bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of species distribution models and conservation planning software to the design of a reserve network for the riverine fishes of northeastern Mesoamerica
Authors: ESSELMAN PETER C. , ALLAN J. D.
Published: April 2010

1. Protected area networks for river ecosystems must account for the highly connected nature of river habitats and the fact that conditions in distant locations can influence downstream habitats and biota. We used Marxan conservation planning software to address the unique constraints of reserve design in river ecosystems and structure a reserve network to overcome key challenges to freshwater conservation.

2. The range limits of 63 fish species in Mesoamerica were predicted and used in Marxan to design a network of conservation focal areas that encompasses 15% of the range of each species in areas with low risk of environmental degradation. Upstream risk intensity was estimated by propagating landscape‐based sources of stress downstream along the direction of flow in GIS. We constrained Marxan solutions to account for basin divides, and we defined critical management zones to include important habitats that contribute to species persistence and mitigate threats.

3. The proposed reserve network encompassed 11% of the study area, half of which was contained within existing protected areas. Our exercise also identified important gaps in protection. Because terrestrial‐based environmental risks were propagated through the river network and considered in the solution, focal areas were constrained to catchments with low levels of upstream human activity. Addition of critical management zones – riparian buffers and fish migration corridors – expanded the network area by one‐fifth.

4. Our application of Marxan allowed longitudinal connectivity and topographic barriers to species movement to be considered. Adding critical management zones expanded the size of the reserve network, but is crucial to the network’s conservation efficacy. We call for an evaluation of the added management capacity needed to conserve critical management zones and suggest ways to further improve the reserve design process.
Veligers of an introduced bivalve, Limnoperna fortunei, are a new food resource that enhances growth of larval fish in the Paraná River (South America)
Authors: PAOLUCCI ESTEBAN M. , THUESEN ERIK V. , CATALDO DANIEL H. , BOLTOVSKOY DEMETRIO
Published: April 2010

1. Larvae of ‘sábalo’, Prochilodus lineatus, whose adults represent over 60% of overall fish biomass in the Río de la Plata Catchment, have been observed to feed intensively on veligers of the exotic bivalve Limnoperna fortunei.

2. To assess the effects of this dietary shift on the growth of P. lineatus, 28‐day laboratory experiments were carried out feeding newly hatched P. lineatus larvae with three diets: zooplankton artificially enriched with L. fortunei veligers; natural zooplankton; and zooplankton artificially enriched with cladocerans and copepods. The average length, weight and gut contents of the fish larvae were assessed weekly and metabolic rates of fish larvae were measured.

3. Proportions of veligers in gut contents were always higher than those in the experimental diet: 100, 76 and 21% for veliger‐enriched, natural and low‐veliger diets, respectively. Larvae fed a veliger‐enriched diet grew to a significantly larger size than larvae fed the other two diets. In energetic balance comparisons using metabolic rates and prey energy content, all three diets were sufficient to support metabolism and growth. The greatest values of excess energy at the end of each week were in the veliger‐enriched experiments.

4. Feeding on veligers of L. fortunei significantly enhances the growth of P. lineatus larvae and supports the idea that this new and abundant resource is selectively preyed upon by P. lineatus during its larval stage. Higher growth rates may stem from the higher energy contents of veligers compared to crustaceans and/or from the lower energy costs of capturing slower prey.
Comparative study of the expression of metalloproteases and their inhibitors in different localizations within primary tumours and in metastatic lymph nodes of breast cancer
Authors: García María Fernanda , González‐Reyes Salomé , González Luis Ovidio , Junquera Sara , Berdize Nana , Del Casar José Manuel , Medina María , Vizoso Francisco José
Published: April 2010

Studies on metastasic lesions from human carcinomas are scarce. Therefore there is a need for such studies to identify the expression of the biological factors that will help in the assessment of the natural history of breast cancer. Here an immunohistochemical study was performed using tissue arrays and specific antibodies against matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)‐1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs)‐1, 2 and 3 in 39 patients with breast cancer. Specimens from 39 patients with node‐positive carcinomas were examined and the analysis was performed at the central core of the tumour, at the invasive front, and in the metastasic axillary lymph nodes (MALNs). Global expression of MMP‐1, 7 and 14, TIMP‐1, and 3, were significantly higher at the centre of the tumour compared with the invasive front or the MALNs. Significantly higher expression of MMP‐7 and 14, and TIMP‐3, by fibroblast‐like cells and mononuclear inflammatory cells (MICs) was seen in MALNs. In addition, in the tumour centre, the expression of MMP‐11 and TIMP‐1 and 2 by MICs, as well as TIMP‐2 expression by fibroblast‐like cells, were associated significantly with the occurrence of distant metastasis. In contrast, TIMP‐3 expression by tumour cells or by fibroblast‐like cells in this same tumour locations, as well as TIMP‐1 expression by fibroblast‐like cells at the invasive front, were associated significantly with poor prognosis. However, the expression of all of these biological factors in MALNs was not associated with the development of distant metastasis. Our data suggest that there is prognostic relevance to the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in the stromal cells of primary tumours, rather than to the expression of these enzymes in MALNs.
Responses to olfactory signals reflect network structure of flower‐visitor interactions
Authors: Junker Robert R. , Höcherl Nicole , Blüthgen Nico
Published: April 2010

1. Network analyses provide insights into the diversity and complexity of ecological interactions and have motivated conclusions about community stability and co‐evolution. However, biological traits and mechanisms such as chemical signals regulating the interactions between individual species – the microstructure of a network – are poorly understood.

2. We linked the responses of receivers (flower visitors) towards signals (flower scent) to the structure of a highly diverse natural flower‐insect network. For each interaction, we define link temperature – a newly developed metric – as the deviation of the observed interaction strength from neutrality, assuming that animals randomly interact with flowers.

3. Link temperature was positively correlated to the specific visitors’ responses to floral scents, experimentally examined in a mobile olfactometer. Thus, communication between plants and consumers via phytochemical signals reflects a significant part of the microstructure in a complex network. Negative as well as positive responses towards floral scents contributed to these results, where individual experience was important apart from innate behaviour.

4. Our results indicate that: (1) biological mechanisms have a profound impact on the microstructure of complex networks that underlies the outcome of aggregate statistics, and (2) floral scents act as a filter, promoting the visitation of some flower visitors, but also inhibiting the visitation of others.
Intraspecific functional variability: extent, structure and sources of variation
Authors: Albert Cécile Hélène , Thuiller Wilfried , Yoccoz Nigel Gilles , Soudant Alex , Boucher Florian , Saccone Patrick , Lavorel Sandra
Published: April 2010

1. Functional traits are increasingly used to investigate community structure, ecosystem functioning or to classify species into functional groups. These functional traits are expected to be variable between and within species. Intraspecific functional variability is supposed to influence and modulate species responses to environmental changes and their effects on their environment. However, this hypothesis remains poorly tested and species are mostly described by mean trait values without any consideration of variability in individual trait values.

2. In this study, we quantify the extent of intraspecific plant functional trait variability, its spatial structure and its response to environmental factors. Using a sampling design structured along two direct and orthogonal climatic gradients in an alpine valley, we quantified and analysed the intraspecific variability for three functional traits (height, leaf dry matter content and leaf nitrogen content) measured on sixteen plant species with contrasting life histories.

3. Results showed a large variability of traits within species with large discrepancies between functional traits and species. This variability did not appear to be structured within populations. Between populations, the overall variability was partly explained by the selected gradients. Despite the strong effects of temperature and radiation on trait intraspecific variability, the response curves of traits along gradients were partly idiosyncratic.

4.
Synthesis. Giving a comprehensive quantification of intraspecific functional variability through the analysis of an original data set, we report new evidence that using a single trait value to describe a given species can hide large functional variation for this species along environmental gradients. These findings suggest that intraspecific functional variability should be a concern for ecologists and its recognition opens new opportunities to better understand and predict ecological patterns in a changing environment. Further analyses are, however, required to compare inter‐ and intraspecific variability.
Priming of the oxidative burst in rice and wheat cell cultures by ulvan, a polysaccharide from green macroalgae, and enhanced resistance against powdery mildew in wheat and barley plants
Authors: Paulert R. , Ebbinghaus D. , Urlass C. , Moerschbacher B. M.
Published: April 2010

The capacity of ulvan, a sulphated heteropolysaccharide, to prime the chitin‐ and chitosan‐elicited oxidative burst in wheat and rice cells was tested. Gas‐liquid chromatography showed that ulvan was composed of rhamnose, xylose, glucuronic acid, glucose and galactose. It contained very low amounts of proteins and ca. 19% sulphate groups. The polymer did not elicit the production of hydrogen peroxide in suspension‐cultured wheat or rice cells. Furthermore, in both cell cultures, the simultaneous addition of ulvan and chitin hexamer or chitosan polymer did not significantly alter the intensity of the oxidative burst caused by the elicitors alone. However, pretreatment of wheat cells with ulvan increased the chitin‐elicited oxidative burst about five‐ to sixfold, and that elicited by chitosan about twofold. In rice cells, the production of H2O2 elicited by chitin or chitosan was strongly primed by pretreatment with the same concentration of ulvan, increasing the burst triggered by the elicitors alone by 150 and 80 times, respectively. Pretreatment of whole plants with ulvan significantly reduced the symptom severity of Blumeria graminis infection, by 45% in wheat and by 80% in barley. Thus, the priming activity of ulvan on the oxidative burst correlates with a decrease of disease symptoms in infected plants. This is apparently the first report on priming activity of a natural algal polysaccharide.
The response of Bromus diandrus and Lolium rigidum to dalapon and glyphosate I: baseline sensitivity
Authors: BARROSO J , LOUREIRO I , ESCORIAL M C , CHUECA M C
Published: April 2010

Barroso J, Loureiro I, Escorial MC & Chueca MC (2010). The response of Bromus diandrus and Lolium rigidum to dalapon and glyphosate I: baseline sensitivity. Weed Research50, 312–319.

The establishment of Bromus diandrus and Lolium rigidum baseline sensitivity to glyphosate and dalapon herbicides was studied for the North Central region of Spain. A rapid method in Petri dishes and a plant assay method were evaluated. The studied populations of both weed species showed sensitivity to both herbicides. The rapid method to establish the sensitivity baseline for these species worked properly for dalapon and a good correlation was found between Petri dish and plant assays. In the case of glyphosate, the rapid method was not sensitive enough, so baseline sensitivity establishment would have to be determined with plant assays. The baseline sensitivities will allow us to determine quickly and accurately any variation in the sensitivity of these weeds against these herbicides over time and to detect, at an early stage, the beginning of any trends towards resistance.
Weed communities of transgenic glyphosate‐tolerant soyabean crops in ex‐pasture land in the southern Mesopotamic Pampas of Argentina
Authors: MAS M T , VERDÚ A M C , KRUK B C , DE ABELLEYRA D , GUGLIELMINI A C , SATORRE E H
Published: April 2010

Mas MT, Verdú AMC, Kruk BC, De Abelleyra D, Guglielmini AC & Satorre EH (2010). Weed communities of transgenic glyphosate‐tolerant soyabean crops in ex‐pasture land in the southern Mesopotamic Pampas of Argentina. Weed Research50, 320–330.

Weed surveys were performed in commercial no‐till glyphosate‐tolerant soyabean crops in southern Entre Ríos province (Mesopotamic Pampas of Argentina) in 2005 and 2007, during the soyabean grain filling to maturity growth stages. The objectives were to describe the weed communities in fields recently introduced to crop production and to analyse the effect of the new cropping patterns on assemblages. The fields surveyed varied in the length of the no‐till period (1–11 years), the previous crop and the soil productivity rating. Weed communities were described in terms of composition, constancy, life forms, morphotypes and (only during 2007) frequency. Tragia geraniifolia, Bidens subalternans, Sida spinosa, and Eryngium horridum were species associated with fields with more than 5 years of no‐till glyphosate‐tolerant crops. These fields had a significantly higher relative abundance of perennials (52% versus 32%) and of dicotyledons (66% versus 39%) than fields with less than 5 years of no‐till. Previous crop and soil productivity affected weed community structure. Six species, five of them annuals, were associated with fields that had high yields and maize as the previous crop. In contrast, perennials and dicotyledons had the highest relative abundance when wheat–soyabean double cropping was the previous crop. The results show that changes in cropping systems acted as filters on functional traits, modifying the previous weed community assemblage. The information may be used to develop integrated crop–weed management strategies, leading to a reduction in the assemblage of highly competitive weed communities.
Seasonal Variation of Plasminogen Activator Activity in Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma of Boar, Buck, Bull and Stallion
Authors: Zervos IA , Lavrentiadou SN , Tsantarliotou MP , Georgiadis MP , Kokolis NA , Taitzoglou IA
Published: April 2010

Contents

Plasminogen activators (PA) are proteolytic enzymes present in the spermatozoa and seminal plasma of various species. They play a role in the binding of the spermatozoon and its penetration through the layers surrounding the oocyte. Plasminogen activator activity (PAA) is modulated by hormones that have a seasonal variation, such as testosterone and melatonin. The present study investigates the seasonal variation of PA activity in sperm extracts and seminal plasma of four farm animal species: boar, buck, bull and stallion. Semen samples were collected every second week during a 12‐month period and PAA was determined. With respect to sperm enzyme activity, the boar showed a peak from late January until the beginning of April, whereas the activity in the bull was at the highest levels from April until October and gradually declined during autumn and winter period. Plasminogen activator activity of stallion spermatozoa peaked during March and April, and remained low throughout the rest of the year, whereas in the buck sperm, PAA increased from late October until the end of January. No biologically significant variation was detected regarding the seminal PAA activity in any of the species studied. While seasonality of reproduction is typically studied from the female perspective, the present data provide compelling information about a factor that may affect the reproductive ability of the male.
SRY‐Negative XX Sex Reversal in a French Bulldog
Authors: Campos M , Moreno‐Manzano V , García‐Roselló M , García‐Roselló E
Published: April 2010

Contents

Here, we describe a 3‐month‐old XX male French Bulldog. The diagnosis was based on the clinical signs, gonadal histology and cytogenetic analysis. Additionally, the dog was confirmed to beSrynegative by semi‐quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (sqRT‐PCR). CanineSry‐negative XX sex reversal is a disorder of gonadal development where individuals who have a female karyotype develop testes or ovotestes. To our knowledge, this case is the first XX male sex reversion described in a French Bulldog.
Molecular phylogeny of Nearctic species of Rhynchelmis (Annelida)
Authors: Zhou Hong , Fend Steven V. , Gustafson Daniel L. , De Wit Pierre , Erséus Christer
Published: April 2010

Zhou, H., Fend, S. V., Gustafson, D. L., De Wit, P. & Erséus, C. (2010). Molecular phylogeny of Nearctic species of Rhynchelmis (Annelida). —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 378–393.

The Nearctic species of Rhynchelmis (Clitellata, Lumbriculidae) are known primarily from cool‐water habitats in western North America. Their taxonomy has so far been based on limited collections from isolated localities, using intuitive assessment of morphological characters. This approach has proved unsatisfactory when additional populations of closely related species were sampled and scrutinized for incorporation in the present classification. Therefore, in this study, mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rDNA) and nuclear internal transcriber spacer (ITS rDNA) genes were analysed as phylogenetic markers of Nearctic Rhynchelmis species. A combined approach with all the three gene regions provided a better resolution than any of the individual genes by itself. The genes demonstrated monophyly of all major groupings proposed on the morphological basis. Within the Rhynchelmis yakimorum complex, however, the genetic data and distribution suggested that two clades initially referred to as a ‘R. yakimorum variant 1’, one from the lower Snake River drainage in Idaho and one from southern coastal Oregon, might represent two separate species. On the other hand, the sympatric distribution and low genetic distance between Rhynchelmis gustafsoni and a form tentatively identified as ‘R. cf. yakimorum’ (both collected in eastern Idaho) indicated conspecific status. This study also showed that the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, which may be informative of recent and on‐going speciation and useful for species discrimination (as a DNA barcode), is less suitable as a single molecular marker for phylogenetic inference. Regardless of whether one deals with very closely related species (such as those of the yakimorum complex), with taxa with a wide and disjunct distribution (such as Rhynchelmis rostrata), or with more distantly related species, COI data should be supplemented by other genetic markers as well as morphological and biogeographical information.
Are species–area relationships from entire archipelagos congruent with those of their constituent islands?
Authors: Santos Ana M. C. , Whittaker Robert J. , Triantis Kostas A. , Borges Paulo A. V. , Jones Owen R. , Quicke Donald L. J. , Hortal Joaquín
Published: April 2010

Aim To establish the extent to which archipelagos follow the same species–area relationship as their constituent islands and to explore the factors that may explain departures from the relationship.

Location Thirty‐eight archipelagos distributed worldwide.

Methods We used ninety‐seven published datasets to create island species–area relationships (ISARs) using the Arrhenius logarithmic form of the power model. Observed and predicted species richness of an archipelago and of each of its islands were used to calculate two indices that determined whether the archipelago followed the ISAR. Archipelagic residuals (ArcRes) were calculated as the residual of the prediction provided by the ISAR using the total area of the archipelago, standardized by the total richness observed in the archipelago. We also tested whether any characteristic of the archipelago (geological origin and isolation) and/or taxon accounts for whether an archipelago fits into the ISAR or not. Finally, we explored the relationship betweenArcResand two metrics of nestedness.

Results The archipelago was close to the ISAR of its constituent islands in most of the cases analysed. Exceptions arose for archipelagos where (i) the slopes of the ISAR are low, (ii) observed species richness is higher than expected by the ISAR and/or (iii) distance to the mainland is small. The archipelago's geological origin was also important; a higher percentage of oceanic archipelagos fit into their ISAR than continental ones.ArcResindicated that the ISAR underpredicts archipelagic richness in the least isolated archipelagos. Different types of taxon showed no differences inArcRes. Nestedness andArcResappear to be related, although the form of the relationship varies between metrics.

Main conclusions Archipelagos, as a rule, follow the same ISAR as their constituent islands. Therefore, they can be used as distinct units themselves in large‐scale biogeographical and macroecological studies. Departure from the ISAR can be used as a crude indicator of richness‐ordered nestedness, responsive to factors such as isolation, environmental heterogeneity, number and age of islands.
Cointegrating regressions with messy regressors and an application to mixed‐frequency series
Authors: Isaac Miller J.
Published: April 2010

We consider a cointegrating regression in which the integrated regressors are messy in the sense that they contain data that may be mismeasured, missing, observed at mixed frequencies or have other irregularities that cause the econometrician to observe them with mildly nonstationary noise. Least squares estimation of the cointegrating vector is consistent. Existing prototypical variance‐based estimation techniques, such as canonical cointegrating regression, are both consistent and asymptotically mixed normal. This result is robust to weakly dependent but possibly nonstationary disturbances.
Patent foramen ovale is not associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence
Authors: Feurer R. , Sadikovic S. , Sepp D. , Esposito L. , Schleef M. , Bockelbrink A. , Schwarze J. , Hemmer B. , Sander D. , Poppert H.
Published: April 2010

Background and Purpose:  Despite numerous studies suggesting a relationship between paradoxical embolism from a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and stroke, the role of PFO as a risk factor for cerebral ischaemia remains controversial. We therefore sought to determine the association between a RLS detected by contrast‐enhanced transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (c‐TCD) and recurrent stroke in an unselected population sample.

Methods:  We analyzed the records of 763 patients with diagnosis of cerebral ischaemia at our institution. All patients had undergone TCD‐based detection of RLS. Embolic signals have been measured both under resting conditions and after performing a Valsalva maneuver. For follow‐up, all patients were contacted by mail, which included a standardized questionnaire. Endpoints of follow‐up were defined as recurrence of cerebral ischaemia, occurrence of myocardial infarction or death from any cause.

Results:  Follow‐up data were available in 639 patients (83.7%). At baseline, a RLS was detected in 140 (28%) men and in 114 (42%) women. Ten shunt‐carriers (1.6%) and 32 patients (5.0%) without RLS had suffered a recurrent stroke. After adjustment for age, sex, and atrial fibrillation, the hazard ratio of RLS for stroke recurrence was 0.86 (95% CI 0.41–1.79). The condition of RLS at rest adjusted for age, sex, stroke subtype, and cardiovascular risk factors was not found to increase the risk of stroke substantially (HR 1.16 [95% CI 0.41–3.29])

Conclusion:  Our data suggest that the risk of recurrent stroke in subjects with PFO is not significantly increased in comparison with subject without it.
Mutations in CHMP2B are not a cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration in Finnish patients
Authors: Kaivorinne A.‐L. , Krüger J. , Udd B. , Majamaa K. , Remes A. M.
Published: April 2010

Background:  Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a genetically complex disorder. The majority of mutations linked to FTLD families are found in the microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT) and progranulin (PGRN) genes. Mutations in the chromatin‐modifying protein 2B gene (CHMP2B) have been identified in a few families. However, CHMP2B has been showed to be a rare cause of FTLD. Our aim was to determine the frequency of CHMP2B mutations in a clinical series of patients with FTLD in Northern Finland.

Patients and methods:  We examined 72 (36 men) Finnish patients with FTLD. The mean age at onset was 58.9 (range 43–80). Symptoms of motor neuron disease (FTLD‐MND) were present in 12 patients (17%). Positive family history was detected in 28% of the patients. Mutations in MAPT and PGRN were excluded from these patients. All exons and exon–intron boundaries of the CHMP2B gene were sequenced.

Results:  No pathogenic CHMP2B mutations were found. A rare polymorphism in the non‐coding region of exon 1 (rs36098294) and three other previously reported polymorphisms were detected.

Conclusions:  Our results confirm that mutations in CHMP2B are not a common cause of FTLD. MAPT and PGRN mutations are also rare in Finnish population, suggesting that other, still unknown genetic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of FTLD in Finnish population.
Acute fluid ingestion in the treatment of orthostatic intolerance – important implications for daily practice
Authors: Z’Graggen W. J. , Hess C. W. , Humm A. M.
Published: April 2010

Background:  Rapid water ingestion improves orthostatic intolerance (OI) in multiple system atrophy (MSA) and postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). We compared haemodynamic changes after water and clear soup intake, the latter being a common treatment strategy for OI in daily practice.

Methods:  Seven MSA and seven PoTS patients underwent head‐up tilt (HUT) without fluid intake and 30 min after drinking 450 ml of water and clear soup, respectively. All patients suffered from moderate to severe OI because of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (OH) and excessive orthostatic heart rate (HR) increase, respectively. Beat‐to‐beat cardiovascular indices were measured non‐invasively.

Results:  In MSA, HUT had to be terminated prematurely in 2/7 patients after water, but in 6/7 after clear soup. At 3 min of HUT, there was an increase in blood pressure of 15.7(8.2)/8.3(2.3) mmHg after water, but a decrease of 11.6(18.9)/8.1(9.2) mmHg after clear soup (P < 0.05). In PoTS, HUT could always be completed for 10 min, but OI subjectively improved after both water and clear soup. The attenuation of excessive orthostatic HR increase did not differ significantly after water and clear soup drinking.

Conclusions:  In MSA, clear soup cannot substitute water for eliciting a pressor effect, but even worsens OI after rapid ingestion. In PoTS, acute water and clear soup intake both result in improvement of OI. These findings cannot solely be explained by difference in osmolarity but may reflect some degree of superimposed postprandial hypotension in widespread autonomic failure in MSA compared to the mild and limited autonomic dysfunction in PoTS.
Determinants and impacts of international remittances on household welfare in Vietnam
Authors: Pfau Wade Donald , Giang Long Thanh
Published: April 2010

Remittances can potentially help to promote economic development by providing a mechanism to share risks, reduce poverty and improve equality. However, from the viewpoint of economic theory the overall impacts of remittances are uncertain, as different mechanisms lead to opposite impacts. Since the 1990s Vietnam has experienced a dramatic growth in remittance flows from abroad. Vietnam is a unique case for study, as economic motives historically played a smaller role in outward migration than in other countries. Fortunately, household survey data are available for this time period, allowing for a detailed analysis of the impacts of international remittances on Vietnam. Specifically, we examine the characteristics of recipients and the impacts of international remittances on economic inequality and poverty. We conclude that international remittances are helping to improve equality. For this reason, new development policies must also account for their potential impacts on remittance flows.
Surface properties and morphologies of pheohydrane/liquid crystal moisturizer product
Authors: Tsai C. , Lin L.‐H. , Kwan C.‐C.
Published: April 2010

Synopsis

In this study, we investigated the properties of three different liquid crystal‐type humectants prepared through a simple emulsion process. Under a polarized microscope, we observed liquid crystal textures for each of the three moisturizers. When we applied them onto the hands and face, we found that they all provided effective hydration, with pheohydrane/liquid crystal moisturizer exhibiting superior performance. We also investigated the surface properties (contact angle, zeta potential, surface tension, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses) after adding pheohydrane to Formula product.
Off‐line concomitant release of dopamine and glutamate involvement in taste memory consolidation
Authors: Guzmán‐Ramos Kioko , Osorio‐Gómez Daniel , Moreno‐Castilla Perla , Bermúdez‐Rattoni Federico
Published: April 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 226–236.

It has been postulated that memory consolidation process requires post‐learning molecular changes that will support long‐term experiences. In the present study, we assessed with in vivo microdialysis and capillary electrophoresis whether such changes involve the release of neurotransmitters at post‐acquisition stages. Using conditioned taste aversion paradigm we observed spontaneous off‐line (i.e. in absence of stimulation) dopamine and glutamate reactivation within the insular cortex about 45 min after the stimuli association. These increments did not appear in control groups that were unable to acquire the task, and it seems to be dependent on amygdala activity since its reversible inactivation by tetrodotoxin impaired cortical off‐line release of both neurotransmitters and memory consolidation. In addition, blockade of dopaminergic D1 and/or NMDA receptors before the off‐line activity impaired long‐ but not short‐term memory. These results suggest that off‐line extracellular increments of glutamate and dopamine have a significant functional role in consolidation of taste memory.
Cyclooxygenase‐1 mediates prostaglandin E2 elevation and contextual memory impairment in a model of sustained hippocampal interleukin‐1β expression
Authors: Matousek Sarah B. , Hein Amy M. , Shaftel Solomon S. , Olschowka John A. , Kyrkanides Stephanos , O’Banion M. Kerry
Published: April 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 247–258.

Interleukin (IL)‐1β is a proinflammatory cytokine implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders. Downstream actions of IL‐1β include production of prostaglandin (PG) E2 by increasing expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) isoforms. We recently developed a transgenic mouse carrying a dormant human IL‐1β eXcisional Activation Transgene (XAT) for conditional and chronic up‐regulation of IL‐1β in selected brain regions. This model is characterized by regionally specific glial activation, immune cell recruitment, and induction of cytokines and chemokines. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of long‐term IL‐1β expression on the PGE2 synthetic pathway and to determine the effects of PGs on inflammation and memory in our model. As expected, PGE2 levels were significantly elevated after IL‐1β up‐regulation. Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis indicated significant induction of mRNAs for COX‐1 and membranous PGES‐1, but not COX‐2 or other PGES isoforms. Immunohistochemistry revealed elevation of COX‐1 but no change in COX‐2 following sustained IL‐1β production. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of COX‐1 and use of COX‐1 knockout mice abrogated IL‐1β‐mediated PGE2 increases. Although COX‐1 deficient mice did not present a dramatically altered neuroinflammatory phenotype, they did exhibit improved contextual fear memory. This data suggests a unique role for COX‐1 in mediating chronic neuroinflammatory effects through PGE2 production.
Amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism of the Zhujiachong eclogite, SE Dabieshan: 40Ar/39Ar age constraints from argon extraction using UV‐laser microprobe, in vacuo crushing and stepwise heating
Authors: QIU H.‐N. , WIJBRANS J. R. , BROUWER F. M. , YUN J.‐B. , ZHAO L.‐H. , XU Y.‐G.
Published: April 2010

The Zhujiachong eclogite in the south‐eastern Dabieshan ultra‐high‐P terrane has been overprinted during retrograde metamorphism, with the development of garnet‐amphibolite mineral assemblages in most rocks in the outcrop. This study is focused on providing age constraints for the retrograde amphibolite facies and greenschist facies mineralogy by 40Ar/39Ar dating. By applying a novel approach of combining three different techniques for extracting argon: laser stepwise heating of single grains and small separates, a spot fusion technique by UV‐laser ablation microprobe on polished sections and an in vacuo crushing technique for liberating radiogenic argon from fluid inclusions, it is demonstrated that an internally consistent thermal history can be derived. The 40Ar/39Ar ages indicate that phengite formed before 265 Ma, probably during the ultra‐high‐P event. Ages associated with amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism range from 242 to 217 Ma by the analyses of amphibole. Ages of c. 230 Ma were found for the symplectite matrix that formed during retrogression from eclogite pyroxene. Late stage hydrothermal activity leading to the formation of coarse‐grained paragonite and fluid inclusions in vein amphibole was dated at c. 200 Ma. These age results agree well with the mineral crystallization sequence observed from thin‐sections of the retrograded eclogite: phengite → paragonite and amphibole in matrix → amphibole in the corona.
Effects of Wildflower Strip Quality, Quantity, and Connectivity on Butterfly Diversity in a Swiss Arable Landscape
Authors: Aviron Stéphanie , Herzog Felix , Klaus Iris , Schüpbach Beatrice , Jeanneret Philippe
Published: April 2010

The effects of habitat restoration measures designated to promote farmland biodiversity have been documented at the field scale, but little is known about their role in restoring the agricultural mosaic. In this study, we analyzed the effects of wildflower strips (WFS) at the field scale and in the landscape context on butterflies in a Swiss arable landscape. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) butterfly diversity and abundance are higher in WFS than in conventional fields; (2) butterfly diversity and abundance are enhanced by the amount, proximity and connectivity of WFS in the landscape context; (3) additional factors influence butterfly diversity and abundance according to individual site conditions and landscape context characteristics linked to other landscape elements. WFS had more species and individuals of butterflies than conventional habitats. However, promoted species were mainly generalists; few specialists were enhanced. The diversity of all butterflies and of generalists increased linearly with percent cover of WFS, reflecting an effect of restoration measures depending on the landscape context. The influence of proximity and connectivity of WFS were, however, not significant. The occurrence of specialists was conditioned by plant species richness, while the effect of WFS for overall diversity was affected by the amount of grassland in the surroundings. We conclude that to increase the effectiveness of biodiversity‐orientated restoration measures, their implementation should be steered toward increasing the share of WFS in the landscape. However, the combination of WFS with additional restoration measures might be needed to halt the decline of specialist species.
Riparian Seedling Mortality from Simulated Water Table Recession, and the Design of Sustainable Flow Regimes on Regulated Rivers
Authors: Stella John C. , Battles John J. , McBride Joe R. , Orr Bruce K.
Published: April 2010

Seasonal water limitation exerts a strong ecological filter on stream communities in semiarid regions. For first‐year riparian willow and poplar tree seedlings, desiccation from rapidly declining river flows can limit reproduction, especially on rivers in which flow regulation and land conversion have limited the amount of area available for recruitment. We investigated survivorship of first‐year riparian seedlings to simulated river stage declines, focusing on the three dominant species in California's heavily regulated San Joaquin Basin: Fremont cottonwood, Goodding's black willow, and sandbar willow. Seedlings grown in mesocosms were subjected to water table decline rates typical in spring on unregulated and regulated rivers. We compared species' differences in survival time and fit the empirical data to accelerated failure time models that predicted time until death as a function of drawdown rate, initial seedling size, and maternal line. We used Akaike information criteria to select the best model for each species. Water table decline rates ≥ 6 cm/day were lethal to all species. At an intermediate rate (3 cm/day) survival varied most among species (12–38%) and was highest for Goodding's black willow. Failure time models indicated no maternal effects on survival but that initial seedling size was important for cottonwood. Using these models, we simulated survivable flow scenarios on the Tuolumne River (CA) and assessed the survivability of actual flow releases in two representative years. This modeling approach shows promise for optimizing flow releases to restore pioneer riparian habitat on regulated rivers in some of the world's most water‐limited regions.
Spontaneous Succession as a Restoration Tool for Maritime Cliff‐top Vegetation in Brittany, France
Authors: Sawtschuk Jérôme , Bioret Frédéric , Gallet Sébastien
Published: April 2010

The impacts of human activities, especially those caused by tourism, have resulted in the destruction of coastal cliff‐top heathland and grassland vegetation. The loss of these natural habitats has led land managers to reduce human pressure and its impacts on the vegetation cover. Access has been restricted to stop the destruction, and restoration techniques are mainly based on the natural resilience of the vegetation. There have been few scientific reviews of the success of existing restoration operations through spontaneous succession. This article investigates existing restoration operations in five study areas where annual vegetation surveys have been recorded showing the long‐term trajectories of the spontaneous vegetation restoration. Statistical analyses based on multivariate analysis and Markov transition models allow us to describe the spontaneous successions, and to relate differences in the restoration trajectories to environmental factors.
Restoration of Old Forest Features in Coast Redwood Forests Using Early‐stage Variable‐density Thinning
Authors: O'Hara Kevin L. , Nesmith Jonathan C. B. , Leonard Lathrop , Porter Daniel J.
Published: April 2010

To accelerate development of old forest features in coast redwood, two thinning treatments and an unthinned control were compared in three treatment areas in north coastal California. One thinning treatment was designed to restore old forest densities of 125 trees/ha and the other 250 trees/ha representing a one‐step and partial treatments to the desired stand density. Four years after treatment, numbers of trees had increased in the thinning treatments due to recruitment of new trees, but had decreased in the control due to self‐thinning. Residual trees increased in stem volume following thinning by 128% in low‐density thinning compared to 70% in the controls indicating thinning accelerated stand development. The thinning treatments also moved the species composition of these stands to a greater proportion of redwood. Considerable slash was produced by the thinning treatments but was decomposing rapidly. Black bears damaged approximately 15% of all trees and more than 38% of residual trees in the thinned treatments compared to less than 2% of all trees in the control. This damage included killing some trees and damaging other trees that survived. Decisions over restoration densities in these stands are complicated by prolonged stand development, and balancing risks and costs. In this case, the bears represent a stochastic factor that dramatically increases risk. Thinning appears to be an effective means of enhancing old forest development by accelerating tree growth, modifying species composition, and increasing stand‐level variability. Continued monitoring will be necessary to evaluate long‐term trends in density relative to effects of bear damage.
Resilience of Native Plant Community Following Manual Control of InvasiveCinchona pubescensin Galápagos
Authors: Jäger Heinke , Kowarik Ingo
Published: April 2010

As invasive plant species are a major driver of change on oceanic islands, their control is an important challenge for restoration ecology. The post‐control recovery of native vegetation is crucial for the treatments to be considered successful, but few studies have evaluated the effects of control measures on both target and non‐target species. To investigate the efficiency of manual control ofCinchona pubescensand its impacts on the sub‐tropical highland vegetation of Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, vegetation was sampled before and up to two years after control was carried out in permanent sampling plots. Manual control significantly reducedCinchonadensity. Due to regeneration from the seed or bud bank, follow‐up control is required, however, for long‐term success. Despite heavy disturbance from tree uprooting, herbaceous angiosperms were little affected by the control actions, whereas dominant fern species declined in cover initially. Most native, endemic, and other introduced species regained their pre‐control levels of cover 2 years after control; some species even exceeded them. The total number of species significantly increased over the study period, as did species diversity. The native highland vegetation appeared to be resilient, recovering to a level probably more characteristic of the pre‐invasion state without human intervention afterCinchonacontrol. However, some introduced species seemed to have been facilitated by the control actions, namelyStachys agrariaandRubus niveus. Further monitoring is needed to confirm the long‐term nature of vegetation change in the area.
Evaluating the Demographic, Reproductive, and Genetic Value of Eucalypt Paddock Trees for Woodland Restoration in Agricultural Landscapes
Authors: Ottewell Kym M. , Donnellan Steve C. , Paton David C.
Published: April 2010

Eucalypt woodlands have been extensively cleared in southern Australia for agricultural production and the scattered trees that remain (“paddock trees”) are at risk of extinction without conservation action to lift recruitment rates. Here we assessed the reproductive, demographic, and genetic structure of trees from two vegetation types (paddock vs. intact vegetation fragments) for each of two species of eucalypts to characterize post‐clearance population structure and to evaluate paddock trees as seed sources for revegetation. Paddock trees of both species were structurally larger than trees in vegetation fragments, but seedlings and saplings were completely absent in paddocks due to ongoing agricultural land use. Eucalyptus leucoxylon paddock trees had high mortality, but overall paddock trees were not in poorer condition than fragment trees. E. leucoxylon paddock trees had lower reproductive output than trees in fragments, and Eucalyptus camaldulensis paddock trees had higher. Levels of genetic diversity of adult trees were very similar in the two vegetation types, and there was no genetic differentiation between paddock trees and remnant vegetation across our survey sites. These results suggest that paddock trees represent a potential source of seed to contribute to genetically diverse woodland restoration plantings, though further trials will be required to evaluate seedling survival on agriculturally modified land and under predicted future climate conditions.
Relationship between adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs, number of coprescribed drugs, and drug load in a large cohort of consecutive patients with drug‐refractory epilepsy
Authors: Canevini Maria Paola , De Sarro Giovambattista , Galimberti Carlo Andrea , Gatti Giuliana , Licchetta Laura , Malerba Ambra , Muscas Giancarlo , La Neve Angela , Striano Pasquale , Perucca Emilio ,   on behalf of the SOPHIE Study Group
Published: April 2010

Purpose:  To evaluate the adverse effects (AEs) of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in adults with refractory epilepsy and their relationship with number of coprescribed AEDs and AED load.

Methods:  Patients with refractory epilepsy were enrolled consecutively at 11 tertiary referral centers. AEs were assessed through unstructured interview and the Adverse Event Profile (AEP) questionnaire. AED loads were calculated as the sum of prescribed daily dose (PDD)/defined daily dose (DDD) ratios for each coprescribed AED.

Results:  Of 809 patients enrolled, 709 had localization‐related epilepsy and 627 were on polytherapy. AED loads increased with increasing number of AEDs in the treatment regimen, from 1.2 ± 0.5 for patients on monotherapy to 2.5 ± 1, 3.7 ± 1.1, and 4.7 ± 1.1 for those on two, three, and ≥4 AEDs, respectively. The number of spontaneously reported AEs correlated with the number of AEs identified by the AEP (r = 0.27, p < 0.0001). AEP scores did not differ between patients with monotherapy and patients with polytherapy (42.8 ± 11.7 vs. 42.6 ± 11.2), and there was no correlation between AEP scores and AED load (r = −0.05, p = 0.16).

Conclusions:  AEs did not differ between monotherapy and polytherapy patients, and did not correlate with AED load, possibly as a result of physicians’ intervention in individualizing treatment regimens. Taking into account the limitations of a cross‐sectional survey, these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that AEs are determined more by individual susceptibility, type of AEDs used, and physicians’ skills, than number of coprescribed AEDs and AED load.