bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic ecology
Authors: Humphries Murray M. , McCann Kevin S. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryEcological theory that is grounded in metabolic currencies and constraints offers the potential to link ecological outcomes to biophysical processes across multiple scales of organization.The metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) has emphasized the potential for metabolism to serve as a unified theory of ecology, while focusing primarily on the size and temperature dependence of whole‐organism metabolic rates.Generalizing metabolic ecology requires extending beyond prediction and application of standardized metabolic rates to theory focused on how energy moves through ecological systems.A bibliometric and network analysis of recent metabolic ecology literature reveals a research network characterized by major clusters focused onMTE, foraging theory, bioenergetics, trophic status, and generalized patterns and predictions.This generalized research network, which we refer to as metabolic ecology, can be considered to include the scaling, temperature and stoichiometric models forming the core ofMTE, as well as bioenergetic equations, foraging theory, life‐history allocation models, consumer–resource equations, food web theory and energy‐based macroecology models that are frequently employed in ecological literature.We conclude with six points we believe to be important to the advancement and integration of metabolic ecology, including nomination of a second fundamental equation, complementary to the first fundamental equation offered by theMTE.
Survey of high‐dose‐rate prostate brachytherapy practice in Australia and New Zealand, 2010–2011
Authors: van Nieuwenhuysen Jane , Waterhouse David , Bydder Sean , Joseph David , Ebert Martin , Caswell Nikki 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIntroductionA survey was designed to establish a baseline data set for the current routine practice of high‐dose‐rate prostate brachytherapy (HDR‐PB) in Australia and New Zealand. Existing treatment protocols and clinical implementations are not generally known.MethodsThe survey, for the 2010 and 2011 calendar years, collected data including number of patients treated; equipment used; imaging modalities; applicator verification and correction methods; dose prescriptions and normal tissue dose constraints. The number of HDR‐PB patients treated was compared with the most recently published prostate cancer incidence data in Australia and in New Zealand. Total biologically equivalent doses in 2.0 Gy fractions (EQD2) were calculated for each prescription regime reported.ResultsThere were reductions, of 25–60%, in patients treated with HDR‐PB from 2010 to 2011 in four departments. Prostate cancer patients are two to six times more likely to be prescribed HDR‐PB in Western Australia than elsewhere in the region. There were 12 different treatment prescriptions, with EQD2 doses ranging from 73.5 to 97.6 Gy, among the 18 reported by survey respondents. Normal tissue definition methodology and dose constraints varied, and 13 of 15 departments reported that no particular published external guidelines were followed in full.ConclusionThe high survey response rate, 15 of 17 departments, has provided a representative baseline data set of contemporary HDR‐PB practice in Australia and New Zealand that may assist government and professional bodies, such as the Australasian Brachytherapy Group, in formulating recommendations, setting standards and future planning.
Lifespan extension by dietary intervention in a mouse model of Cockayne Syndrome uncouples early postnatal development from segmental progeria
Authors: Brace Lear E. , Vose Sarah C. , Vargas Dorathy F. , Zhao Shuangyun , Wang Xiu‐Ping , Mitchell James R. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryCockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive segmental progeria characterized by growth failure, lipodystrophy, neurological abnormalities, and photosensitivity, but without skin cancer predisposition. Cockayne syndrome life expectancy ranges from 5 to 16 years for the two most severe forms (types II and I, respectively). Mouse models of CS have thus far been of limited value due to either very mild phenotypes, or premature death during postnatal development prior to weaning. The cause of death in severe CS models is unknown, but has been attributed to extremely rapid aging. Here, we found that providing mutant pups with soft food from as late as postnatal day 14 allowed survival past weaning with high penetrance independent of dietary macronutrient balance in a novel CS model (Csa−/− | Xpa−/−). Survival past weaning revealed a number of CS‐like symptoms including small size, progressive loss of adiposity, and neurological symptoms, with a maximum lifespan of 19 weeks. Our results caution against interpretation of death before weaning as premature aging, and at the same time provide a valuable new tool for understanding mechanisms of progressive CS‐related progeroid symptoms including lipodystrophy and neurodysfunction.
Two new species of Fergusonina Malloch gall fly (Diptera: Fergusoninidae) from leaf bud galls on black sallee (Eucalyptus stellulata) and manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis)
Authors: Purcell Michaela F , Nelson Leigh A , Thornhill Andrew H , Yeates David K 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTwo new species of Fergusonina flies are described from terminal leaf bud galls on Eucalyptus from south‐eastern Australia. Fergusonina herbaservus Nelson sp. nov. and Fergusonina manchesteri Purcell sp. nov. are the first species of fly from the genus Fergusonina to be described from Eucalyptus stellulata (black sallee) and E. viminalis (manna gum), respectively. The two species can be distinguished from all other described Fergusonina by host specificity, adult colour and setation, morphology of the genitalia, and morphology of the dorsal shield. These records represent the first record of Fergusonina galling for black sallee and a new Fergusonina gall type for manna gum.
‘Congenital’ nystagmus may hide various ophthalmic diagnoses
Authors: Holmström Gerd , Bondeson Marie‐Louise , Eriksson Urban , Åkerblom Hanna , Larsson Eva 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPurposeTo investigate whether patients registered at a low‐vision centre with ‘nystagmus’ had any underlying, but so far unknown, ophthalmic diagnosis.MethodsAll patients registered at the low‐vision centre of Uppsala county with nystagmus as their major diagnosis were identified. Their medical records were studied to exclude those with other general diagnoses that could explain the nystagmus. The remaining group of patients underwent an ophthalmic examination, refraction and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Electroretinogram and genetic analyses were performed when indicated.ResultsSixty‐two patients with nystagmus as their main diagnosis were registered at the low‐vision centre, Uppsala, and 43 of them had a major diagnosis other than nystagmus. Nystagmus was the major diagnosis in 19 patients, 15 of whom, aged 6–76 years, participated in the study. Two of the patients had foveal hypoplasia and albinism, four a seemingly isolated foveal hypoplasia, three achromatopsia, one rod‐cone dystrophy, one degenerative high myopia, and two could not be evaluated. Only two patients appeared to have ‘congenital’ nystagmus. Eleven of the patients underwent a comprehensive genetic investigation of the PAX 6 gene. In addition, four of the patients were analysed for mutations in FOXC1 and PITX2 and one in FRMD7. No mutations were found in any of the patients analysed.ConclusionThe study illustrates that many patients in our study group with nystagmus had underlying ophthalmic diagnoses. Early diagnosis is important to facilitate habilitation and to provide genetic counselling and, in the future, possibly also gene therapy.
OldPinus ponderosagrowth responses to restoration treatments, climate and drought in a southwesternUSlandscape
Authors: Erickson Chris C. , Waring Kristen M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractQuestionsDo landscape‐scale thin and burn restoration treatments have a long‐term, landscape‐scale impact on oldPinus ponderosagrowth? Is there a relationship between oldP. ponderosagrowth and climatic factors, in particular, drought, before and after restoration treatments?LocationNorthwesternArizona,USA.MethodsWe looked at oldP. ponderosagrowth across the landscape in both an area ‘treated’ by thin and burn restoration treatments, and a neighbouring untreated area. We re‐visited each oldP. ponderosalocated on permanent 0.1‐ha plots installed across the landscape prior to treatment implementation and recorded tree status, diameter, aspect, slope and competition from neighbouring trees. Growth was analysed from shallow increment cores taken from each tree at breast height (1.37 m). Comparisons of growth between the treated and untreated areas were carried out using regional proxy and instrumental Palmer drought severity index values and instrument precipitation data.ResultsWe found significant differences in precipitation and temperature between the treated and untreated areas, indicating a drier, less advantageous climate in the untreated area. Old trees in the treated area responded less negatively in diameter growth to treatments; both treatment and abiotic site factors were important in predicting post‐treatment growth. All old trees grew slowly during drought years; however, old trees in the treated area grew better after three recent drought years than old trees in the untreated area.ConclusionsOldP. ponderosadiameter growth increased following restoration, though not immediately. Old trees in the treated area also grew better in the years after drought than old trees in the untreated area. Restoration, or similar treatments removing small, neighbouring trees may be critical in maintaining oldP. ponderosain the landscape, particularly under future climate change and increasing drought frequency in the westernUSA.
Familiar Verbs Are Not Always Easier Than Novel Verbs: How German Pre‐School Children Comprehend Active and Passive Sentences
Authors: Dittmar Miriam , Abbot‐Smith Kirsten , Lieven Elena , Tomasello Michael 
Published: July 2013

AbstractMany studies show a developmental advantage for transitive sentences with familiar verbs over those with novel verbs. It might be that once familiar verbs become entrenched in particular constructions, they would be more difficult to understand (than would novel verbs) in non‐prototypical constructions. We provide support for this hypothesis investigating German children using a forced‐choice pointing paradigm with reversed agent‐patient roles. We tested active transitive verbs in study 1. The 2‐year olds were better with familiar than novel verbs, while the 2½‐year olds pointed correctly for both. In study 2, we tested passives: 2½‐year olds were significantly below chance for familiar verbs and at chance for novel verbs, supporting the hypothesis that the entrenchment of the familiar verbs in the active transitive voice was interfering with interpreting them in the passive voice construction. The 3½‐year olds were also at chance for novel verbs but above chance with familiar verbs. We interpret this as reflecting a lessening of the verb‐in‐construction entrenchment as the child develops knowledge that particular verbs can occur in a range of constructions. The 4½‐year olds were above chance for both familiar and novel verbs. We discuss our findings in terms of the relative entrenchment of lexical and syntactic information and to interference between them.
Differential Gene Expression Reveals Mitochondrial Dysfunction in an Imprinting Center Deletion Mouse Model of Prader–Willi Syndrome
Authors: Yazdi Puya G. , Su Hailing , Ghimbovschi Svetlana , Fan Weiwei , Coskun Pinar E. , Nalbandian Angèle , Knoblach Susan , Resnick James L. , Hoffman Eric , Wallace Douglas C. , Kimonis Virginia E. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPrader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder caused by deficiency of imprinted gene expression from the paternal chromosome 15q11–15q13 and clinically characterized by neonatal hypotonia, short stature, cognitive impairment, hypogonadism, hyperphagia, morbid obesity, and diabetes. Previous clinical studies suggest that a defect in energy metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of PWS. We focused our attention on the genes associated with energy metabolism and found that there were 95 and 66 mitochondrial genes differentially expressed in PWS muscle and brain, respectively. Assessment of enzyme activities of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes in the brain, heart, liver, and muscle were assessed. We found the enzyme activities of the cardiac mitochondrial complexes II‫III were up‐regulated in the PWS imprinting center deletion mice compared to the wild‐type littermates. These studies suggest that differential gene expression, especially of the mitochondrial genes may contribute to the pathophysiology of PWS.
Brain responses to audiovisual speech mismatch in infants are associated with individual differences in looking behaviour
Authors: Kushnerenko Elena , Tomalski Przemyslaw , Ballieux Haiko , Ribeiro Helena , Potton Anita , Axelsson Emma L. , Murphy Elizabeth , Moore Derek G. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractResearch on audiovisual speech integration has reported high levels of individual variability, especially among young infants. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that this variability results from individual differences in the maturation of audiovisual speech processing during infancy. A developmental shift in selective attention to audiovisual speech has been demonstrated between 6 and 9 months with an increase in the time spent looking to articulating mouths as compared to eyes (Lewkowicz & Hansen‐Tift. (2012) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 109, 1431–1436; Tomalski et al. (2012) Eur. J. Dev. Psychol., 1–14). In the present study we tested whether these changes in behavioural maturational level are associated with differences in brain responses to audiovisual speech across this age range. We measured high‐density event‐related potentials (ERPs) in response to videos of audiovisually matching and mismatched syllables /ba/ and /ga/, and subsequently examined visual scanning of the same stimuli with eye‐tracking. There were no clear age‐specific changes in ERPs, but the amplitude of audiovisual mismatch response (AVMMR) to the combination of visual /ba/ and auditory /ga/ was strongly negatively associated with looking time to the mouth in the same condition. These results have significant implications for our understanding of individual differences in neural signatures of audiovisual speech processing in infants, suggesting that they are not strictly related to chronological age but instead associated with the maturation of looking behaviour, and develop at individual rates in the second half of the first year of life.
Ictal EEG‐fMRI in localization of epileptogenic area in patients with refractory neocortical focal epilepsy
Authors: Sierra‐Marcos Alba , Maestro Iratxe , Falcón Carles , Donaire Antonio , Setoain Javier , Aparicio Javier , Rumià Jordi , Pintor Luis , Boget Teresa , Carreño Mar , Bargalló Núria 
Published: July 2013

SummaryPurposeTo evaluate the usefulness of ictal electroencephalography (EEG)–combined functional magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) (EEG‐fMRI) in localizing epileptogenic zone in refractory neocortical focal epilepsy.MethodsFrom the EEG‐fMRI database of our institution including 62 adult patients, 14 (age 18–46 years) experienced some ictal event during the test. Data were segmented into 10‐s blocks, and the results were analyzed by contrasting each block to the contiguous 10‐s block from the onset of seizure onward, in all cases. In seizures lasting >10 s (five cases), a supplementary analysis was performed, contrasting each block to a baseline condition, in the framework of the general linear model (GLM) of analysis. Regions of activations were compared to results from the different techniques performed during presurgical evaluation, such as SISCOM, positron emission tomography (PET), and invasive subdural EEG monitoring.Key FindingsRegarding the structural MRI findings, nine cases presented some lesion, with blood oxygen level– dependent (BOLD) signal activation placed in the same location in eight of them (89%). SISCOM studies were performed in 11 patients; 5 were concordant with the increase in BOLD signal in a sublobar level, whereas in 3 cases the concordance was in a lobar level. Eleven patients underwent PET studies, being also concordant in a sublobar level in four of them and in a lobar level in four additional cases. Finally, invasive EEG evaluation was performed in three patients and all of them had the seizure‐onset zone in the initial area of BOLD activation.SignificanceThis study adds relevant information to support the integration of EEG‐fMRI in the multidisciplinary presurgical workup in patients with refractory epilepsy.
Aldehyde‐forming fatty acyl‐CoA reductase from cyanobacteria: expression, purification and characterization of the recombinant enzyme
Authors: Lin Fengming , Das Debasis , Lin Xiaoxia N. , Marsh E. Neil G. 
Published: July 2013

Long‐chain acyl‐CoA reductases (ACRs) catalyze a key step in the biosynthesis of hydrocarbon waxes. As such they are attractive as components in engineered metabolic pathways for ‘drop in’ biofuels. Most ACR enzymes are integral membrane proteins, but a cytosolic ACR was recently discovered in cyanobacteria. The ACR from Synechococcus elongatus was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized. The enzyme was specific for NADPH and catalyzed the reduction of fatty acyl‐CoA esters to the corresponding aldehydes, rather than alcohols. Stearoyl‐CoA was the most effective substrate, being reduced more rapidly than either longer or shorter chain acyl‐CoAs. ACR required divalent metal ions, e.g. Mg2+, for activity and was stimulated ~ 10‐fold by K+. The enzyme was inactivated by iodoacetamide and was acylated on incubation with stearoyl‐CoA, suggesting that reduction occurs through an enzyme‐thioester intermediate. Consistent with this, steady state kinetic analysis indicates that the enzyme operates by a ‘ping‐pong’ mechanism with kcat = 0.36 ± 0.023 min−1, Km (stearoyl‐CoA) = 31.9 ± 4.2 μm and Km (NADPH) = 35.6 ± 4.9 μm. The slow turnover number measured for ACR poses a challenge for its use in biofuel applications where highly efficient enzymes are needed.
Role of fluid and melt inclusion studies in geologic research
Authors: Kesler S. E. , Bodnar R. J. , Mernagh T. P. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAlthough fluid inclusions were apparently known to early naturalists, actual research on fluid and melt inclusions began only in the mid‐1800s and grew very slowly for the next 100 years. Russian scientists began systematic studies of inclusions in the 1930s, but it was not until about 1960 that publications mentioning or using fluid inclusions began to increase from a few each year to the present annual level of about 700. Early research focused on ore deposits, first on temperatures and salinities of ore fluids and then on their stable isotopic and major element compositions. Later work extended to fluids in sedimentary and metamorphic environments. Publications using or mentioning melt inclusions only began to increase in number in about 1980 and have grown to today's level of about 200 per year. Early work on melt inclusions focused on igneous rocks with an emphasis on immiscibility and volatile elements and then on rare elements. Recent research on both fluid and melt inclusions has taken advantage of single inclusion analytical methods to investigate speciation and partitioning in both natural and experimental magmatic and aqueous systems.
HIV treatment as prevention among men who have sex with men in the UK: is transmission controlled by universal access to HIV treatment and care?
Authors: Brown AE , Gill ON , Delpech VC 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesIn the UK, free HIV care is provided through dedicated HIV clinics. Using the national cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) with diagnosed HIV infection and estimates of the number of undiagnosed men, we assessed whether high retention in HIV care and treatment coverage is sufficient to reduce HIV transmission.MethodsAntiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and viral load distribution among diagnosed men were analysed by treatment status and CD4 count for the period between 2006 and 2010. A multi‐parameter evidence synthesis (MPES) method was used to estimate the size of the undiagnosed population. The viral load distribution among newly diagnosed untreated men was applied to the undiagnosed population. Infectivity was defined as a viral load > 1500 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL.ResultsBetween 2006 and 2010, ART coverage among all HIV‐infected MSM (diagnosed and undiagnosed) increased from 49 to 60%, while the proportion of infectious men fell from 47 to 35%. Over the same period, the number of all HIV‐infected MSM increased from 30 000 to 40 100 and the number of infectious MSM remained stable at 14 000. Of the 14 000 infectious MSM in 2010, 62% were undiagnosed, 33% were diagnosed but untreated, and 5% received ART. Extending ART to all diagnosed HIV‐infected MSM with CD4 counts < 500 cells/μL in 2010 would have reduced the overall proportion of infectious men from 35 to 29% and halving the proportion who were undiagnosed would further have reduced this to 21%.ConclusionsHigh ART coverage in the UK has reduced the infectivity of the HIV‐diagnosed population. However, the effectiveness of treatment as prevention will be limited unless the undiagnosed population is reduced through frequent HIV testing and consistent condom use.
Transcriptome profiling of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci reveals stage‐specific gene expression signatures for thiamethoxam resistance
Authors: Yang N. , Xie W. , Jones C.M. , Bass C. , Jiao X. , Yang X. , Liu B. , Li R. , Zhang Y. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBemisia tabaci has developed high levels of resistance to many insecticides including the neonicotinoids and there is strong evidence that for some compounds resistance is stage‐specific. To investigate the molecular basis of B. tabaci resistance to the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam we used a custom whitefly microarray to compare gene expression in the egg, nymph and adult stages of a thiamethoxam‐resistant strain (TH‐R) with a susceptible strain (TH‐S). Gene ontology and bioinformatic analyses revealed that in all life stages many of the differentially expressed transcripts encoded enzymes involved in metabolic processes and/or metabolism of xenobiotics. Several of these are candidate resistance genes and include the cytochrome P450 CYP6CM1, which has been shown to confer resistance to several neonicotinoids previously, a P450 belonging to the Cytochrome P450s 4 family and a glutathione S‐transferase (GST) belonging to the sigma class. Finally several ATP‐binding cassette transporters of the ABCG subfamily were highly over‐expressed in the adult stage of the TH‐R strain and may play a role in resistance by active efflux. Here, we evaluated both common and stage‐specific gene expression signatures and identified several candidate resistance genes that may underlie B. tabaci resistance to thiamethoxam.