bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of an Atlantic salmon Salmo salar stream at the southern limit of its eastern Atlantic distribution
Authors: Costas N. , ÁLvarez M. , Pardo I.
Published: January 2010

Ten reaches of an Atlantic stream located in north‐west Spain were sampled intensively during one summer to characterize the conditions where Atlantic salmon Salmo salar have been re‐introduced along the stream. Fish species richness and diversity showed a downstream increase, which was mainly attributed to the higher number of cyprinid species found in the lower reaches. Moreover, except for brown trout Salmo trutta that appeared to be the most ubiquitous species, the densities of the other species was higher in the lower than in the upper stream reaches. Redundancy analysis showed that the pattern of fish assemblages observed along the studied stream was mainly related to the expected gradient observed in the levels of dissolved oxygen, discharge and mean current speed. There was a significant differentiation between midstream and downstream reaches, both in terms of the composition of their fish assemblages and the freshwater habitat. This study emphasizes the importance of describing the variations in fish assemblages and habitat characteristics along a river to explore its relation to potential changes in the survival of fish populations. In particular, the development of habitat–fish relationships may be a useful tool for water managers to assess the effects of development and restoration projects on the habitat of S. salar.
Small‐scale demographic variation in the stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride
Authors: Paddack M. J. , Sponaugle S. , Cowen R. K.
Published: January 2010

Age‐based analysis of the stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride was used to examine whether observed differences in their abundance and size structure among reefs in a cross‐shelf portion of the upper Florida Keys could be explained by variation in demographic rates. Annual and daily sagittal otolith increments were enumerated for 176 individuals collected from replicates of reefs in two strata, inshore and offshore reefs (2–6 m depth). von Bertalanffy growth functions fitted to size‐at‐age plots for each site were similar between reefs within each stratum (inshore and offshore), but differed between strata. Sparisoma viride on offshore reefs attained greater average standard length (LS) at age, greater mean asymptotic size and were longer lived than fish from inshore reefs. Fish on inshore reefs attained only half the maximum age observed on offshore reefs (4 v. 8 years, respectively). No terminal phase fish >4 years of age were found on either reef type. Estimates of mortality rates from age‐frequency data of collected fish revealed higher mortality on inshore reefs. Demographic variables obtained in this study were similar to published values for S. viride from Caribbean reefs but differed significantly from published values from reefs at a similar latitude (Bahamas), reflecting high demographic plasticity on both local and regional scales.
Captive hybridization of two geographically isolated pygmy angelfish species,Centropyge fisheriandCentropyge resplendens
Authors: Baensch F. U. , Tamaru C. S.
Published: January 2010

This study documents the rearing of two pygmy angelfish species,Centropyge fisheriandCentropyge resplendens,and the early life history and reproduction of their hybrid offspring. AC. fisherifemale, collected from Hawaii, and aC. resplendensmale, captive‐bred from parental stock collected from Ascension Island, were maintained at the hatchery facility for 7 months. Continuous spawning was achieved at a photoperiod cycle of 14L:10D and a water temperature of 26·5° C, range ±1° C. Over the 110 day period, theC. fisherifemale spawned 102 times, 57% of which resulted in embryos (fertilized eggs). The mean ±s.d.fecundity per spawn was 730 ± 459 eggs (range 52–1967). Fertility (% eggs that developed into embryos) of all eggs that were preserved was 22·4 ± 25·6%. A total of 235 hybrid juveniles were raised through metamorphosis with an average larval survival of 16·4%. Eight F1hybrid juveniles isolated for further study began to display signs of reproductive behaviourc. 300 days post‐hatch (dph). Spawn resulting in non‐fertile eggs were first obtained 319 dph, and fertilized eggs developing into embryos were obtained after 411 dph from at least two female individuals. While no attempt was made at rearing the F2larvae, embryo and larval development were normal up to 8 dph. Reproduction and development observed for all hybrid generations in this study were normal, similar to otherCentropygespecies and indicates a very close phylogenetic relationship between what are currently considered distinct species,e.g. C. fisheriandC. resplendens.
Otolith chemistry of prey fish consumed by a fish predator: does digestion hinder Russian doll techniques?
Authors: Phelps Q. E. , Noatch M. R. , Lewis H. A. , Myers D. J. , Zeigler J. M. , Eichelberger J. S. , Saltzgiver M. J. , Whitledge G. W.
Published: January 2010

The effect of digestion by a predatory fish (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides) on stable isotopic (δ13C and δ18O) and trace elemental (Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca) compositions of prey fish (bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) otoliths was investigated in a laboratory experiment. Trace element and stable‐isotopic signatures of L. macrochirus otoliths were not significantly altered for up to 16 h after L. macrochirus were consumed by M. salmoides. Prey fish otoliths recovered from predator digesta can retain environmental stable isotopic and trace elemental signatures, suggesting that determination of environmental history for prey fishes by stable‐isotope and trace‐element analysis of otoliths recovered from stomachs of piscivorous fishes will be feasible.
Post‐release predation on hatchery‐reared Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in the coast of Fukushima, Japan
Authors: Tomiyama T. , Ebe K. , Kawata G. , Fujii T.
Published: January 2010

To determine the predators of 100 mm total length hatchery‐reared juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, fishes and crabs were collected using gillnets and a small trawl net off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Predation on juvenile P. olivaceus by older conspecifics, the snailfish Liparis tanakai, ocellate spot skate Okamejei kenojei and the swimming crab Ovalipes punctatus, was detected based on analogical observation and molecular techniques. These predators are nocturnal feeders except for P. olivaceus. Liparis tanakai with body sizes large enough to consume juveniles only appeared in winter, whereas the large O. punctatus was abundant in early summer and in late autumn. Such seasonal variation in predator abundance indicates that the release season can be optimized for reducing predation mortality.
Temporal dynamics of epidermal responses of guppies Poecilia reticulata to a sublethal range of waterborne zinc concentrations
Authors: Gheorghiu C. , Marcogliese D. J. , Scott M. E.
Published: January 2010

This study assessed the histological changes in the epidermis of guppies Poecilia reticulata induced by waterborne zinc (Zn). Laboratory‐reared P. reticulata fry were maintained individually in separate vessels containing artificial water (8 µg l−1 Zn) to which 0, 15, 30, 60 or 120 µg l−1 Zn was added. Their epidermal response to Zn was monitored regularly over 4 weeks. Compared with controls, mucus was rapidly released and mucous cell numbers decreased at all concentrations. Thereafter mucous release, epidermal thickness, numbers and size of mucous cells fluctuated at a rate that varied with Zn concentration, but fluctuations declined after day 18. Results clearly highlight the dynamic nature of the epidermal response to sublethal concentrations of waterborne Zn. In general, low concentrations of Zn induced a rapid response with reduced numbers and size of mucous cells and shift in mucin composition, and a subsequent thickening of the epidermis. Epidermal thickness and mucous cell area fluctuated over time but were normal after a month of exposure to low Zn concentrations. The number of mucous cells, however, remained low. Virtually all mucous cells from fish maintained in 15 and 60 µg l−1 Zn contained acidic mucins throughout the month, whereas fish maintained at 30 µg l−1 Zn responded by production of neutral mucins during the first 12 days followed by a mixture of neutral and acidic mucins. At 120 µg l−1 Zn, the most dramatic effects were the gradual but sustained decrease in numbers and area of mucous cells, and the shift to acidic mucins in these cells. Thus, as concentration of Zn increased, the epidermal responses indicated a disturbed host response (dramatic decline in mucous cell numbers, with mixed composition of mucins), which may have been less effective in preventing Zn uptake across the epithelium.
Welfare in wild‐capture marine fisheries
Authors: Metcalfe J. D.
Published: January 2010

In contrast to terrestrial farming or aquaculture, little, if any, welfare regulation exists that constrains how fishes are handled or killed in wild‐capture marine fisheries. Given that welfare in wild‐capture fisheries is moving further up the public agenda, an unbiased, dispassionate account of what happens to fishes caught in wild‐capture marine fisheries is needed so as to identify where the main animal welfare issues exist.
Cytotaxonomy in distinct populations of Hoplias aff. malabaricus (Characiformes, Erythrinidae) from lower Paranapanema River basin
Authors: Rosa R. , Caetano‐Filho M. , Shibatta O. A. , Giuliano‐Caetano L.
Published: January 2010

Cytogenetic and morphometric analyses were carried out in Hoplias aff. malabaricus specimens from six distinct populations from the lower Paranapanema River basin, located between the states of Paraná and São Paulo, Brazil. Measurements were also taken from a specimen collected in Surinam. In a population from a fish farm station at Universidade do Norte do Parana (EPUNOPAR), two sympatric cytotypes (2n = 40 and 2n = 42 chromosomes) are found. A population from a fish farm station at Universidade Estadual de Londrina (EPUEL) shows 2n = 42 meta–submetacentric chromosomes for males and females with a simple sex chromosome system of XX/XY type. Populations from the Vermelho and Rancho Alegre Rivers, Três Bocas Stream and Paranapanema River have 2n = 39 chromosomes in males and 2n = 40 chromosomes in females, showing a multiple sex chromosome system of X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y type. Twenty morphological variables were studied. These measurements were used for an analysis of the canonical variables and standard analysis of proportional measurements. The most variable measurements among the specimens are the maxilla length (MXL) and the pre‐dorsal distance (PDD). Analysis of canonical variables indicates three distinct groups in the first canonical axis formed by: (1) Três Bocas Stream, (2) Rancho Alegre + Vermelho River + EPUNOPAR and (3) EPUEL + Paranapanema River. This axis retained 79·4% of information from the original matrix. Analysis of morphometrics reveals differences among populations from the Paranapanema River basin and between these and the specimen from Surinam. The morphometric and cytogenetic differences among the studied populations suggest a species complex.
Digestive capacities, inbreeding and growth capacities in juvenile Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus
Authors: Ditlecadet D. , Blier P. U. , Le François N. R. , Dufresne F.
Published: January 2010

Genetic variation in growth performance was estimated in 26 families from two commercial strains of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus. Physiological determinants of growth and metabolic capacities were also assessed through enzymatic assays. A relatedness coefficient was attributed to each family using parental genotypes at seven microsatellite loci. After 15 months of growth, faster growing families had significantly lower relatedness coefficients than slower growing families, suggesting their value as indicators of growth potential. Individual fish that exhibited higher trypsin activity also displayed higher growth rate, suggesting that superior protein digestion capacities can be highly advantageous at early stages. Capacities to use amino acids as expressed by glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities were lower in the liver of fast‐growing fish (13–20%), whereas white muscle of fast‐growing fish showed higher activities than that of slow‐growing fish for amino acid metabolism and aerobic capacity [22–32% increase for citrate synthase (CS), aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) and GDH]. The generally higher glycolytic capacities (PK and LDH) in white muscle of fast‐growing fish indicated higher burst swimming capacities and hence better access to food.
Fluctuating asymmetry and fitness correlations in twoEngraulis encrasicoluspopulations
Authors: Kristoffersen J. B. , Magoulas A.
Published: January 2010

Correlations among several measures of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and fitness‐related variables were assessed in two populations of the European anchovyEngraulis encrasicoluswith fast growth (Aegean Sea) and slow growth (Ionian Sea), respectively. FA levels were borderline significantly higher in the Ionian than in the Aegean for some variables. Variation in otolith shape (deviation from population norm) was lower in the Ionian than the Aegean, contrary to expectation. Within the Aegean, there was no relation between any of the FA indexes and fitness estimators, while in the Ionian a composite otolith FA index was significantly negatively correlated to standard length at age only in 2 year‐old individuals. This difference between the Aegean and Ionian may have been related to the lower growth rate in the Ionian, as FA–fitness relations may be more apparent in less‐beneficial environments. The absence of significant correlations in the Aegean and the low correlation in one age group in the Ionian suggests that FA is not a sensitive indicator of individual fitness in adultE. encrasicolus.
Morphological differences between two ecologically similar sympatric fishes
Authors: Helland I. P. , Vøllestad L. A. , Freyhof J. , Mehner T.
Published: January 2010

Morphological differentiation and microhabitat segregation of two ecologically similar populations of pelagic planktivorous fishes,Coregonus albulaand the smallerCoregonus fontanae, were studied in Lake Stechlin (northern Germany). Both populations performed diel vertical migrations, althoughC. fontanaewas always situated in deeper pelagic water thanC. albulaboth during day and night. Landmark‐based geometric morphometrics revealed that sympatricC. albulaandC. fontanaediffer in external morphology, with main differences found in head length and eye position, as well as in length and width of the caudal peduncle. Moreover, whileC. albulahas a similar morphology over all sizes, the shape ofC. fontanaechanges with size. Accordingly, the morphology of the two is most different at smaller size. Although the morphological differences may reflect adaptations to the slightly differing microhabitats of the two populations, there is no conclusive evidence that this correspondence between ecology and morphology is the main mechanism behind the coexistence of the closely related coregonids in Lake Stechlin.
Size‐dependent growth of individual Atlantic salmon Salmo salar alevins from hatch to first feeding
Authors: Gilbey J. , Cauwelier E. , Jones C. S. , Mclay A. , Noble L. R. , Verspoor E.
Published: January 2010

Variation in egg size, hatch timing and size at hatch, and their influence on individual growth rates of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar alevins up to first feeding were examined in pure strain and hybrid crosses of fish from Scotland and Canada. At the intra‐female, intra‐cross type and inter‐cross type levels, specific growth rates prior to first feed were strongly size dependent, with smaller and later hatching alevins growing significantly faster. The magnitude of this size‐dependent growth was greatest in the hybrid crosses. This resulted in a 40% reduction in the coefficient of variation (c.v.) in alevin size from post‐hatch to first feeding at the intra‐female level, and a reduction of both intra‐ and inter‐cross differences in alevin sizes in the same period.
Phylogenetic morphometrics (I): the use of landmark data in a phylogenetic framework
Authors: Catalano Santiago A. , Goloboff Pablo A. , Giannini Norberto P.
Published: January 2010

A method for the direct use of aligned landmark data (2D or 3D coordinates of comparable points) in phylogenetic analysis is described. The approach is based on finding, for each of the landmark points, the ancestral positions that minimize the distance between the ancestor/descendant points along the tree. Doing so amounts to maximizing the degree to which similar positions of the landmarks in different taxa can be accounted for by common ancestry, i.e. parsimony. This method requires no transformation of the aligned data or the results: the data themselves are the x, y, z coordinates of the landmarks, and the output of mapping a character onto a given tree is the x, y, z coordinates for the hypothetical ancestors. In the special case of collinear points, the results are identical to those of optimization of (continuous) additive characters.
Hyperthermia‐associated carboplatin resistance: Differential role of p53, HSF1 and Hsp70 in hepatoma cells
Authors: Sharma Aanchal , Meena Avtar Singh , Bhat Manoj Kumar
Published: January 2010

Due to substantial technical improvements, clinical application of heat as a co‐adjuvant in cancer treatment is acquiring new interest. The effect of hyperthermia on hepatoma cell lines Hep3B (p53 defective) and HepG2 (p53 wild type) when investigated led to an interesting observation that Hep3B cells are more susceptible to heat stress than HepG2 cells. In addition, heat‐induced carboplatin resistance was observed in HepG2 cells only. To investigate the reasons, heat shock response was explored and it was observed that heat stress augmented heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression levels in HepG2 and not in Hep3B cells. Furthermore, in HepG2 cells, induced Hsp70 is regulated by both p53 and heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) wherein HSF1 levels are modulated by p53. The data implies that Hep3B are more susceptible to death upon heat stress than HepG2 cells because of non‐induction of Hsp70. In addition, it was observed that inhibition of heat‐induced p53/HSF1 diminishes Hsp70 levels, thereby restoring the sensitivity of heat‐stressed HepG2 cells to carboplatin‐triggered cell death. Collectively, the present study establishes interplay of p53, HSF1, and Hsp70 upon heat stress in HepG2 cells and also defines novel strategies to overcome constraints of utility of hyperthermia in cancer therapy through p53/HSF1‐targeted therapeutic intervention.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1186–1193)
Clinicopathologic correlations of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate
Authors: Niitsu Nozomi , Okamoto Masataka , Nakamine Hirokazu , Hirano Masami
Published: January 2010

Among methotrexate (MTX)‐related lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX‐LPD), diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accounts for about half. We studied the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with DLBCL in MTX‐LPD. This study included 29 patients who developed DLBCL after receiving MTX for rheumatoid arthritis. MTX was discontinued in all patients. Their median age was 62 years. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was observed in 97% of the patients, bone marrow involvement in 17%, and involvement of extranodal sites in 41%. As for the cellular immunophenotype, CD20 was positive in 93%, CD5 in 3%, CD10 in 31%, BCL2 in 21%, BCL6 in 69%, and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐encoded small non‐polyadenylated RNA (EBER) in 24%. Chemotherapy was started within 2 months after MTX withdrawal in 23 patients, of whom 12 patients received combination with rituximab. Spontaneous remission occurred in the remaining six patients. The EEBV‐positive rate was 67% (4/6), and the four EBV‐positive patients achieved complete response. Among the 23 DLBCL patients treated with chemotherapy, 20 patients achieved complete response. The 5‐year overall survival was 74% and the 5‐year progression‐free survival was 65%. After the development of DLBCL, withdrawal of MTX was the first choice of treatment. Germinal center B‐cell type and EBER‐positive patients tended to show spontaneous remission. The utility of rituximab should be examined in future studies.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1309–1313)
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin in healthy subjects
Authors: Abdul Mohi Iqbal Mohammed , Jiang Xuemin , Williams Kenneth M. , Day Richard O. , Roufogalis Basil D. , Liauw Winston S. , Xu Hongmei , Matthias Anita , Lehmann Reginald P. , McLachlan Andrew J.
Published: January 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Echinacea and policosanol are commonly used herbal medicines which may be ingested by patients receiving warfarin. Echinacea has been implicated in interacting with drug metabolizing enzymes and policosanol has been shown to decrease platelet aggregation. The potential interaction of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin has not previously been investigated.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Concomitant treatments with echinacea increased the apparent clearance of S‐warfarin but did not have a clinically significant effect on warfarin pharmacodynamics in healthy subjects. Policosanol did not significantly affect warfarin pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics.

AIMS This study investigated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin in healthy subjects.

METHODS This was an open‐label, randomized, three‐treatment, cross‐over, clinical trial in healthy male subjects (n= 12) of known CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype who received a single oral dose of warfarin alone or after 2 weeks of pre‐treatment with each herbal medicine at recommended doses. Pharmacodynamic (INR, platelet activity) and pharmacokinetic (warfarin enantiomer concentrations) end points were evaluated.

RESULTS The apparent clearance of (S)‐warfarin (90% CI of ratio; 1.01, 1.18) was significantly higher during concomitant treatment with echinacea but this did not lead to a clinically significant change in INR (90% CI of AUC of INR; 0.91, 1.31). Policosanol did not significantly affect warfarin enantiomer pharmacokinetics or warfarin response. Neither echinacea nor policosanol had a significant effect on platelet aggregation after 2 weeks of pre‐treatment with the respective herbal medicines.

CONCLUSION Echinacea significantly reduced plasma concentrations of S‐warfarin. However, neither echinacea nor policosanol significantly affected warfarin pharmacodynamics, platelet aggregation or baseline clotting status in healthy subjects.
Activity of aclidinium bromide, a new long‐acting muscarinic antagonist: a phase I study
Authors: Schelfhout Vanessa J. , Ferrer Pau , Jansat Josep Maria , Peris Francesc , Gil Esther Garcia , Pauwels Romain A. , Joos Guy F.
Published: January 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Long‐acting inhaled bronchodilators are central in the symptomatic treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Until now the only long‐acting inhaled anticholinergic drug available in the clinic is tiotropium bromide.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Aclidinium bromide is a new anticholinergic drug. In normal volunteers inhalation of this compound induced a long‐lasting bronchodilation and offered protection against the bronchoconstrictor effect of inhaled methacholine. Aclidinium bromide is now being developed as a long‐acting anticholinergic for patients with COPD.

AIMAclidinium bromide is a muscarinic antagonist in development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This phase I trial in healthy subjects investigated the bronchodilator activity of aclidinium and its ability to reduce methacholine‐induced bronchoconstriction.

METHODSThis double‐blind, partial‐crossover study randomized 12 subjects to treatment with single doses of aclidinium (50, 300 or 600 µg) or placebo. Drug activity was assessed for 24 h after administration by specific airway conductance (sGaw), airways resistance (Raw) and bronchial responsiveness (PC35 sGaw methacholine).

RESULTSAclidinium significantly increased sGaw compared with placebo at all assessments and doses (sGaw mean ± SD AUC (l kPa−1 h) for placebo 24.4 ± 4.37, for 50 µg 29.0 ± 7.08, for 300 µg 31.2 ± 6.68 and for 600 µg 32.7 ± 7.95) (P< 0.009), except 50 µg at 1 and 24 h. Significant decreases in Raw were observed with aclidinium 300 and 600 µg compared with placebo at all assessments (Raw mean ± SD AUC (kPa s−1 l−1 h) for placebo 7.7 ± 3.46, for 300 µg 5.8 ± 2.33, for 600 µg 6.3 ± 3.11) (P< 0.04) except 600 µg at 24 h. Differences between aclidinium 300 and 600 µgvs.placebo in PC35 doubling concentration were significant at all assessments (mean ± SD AUC (mg ml−1 h) for placebo 100.0 ± 30.27, for 50 µg 117.2 ± 33.33, for 300 µg 168.9 ± 28.66 and for 600 µg 179.1 ± 15.73 (P< 0.0001). For all endpoints, there was a significant difference between aclidinium 50 µg and the higher doses (P< 0.0001). Aclidinium was not detected in plasma and was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONAclidinium produced statistically significant and sustained bronchodilation over 24 h, suggesting long‐acting efficacy and providing a rationale for future studies in patients with COPD.
Evolutionary divergence of field and laboratory populations of Manduca sexta in response to host‐plant quality
Authors: DIAMOND SARAH E. , HAWKINS SARAH DYER , NIJHOUT H. FREDERIK , KINGSOLVER JOEL G.
Published: January 2010

1. The tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, has been an important model system in insect biology for more than 50 years. In nature, M. sexta successfully utilises a range of host plants that vary in quality. The consequences of laboratory domestication and rearing on artificial diet for fitness of phytophagous insects on natural host plants have not been explored.

2. We examine the evolutionary divergence of two domesticated laboratory populations and a field population (separated for more than 40 years, or > 250 laboratory generations) of M. sexta with respect to performance and fitness on two natural host plants: a typical host plant, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and a novel host plant, devil's claw (Proboscidea louisianica).

3. For both field and laboratory populations, rearing on devil's claw resulted in animals with lower survival, smaller final size, longer development time, and reduced size‐corrected fecundity than animals reared on tobacco. Reductions in some fitness components (survival and fecundity) were greater for the laboratory population animals than the field population animals.

4. When reared on tobacco, the laboratory population animals had similar or larger pupal masses and slightly shorter development times than when reared on artificial diet, suggesting that laboratory domestication on artificial diet has not greatly affected the ability of M. sexta to perform well on a typical natural host plant.

5. Although field and laboratory populations exhibited qualitatively similar responses to host‐plant quality, i.e. reduced performance on devil‘s claw, the magnitude of this reduction differed across populations, with the domesticated laboratory populations having greater reductions in performance than the field population. The use of domesticated populations as models for responses of field populations may therefore be more appropriate for considering environmental conditions that are relatively benign or near‐optimal, than when exploring responses to extreme or stressful conditions.
Comparative life‐history traits in a fig wasp community: implications for community structure
Authors: GHARA MAHUA , BORGES RENEE M.
Published: January 2010

1. Whether life‐history traits can determine community composition and structure is an important question that has been well explored theoretically, but has received scant empirical attention. Life‐history traits of a seven‐member community of galler and parasitoid fig wasp species (Chalcidoidea), developing within the inflorescences (syconia) ofFicus racemosa(Moraceae) in India, were determined and used to examine community structure and ecology.

2. Gallers were pro‐ovigenic (all eggs are mature upon adult emergence) whereas parasitoids were synovigenic (eggs mature progressively during adult lifespan). Initial egg load was correlated with body size for some species, and there was a trade‐off between egg number and egg size across all species. Although all species completed their development and left the syconium concurrently, they differed in their adult and pre‐adult lifespans. Providing sucrose solutions increased parasitoid lifespan but had no effect on the longevity of some galler species. While feeding regimes and body size affected longevity in most species, an interaction effect between these variables was detected for only one species.

3. Life‐history traits of wasp species exhibited a continuum in relation to their arrival sequence at syconia for oviposition during syconium development, and therefore reflected their ecology. The largest number of eggs, smallest egg sizes, and shortest longevities were characteristic of the earliest‐arriving galling wasps at the smallest, immature syconia; the converse characterised the later‐arriving parasitoids at the larger, already parasitised syconia. Thus life history is an important correlate of community resource partitioning and can be used to understand community structure.

4. This is the first comprehensive study of life‐history traits in a fig wasp community. The comparative approach revealed constraints and flexibility in trait evolution.
Discriminating between organic matter in soil from grass and forest by near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Ertlen D. , Schwartz D. , Trautmann M. , Webster R. , Brunet D.
Published: January 2010

The absorbance of near‐infrared (NIR) radiation by plants depends on the overtones of vibration, bending and stretching of the chemical bonds within their organic components. The wide variety of these bonds gives rise to characteristic NIR spectra, or ‘fingerprints’, of plant materials. Do these fingerprints remain in the soil when the plants decompose and allow discrimination between soils that have supported different types of vegetation? We have compared the NIR spectra of grassland soil with those of soil under forest in the Vosges mountains in France. Near‐infrared reflectances, R, from 370 samples of soil were recorded as A = log10(1/R) at wavelengths between 1100 and 2500 nm and averaged over 10‐nm intervals to give spectra each with 140 values. A canonical variate analysis (CVA) of the raw spectra discriminated well, but not perfectly, between grassland and forest soil, with Mahalanobis distance, D, of 4.87. Standardization along the spectra to remove effects of varied mineral composition achieved complete separation between the two sources with D = 9.81. Canonical variate analysis of first and second derivatives of the spectra distinguished the two groups even better, with D = 12.27 and D = 16.65, respectively.

The results show much promise for inferring past vegetative cover from NIR spectra deriving from the organic matter in the soil. The next step will be to extend these studies to see how well we can distinguish other types of vegetation from such spectra.
Waterlogging and canopy interact to control species recruitment in floodplains
Authors: Kotowski Wiktor , Beauchard Olivier , Opdekamp Wout , Meire Patrick , Van Diggelen Rudy
Published: January 2010

1. The extent to which seedling recruitment contributes to local functional diversity depends on the environmental filters operating in a plant community. Classical community assembly models assume that habitat constraints and competition act like hierarchical filters with habitat filtering as the dominant one. Alternative models assume a synergic interaction since responses to environmental stress and competition may impose physiological trade‐offs in plants.

2. River floodplains are an ideal system to test the relationship between habitat and competition filtering in community (re)assembly, as flooding causes changes in both habitat stress (waterlogging, resulting in anoxia and toxicity) and competition (dieback of vegetation) on one hand and acts as an effective seed dispersal vector on the other hand.

3. We conducted a mesocosm experiment on early community assembly from a pool of 34 floodplain species covering a wetness gradient. Seed mixtures were sown in a full factorial design with water level, canopy and mowing as controlling factors. We measured the biomass of all species after one growing season and determined germination and seedling growth traits, both outside (response to waterlogging/no waterlogging) and in a growth‐chamber (response to light/darkness).

4. Species recruitment was analysed in relation to the controlling factors and measured functional traits using co‐inertia analysis. Furthermore we analysed the effects of the controlling factors on several aspects of functional diversity.

5. There was no establishment in grass sward, unless mowing was applied. Species‐rich communities only developed when germination and early establishment phases occurred on waterlogged bare soil. High water level did not suppress establishment but reduced the total biomass and lowered inter‐specific competition. The effect of mowing on species richness depended upon the interplay between waterlogging and canopy.

6. Establishment success under canopy required seedling strategies to tolerate shade. The elimination of typical wetland specialists from oxic mesocosms was clearly an effect of their poorer and/or slower germination and lower competitive abilities in comparison to non‐wetland plants, leading to their disappearance in this low‐stress environment.

7. Our results indicate that single stress factors can enhance species richness and functional diversity through limiting competition but a synergic interaction of different stresses can lead to reduced richness.
Undervirilization in XY newborns may hide a 5α‐reductase deficiency: report of three new SRD5A2 gene mutations
Authors: Maimoun L. , Philibert P. , Cammas B. , Audran F. , Pienkowski C. , Kurtz F. , Heinrich C. , Cartigny M. , Sultan C.
Published: January 2010

The observation of ambiguous genitalia in the newborn signals a medical, surgical and psychological emergency. The most crucial decision will be the choice of sex assignment. Rapid and precise diagnosis is thus essential. In XY newborns with normal/high plasma testosterone (T), partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS) is usually the first diagnosis evoked, which implies an androgen receptor (AR) defect. The diagnosis of steroid‐5‐alpha‐reductase deficiency is rarely considered by the paediatrician. We report three new SRD5A2 gene mutations in four newborns from France, Morocco and Turkey. The newborns presented with ambiguous genitalia and normal plasma T values and the initial diagnosis\PAIS. In all four cases, normal sequences of the complete AR gene excluded this diagnosis and raised the hypothesis of 5α‐reductase deficiency. The entire coding region (5 exons) of the SRD5A2 gene was assessed by PCR and direct sequencing analysis. For patient 1, we identified a new homozygous 2bp deletion in exon 1 (c.122_123delAG). Patient 2 had a known homozygous mutation, p.G115D, in exon 2. New compound heterozygous mutations in exon 4 (p.A215V) and exon 5 (p.X255Q) were found in patient 3. Patient 4 presented a new substitution in exon 1 (p.S14R) associated with a known polymorphism (p.V89L). Our data confirm our previous experience and clearly demonstrate that a 5‐α reductase defect should be considered in all XY newborns with ambiguous genitalia and normal plasma T secretion, whatever their geographic area or ethnic group; moreover, this defect was not linked to specific phenotype. Early molecular diagnosis is indispensable for the crucial decision of the newborn’s sex of rearing.
Macrophage activity in semen is significantly correlated with sperm quality in infertile men
Authors: Tremellen K. , Tunc O.
Published: January 2010

The presence of leucocytes within semen has the potential to impair sperm function. Neutrophils and macrophages make up 95% of seminal leucocytes, with both having the ability to damage sperm via the generation of reactive oxygen species, proteases and the induction of apoptosis. Existing cytological techniques for quantifying leucocyte activity within semen (peroxidase, CD45) are less than ideal as they merely count the number of leucocytes, rather than assess their activity. Seminal plasma elastase effectively determines neutrophil activity, yet gives no insight into macrophage activity. Neopterin, a molecule released from activated macrophages, may be a useful marker for macrophage activity in the male reproductive tract. To examine this possibility a total of 63 asymptomatic subjects with male factor infertility and 11 fertile controls provided semen samples for measurement of various inflammatory markers. We were able to confirm for the first time that seminal plasma does indeed contain neopterin and that the levels of this macrophage activity marker are threefold higher in infertile than fertile men. Furthermore, seminal plasma neopterin concentration was significantly correlated with sperm oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) and apoptosis (Annexin V), making it a useful marker of sperm quality. By contrast, seminal plasma elastase showed no correlation with any marker of sperm quality.
Characterizing the spatial distribution of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in fragmented forest landscapes
Authors: Wang Tiejun , Ye Xinping , Skidmore Andrew K. , Toxopeus Albertus G.
Published: January 2010

Aim  To examine the effects of forest fragmentation on the distribution of the entire wild giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population, and to propose a modelling approach for monitoring the spatial distribution and habitat of pandas at the landscape scale using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro‐radiometer (MODIS) enhanced vegetation index (EVI) time‐series data.

Location  Five mountain ranges in south‐western China (Qinling, Minshan, Qionglai, Xiangling and Liangshan).

Methods  Giant panda pseudo‐absence data were generated from data on panda occurrences obtained from the third national giant panda survey. To quantify the fragmentation of forests, 26 fragmentation metrics were derived from 16‐day composite MODIS 250‐m EVI multi‐temporal data and eight of these metrics were selected following factor analysis. The differences between panda presence and panda absence were examined by applying significance testing. A forward stepwise logistic regression was then applied to explore the relationship between panda distribution and forest fragmentation.

Results  Forest patch size, edge density and patch aggregation were found to have significant roles in determining the distribution of pandas. Patches of dense forest occupied by giant pandas were significantly larger, closer together and more contiguous than patches where giant pandas were not recorded. Forest fragmentation is least in the Qinling Mountains, while the Xiangling and Liangshan regions have most fragmentation. Using the selected landscape metrics, the logistic regression model predicted the distribution of giant pandas with an overall accuracy of 72.5% (κ = 0.45). However, when a knowledge‐based control for elevation and slope was applied to the regression, the overall accuracy of the model improved to 77.6% (κ = 0.55).

Main conclusions  Giant pandas appear sensitive to patch size and isolation effects associated with fragmentation of dense forest, implying that the design of effective conservation areas for wild giant pandas must include large and dense forest patches that are adjacent to other similar patches. The approach developed here is applicable for analysing the spatial distribution of the giant panda from multi‐temporal MODIS 250‐m EVI data and landscape metrics at the landscape scale.
Ultrastructural aspects of tomato leaves infected by Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) and co‐infected by other viruses
Authors: Alfaro‐Fernández A. , Medina V. , Córdoba‐Sellés M. C. , Font M. I. , Jornet J. , Cebrián M. C. , Jordá C.
Published: January 2010

Optical and electron microscopy studies were carried out to investigate the cytopathology induced in tomato leaves infected by Tomato torrado virus (ToTV), a new picorna‐like virus associated with the ‘Torrado’ disease. Infected leaves, showing typical Torrado disease symptoms were surveyed in commercial greenhouses in the main tomato production areas of Spain. The effect of the co‐infection of ToTV with other viruses which commonly infect tomato crops was also studied. Ultra‐thin sections of ToTV‐infected tomato leaves did not show a strong cellular alteration. However, crystalline arrays of isometric virus‐like particles (VLPs) of 20–30 nm in the inclusion bodies were observed in phloem parenchyma cells of the infected tissues. Tissues co‐infected by ToTV and either Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) or Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) presented more severe cellular alterations. The most deleterious consequences for tomato cells were found in triple infections of ToTV, PepMV and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), where characteristic cell wall overgrowth was distinguishable, together with a large amount of necrotic cells.
Rhinitis: a complication to asthma
Authors: Hansen J. W. , Thomsen S. F. , Nolte H. , Backer V.
Published: January 2010

To cite this article: Hansen JW, Thomsen SF, Nolte H, Backer V. Rhinitis: a complication to asthma. Allergy 2010; 65: 883–888.

Background:  Asthma and rhinitis often co‐occur, and this potentially increases the disease severity and impacts negatively on the quality of life. We studied disease severity, airway responsiveness, atopy, quality of life and treatment in subjects with both asthma and rhinitis compared to patients with asthma or rhinitis alone.

Methods:  We examined 878 patients: 182 with asthma, 362 with rhinitis and 334 with both asthma and rhinitis. All had a clinical interview concerning severity of symptoms, treatment, and quality of life, a skin prick test, a lung function test and a bronchial provocation with methacholine.

Results:  Patients with both asthma and rhinitis had less severe asthma based on the frequency of respiratory symptoms compared to patients with asthma alone (55%vs 66%P = 0.01). On the contrary, they were more airway responsive (P < 0.05) and had more perennial allergy (P < 0.001). Asthmatics had poor perception of the general health, independent of rhinitis (P < 0.001). No differences were found in asthma‐specific quality of life, whereas rhinitis‐specific quality of life was worse in those with both asthma and rhinitis compared to those with rhinitis alone (P < 0.01). Subjects with both diseases were undertreated in 85% of the cases.

Conclusion:  We encourage that these observations be used in the evaluation and treatment of patients with asthma and rhinitis and that they contribute to the understanding of asthma and rhinitis as a uniform airways disease.
Effects of extra‐fine inhaled beclomethasone/formoterol on both large and small airways in asthma
Authors: Scichilone N. , Battaglia S. , Sorino C. , Paglino G. , Martino L. , Paternò A. , Santagata R. , Spatafora M. , Nicolini G. , Bellia V.
Published: January 2010

To cite this article: Scichilone N, Battaglia S, Sorino C, Paglino G, Martino L, Paternò A, Santagata R, Spatafora M, Nicolini G, Bellia V. Effects of extra‐fine inhaled beclomethasone/formoterol on both large and small airways in asthma. Allergy 2010; 65: 897–902.

Background:  Airway inflammation in asthma involves both large and small airways, and the combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long acting beta‐2 agonists (LABA) is the mainstay of therapy. Available inhaled combinations differ in terms of drug delivery to the lung and the ability to reach small airways.

Aim:  To evaluate whether treatment with an extra‐fine inhaled combination provides additional effects vs a nonextra‐fine combination on airway function.

Methods:  After a 1‐ to 4‐week run‐in period, patients with asthma were randomized to a double blind, double dummy, 12‐week treatment with either extra‐fine beclomethasone/formoterol (BDP/F) 400/24 μg daily or fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/S) 500/100 μg daily. Methacholine (Mch) bronchoprovocation challenge and single breath nitrogen (sbN2) test were performed.

Results:  Thirty patients with asthma (15 men), mean age 43, mean forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) 71.4% of predicted, were included. A significant increase (P < 0.01) versus baseline was observed in predose FEV1 in both BDP/F and FP/S groups (0.37 ± 0.13 l and 0.36 ± 0.12 l, respectively). PD20FEV1 Mch improved significantly from 90.42 (±30.08) μg to 432.41 (±122.71) μg in the BDP/F group (P = 0.01) but not in the FP/S group. A trend toward improvement vs baseline was observed for BDP/F in closing capacity (CC), whereas no differences were recorded in other sbN2 test parameters.

Conclusion:  The findings of this pilot study suggest that an extra‐fine inhaled combination for the treatment of asthma has beneficial effects on both large and small airways function as expressed by Mch and sbN2 tests.
The very limited usefulness of skin testing with penicilloyl‐polylysine and the minor determinant mixture in evaluating nonimmediate reactions to penicillins
Authors: Romano A. , Gaeta F. , Valluzzi R. L. , Caruso C. , Rumi G. , Bousquet P. J.
Published: January 2010

To cite this article: Romano A, Gaeta F, Valluzzi RL, Caruso C, Rumi G, Bousquet PJ. The very limited usefulness of skin testing with penicilloyl‐polylysine and the minor determinant mixture in evaluating nonimmediate reactions to penicillins. Allergy 2010; 65: 1104–1107.

Background:  The contribution of skin testing with penicilloyl‐polylysine (PPL) and the minor determinant mixture (MDM) to the diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins differs greatly according to the type of reaction: immediate (occurring within 1 h after the last drug administration) or nonimmediate (occurring more than 1 h after the last drug administration).

Objective:  To assess the contribution of skin testing with PPL and MDM to the diagnosis of nonimmediate reactions to penicillins.

Methods:  We evaluated 162 adults who had had 232 nonimmediate reactions to penicillins, mostly aminopenicillins, and presented positive skin and/or patch tests to one or more penicillin reagents: PPL, MDM, benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin, as well as any responsible penicillins.

Results:  A total of 157 subjects (96.9%) displayed patch‐test and/or delayed‐reading intradermal‐test positivity to penicillin reagents, which indicates a cell‐mediated hypersensitivity; six of them also presented immediate‐reading skin‐test positivities. All 157 patients with a cell‐mediated hypersensitivity were positive to the responsible penicillins (parent drugs); 16 of them also displayed delayed‐reading intradermal‐test positivity to MDM. Five (3.1%) of the 162 patients displayed only immediate‐reading skin‐test positivity (four to PPL and one to amoxicillin). Overall, 158 subjects (97.5%) presented positive responses to the responsible penicillins, while only 9 (5.5%) and 17 (10.5%) were positive to PPL and MDM, respectively.

Conclusions:  The contribution of skin testing with PPL and MDM in diagnosing nonimmediate hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins, especially cell‐mediated ones, is very limited. This finding could be useful at a time when PPL and MDM are not available in all countries.