bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CODES OF PRACTICE – AN UPDATE
Authors: Chandra A.
Published: August 2006

In a communication from Dr Peter Smith (sending this with AH), there is encouraging feedback from the Cytopathology subcommittee in support of the forthcoming BSCC Codes of Practice (COP). FNA COP: Comments include its comprehensive nature and the fact it relates to specialist practice eg. FNA clinics. The recommendations in this document have been regarded as Best Practice rather than meeting minimum standards. Specific suggestions include –

(1) recommendations on staffing would be helpful.

(2) health & safety – FNA smears from patients with known high risk infection should not be spread on open trolleys. There should be appropriate risk assessment covering this sort of procedure agreed with Control of Infection Officer.

(3) workload – not to be prescriptive in terms of assigning 2 Programmed Activities (PA) to an FNA clinic. Review of slides after the FNA clinic should not be included in this equation.

Comments have been forwarded to Dr Kocjan for consideration.

Exfoliative Cytology COP : This document expected to relate to meeting minimum standards due to wide variations in practice. Specific comments include –

(1) a section on Indications may be worthwhile.

(2) the position of technical staff vis‐á‐vis reporting is likely to be clarified before publication and may require major modification on this document.

(3) discussion on clinical priorities and subdivision of specimens of low volumes eg. CSF and synovial fluid eg Micro may be more important than cytology in suspected bacterial meningitis.

(4) not to be too prescriptive eg. 3 levels of blood clot to be examined on cell block.

(5) cell counts may be inappropriate if LBC method is used for processing as it removes polymorphs.

These comments are being addressed by AC with assistance from Margaret Middleton. It is hoped to make this document available on the website by 1 July for consultation.
Soil organic carbon and microbial activity: east Antarctica
Authors: Gajananda K.
Published: August 2006

Schirmacher oasis (SO) (70°46′04′′S to 70°44′24′′S; 11°49′54′′[± 48]E to 11°26′03′′[± 02]E), one of the smallest oases in Antarctica, is situated on Dronning Maud Land, which is about 70 km south of the Princess Astrid Coast of east Antarctica. This oasis is a small rocky moraine, surrounded by the vast polar ice cap and Antarctic ice shelf. It represents cold desert conditions, devoid of any higher plant and animal life, except for a few patches of microbiotic crusts in some suitable niches. Melted water from glaciers, ice and snow produces about 30 fresh water lakes and many streams, which supply essential nutrients to the autotrophs (algae, mosses and lichens). Between 30 December 1999 and 29 January 2000, soil samples were collected from 14 sparsely vegetated sites to study the soils and ecology over this oasis. Bio‐physicochemical parameters, organic carbon and microbial activities (dehydrogenase) of the soils were determined. The average surface air temperature and wind velocities during the sampling period were −0.87°C and 4.3 m s−1. The average pH, plant biomass (standing crops) and moisture content were 7.5, 22.5 g m−2 and 375.4%. Total organic carbon (TOC) contents of the soil samples ranged from 1.16 to 2.58% and the mean value was 1.58%. Dehydrogenase activity (DHA) was low and the average was 0.008 mg Triphenyl formazan (TPF) g soil−1 day−1. The low DHA in SO suggests that anaerobic oxidation of organic C is poor. TOC and DHA are negatively correlated with plant biomass (r=−0.14, P= 0.62 and r=−0.21, P= 0.48). The organic C and microbial activities are dependent on the amount of the autotrophic productivity and abundances. TOC correlated significantly with DHA (r= 0.85, P < 0.001), which indicates that organic C is an important factor in controlling the development of DHA in the SO. The averaged bio‐physicochemical data in the oasis do not deviate much from the respective mean values and the TOC is expected to remain in the range of 1–2%; however, a small change in human activity is likely to cause long‐term impacts in this pristine ecosystem.
Impact of summer cottage residence on recreational fishing participation in Finland
Authors: SALMI P. , TOIVONEN A.‐L. , MIKKOLA J.
Published: August 2006

Abstract  High participation in recreational fishing in Finland was explained by the tradition of families occupying summer cottages and spending leisure time close to lakes or the sea shore in summer. The characteristics of cottage dwelling fishers and other recreational fishers were compared. The summer cottage culture enhances fishing participation of urban citizens, notably children and women. Children were often introduced to fishing while dwelling in the cottages with their family. Cottage fishers favour simple angling, but catch‐oriented fishing with gill nets and wire traps is also popular. Preparing meals based on the catch is an important part of Finnish cottage life, where rural traditions are mixed with the modern and urban. Summer cottage dwellers form an important group to improve local management of problems arising from intense fishing participation and divergent interests in the country.
Radiographic technical quality of root fillings performed by dental students in Turkey
Authors: Er O. , Sagsen B. , Maden M. , Cinar S. , Kahraman Y.
Published: August 2006

Aim  To evaluate the radiographic technical quality of root fillings performed by undergraduate students at a dentistry faculty in Turkey.

Methodology  A random sample of 2000 records of patients who received dental treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Gazi between 2000 and 2003 was investigated. The final sample consisted of 1893 root‐filled teeth with 3692 root canals in 1654 dental patients. For each root‐filled tooth, at least three periapical radiographs were examined: preoperative, working length determination and postoperative. The length, density and taper of root fillings were recorded. The length of root fillings was recorded as adequate, short or overfilled. Density of root fillings was recorded as adequate or inadequate. Taper of root fillings was recorded as adequate or inadequate. Results were evaluated statistically using one‐way analysis of variance (anova) and chi‐square analysis.

Results  Sixty‐nine per cent, 53.2% and 68.3% of root fillings had adequate length, density and taper, respectively; only 33% of teeth fulfilled these three criteria at the same time. The relationship between the length, density and taper of the root filling and the presence of canal curvature was statistically significant (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between maxillary and mandibular teeth according to the adequacy of the root fillings. The highest percentage of adequate root fillings was found in maxillary canines (51.5%).

Conclusions  The percentage of adequate root fillings performed by undergraduate students was only 33%.
Proposal for a standardized protocol for the systematic orofacial examination of patients with Hereditary Sensory Radicular Neuropathy
Authors: Siqueira S. R. D. T. , Okada M. , Lino A. M. M. , Teixeira M. J. , Siqueira J. T. T.
Published: August 2006

Aim To apply a standardized protocol for the orofacial evaluation of two adult siblings (one male and one female) with Hereditary Sensory Radicular Neuropathy (HSRN) that presented with dental problems.

Summary The systematic evaluation consisted of (a) clinical questionnaire; (b) radiographs [orthopantomography and computarized tomography (CT)]; (c) orofacial psychophysical tests (pain, thermal, mechanical and electrical sensation); and (d) histology of gingiva and pulp (optical and transmission electronic microscopy). The female patient had complete insensitivity to orofacial pain and partial facial heat sensitivity, and received dental treatment without anaesthesia or pain. She had a severe and painless jaw infection due to pulp necrosis in tooth 37. The male patient had partial insensitivity to orofacial pain and required anaesthesia for dental treatment. Histological examination of gingivae and pulpal tissue revealed an altered proportion of unmyelinated and myelinated sensory nerve fibres.

Key learning points

• Patients with HSRN may present with significant, silent dental disease.

• A standard protocol is helpful when evaluating such patients.

• If the opportunity arises, evaluation of pulp tissue may reveal an altered proportion of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibres. This may avoid the more estabilished sural nerve biopsy.
An ex vivo study of the effects of retained coronal dentine on the strength of teeth restored with composite core and different post and core systems
Authors: AL‐Omiri M. K. , AL‐Wahadni A. M.
Published: August 2006

Aim  To investigate the fracture resistance and fracture patterns of teeth restored with composite cores supported by different pre‐fabricated post systems and different heights of remaining coronal dentine.

Methodology  Four groups of 30 single rooted teeth were used. Each group was divided into three subgroups of 10 teeth each and restored with carbon fibre, glass fibre, or Radix titanium posts luted with dual cure resin cement. The control group A had no retained coronal dentine. Groups B, C and D had 2, 3 and 4 mm of retained buccal and lingual coronal dentine, respectively. Teeth were tested to failure using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Subsequently, the fracture mode of specimens was recorded.

Results  Teeth with retained dentine were more resistant to fracture (P = 0.001). Tooth fracture resistance was not significantly different between groups B, C and D. Within group A, titanium posts were associated with higher fracture resistance than fibre posts. Within the other groups, tooth fracture resistance was not related to post material. Within groups C and D, fracture resistance of teeth restored with carbon fibre posts was significantly higher than those restored with glass fibre posts. The dominant fracture mode in group A was core and vertical oblique root fracture whilst a combination of core, coronal dentine and root fracture occurred in the other groups.

Conclusions  Fracture resistance of teeth increased with the presence of retained coronal dentine. The use of glass and carbon fibre posts did not improve the fracture resistance or the fracture pattern of teeth when compared with metal titanium posts regardless of the presence of retained coronal dentine. The dominant fracture pattern of teeth was not related to the amount of retained dentine if it was >2 mm high.
Immunomorphological aspects of the tubuli recti and the surrounding interstitium in normal mice
Authors: Takahashi Kodo , Naito Munekazu , Terayama Hayato , Qu Ning , Cheng Linxian , Tainosho Sachi , Itoh Masahiro
Published: August 2006

The tubuli recti (TR) are immunologically special, because the lymphocytes preferably accumulate around them during the course of T‐cell dependent testicular autoimmunity in mice. This finding implies that the testicular interstitium around the TR is where autoreactive lymphocytes can gain access to autoimmunogenic germ cell antigens. In the present study, the histoarchitecture of the TR was minutely examined in normal mice. Three‐dimensional analysis showed that 14–16 TR appeared to be connected to the rete testis (RT). Electron microscopical analysis revealed that the epithelial cells in the TR formed protruding cytoplasmic strings, with active endocytosis of degenerated spermatozoa, and exhibited three different morphological characteristics. Furthermore, a few macrophages were found to have penetrated into the TR. Immunohistochemical image analysis revealed that more macrophages specifically accumulated around the TR than the RT or seminiferous tubules. These findings indicate that macrophages preferentially accumulate around the TR, where contact between germ cell antigens and macrophages may occur under normal and pathological conditions.
Alterations of the USP26 gene in Caucasian men
Authors: Stouffs Katrien , Lissens Willy , Tournaye Herman , Steirteghem André Van , Liebaers Inge
Published: August 2006

The Ubiquitin Specific Protease 26 gene is a testis‐specific gene that is located on the X chromosome. Sequence variants of this gene were previously reported in men with azoospermia caused by defects at the level of spermatogenesis. Especially a cluster of three changes (c.370_371insACA, c.494T>C and c.1423C>T) was frequently observed. To further define the role of this cluster of sequence variants in the USP26 gene, we have now analysed 202 control samples and 146 patients of Caucasian origin with cryptozoospermia or oligozoospermia. The detection method was based on a restriction reaction, by which the change c.494T>C can be detected. In none of the patients, the change c.494T>C was observed. Only in one man with normal spermatogenesis this sequence variant was detected. Sequencing can confirm the presence of the three changes of the USP26 gene. These data indicate that the cluster of changes is not restricted to men with severe testicular dysfunction.
The extent and intensity of management burning in the English uplands
Authors: YALLOP A. R. , THACKER J. I. , THOMAS G. , STEPHENS M. , CLUTTERBUCK B. , BREWER T. , SANNIER C. A. D.
Published: August 2006

World‐wide, the controlled use of fire is an important ecological management tool and is essential for the continuance of many communities. It is used extensively in upland regions of England to maintain dwarf shrub habitats for game‐bird rearing. Inappropriate burning, however, is now cited as the second most important reason for the poor condition of conservation sites in these areas. Despite this there are few data on the extent and frequency of its use to help judge its potential impact on biodiversity.

This study, using aerial photography of a 2% sample (208 km2) of the English uplands, surveyed the national scale of fire management for the first time, and used historical photography to identify medium‐term trends in its use.

Management burning in the English uplands is now widespread on ericaceous‐dominated moorland; in the year 2000 17% of the area of this habitat had been burned within the previous 4 years, equivalent to 114 km2 year−1. The present median burn repeat time of consistently managed sites is approximately 20 years.

Within most of the English national parks there has been a significant increase in the extent of new burns (from 15·1% to 29·7%) over this period, indicating an intensification of burning regimes in some areas.

Synthesis and applications. The extent and frequency of burning, and the habitats in which this management occurs, are contentious issues. Reconciling the differing objectives of conservation, game rearing and agricultural stakeholders to allow the development of both strategic and local management planning to address these issues requires information on the extent and history of burning practices. This study provides a much needed first national estimate of burning practices in England and serves as a baseline against which changes in management regimes and their impacts on habitats can be judged.
Glacial survival or late glacial colonization? Phylogeography of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus) in north‐west Norway
Authors: Brunhoff Cecilia , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Ims Rolf A. , Jaarola Maarit
Published: August 2006

Aim It has been proposed that the root vole subspecies,Microtus oeconomus finmarchicus, survived the last glacial period on islands on the north‐west coast of Norway. The Norwegian island of Andøya may have constituted the only site with permanent ice‐free conditions. Geological surveys and fossil finds from Andøya demonstrate that survival throughout the last glacial maximum was probably possible for some plants and animals. In this study we aim to infer the recent evolutionary history of Norwegian root vole populations and to evaluate the glacial survival hypothesis.

Methods DNA sequence variation in the mitochondrial cytochromebgene was studied in 46 root voles from 19 localities.

Location Northern Fennoscandia and north‐west Russia with a focus on islands on the north‐west coast of Norway.

Results The phylogeographical analyses revealed two North European phylogroups labelled ‘Andøya’ and ‘Fennoscandia’. The Andøya phylogroup contained root voles from the Norwegian islands of Andøya, Ringvassøya and Reinøya and two localities in north‐west Russia. The Fennoscandian phylogroup encompassed root voles from the three Norwegian islands of Kvaløya, Håkøya and Arnøya and the remaining specimens from Norway, northern Sweden and Finland. Nucleotide diversity within the Andøya and Fennoscandian phylogroups was similar, ranging from 0.5% to 0.7%.

Main conclusions Both our genetic data and previously published morphological data are consistent within situglacial survival of root voles on Andøya during the last glacial maximum. However, the level of genetic diversity observed in the extant island populations, the past periods of severe climatic conditions on Andøya and the ecology of the root vole are somewhat difficult to reconcile with this model. A biogeographical scenario involving late glacial recolonization along the northern coasts of Russia and Norway therefore represents a viable alternative. Our results demonstrate that complex recolonization and extinction histories can generate intricate phylogeographical patterns and relatively high levels of genetic variation in northern populations.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Comparison of predictor sets for species richness and the number of rare species of butterflies and birds
Authors: Thomson James R. , Fleishman Erica , Nally Ralph Mac , Dobkin David S.
Published: August 2006

Aim Accurate inventories of biota are typically restricted to few locations within an extensive region. Accordingly, effective planning must involve some form of surrogate measures coupled with spatial modelling. We conducted a simultaneous comparison of models of both species richness and the number of rare species using three types of surrogates (indicator species, vegetation composition and structure, and topoclimate) as predictors. We evaluated each type of surrogate alone and in combination with others.

Location Data for our analyses were collected from 1996–2004 in three adjacent mountain ranges in the central Great Basin (Lander and Nye counties, Nevada, USA), the Shoshone Mountains, Toiyabe Range and Toquima Range.

Methods Data on species richness and species composition of butterflies and birds and measures of vegetation composition and structure were obtained in the field. Topoclimatic variables were derived by GIS from digital sources and satellite images. We used Poisson regression with Bayesian model averaging to predict species richness and the number of rare species. We compared the expected prediction success of all models on the basis of internal and external validation trials.

Results Same‐taxon indicator species were the most accurate predictors of species richness and of the number of rare species of butterflies and birds. Cross‐taxon indicator species and topoclimate variables were reasonably accurate predictors of species richness of butterflies and birds and of the number of rare butterfly species. Although vegetation variables were more effective for predicting species richness and number of rare species of birds than of butterflies, they were the least accurate predictors overall.

Main conclusions Although indicator species may provide the most accurate predictions of species richness, their practical value, like any surrogate measure, depends greatly on ecological considerations and land‐use context. In general, the ability to predict numbers of rare species based on any set of candidate predictors was weaker than the ability to predict species richness, which may result from the high degree of stochasticity that often characterizes distributions of rare species. Our statistical approach for objective examination of different candidate predictors can help ensure that selection of species‐richness surrogates in any system is scientifically reliable and cost‐effective.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Phylogeography and refugia of the Japanese endemic alpine plant, Phyllodoce nipponica Makino (Ericaceae)
Authors: Ikeda Hajime , Setoguchi Hiroaki
Published: August 2006

Aim  This study aims to elucidate the phylogeography of the Japanese endemic alpine plant, Phyllodoce nipponica Makino (Ericaceae) and to infer the location of refugia of alpine plants in Japan during climatic oscillations.

Location  Alpine zone in the Japanese archipelago.

Methods  We determined the chloroplast (cp) DNA haplotypes of 155 individuals (22 populations) based on sequence data from the trnL‐F and trnT‐L intergenic spacers and the trnL intron, whose phylogenetic relationships were analysed using the program tcs. To examine the genetic structure, analysis of molecular variance (amova) was carried out and the population differentiation was shown by the parameters GST and NST.

Results  The haplotype composition and the results of amova showed that populations in the Japanese Central Mountain Region (JCMR) and in the westernmost region were highly divergent (18.8%). The diversity within populations was very high in the JCMR (hS = 0.421); less variation was found within populations located in other regions at lower elevations.

Main conclusions  Phyllodoce nipponica survived climatic changes during the Quaternary in the JCMR and the westernmost region. Most of the distribution range was colonized during only one range expansion. The source location from which the range expansion occurred was unclear.
Breathlessness, phlegm and mortality: 26 years of follow‐up in healthy middle‐aged Norwegian men
Authors: STAVEM K. , SANDVIK L. , ERIKSSEN J.
Published: August 2006

Objectives. It is well known that pulmonary function is associated with all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) death. Less is known about the association between respiratory symptoms and mortality and whether such an association is independent of physical fitness. In this study, we assessed the association of breathlessness and productive cough with CV and all‐cause mortality over 26 years.

Design. Prospective occupational cohort study.

Setting and subjects. In 1972–75, 1999 apparently healthy men aged 40–59 years were recruited to the study from five companies in Oslo, Norway. At study entry clinical, physiological and biochemical parameters including respiratory symptoms, spirometry, and an objective assessment of physical fitness were measured in all subjects, of whom 1623 had acceptable spirometry. The data was analysed using Cox proportional hazards analysis, adjusting for age, lung function, physical fitness, and other possible confounders, with mortality until 2000.

Results. After 26 years (range 25–27), 615 men (38%) had died, of whom 308 (50%) from CV deaths. In multivariable proportional hazards models, ‘having phlegm winter mornings’ [hazard ratio (HR) 1.30,P = 0.01], ‘breathlessness when hurrying/walking uphill’ (HR 1.43,P = 0.005) and combinations of the two symptoms remained significant predictors of all‐cause mortality. None of six respiratory symptoms were significant predictors of CV mortality in multivariable models.

Conclusions. Phlegm, breathlessness and combinations of them were associated with all‐cause mortality, even after adjusting for physical fitness, known CV and other risk factors such as smoking, and lung function. The finding of an association also after adjustment for physical fitness is new. In contrast, none of the six respiratory symptoms individually or in combination were associated with CV mortality in multivariable analysis.
Effects of antihypertensive drug treatments on fracture outcomes: a meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: WIENS M. , ETMINAN M. , GILL S. S. , TAKKOUCHE B.
Published: August 2006

Objective.  To quantitatively pool findings from observational studies on the risk of fracture outcomes associated with exposure to five antihypertensive drug classes: angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics (in particular thiazide diuretics), β‐blockers, calcium‐channel blockers and alpha‐blockers.

Design.  Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Data sources.  Publications listed in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases, the ISI proceedings, and bibliographies of retrieved articles. Sources were searched from the earliest possible dates through December 2005.

Review methods.  We included case–control and cohort studies presenting relative risks and confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between exposure to antihypertensive agents and fracture outcomes. Data were extracted onto a standardized computer worksheet. Study quality was assessed using a 10‐point questionnaire specific to case–control or cohort study design.

Results.  Fifty‐four studies were identified. Pooled estimates were computed using the software HEpiMA. The pooled relative risk (RR) of any fracture with use of thiazide diuretics was 0.86 (95% CI 0.81–0.92) and 1.14 (95% CI 0.84–1.54) with use of nonthiazide diuretics. There was a statistically significant reduction of any fracture with use of β‐blockers, (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.70–0.98). The one study with ACE inhibitor data showed protection (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73–0.89). No significant associations were found between fractures and exposure to α‐blockers or calcium‐channel blockers.

Conclusions.  Thiazide diuretics and β‐blockers appear to lower the risk of fractures in older adults. However, these agents cannot be recommended as preventive therapies for fractures until data from randomized controlled trials have established their efficacy. Patients who use these inexpensive drugs as treatments for hypertension may also benefit from a reduction in fracture risk.
Spatial and temporal genetic structure of the planktonicSagitta setosa(Chaetognatha) in European seas as revealed by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers
Authors: PEIJNENBURG K. T. C. A. , FAUVELOT C. , BREEUWER J. A. J. , MENKEN S. B. J.
Published: August 2006

Little is known about the spatial and temporal scales at which planktonic organisms are genetically structured. A previous study of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the holoplanktonic chaetognathSagitta setosarevealed strong phylogeographic structuring suggesting that Northeast (NE) Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea populations are genetically disjunct. The present study used a higher sampling intensity and a combination of mitochondrial and four microsatellite markers to reveal population structuring between and within basins. Between basins, both marker sets indicated significant differentiation confirming earlier results that gene flow is probably absent between the respectiveS. setosapopulations. At the within‐basin scale, we found no evidence of spatial or temporal structuring within the NE Atlantic. In the Mediterranean basin, both marker sets indicated significant structuring, but only the mtDNA data indicated a sharp genetic division between Adriatic and all other Mediterranean populations. Data were inconclusive about population structuring in the Black Sea. The levels of differentiation indicated by the two marker sets differed substantially, with far less pronounced structure detected by microsatellite than mtDNA data. This study also uncovered the presence of highly divergent mitochondrial lineages that were discordant with morphology, geography and nuclear DNA. We thus propose the hypothesis that highly divergent mitochondrial lineages may be present within interbreedingS. setosapopulations.
Temporal recruitment patterns and gene flow in kelp rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens)
Authors: GILBERT‐HORVATH ELIZABETH A. , LARSON RALPH J. , GARZA JOHN CARLOS
Published: August 2006

Pelagic dispersal of marine organisms provides abundant opportunity for gene flow and presumably inhibits population genetic divergence. However, ephemeral, fine‐scale, temporal and spatial genetic heterogeneity is frequently observed in settled propagules of marine species that otherwise exhibit broad‐scale genetic homogeneity. A large variance in reproductive success is one explanation for this phenomenon. Here, genetic analyses of 16 microsatellite loci are used to examine temporal patterns of variation in young‐of‐year kelp rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens) recruiting to nearshore habitat in Monterey Bay, California, USA. Population structure of adults from central California is also evaluated to determine if spatial structure exists and might potentially contribute to recruitment patterns. Genetic homogeneity was found among 414 young‐of‐year sampled throughout the entire 1998 recruitment season. No substantial adult population structure was found among seven populations spanning 800 km of coastline that includes the Point Conception marine biogeographic boundary. Comparison of young‐of‐year and adult samples revealed no genetic differentiation and no measurable reduction in genetic variation of offspring, indicating little variance in reproductive success and no reduction in effective population size for this year class. Simulation analyses determined that the data set was sufficiently powerful to detect both slight population structure among adults and a small reduction in effective number of breeders contributing to this year class. The findings of high gene flow and low genetic drift have important implications for fisheries management and conservation efforts.
Genetic tagging reveals extreme site fidelity in territorial male Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella
Authors: HOFFMAN J. I. , TRATHAN P. N. , AMOS W.
Published: August 2006

Genetic tagging, the identification of individuals using their genotypes, provides a powerful tool for studying animals that are difficult to observe or identify using conventional techniques. However, despite being widely adopted by conservation biologists, the full potential of this approach has yet to be realized. Here we used genetic recapture data to quantify male site fidelity at a colony of Antarctic fur seals where an aerial walkway provides unprecedented access and individual positions are determined daily to 1 m accuracy. Because males are too large and aggressive to be captured and fitted with conventional tags, we remotely collected 770 tissue samples over eight consecutive seasons and used nine‐locus microsatellite genotypes to reveal 306 genetic recaptures among 464 unique individuals. Within seasons, males are highly site‐faithful, with any movements that occur tending to take place before the period when females come into oestrus. Of those males that return to breed over successive seasons, almost half return to within a body length of where they were before. The discovery of such extreme site faithfulness has implications for the population structure and mating system of fur seals and potentially other colonially breeding species.
Refugia ofPotentilla matsumurae(Rosaceae) located at high mountains in the Japanese archipelago
Authors: IKEDA HAJIME , SENNI KEI , FUJII NORIYUKI , SETOGUCHI HIROAKI
Published: August 2006

Molecular phylogeographic studies have revealed the genetic patterns and glacial–interglacial history of many plant and animal species. To infer the Quaternary history of alpine plants in the Japanese archipelago, which is poorly known, we investigated 203 individuals ofPotentilla matsumuraeand its varieties from 22 populations. We found 11 haplotypes based on approximately 1400 bp of two intergenetic spacers in chloroplast DNA (trnT‐Landrpl20–rps20). The distribution of these haplotypes was geographically structured, which was supported by haplotype composition, principal component analysis, and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), andNST(0.71) was significantly greater thanGST(0.68). In addition to the positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance (Mantel test,r = 0.497,P < 0.001), an abrupt genetic change was detected between mountains in central Honshu and the Tohoku region. This genetic boundary was further supported by analysis of molecular variance (amova), and high variation (54.0%) was explained by differences on either side of this boundary. Moreover, haplotypes in central Honshu were thought to have diverged, based on an outgroup comparison. These results suggest that mountains in central Honshu served as refugia during the Quaternary climatic oscillation, although the results could not reveal the history of most mountains in the Tohoku region and Hokkaido. Nevertheless, following floristic studies, our results indicate that alpine plants in Japan experienced a history different from that in Europe; i.e. they retreated into refugia during warm periods to avoid forest development, rather than glaciers.
Genetic diversity and phylogeography of the Apennine yellow‐bellied toadBombina pachypus, with implications for conservation
Authors: CANESTRELLI DANIELE , CIMMARUTA ROBERTA , COSTANTINI VERA , NASCETTI GIUSEPPE
Published: August 2006

Genetic variation was investigated in 17 populations of the Italian endemic Apennine yellow‐bellied toad using both mitochondrial (598 bp of the cytochromebgene) and nuclear (21 allozyme loci) markers. Populations from central Calabria (southern Italy) showed the highest levels of intrapopulation genetic variation, whereas samples located north of this region were nearly lacking in variation. This appears to be a typical pattern of ‘southern richness and northern purity’, usually attributed to the prolonged population stability within southern refugia coupled with the loss of variation during postglacial northward expansion. However, the overall pattern of genetic variation observed has a strong geographical component, suggesting two Calabrian plains, Catanzaro and Crati‐Sibari, as historical barriers to dispersal separating three population groups. These findings cannot be explained by the prolonged stability of southern populations alone, and suggest that the southern richness has been at least in part shaped by allopatric differentiation within the refugial range, followed by intermixing of previously differentiated lineages. From a conservation standpoint, Calabria is the major genetic diversity reservoir for this species, thus deserving particular conservation efforts. Furthermore, although the low intrapopulation genetic variation outside Calabria appears to be of clear historical origin, evidence of a current reduction of gene flow suggests that human disturbance has also played a part, particularly in the anthropogenic impacted Volturno river drainage basin.
Parallel evolution of ecomorphological traits in the European whitefishCoregonus lavaretus(L.) species complex during postglacial times
Authors: ØSTBYE K. , AMUNDSEN P.‐A. , BERNATCHEZ L. , KLEMETSEN A. , KNUDSEN R. , KRISTOFFERSEN R. , NÆSJE T. F. , HINDAR K.
Published: August 2006

The extensive phenotypic polymorphism in the European whitefish has triggered evolutionary research in order to disentangle mechanisms underlying diversification. To illuminate the ecological distinctiveness in polymorphic whitefish, and evaluate taxonomic designations, we studied nine Norwegian lakes in three watercourses, which each harboured pairs of divergent whitefish morphs. We compared the morphology and life history of these morphs, documented the extent of genetic differentiation between them, and contrasted the niche use of sympatric morphs along both the habitat and resource axes. In all cases, sympatric morphs differed in the number of gill rakers, a highly heritable trait related to trophic utilization. Individual growth rate, age and size at maturity, diet and habitat use also differed between morphs within lakes, but were remarkably similar across lakes within the same morph. Microsatellite analyses confirmed for all but one pair that sympatric morphs were significantly genetically different, and that similar morphs from different lakes likely have a polyphyletic origin. These results are most compatible with the process of parallel evolution through recurrent postglacial divergence into pelagic and benthic niches in each of these lakes. We propose that sparsely and densely rakered whitefish sympatric pairs may be a likely case of ecological speciation, mediated in oligotrophic lakes with few trophic competitors.
Fine‐scale population genetic structure of a wildlife disease vector: the southern house mosquito on the island of Hawaii
Authors: KEYGHOBADI NUSHA , LaPOINTE DENNIS , FLEISCHER ROBERT C. , FONSECA DINA M.
Published: August 2006

The southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, is a widespread tropical and subtropical disease vector. In the Hawaiian Islands, where it was introduced accidentally almost two centuries ago, it is considered the primary vector of avian malaria and pox. Avian malaria in particular has contributed to the extinction and endangerment of Hawaii's native avifauna, and has altered the altitudinal distribution of native bird populations. We examined the population genetic structure of Cx. quinquefasciatus on the island of Hawaii at a smaller spatial scale than has previously been attempted, with particular emphasis on the effects of elevation on population genetic structure. We found significant genetic differentiation among populations and patterns of isolation by distance within the island. Elevation per se did not have a limiting effect on gene flow; however, there was significantly lower genetic diversity among populations at mid elevations compared to those at low elevations. A recent sample taken from just above the predicted upper altitudinal distribution of Cx. quinquefasciatus on the island of Hawaii was confirmed as being a temporary summer population and appeared to consist of individuals from more than one source population. Our results indicate effects of elevation gradients on genetic structure that are consistent with known effects of elevation on population dynamics of this disease vector.
Molecular and phenotypic divergence in the bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) subspecies complex
Authors: JOHNSEN ARILD , ANDERSSON STAFFAN , FERNANDEZ JAVIER GARCIA , KEMPENAERS BART , PAVEL VÁCLAV , QUESTIAU SOPHIE , RAESS MICHAEL , RINDAL EIRIK , LIFJELD JAN T.
Published: August 2006

Subspecies complexes may provide valuable insights into the early stages of the speciation process. The bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) consists of many morphologically distinct subspecies that differ most strikingly in the ornamental colour pattern of the male throat. We investigated the genetic and phenotypic differentiation in this subspecies complex, using (i) microsatellite genotyping (11 loci) of a sample of 364 individuals from bluethroat populations in Europe and Asia, and (ii) spectrometric and morphological measurements of a sample of 131 museum skin specimens. Population genetic analyses, based on microsatellite allele frequency variation, revealed a slight but significant overall population differentiation (FST = 0.042). There was a well‐differentiated southern group of subspecies with white or no throat spots and a less‐differentiated northern group of chestnut‐spotted populations. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the southern all‐blue and white‐spotted forms are ancestral to the chestnut‐spotted subspecies. In addition to the qualitative variation in throat plumage pattern already described in the literature, we found significant quantitative variation among subspecies in hue, chroma and brightness of the ultraviolet (UV)/blue throat coloration, and this variation seemed to be unrelated to the phylogenetic distance between subspecies.
Multiple paternity in a salamander with socially monogamous behaviour
Authors: LIEBGOLD ERIC B. , CABE PAUL R. , JAEGER ROBERT G. , LEBERG PAUL L.
Published: August 2006

In the majority of birds and mammals, social monogamy is not congruent with genetic monogamy. No research to date has compared social and genetic monogamy in amphibians. We analysed paternity in clutches of red‐backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), a species in which social monogamy has been demonstrated in the laboratory, and 28% of individuals in the forest are found in male‐female pairs in the noncourtship season. We collected 16 clutches of eggs ofP. cinereus in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and collected tail clippings from attending mothers. We genotyped embryos and adults at five microsatellite loci in order to analyse paternity of clutches. Most clutches (84.6%) had multiple sires, with two to three sires per clutch. In this study, 25% of clutches had males in addition to females attending eggs. None of the mothers of these clutches were genetically monogamous. All attending males sired some of the offspring in the clutch that they attended (between 9% and 50%) but never sired a majority in that clutch. We conclude that, at least in this population, social monogamy inP. cinereusis not concomitant with genetic monogamy.
Cryptic biodiversity and phylogeographical patterns in a snapping shrimp species complex
Authors: MATHEWS LAUREN M.
Published: August 2006

Recent investigations suggest that marine biodiversity may be much higher than earlier estimates, and an important hidden source of diversity in marine systems is the phenomenon of cryptic species complexes. Such complexes are informative models for research into the evolutionary processes that govern species compositions of marine fauna. The snapping shrimp generaAlpheusandSynalpheusare known to harbour large numbers of cryptic species; here, I characterize the genetic structure of theAlpheus armillatusspecies complex in the northern Caribbean, west Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data. Over this geographical region, the complex harbours at least three lineages that are probable reproductively isolated species; all major lineages diverged subsequent to the close of the Isthmus of Panama. Only one lineage was present in the Gulf of Mexico, whereas outside the Gulf of Mexico there was no clear tendency for lineage dominance by geographical region, as most sites were populated by shrimp from at least two lineages. However, within each lineage, there was strong evidence of population genetic differentiation between geographical regions. All lineages showed strong signals of demographic expansion, and one lineage showed sharply reduced genetic diversity, suggestive of past population bottlenecks or recently founded populations with low gene flow from other sites. These results show that evolutionary processes leading to divergence and speciation have been common and recent in the snapping shrimp, and suggest that connectivity among shrimp populations may be limited.
Phylogeography of the endangered Cathaya argyrophylla (Pinaceae) inferred from sequence variation of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA
Authors: WANG HONG‐WEI , GE SONG
Published: August 2006

Cathaya argyrophylla is an endangered conifer restricted to subtropical mountains of China. To study phylogeographical pattern and demographic history of C. argyrophylla, species‐wide genetic variation was investigated using sequences of maternally inherited mtDNA and biparentally inherited nuclear DNA. Of 15 populations sampled from all four distinct regions, only three mitotypes were detected at two loci, without single region having a mixed composition (GST = 1). Average nucleotide diversity (θws = 0.0024; πs = 0.0029) across eight nuclear loci is significantly lower than those found for other conifers (θws = 0.003∼0.015; πs = 0.002∼0.012) based on estimates of multiple loci. Because of its highest diversity among the eight nuclear loci and evolving neutrally, one locus (2009) was further used for phylogeographical studies and eight haplotypes resulting from 12 polymorphic sites were obtained from 98 individuals. All the four distinct regions had at least four haplotypes, with the Dalou region (DL) having the highest diversity and the Bamian region (BM) the lowest, paralleling the result of the eight nuclear loci. An AMOVA revealed significant proportion of diversity attributable to differences among regions (13.4%) and among populations within regions (8.9%). FST analysis also indicated significantly high differentiation among populations (FST = 0.22) and between regions (FST = 0.12–0.38). Non‐overlapping distribution of mitotypes and high genetic differentiation among the distinct geographical groups suggest the existence of at least four separate glacial refugia. Based on network and mismatch distribution analyses, we do not find evidence of long distance dispersal and population expansion in C. argyrophylla. Ex situ conservation and artificial crossing are recommended for the management of this endangered species.
A new ferrous iron‐uptake transporter, EfeU (YcdN), from Escherichia coli
Authors: Große Cornelia , Scherer Judith , Koch Doreen , Otto Markus , Taudte Nadine , Grass Gregor
Published: August 2006

Escherichia coli possesses multiple routes for iron uptake. Here we present EfeU (YcdN), a novel iron acquisition system of E. coli strain Nissle 1917. Laboratory strains of E. coli such as K12 lack a functional (efeU) ycdN gene caused by a frameshift mutation. EfeU, a member of the oxidase‐dependent iron transporters (OFeT), is a homologue of the iron permease Ftr1p from yeast. The ycdN gene is part of the ycdNOB tricistronic operon which is expressed in response to iron deprivation in a Fur‐dependent manner. Expression of efeU resulted in improved growth of an E. coli mutant lacking all known iron‐uptake systems and mediated increased iron uptake into cells. Furthermore, the presence of other divalent metal cations did not impair growth of strains expressing efeU. The EfeU protein functioned as ferrous iron permease in proteoliposomes in vitro. Topology analysis indicated that EfeU is an integral cytoplasmic membrane protein exhibiting seven transmembrane helices. Two REXXE motifs within transmembrane helices of OFeT family members are implicated in iron translocation. Site‐directed mutagenesis of each REGLE motif of EfeU diminished iron uptake in vivo and growth yield. In vitro the EfeU variant protein with an altered first REGLE motif was impaired in iron permeation, whereas activity of the EfeU variant with a mutation in the second motif was similar to the wild‐type protein.
Structural and biochemical characterization of gentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase from Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Adams Melanie A. , Singh Vinay K. , Keller Bernd O. , Jia Zongchao
Published: August 2006

Gentisic acid (2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid) is a key intermediate in aerobic bacterial pathways that are responsible for the metabolism of a large number of aromatic compounds. The critical step of these pathways is the oxygen‐dependent reaction catalysed by gentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase which opens the aromatic ring of gentisate to form maleylpyruvate. From gentisic acid, the cell derives carbon and energy through the conversion of maleylpyruvate to central metabolites. We have confirmed the annotation of a gentisate 1,2‐dioygenase from the pathogenic O157:H7 Escherichia coli strain and present the first structural characterization of this family of enzymes. The identity of the reaction product was revealed using tandem mass spectroscopy. The operon responsible for the degradation of gentisate in this organism exhibits a high degree of conservation with the gentisate‐degrading operons of other pathogenic bacteria, including the Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli O103:H2, but does not appear to be present in non‐pathogenic strains. The acquisition of the gentisate operon may represent a special adaptation to meet carbon source requirements under conditions of environmental stress and may provide a selective advantage for enterohaemorrhagic E. coli relative to their non‐pathogenic counterparts.