bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The immunology and ecology of co‐infection
Authors: Paterson Steve 
Published: April 2013

It's a wormy world. All natural vertebrate populations are subject to infection and re‐infection with helminth parasites (Stoll 1947). Even in humans, around one billion people in developing nations are infected by one or several of a range of helminth parasites (Lustigman et al. 2012). Infection by worms is therefore the norm and is reflected in vertebrate immune responses. Thus, there is probably little point in generating an inflammatory response to clear every last worm, with ensuing collateral damage to our own tissue, when rapid re‐infection from the environment by another worm is pretty much assured. Instead, the vertebrate immune system modifies its response to worms, controlling (but not always clearing) these infections and at the same time limiting damage to host tissue caused by inflammatory immune responses (Jackson et al. 2009). The immune system, however, has to fight battles on several fronts and, while fighting a prolonged war of attrition against helminth parasites, it also has to protect against periodic invasion by bacteria, where a rapid response to kill invading microbes before they spread is essential (Fig. ). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Friberg et al. (2013) ask what effect worm infections have on a host's ability to mount antimicrobial responses.Helminths generally produce chronic infections that elicit immune responses characterized by both the activation of T helper type 2 (Th2) cells and the production of regulatory responses, such as the cytokines transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and regulatory T helper cells (TREG). In combination, this immunological phenotype is often called a ‘modified’ Th2 response. Bacterial infections are recognized by pattern recognition receptors such as the Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) that are able to detect bacterial molecules such as lipopolysaccharides (by TLR‐4), flagellins (by TLR‐5) and unmethylated CpG (by TLR‐9) and generate a rapid inflammatory response [characterized by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α production], particularly at the site of infection. As indicated by the dashed line, these contrasting responses have the potential to interact, especially in animals that spend much of their life harbouring chronic helminth infections that may have systemic anti‐inflammatory effects.image
Divergence in coloration and ecological speciation in the Anolis marmoratus species complex
Authors: Muñoz Martha M. , Crawford Nicholas G. , McGreevy Thomas J. , Messana Nicholas J. , Tarvin Rebecca D. , Revell Liam J. , Zandvliet Rosanne M. , Hopwood Juanita M. , Mock Elbert , Schneider André L. , Schneider Christopher J. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAdaptive divergence in coloration is expected to produce reproductive isolation in species that use colourful signals in mate choice and species recognition. Indeed, many adaptive radiations are characterized by differentiation in colourful signals, suggesting that divergent selection acting on coloration may be an important component of speciation. Populations in the Anolis marmoratus species complex from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe display striking divergence in the colour and pattern of adult males that occurs over small geographic distances, suggesting strong divergent selection. Here we test the hypothesis that divergence in coloration results in reduced gene flow among populations. We quantify variation in adult male coloration across a habitat gradient between mesic and xeric habitats, use a multilocus coalescent approach to infer historical demographic parameters of divergence, and examine gene flow and population structure using microsatellite variation. We find that colour variation evolved without geographic isolation and in the face of gene flow, consistent with strong divergent selection and that both ecological and sexual selection are implicated. However, we find no significant differentiation at microsatellite loci across populations, suggesting little reproductive isolation and high levels of contemporary gene exchange. Strong divergent selection on loci affecting coloration probably maintains clinal phenotypic variation despite high gene flow at neutral loci, supporting the notion of a porous genome in which adaptive portions of the genome remain fixed whereas neutral portions are homogenized by gene flow and recombination. We discuss the impact of these findings for studies of colour evolution and ecological speciation.
A road map for molecular ecology
Authors: Andrew Rose L. , Bernatchez Louis , Bonin Aurélie , Buerkle C. Alex. , Carstens Bryan C. , Emerson Brent C. , Garant Dany , Giraud Tatiana , Kane Nolan C. , Rogers Sean M. , Slate Jon , Smith Harry , Sork Victoria L. , Stone Graham N. , Vines Timothy H. , Waits Lisette , Widmer Alex , Rieseberg Loren H. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe discipline of molecular ecology has undergone enormous changes since the journal bearing its name was launched approximately two decades ago. The field has seen great strides in analytical methods development, made groundbreaking discoveries and experienced a revolution in genotyping technology. Here, we provide brief perspectives on the main subdisciplines of molecular ecology, describe key questions and goals, discuss common challenges, predict future research directions and suggest research priorities for the next 20 years.
The role of mosses in carbon uptake and partitioning in arctic vegetation
Authors: Street Lorna E. , Subke Jens‐Arne , Sommerkorn Martin , Sloan Victoria , Ducrotoy Helene , Phoenix Gareth K. , Williams Mathew 
Published: April 2013

Summary

The Arctic is already experiencing changes in plant community composition, so understanding the contribution of different vegetation components to carbon (C) cycling is essential in order to accurately quantify ecosystem C balance. Mosses contribute substantially to biomass, but their impact on carbon use efficiency (CUE) – the proportion of gross primary productivity (GPP) incorporated into growth – and aboveground versus belowground C partitioning is poorly known.

We used 13C pulse‐labelling to trace assimilated C in mosses (Sphagnum sect. Acutifolia and Pleurozium schreberi) and in dwarf shrub–P. schreberi vegetation in sub‐Arctic Finland. Based on 13C pools and fluxes, we quantified the contribution of mosses to GPP, CUE and partitioning.

Mosses incorporated 20 ± 9% of total ecosystem GPP into biomass. CUE of Sphagnum was 68–71%, that of P. schreberi was 62–81% and that of dwarf shrub–P. schreberi vegetation was 58–74%. Incorporation of C belowground was 10 ± 2% of GPP, while vascular plants alone incorporated 15 ± 4% of their fixed C belowground.

We have demonstrated that mosses strongly influence C uptake and retention in Arctic dwarf shrub vegetation. They increase CUE, and the fraction of GPP partitioned aboveground. Arctic C models must include mosses to accurately represent ecosystem C dynamics.
Can Body Surface Microvolt T‐Wave Alternans Distinguish Concordant and Discordant Intracardiac Alternans?
Authors: FLORÉ VINCENT , CLAUS PIET , SYMONS ROLF , SMITH GODFREY L. , SIPIDO KARIN R. , WILLEMS RIK 
Published: April 2013

IntroductionThere is convincing experimental evidence that cellular action potential duration (APD) alternans is arrhythmogenic but its relationship with body surface microvolt T‐wave alternans (MTWA) remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between MTWA and APD alternans induced by alternating cycle length (CL) pacing in a pig model.MethodsIn 10 pigs, catheters in the right atrium (RA) and right (RV) and left ventricle (LV) allowed pacing and recording of monophasic action potentials (MAP). During RA pacing at stable 500‐ms CL, LV was paced at alternating CL (505 ms and 495 ms). Changing the alternating LV (A‐LV) pacing delay changes the size of the region with alternating ventricular activation. Spectral analysis of intracardiac MAP was correlated with body surface MTWA. In a similar setup (during alternating pacing in RV and LV), we investigated concordant versus discordant APD alternans.ResultsPacing the LV with subtle alternating cycle lengths at short A‐LV delay leads to broad QRS (97 ± 10 ms), body surface MTWA (mean Valt 4.2 ± 1.8 µV), and positive RR‐interval alternans. At longer A‐LV delay, not resulting in QRS widening (68 ± 5 ms), body surface RR alternans was absent but MTWA remained detectable and was even more pronounced (8.7 ± 5.1 µV, P < 0.01). During both concordant and discordant pacing MTWA was present. The precordial leads were better for detecting discordant APD alternans (8.0 ± 2.9 µV and 12.8 ± 4.52 µV, P = 0.02).ConclusionMTWA is a potent technique to detect subtle and isolated intracardiac APD alternans that is artificially induced by alternating pacing. In the same model, discordant activation alternans can only be discriminated from concordant when using a quantifying approach of MTWA analysis.
The Gender‐Paradox among Patients with Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators: A Propensity‐Matched Study
Authors: BHAVNANI SANJEEV P. , PAVULURI VAMSIMOHAN , COLEMAN CRAIG I. , GUERTIN DANETTE , YARLAGADDA RAVI K. , CLYNE CHRISTOPHER A. , KLUGER JEFFERY 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundSeveral meta‐analyses of the implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) clinical trials have demonstrated that while men derived a mortality reduction with prophylactic ICD implantation, women did not. These trials also observed that women receive less appropriate ICD shock therapy compared to men. We aimed to investigate this “gender‐paradox” among a heterogeneous community cohort of patients receiving ICDs.MethodsWe identified 1,445 consecutive patients undergoing ICD implantation from 1997 to 2007. The study population consisted of 582 patients, of whom 291 were women who could be propensity matched to 291 men, based on age, ejection fraction, implantation indication (primary or secondary), etiology of cardiomyopathy (ischemic or nonischemic), and the presence of a cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator (CRT‐D) device. The impact of gender difference on the probability of death and appropriate ICD shocks for ventricular arrhythmias was calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses.ResultsDuring a mean follow‐up of 909 ± 901 days, compared to men, women demonstrated a similar risk of death (25% vs 25%, adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.05 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81–1.35], P = 0.74). In contrast, women demonstrated a decreased probability of appropriate ICD‐shock therapy (14% vs 19%, AHR 0.80 [95% CI 0.59–0.88], P = 0.03) compared to men, and among cohorts with a nonischemic cardiomyopathy (10% vs 20%, P < 0.001) and CRT‐D devices (7% vs 19%, P = 0.01).ConclusionAmong a community cohort with ICDs, women have a similar mortality compared to men while experiencing less appropriate ICD therapy. These results support the findings of a lower arrhythmic mortality among women.
REFORM AND TRANSITION IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THEORY AND PRACTICE IN GREATER CHINA
Authors: SU TSAI‐TSU , WALKER RICHARD M. , XUE LAN 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPublic administration has undergone a fundamental change in China since Deng Xiaoping initiated a process of openness and reform in the late 1970s. While reform is widespread in Greater China (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau), only limited scholarship has been conducted to theorize these changes and empirically document them. This is somewhat surprising given the growing international prominence of China as a major powerhouse in the world economy and a political leader. This symposium seeks to contribute towards building knowledge and evidence on the changing nature of public administration in Greater China. In this article, key themes unique to Greater China are drawn out, the emergent status of public administration scholarship in China is discussed, and the key ingredients of a research agenda are presented.
Size‐correlated morpho‐physiology of the aroid vine Rhodospatha oblongata along a vertical gradient in a Brazilian rain forest
Authors: Filartiga A. L. , Vieira R. C. , Mantovani A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this work, we analyse morpho‐physiological modifications presented during the allomorphic growth of the aroid vine Rhodospatha oblongata Poepp throughout its ascent into the forest canopy. We test the hypothesis that morphological modifications in the root, shoot and leaf are followed by a gradual improvement of the xylem vascular system in order to increase water acquisition and transport as body size increases. The characterisation of these structural modifications was based on 30–35 specimens divided into six size classes. The dimensions of shoots, leaves and roots were quantified and qualified. The transition from the terrestrial to the epiphytic phase was followed by a simultaneous increase of leaf number and lamina area, together with increased length and diameter of the petiole. Furthermore, as the plant grows, the shoot internodes become shorter and thicker. However, occurrence of aerial roots is the most important characteristic in the ascending phase. In taller individuals, the increase in number of roots with wider xylem vessels guarantees an increased theoretical xylem hydraulic conductance for this growth phase. Along an acropetal direction of the same shoot, the diameter of xylem vessels increased, while the number of vessels per stele area decreased, in contrast with such allometric models as that of West, Brown and Enquist, showing that xylem vessel number and diameter taper in a reverse manner along the same direction. Such structural changes of R. oblongata allow improved foraging for light and water, facilitating the survival of bigger‐sized plants of this vine in the canopy.
The temperature acclimation potential of tropical bryophytes
Authors: Wagner S. , Zotz G. , Bader M. Y. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBryophyte biomass and diversity in tropical moist forests decrease dramatically from higher altitudes towards the lowlands. High respiratory carbon losses at high temperatures may partly explain this pattern, if montane species are unable to acclimatise their metabolic rates to lowland temperatures. We transplanted ten bryophyte species from two altitudes (1200 and 500 m a.s.l.) to lower (warmer) altitudes (500 m and sea level) in Panama. We studied short‐term temperature acclimation of CO2 exchange for 2.5 months, and survival and growth for 21 months following transplantation. Short‐term acclimation did not occur, and on a longer time scale mortality was highest and growth lowest in the transplanted samples. A few transplanted samples of most species, however, survived the whole experiment and finished with growth rates similar to controls. This recovery of growth rate suggests temperature acclimation, in spite of no measurable metabolic changes in smaller random samples. This acclimation even compensated for shorter periods of CO2 uptake due to more rapid drying. Nevertheless, these species are not abundant in lowland forests, perhaps due to dispersal or establishment limitation. The apparent heterogeneity of the acclimation potential within species may allow populations to adapt locally and avoid being forced uphill under climatic warming.
Pollen packaging and dispensing: adaption of patterns of anther dehiscence and flowering traits to pollination in three Epimedium species
Authors: Li X.‐X. , Wang H. , Gituru R. W. , Guo Y.‐H. , Yang C.‐F. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPollen presentation theory (PPT) predicts that plant species typically pollinated by frequent and wasteful pollinators ought to be much more parsimonious and only gradually release pollen compared to plant species pollinated by infrequent pollinators that are efficient at delivering the pollen they remove. To test PPT, we compare the pollen presentation schedules and pollination systems in three related Epimedium species, having different pollinators. Results showed that differences in anther dehiscence and flowering traits resulted in different pollen packaging schedules. For E. sutchuenense and E. franchetii, a special ‘roll‐up’ movement of the anther wall during anther dehiscence increased pollen removal compared to the dehiscence pattern in E. mikinorii, which lacked the ‘roll‐up’ movement. Investigations revealed that honeybees had a higher pollen removal rate and lower stigmatic pollen load compared to bumblebees. In accordance with PPT, E. sutchuenense presents pollen sequentially and slowly for the frequent and wasteful honeybees. In comparison to E. sutchuenense, E. franchetii had a faster presentation rate and was adapted to the efficient and infrequent bumblebees. However, E. mikinorii was pollinated by both bumblebees and honeybees at high frequency and had the fastest pollen presentation. This pattern could reduce pollen wastage by honeybees and might be an adaptation to its short flower longevity (less than 1 day), to increase the chances of pollen deposition on stigmas. The study indicates that pollen presentation schedules can be a consequence of interactions among anther dehiscence, flowering traits and pollination environments for a given species.
Seasonal variation of the agar quality and chemical composition of Gracilaria veleroae and Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Rhodophyceae, Gracilariaceae) from Baja California Sur, Mexico
Authors: Rodríguez‐Montesinos Yoloxochitl Elizabeth , Arvizu‐Higuera Dora Luz , Hernández‐Carmona Gustavo , Muñoz‐Ochoa Mauricio , Murillo‐Álvarez Jesús Iván 
Published: April 2013

SummaryYield and physico‐chemical properties of agar from Gracilaria veleroae E.Y. Dawson and Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Ohmi) Papenfuss were studied and the chemical composition of the two seaweeds was determined. Samples were collected seasonally from summer 2003 to spring 2005. The agar yield did not vary significantly between seasons for both species. The lowest agar gel strength was obtained from G. veleroae (207.5 g cm–2) in summer 2003 and the highest from G. vermiculophylla (793.1 g cm–2) in winter 2004. Melting temperatures and hysteresis were higher in G. vermiculophylla, whereas gelling temperatures and 3,6‐anhydrogalactose content were higher for G. veleroae. Moisture, ash, crude fiber, and ether extract showed no significant seasonal variation for G. veleroae. The chemical composition of G. vermiculophylla showed significant seasonal variation. G. vermiculophylla possesses a better agar quality than G. veleroae and is a species that could be considered as a source of agar for commercial use.
Molecular characterization of Chlorella cultures of the National Institute for Environmental Studies culture collection with description of Micractinium inermum sp. nov., Didymogenes sphaerica sp. nov., and Didymogenes soliella sp. nov. (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae)
Authors: Hoshina Ryo , Fujiwara Yuko 
Published: April 2013

SummaryChlorella Beijerinck (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae) strains from the collection of the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) were characterized using gene sequence data. The misidentification of a number of strains was rectified. Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck NIES‐2173 was reclassified as C. sorokiniana Shihira et Krauss. Chlorella sp. NIES‐2171 was described as a new species in the genus Micractinium Fresinius, M. inermum Hoshina et Fujiwara. Chlorella sorokiniana NIES‐2167 and Chlorella sp. NIES‐2330 were found to be phylogenetically related to Didymogenes Schmidle. We propose these two strains be transferred to the genus Didymogenes and given new names: D. sphaerica Hoshina et Fujiwara and D. soliella Hoshina et Fujiwara. Taxonomic decisions were primarily based on small subunit‐internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA phylogeny for genus assignment and ITS2 sequence‐structure to determine species autonomy. Our findings suggest that this strategy is the most effective way to use the species concept among autosporic coccoids.
Novel means for variety breeding and sporeling production in the brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (Phaeophyceae): Crossing female gametophytes from parthenosporophytes with male gametophyte clones
Authors: Shan Ti Feng , Pang Shao Jun , Gao Su Qin 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe unialgal haploid gametophyte clones are frequently used for variety breeding and sporeling production in the brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida because a single crossing of a pair of the selected male and female gametophyte clones can generate sporophytic offspring with identical genotype and phenotype. As the seeds to be sprayed on the collectors, the detachment rate of the filamentous gametophytes is high in comparison to the seeded spores. In this investigation, we report the use of parthenogenesis to achieve the same goal in variety selection and sporeling production but with higher efficiency. The selected female unialgal gametophyte clone (Code: 06‐8‐1F) was induced to produce parthenosporophytes. These sporophytes were grown up in a controlled system and used to release zoospores. All zoospores generated into female gametophytes. These female gametophytes were allowed to go through parthenogenesis for the second year to confirm the applicability of this means. In the third year, the zoospores released from the parthenosporophytes were seeded on collectors over summer in female gametophyte form. In the early autumn, a selected male unialgal gametophyte clone (code: 5#F1‐2‐5M) was used to cross the seeded female gametophytes on the collectors. When the sporelings reached a mean length of 780 μm, they were transplanted to open sea on longlines for growing up. At harvest, the average length, width and wet weight of the adult sporophytes were 211 cm, 48.8 cm and 373 g, respectively. The sporophytic blades were uniformly smooth without wrinkles on both sides of the midrib, indicating top quality of the products. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analyses confirmed the identical genotypes of sporophytic offspring. These results suggested that this novel variety breeding and sporeling production method could serve as an efficient alternative to the traditional breeding technique for U. pinnatifida and possibly other commercial kelps that have identical life cycles.
Contracting urban primary healthcare services in Bangladesh – effect on use, efficiency, equity and quality of care
Authors: Heard Anna , Nath Dhiraj Kumar , Loevinsohn Benjamin 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate a large, ongoing effort to improve urban primary health care (PHC) in Bangladesh through expansion of publicly funded urban health facilities and contracting with partner non‐governmental organisations (NGOs).MethodsA part of Chittagong was assigned to a contracted NGO while the other parts of the city were contracted to the local government. Performance was assessed by baseline and follow‐on household surveys, an endline health facility survey and routinely collected data.ResultsThe results of a health facility survey indicated that overall quality of care was better in the NGO area, and routinely collected data showed that the NGO provided many more services per capita. Based on household survey data, the NGO area of Chittagong was poorer and had lower coverage at baseline. There were significant improvements in both government and NGO‐run areas. However, larger improvements were observed on some coverage indicators in the NGO area compared to the government area. Improvements in coverage among the poorest 50% of the population were greater in the NGO‐run area. The cost per service delivered was 47% lower in the NGO area.ConclusionsInvestments in urban PHC led to an improvement in the coverage of basic services. Contracting with an NGO had an additional effect in terms of improving coverage, equity, quality of care and efficiency. Increased investments in PHC facilities and contracting with NGOs may be effective in improving urban health services.