodney , Xia Yang
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Penile erection is a complex neurovascular physiological event controlled by multiple factors and signaling pathways. A considerable amount of evidence indicates that adenosine plays a significant role in cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation. However, the specific role of adenosine and its receptors in erectile physiology and pathology is not fully understood.

Aim

To determine the role of the adenosine A1 receptor (ADORA1) in penile erection.

Method

Adenosine A1 receptor deficient (Adora1-/-) mice and aged-matched wild-type (WT) mice were utilized. We evaluated the in vivo erectile function by measuring the intracavernosal pressure (ICP) in response to cavernous nerve stimulation (CNS). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the norepinephrine (NE) plasma concentration in the corpus cavernosum and systemic circulation. We also evaluated the myosin light chain phosphorylation (p-MLC) in penile tissue pre- and post-CNS.

Main Outcome Measurement

The main outcome measurement of this research was the evaluation of in vivo erectile response to CNS by measuring the ICP in Adora1-/- mice and WT mice and to identify the localization and specific neuron types of ADORA1 expression by dual immunostaining and immunofluorescence co-localization.

Result

In vivo, both the ratio of CNS-induced Maximum ICP to mean arterial pressure and CNS-induced slope in Adora1-/- mice were significantly lower than WT mice. At the cellular level in penile tissue, we determined that ADORA1 was highly abundant in neuronal cells. During penile erection, Adora1-/- mice exhibited a higher level of NE plasma concentration in the penis than WT mice. And WT mice had a significantly greater reduction in p-MLC compared to Adora1-/- mice.

Conclusion

Our results show that ADORA1 is enriched on neuron cells where it functions to control NE release. Activation of this receptor during penile erection results in reduced NE release and reduced cavernosal smooth muscle contraction, therefore facilitating penile erection.
The genetic contribution of HLA‐DRB5*01:01 to systemic lupus erythematosus in Thailand
Authors: Louthrenoo W. , Kasitanon N. , Wichainun R. , Wangkaew S. , Sukitawut W. , Ohnogi Y. , Hong G. H. , Kuwata S. , Takeuchi F.
Published: August 2012

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) study in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been investigated in various countries, but the results are still inconclusive. This study was performed to investigate the association between HLA‐DR and SLE in patients in northern Thailand. HLA‐DR subtyping was performed in 70 patients with SLE and 99 normal healthy controls living in northern Thailand using the INNO‐LiPA HLA‐DR Decoder kit (Innogenetics) and MICRO SSP HLA DNA Typing kit (One Lambda) for reconfirmation. The allele frequency (AF) of DRB5*01:01 in SLE was significantly higher than in the controls [25.7% vs. 14.6%, P = 0.012, Pc = 0.048, OR = 2.02 (95%CI = 1.17–3.48)]. The AF of DRB1*15:01 and DRB1*16:02 showed a nonsignificant tendency to be higher in SLE (10.7% vs. 8.1%, and 17.9% vs. 11.1%). Interestingly, the DRB5*01:01 allele linked to DRB1*16:02 in 47.2% of SLE and 37.9% of controls, and the prevalence of the DRB1*16:02‐DRB5*01:01 haplotype was higher in the patients with SLE [12.1% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.044, OR = 2.35 (95%CI = 1.06–5.19)]. The DRB1*16:02 linked to DRB5*02:02 and *02:03 in 18.2% and 31.8% of controls, respectively, and linked to DRB5*02:03 in 32.0% of SLE patients. The frequency of DRB1*03:01 and *15:02 alleles was not increased in Thai SLE. There was no significant association between DRB5*01:01 and any auto‐antibodies or clinical manifestations of SLE. DRB5*01:01 is associated with Thai SLE, and the association is stronger than that of DRB1*15:01. The genetic contribution of DRB5*01:01 is due partially to the linkage disequilibrium between DRB1*16:02 and DRB5*01:01 in the northern Thai population.
Recognition of a Caucasoid HLA‐B locus allele, B*44:55, in a Taiwanese/Chinese bone marrow stem cell donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Lee S. K. , Kao R. H. , Lin C. L. , Lin P. Y.
Published: August 2012

We detected a Caucasoid HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*44:55, in a potential Taiwanese/Chinese bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell donor during our routine HLA SBT (sequence‐based typing) practice. The sequence of B*44:55 varies with B*44:02:01:01 with one nucleotide in exon 2 at position 97 (T‐>C), while it differs from B*44:03:01 with one nucleotide in exon 2 at position 97 (T‐>C) and three nucleotides in exon 3 at residues 538–540 (CTG‐>GAC). The nucleotide replacements caused one amino acid variation with B*44:02:01:01 at residue 9 (Y‐>H) and two amino acid variations with B*44:03:01 at residue 9 (Y‐>H) and residue 156 (L‐>D). The formation of B*44:55 is probably the result of a nucleotide substitution involving B*44:02:01:01 at position 97 (T‐>C). The Taiwanese/Chinese donor with B*44:55 claims having no kinship with Caucasian. Our speculations on the origin of the Taiwanese/Chinese B*44:55 will be presented.
Members Matter in Team Training: Multilevel and Longitudinal Relationships Between Goal Orientation, Self‐Regulation, and Team Outcomes
Authors: Dierdorff Erich C. , Ellington J. Kemp
Published: August 2012

Longitudinal data from 338 individuals across 64 teams in a simulation‐based team‐training context were used to examine the effects of dispositional goal orientation on self‐regulated learning (self‐efficacy and metacognition). Team goal orientation compositions, as reflected by average goal orientations of team members, were examined for moderating effects on these individual‐level relationships. Finally, individual‐level self‐regulation was investigated for its influence on multiple team‐level outcomes across time. Results showed generally positive effects of learning goal orientation and negative effects of avoid performance and prove performance goal orientations on rates of self‐regulation during team training. However, several of these individual‐level relationships were moderated by team goal orientation composition. The importance of self‐regulation in teams was displayed by results showing the average level of self‐regulation among a team's members over time was positively associated with team efficacy, team cooperation quality, and team decision making.
Assessment of transgene flow in tomato and potential effects of genetically modified tomato expressing Cry3Bb1 toxins on bumblebee feeding behaviour
Authors: Arpaia S. , Battafarano R. , Chen L.‐Y. , Devos Y. , Di Leo G.M. , Lu B.‐R.
Published: August 2012

One of the concerns surrounding the commercial release of genetically modified (GM) crops is the escape of transgenes into agricultural or semi‐natural habitats through vertical gene flow, as this may cause environmental or economic problems. There is also the concern that GM crops may affect pollinators and the pollination services they provide. Despite the growing commercial interest of GM tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), gene flow has been assessed only sparsely in tomato. To evaluate the likelihood of gene flow from GM tomato plants to sexually compatible plants, and to assess whether bumblebee activity is affected by GM tomato, three experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions, using a Bt‐tomato expressing the insecticidal Cry3Bb1 protein as model system: (a) artificial crosses between a GM tomato line, two wild tomato relatives (Solanum hirsutum and Solanum nigrum) and a non‐GM tomato variety; (b) bumblebee‐mediated crosses between GM and non‐GM tomato plants and (c) visual observations of bumblebees' feeding behaviour. No hybrids were obtained between the GM tomato line and S. hirsutum and S. nigrum. In an experimental design where non‐GM receptor plants outnumbered GM plants by approximately 3:1, the bumblebee‐mediated cross‐fertilisation rate between GM and non‐GM tomato plants was measured at 4.3 ± 5.47%. No significant differences in feeding behaviour of bumblebees foraging on GM and non‐GM tomato plants were observed. Therefore, we conclude that: (a) the probability of transgene introgression between the GM tomato line used in this study and its wild relatives S. hirsutum and S. nigrum is negligible; (b) bumblebee activity can mediate cross‐fertilisation between GM and non‐GM tomato and (3) the Cry3Bb1‐expressing tomato line tested does not adversely affect the feeding behaviour of bumblebees.
Elevated CO2 may impair the beneficial effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the mineral and phytochemical quality of lettuce
Authors: Baslam Marouane , Garmendia Idoia , Goicoechea Nieves
Published: August 2012

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve growth and nutritional quality of greenhouse‐grown lettuces cultivated at ambient CO2. Moreover, mycorrhizal symbiosis is predicted to be important in defining plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Our main objective was to assess the effects of elevated CO2 on growth and nutritional quality of greenhouse‐grown lettuces inoculated or not with AMF. Results showed that the accumulation of mineral nutrients (e.g. P, Cu, Fe) and antioxidant compounds (carotenoids, phenolics, anthocyanins, ascorbate) induced by AMF in leaves of lettuces cultivated at ambient CO2 may diminish or disappear under elevated CO2. It is hypothesized that a relevant quantity of photoassimilates could be used for improving shoot growth and spreading mycorrhizal colonization in detriment to the secondary metabolism. However, important differences can be found among different cultivars of lettuces.
Abundant genetic diversity of the wild rice Zizania latifolia in central China revealed by microsatellites
Authors: Chen Y.‐Y. , Chu H.‐J. , Liu H. , Liu Y.‐L.
Published: August 2012

Wild rice Zizania latifolia is a perennial emergent aquatic plant widely distributed across China. Wild populations of Z. latifolia are important to aquatic ecosystems and are valuable genetic resources for breeding. However, they have been faced with significant habitat losses in recent decades. For 10 nuclear microsatellites, high levels of genetic diversity (HE = 0.572–0.636) were found across seven surveyed populations from central China. The main factors responsible for that were its long life history and predominant outcrossing reproductive system. Low genetic differentiation among populations was found based on Wright's FST = 0.098. Similarly, AMOVA analysis showed only 7.73% of the total molecular variation was attributed to inter‐population differentiation. The weak population structure of Z. latifolia could be due to high gene flow mediated by water or birds (Nm = 2.30, M = 2.18). Importantly, most populations exhibited mutation‐drift disequilibrium, suggesting a recent population decline. Based on the results, wild populations of Z. latifolia are expected to lose genetic diversity and increase genetic structure in future generations. Therefore, conservation management is urgently needed to maintain the genetic resources of Z. latifolia.
Specificity of larval settlement of the Caribbean Orange Icing Sponge, Mycale laevis
Authors: Loh Tse‐Lynn , Pawlik Joseph R.
Published: August 2012

The Caribbean sponge Mycale laevis is often found growing in close proximity to living scleractinian corals. This commonly observed sponge–coral association has been considered a mutualism, with the coral providing substratum for the sponge, and the sponge protecting the coral skeleton from boring organisms. We examined the specificity of sponge recruitment to live corals, expecting a positive and specific settlement response if a mutualism exists. Benthic surveys conducted off Key Largo, Florida, and Bocas del Toro, Panama, revealed that individuals of M. laevis grew on substrata that included dead coral and other species of sponges. Selectivity analysis indicated that at three of the four survey sites, M. laevis was not randomly distributed, but associated with live corals more frequently than expected from proportional coral cover. However, settlement assays demonstrated that larvae of M. laevis did not preferentially respond to the presence of live coral. We have previously demonstrated that adults of M. laevis are chemically undefended and readily eaten by spongivorous fishes unless protected by adjacent substrata such as live corals. In overfished areas, where spongivore density is low, the sponge is not selectively distributed near corals. Initial results of settlement experiments with different substrata suggested that larvae of M. laevis responded positively to the presence of the chemically defended sponge Amphimedon compressa, perhaps indicating an associational defense. Further experiments revealed that larvae were reacting to artificially high concentrations of exudates from cut surfaces of Am. compressa; settlement was not enhanced in response to healed pieces of Am. compressa. In addition, the larvae of M. laevis did not selectively respond to live coral or to chemically defended heterospecifics. These results indicate that the commonly observed proximity of M. laevis to live corals is not driven by larval settlement behavior, but instead by post‐settlement mortality due to predation.
Predictive Models for Growth of Leuconostoc citreum and Its Dynamics in Pickled Vegetables with Low Salinity
Authors: Weng P.F. , Wu Z.F. , Lei L.L.
Published: August 2012

The strain of Leuconostoc citreum L‐33 (L. citreum L‐33) is a critical microorganism in the processing of pickled vegetables with low salinity. In this study, effects of temperature, initial pH and sodium chloride concentration on cell growth of L. citreum L‐33 and its growth prediction models were achieved in order to predict the growth situation of L. citreum L‐33 under definite conditions. By use of Man‐Rogosa‐Sharpe broth medium at different initial pH and sodium chloride concentration, the strain of L. citreum L‐33 was incubated at different temperature. Furthermore, first‐order and secondary growth prediction models of L. citreum were established, respectively, according to the fitting curve and data process by Origin software. The results demonstrated that in the experimental conditions, the growth prediction of L. citreum L‐33 can be described by the Gompertz equation with four parameters. High fitting accuracy values of most of the first‐order growth models were over 0.99 according to the Adjusted R‐squared. Relation between the maximum specific growth rate obtained by the Gompertz equation and temperature as well as initial pH can be described by the Ratkowsky equation. However, a relation between the maximum specific growth rate and sodium chloride concentration could be described by polynomial equations. The secondary model obtained was validated by the medium data. The bias and accuracy factors are between 0.9–1.0 and 1.0–1.1, respectively, within an acceptable range. Temperature, initial pH and sodium chloride concentration are important factors influencing the cell growth of L. citreum L‐33. The growth prediction models for the crucial microorganism L. citreum L‐33 in low‐salinity pickled vegetable processing could be conducted under definite conditions.

Practical Applications

The microorganisms play important role in the processing and preservation of pickled vegetables, especially in the conditions of low concentration of salt. A critical microorganism of Leuconostoc citreum L‐33 (L. citreum L‐33) in pickled vegetable processing involved, its growth prediction models under different environmental conditions were established. The established models can provide a more accurate estimation for growth of L. citreum and theoretical support for production processing optimization of pickled vegetables, as well as valuable data for developing mathematic models of food microbiology. These findings could be applied in pickled vegetable processing practice by means of growth prediction of crucial microorganisms impacting on quality and safety of the product.
Can New Zealand's Covenanting Agencies Meet the Challenge of the Biodiversity Strategy?
Authors: BELLINGHAM MARK
Published: August 2012

In February 2000 the New Zealand Government released its national Biodiversity Strategy with significant emphasis on the role of central and local government, communities and private landowners in achieving biodiversity conservation on public and private land. New Zealand has had provisions in legislation for the protection of biodiversity on private land for more than 70 years. There are now a wide range of of purposes and management flexibility within the nine types of covenants administered by the Department of Conservation (DoC) and the Queen Elizabeth National Trust's (QE II National Trust) Open Space covenants. In addition a small number of territorial local authorities (TLAs) manage private covenanting schemes, the most notable being the Auckland Region by Rodney and Franklin District Councils. Funding appears to be the critical issue for covenanting agencies being able to meet the objectives of the NZ Biodiversity Strategy affecting the ability of agencies to fund survey, administration, fencing, pest management and landowner advice. Unless funding is addressed landowners will be left shouldering most of the burden of conservation management, planning and funding for these areas and the tide may not have turned for biodiversity protection and enhancement on private land.
Refining the Approach to Compensation – An Insurance Based Risk Management Approach  Améliorer l’approche en termes d’indemnisation – une approche de la gestion du risque fondée sur l’assurance  Den Ansatz der Entschädigung weiterentwickeln – ein versicherungsbasierter Ansatz für das Risikomanagement
Authors: Burden Robert
Published: August 2012

summary

Refining the Approach to Compensation – An Insurance Based Risk Management Approach

Compensation schemes can encourage timely reporting and cooperation, as well as the undertaking of good risk management practices, and mitigating catastrophic losses by livestock holders. However, such schemes can be costly with difficulties in setting payments at the right level. Overcompensation may lead to livestock owners relaxing their prevention activities, a case of moral hazard (incentive for excessive risk taking), and under‐compensation could lead to under reporting. Therefore, compensation schemes need to be tailored to specific disease contexts and recognise specific industry operating realities. Private insurance for risks related to epidemic livestock diseases can be a good instrument to assist in achieving this, but a good delineation of responsibilities is required to make it work. A structured approach to compensation is presented using a method that incorporates the typical practices used in the development of traditional insurance products. This structured risk management approach (SRMA) can significantly benefit public policies by allowing their development to be more strategic in the design of risk transfer solutions. If done effectively the resulting SRMA can reduce the potential of a disease outbreak, the cost of responding to it and the need for compensation after it has been contained.
Developing a Government–Industry Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare Policy in England   Développer un partenariat industrie‐pouvoirs publics pour la politique de santé et de bien‐être animal en Angleterre   Die Entwicklung einer Partnerschaft zwischen Regierung und Wirtschaft zur Tiergesundheits‐ und Tierschutzpolitik in England
Authors: Seals Michael
Published: August 2012

summary

Developing a Government–Industry Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare Policy in England

The Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) was established in recognition that a more effective partnership between Government, animal keepers and related industries was needed in order to develop and deliver animal health and welfare policy in England. The AHWBE’s role is to advise Ministers on virtually all aspects of animal health and welfare policy in England including how the animal health budget is spent. Advice on strategic issues, which previously would have gone directly from civil servants to Ministers, is now brought to the Board. The Board brings together non‐executive members with expertise in specific sectors and government officials responsible for animal health and welfare. It faces particular challenges given the pressures that government spending is facing, and aims to find more innovative and cost effective ways of delivering animal health and welfare policy. To address the issue of trade‐offs in resource allocation the role of economists and economic analysis and evidence will be central in supporting decision making within the Board. Key to the Board’s success will be its approach of engagement with stakeholders, partnership, developing trust and openness.
Thrombolysis in Ischemic Strokes with no Arterial Occlusion
Authors: Lahoti Sourabh A. , Caplan Louis R. , Saposnik Gustavo , Liebeskind David S. , Gokhale Sankalp , Hastak Shirish M.
Published: August 2012

Rationale

Twelve million people develop ischemic stroke each year world over and 30–40% of them do not have arterial occlusions at presentation. Trials conducted to study the efficacy of thrombolytic drug reported better outcome with use of thrombolytic drug but none studied the subtypes of ischemic strokes specifically and adequately. The subgroups of patients with no arterial occlusion at presentation continue to receive thrombolytic therapy without proven benefit and with some risk.

Aim

The aim of this article is to study whether intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase improves clinical outcome in ischemic stroke patients who do not have arterial occlusion at presentation.

Design

A retrospective medical record-based observational multicenter, multinational study.

Outcomes

Primary outcome measure would be clinical outcome at three-months from stroke onset measured by modified Rankin Scale and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. Secondary outcome measure will be frequency of intracerebral hemorrhage causing worsening of clinical deficit defined as increase in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale by >4.
The Metabolic Syndrome: Are Rural Residents at Increased Risk?
Authors: Trivedi Tushar , Liu Jihong , Probst Janice C. , Martin Amy Brock
Published: August 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the differences in prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components across rural‐urban populations, as well as to determine the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome and examine how they contribute toward rural‐urban disparity.Methods: Data came from the 1999‐2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, restricting to 6,896 participants aged 20 years or more with complete information. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Residence was measured at the census tract level using the Rural‐Urban Commuting Area Codes. We estimated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components by residence. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine urban‐rural differences after adjusting for sociodemographic, health, dietary, and lifestyle factors.Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in rural than urban residents (39.9% vs 32.8%), among both men (39.7% vs 33.3%) and women (40.2% vs 32.3%, respectively). The age and sex adjusted OR for metabolic syndrome in rural as compared to urban residents was 1.23 (95% CI, 1.02‐1.49), which was attenuated to 1.06 (95% CI, 0.90‐1.25) after adjusting for covariates. Older age, lower physical activity, higher screen time, higher meat intake, and skipping breakfast were associated with increased odds of metabolic syndrome.Conclusion: Rural dwelling was associated with higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults in the Unites States, which can be attributed to the differences in demographic composition and obesity‐related behavioral factors between urban and rural residents.
Calcium and phosphate homeostasis in hyperthyroid cats – associations with development of azotaemia and survival time
Authors: Williams T. L. , Elliott J. , Syme H. M.
Published: August 2012

Objectives

To evaluate calcium and phosphate homeostasis in hyperthyroid cats and determine if plasma parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor‐23 are associated with the presence of ‐azotaemic chronic kidney disease and/or have prognostic significance.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Logistic regression analysis and Cox regression analysis were performed to identify if parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor‐23 were predictors of development of azotaemia following treatment and survival time, respectively.

Results

Two hundred and seven hyperthyroid cats were included. Elevated plasma parathyroid hormone concentrations, hyperphosphataemia, decreased plasma fibroblast growth factor‐23 concentrations and hypocalcaemia were documented; however, all parameters returned to reference intervals following treatment of hyperthyroid cats without azotaemic chronic kidney disease. After adjustment for plasma creatinine concentration, baseline plasma parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor‐23 concentrations were not predictors of the development of azotaemia following treatment. Baseline plasma fibroblast growth factor‐23 concentrations were associated with all‐cause mortality; however, this association was not maintained after adjustment for packed cell volume.

Clinical Significance

Changes in plasma parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor‐23 concentrations which occur in hyperthyroid cats are not mediators of progression of chronic kidney disease; however, fibroblast growth factor‐23 would appear to have some prognostic significance in hyperthyroidism.
Ventricular septal defect in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Di Girolamo N. , Critelli M. , Zeyen U. , Selleri P.
Published: August 2012

A four‐year‐old, castrated male ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was evaluated because of a one‐year history of sporadic cough. On physical examination a grade 5 of 6 holosystolic murmur was audible over the right apex of the heart. Radiographic findings included the presence of air bronchograms in apical lobes accompanied by pulmonary venous congestion. Colour Doppler echocardiography revealed a left‐to‐right shunting compatible with a ventricular septal defect. Medical therapy was initiated at the time of the diagnosis. The ferret was presented again 2 months after the initial examination for coughing and respiratory distress. Echocardiographic findings included tricuspid regurgitation, relative enlargement of left‐atrial diameter and decreased systolic function, with presence of pleural effusion. Thoracocentesis was performed and the therapeutic plan was revised. In the following months the symptoms did not recur. In the authors’ opinion this is the first report to describe the clinical findings of isolated ventricular septal defect in the ferret. Congenital heart defects are rare in this species, the present ferret being only the second case described.
Approximate Water and Chemical Budgets for an Experimental, In‐pond Raceway System
Authors: Brown Travis W. , Boyd Claude E. , Chappell Jesse A.
Published: August 2012

There is increasing interest in intensive production of Ictalurid catfish in the United States and a better understanding of water quality dynamics in intensive culture is needed. Budgets for water, nitrogen, and phosphorus were estimated over a production season (March–November) for an In‐pond Raceway System for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and hybrid catfish, I. punctatus×I. furcatus, with co‐culture of paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. In addition to the rainfall and runoff, 70 cm of water was applied from a well to offset evaporation and seepage. Production of each kilogram of live catfish required 1.50 kg of feed and released 51.7 g nitrogen and 9.7 g phosphorus. Harvest of catfish accounted for 34.0% of nitrogen and 37.1% of phosphorus applied in feed. Seepage and overflow removed only small portions of nitrogen and phosphorus, while denitrification and ammonia volatilization removed large amounts of nitrogen. Some nitrogen accumulated in sediment. Phosphorus was harvested in fish and absorbed by pond sediment. Mechanical aeration aided in maintaining appropriate dissolved oxygen levels for fish production.
Effects of Hyperoxic Conditions on Growth Performance in Juvenile and Adult Green Sea Urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis
Authors: Siikavuopio Sten Ivar
Published: August 2012

The effects of hyperoxic conditions on survival, gonad growth, feed intake, and food conversion of adult and somatic growth and survival of juvenile green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, were examined. Juvenile and adult sea urchins with initial diameters of 11.5 and 75 mm, respectively, were reared in water with constant oxygen saturations of 100 (control), 115 and 130% for 42 d (juvenile) and 51 d (adult sea urchin) at 8 C and 33‰ salinity. During the experiment the gonad indices of the adults tripled from 7.3% (±1.5) to 21.4% (±4.3), 19.4% (±4.7), and 22.0% (±4.4) for the groups kept at 100, 115, and 130% oxygen saturation, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the differences in gonadal size among the groups were not significant. Neither were there any significant differences in food intake or food conversion ratio among the groups. Only one animal died during the experiment. The juvenile sea urchin kept at 100, 115, and 130% oxygen saturation doubled their test diameter from initially 11.5 mm (±1.5) to 19.9 mm (±1.4), 21.4 mm (±2.1) and 20.6 mm (1.0), respectively, but there were no significant differences in growth among these groups. There was no mortality during the experiments in these groups. Overall, the findings suggest that juvenile and adult S. droebachiensis are unable to utilize hypersaturation of oxygen to increase somatic or gonad growth, but can be reared at hyperoxygenated water for prolonged periods of time without harmful effects.
Evaluation of Toxicity of Dietary Chelated Copper in Juvenile Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, Based on Growth and Tissue Copper Concentration
Authors: Mohseni Mahmoud , Park Gun‐Hyun , Lee Jun‐Ho , Okorie Okorie Eme , Browdy Craig , Bharadwaj Anant , Bai Sungchal C.
Published: August 2012

The present study was conducted to determine the safe and toxic levels of dietary copper in juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, fed Mintrex® copper, a chelated dietary copper source. Fish averaging 3.8 ± 0.13 g (mean ± SD) were fed 1 of 10 diets (n = 3) containing 7 (Cu0), 10.4 (CuM5), 15.8 (CuM10), 24.9 (CuM20), 43.4 (CuM40), 82.1 (CuM80), 158 (CuM160), 308 (CuM320), 658 (CuM640), and 1267 (CuM1280) mg Cu/kg diet. At the end of 12 wk of feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed CuM5 and CuM10 diets were significantly higher than those fed CuM80, CuM160, CuM320, CuM640, and CuM1280 diets (P < 0.05). Survival of fish fed Cu0, CuM5, CuM10, CuM20, and CuM40 diets was significantly higher than those of fish fed CuM320, CuM640, and CuM1280 diets. Whole‐body lipid content of fish decreased while whole‐body ash increased with dietary copper levels. Whole‐body and tissue copper concentrations increased with dietary copper levels. Although ANOVA test suggested that the toxic level of dietary Cu in juvenile olive flounder, P. olivaceus, could be 320 mg/kg diet, broken‐line analysis of WG indicated a level of 286 mg/kg diet when Mintrex®Cu is used as the dietary copper source.