bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biosecurity interceptions of an invasive lizard: origin of stowaways and human‐assisted spread within New Zealand
Authors: Chapple David G. , Whitaker Anthony H. , Chapple Stephanie N. J. , Miller Kimberly A. , Thompson Michael B. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractGlobalization, and the resultant movement of animals beyond their native range, creates challenges for biosecurity agencies. Limited records of unintentional introductions inhibit our understanding of the trade pathways, transport vectors and mechanisms through which hitchhiker organisms are spread as stowaways. Here, we adopt a phylogeographic approach to determine the source and human‐mediated dispersal pathways of New Zealand's only invasive lizard, the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata), intercepted by biosecurity agencies in New Zealand. Biosecurity agencies correctly predicted the source region of 77% of stowaways, which were usually solitary adults, arriving via air or sea pathways during the cooler months, evading initial border checks and alive when detected. New arrivals from Australia comprised 16% of detections originating from the region between Brisbane and Sydney. Our analyses indicate human‐mediated dispersal has driven the post‐border spread of L. delicata within New Zealand. Propagule pressure was substantially greater for L. delicata compared with the noninvasive, congeneric Lampropholis guichenoti. Our results highlight the transport pathways, spread mechanisms, and stowaway characteristics of Lampropholis lizards entering New Zealand, which could enhance current biosecurity protocols and prevent the establishment of additional lizard species.
Unintended consequences and trade‐offs of fish passage
Authors: McLaughlin Robert L , Smyth Eric R B , Castro‐Santos Theodore , Jones Michael L , Koops Marten A , Pratt Thomas C , Vélez‐Espino Luis‐Antonio 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe synthesized evidence for unintended consequences and trade‐offs associated with the passage of fishes. Provisioning of fish passageways at dams and dam removals are being carried out increasingly as resource managers seek ways to reduce fragmentation of migratory fish populations and restore biodiversity and nature‐like ecosystem services in tributaries altered by dams. The benefits of provisioning upstream passage are highlighted widely. Possible unwanted consequences and trade‐offs of upstream passage are coming to light, but remain poorly examined and underappreciated. Unintended consequences arise when passage of native and desirable introduced fishes is delayed, undone (fallback), results in patterns of movement and habitat use that reduce Darwinian fitness (e.g. ecological traps), or is highly selective taxonomically and numerically. Trade‐offs arise when passage decisions intended to benefit native species interfere with management decisions intended to control the unwanted spread of non‐native fishes and aquatic invertebrates, or genes, diseases and contaminants carried by hatchery and wild fishes. These consequences and trade‐offs will vary in importance from system to system and can result in large economic and environmental costs. For some river systems, decisions about how to manage fish passage involve substantial risks and could benefit from use of a formal, structured process that allows transparent, objective and, where possible, quantitative evaluation of these risks. Such a process can also facilitate the design of an adaptive framework that provides valuable insights into future decisions.
Tumour suppressor p16INK4a – anoikis‐favouring decrease in N/O‐glycan/cell surface sialylation by down‐regulation of enzymes in sialic acid biosynthesis in tandem in a pancreatic carcinoma model
Authors: Amano Maho , Eriksson Hanna , Manning Joachim C. , Detjen Katharina M. , André Sabine , Nishimura Shin‐Ichiro , Lehtiö Janne , Gabius Hans‐Joachim 
Published: September 2012

Tumour suppressor p16INK4a is known to exert cell‐cycle control via cyclin‐dependent kinases. An emerging aspect of its functionality is the orchestrated modulation of N/O‐glycosylation and galectin expression to induce anoikis in human Capan‐1 pancreatic carcinoma cells. Using chemoselective N/O‐glycan enrichment technology (glycoblotting) and product characterization, we first verified a substantial decrease in sialylation. Tests combining genetic (i.e. transfection with α2,6‐sialyltransferase‐specific cDNA) or metabolic (i.e. medium supplementation with N‐acetylmannosamine to track down a bottleneck in sialic acid biosynthesis) engineering with cytofluorometric analysis of lectin binding indicated a role of limited substrate availability, especially for α2,6‐sialylation, which switches off reactivity for anoikis‐triggering homodimeric galectin‐1. Quantitative MS analysis of protein level changes confirmed an enhanced galectin‐1 presence along with an influence on glycosyltransferases (β1,4‐galactosyltransferase‐IV, α2,3‐sialyltransferase‐I) and detected p16INK4a‐dependent down‐regulation of two enzymes in the biosynthesis pathway for sialic acid [i.e. the bifunctional UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine 2‐epimerase/N‐acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) and N‐acetylneuraminic acid 9‐phosphate synthase] (P < 0.001). By contrast, quantitative assessment for the presence of nuclear CMP‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid synthase (which is responsible for providing the donor for enzymatic sialylation that also acts as feedback inhibitor of the epimerase activity of GNE) revealed a trend for an increase. Partial restoration of sialylation in GNE‐transfected cells supports the implied role of sialic acid availability for the glycophenotype. Fittingly, the extent of anoikis was reduced in double‐transfected (p16INK4a/GNE) cells. Thus, a second means of modulating cell reactivity to the growth effector galectin‐1 is established in addition to the common route of altering α2,6‐sialyltransferase expression: regulating enzymes of the pathway for sialic acid biosynthesis.
Satellite data identify decadal trends in the quality of Pygoscelis penguin chick‐rearing habitat
Authors: Cimino Megan A. , Fraser William R. , Irwin Andrew J. , Oliver Matthew J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractPygoscelis penguins are experiencing general population declines in their northernmost range whereas there are reported increases in their southernmost range. These changes are coincident with decadal‐scale trends in remote sensed observations of sea ice concentrations (SIC) and sea surface temperatures (SST) during the chick‐rearing season (austral summer). Using SIC, SST, and bathymetry, we identified separate chick‐rearing niche spaces for the three Pygoscelis penguin species and used a maximum entropy approach (MaxEnt) to spatially and temporally model suitable chick‐rearing habitats in the Southern Ocean. For all Pygoscelis penguin species, the MaxEnt models predict significant changes in the locations of suitable chick‐rearing habitats over the period of 1982–2010. In general, chick‐rearing habitat suitability at specific colony locations agreed with the corresponding increases or decreases in documented population trends over the same time period. These changes were the most pronounced along the West Antarctic Peninsula where there has been a rapid warming event during at least the last 50 years.
The production of phytoliths in China's grasslands: implications to the biogeochemical sequestration of atmospheric CO2
Authors: Song Zhaoliang , Liu Hongyan , Si Yong , Yin Yi 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAmong the most promising approaches of long‐term atmospheric CO2 sequestration is terrestrial biogeochemical carbon sequestration. One of the most promising terrestrial biogeochemical carbon sequestration mechanisms is the occlusion of carbon within phytoliths, the silicified features that deposit within plant tissues. Using phytolith content‐biogenic silica content transfer function obtained from our investigation, in combination with published silica content and above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP) data of China's grasslands, we estimated the production of phytoliths and phytolith‐occluded carbon (PhytOC) in grasslands. The results show that the average above‐ground phytolith production rates of China's grasslands (10.9 106 t yr−1 or 1.45% of world grasslands) are much lower than those of other grasslands (e.g. North American nonwoody grasslands) mainly because of much lower ANPP. Assuming a median content of PhytOC of 1.5%, the average above‐ground PhytOC production rates of China's grasslands and world grasslands are estimated to be 0.6 106 t CO2 yr−1 and 41.4 106 t CO2 yr−1, respectively. The management of grasslands to maximize ANPP has the potential to result in considerable quantities of phytoliths and securely bio‐sequestered carbon.
Temperature‐driven shifts in a host‐parasite interaction drive nonlinear changes in disease risk
Authors: Paull Sara H. , LaFonte Bryan E. , Johnson Pieter T. J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractClimate change may shift the timing and consequences of interspecific interactions, including those important to disease spread. Because hosts and pathogens may respond differentially to climate shifts, however, predicting the net effects on disease patterns remains challenging. Here, we used field data to guide a series of laboratory experiments that systematically evaluated the effects of temperature on the full infection process, including survival, penetration, establishment, persistence, and virulence of a highly pathogenic trematode (Ribeiroia ondatrae), and the development and survival of its amphibian host. Our results revealed nonlinearities in pathology as a function of temperature, which likely resulted from changes in both host and parasite processes. Both hosts and parasites responded strongly to temperature; hosts accelerated development while parasites showed enhanced host penetration but reduced establishment (encystment) and survival outside the host. While there were no differences in host survival among treatments, we observed a mid‐temperature peak in parasite‐induced deformities (63% at 20 °C), with the lowest frequency of deformities (12%) occurring at the highest temperature (26 °C). This nonlinear effect could result from temperature‐driven changes in parasite burden owing to shifts in host penetration and/or clearance, reductions in host vulnerability owing to faster development, or both. Furthermore, despite strong temperature‐driven changes in parasite penetration, survival, and establishment, the opposing nature of these effects lead to no difference in tadpole parasite burdens shortly after infection. These findings suggest that temperature‐driven changes to the disease process may not be easily observable from comparison of parasite burdens alone, but multi‐tiered experiments quantifying the responses of hosts, parasites and their interactions can enhance our ability to predict temperature‐driven changes to disease risk. Climate‐driven changes to disease patterns will therefore depend on underlying shifts in host and parasite development rates and the timing of their interactions.
Caribbean coral diseases: primary transmission or secondary infection?
Authors: Muller Erinn M. , van Woesik Robert 
Published: September 2012

AbstractOver the last 40 years, disease outbreaks have significantly reduced coral populations throughout the Caribbean. Most coral‐disease models assume that coral diseases are contagious and that pathogens are transmitted from infected to susceptible hosts. However, this assumption has not been rigorously tested. We used spatial epidemiology to examine disease clustering, at scales ranging from meters to tens of kilometers, to determine whether three of the most common Caribbean coral diseases, (i) yellow‐band disease, (ii) dark‐spot syndrome, and (iii) white‐plague disease, were spatially clustered. For all three diseases, we found no consistent evidence of disease clustering and, therefore, these diseases did not follow a contagious‐disease model. We suggest that the expression of some coral diseases is instead a two‐step process. First, environmental thresholds are exceeded. Second, these environmental conditions either weaken the corals, which are then more susceptible to infection, or the conditions increase the virulence or abundance of pathogens. Exceeding such environmental thresholds will most likely become increasingly common in rapidly warming oceans, leading to more frequent coral‐disease outbreaks.
Neutrophil volume, conductivity and scatter parameters with effective modeling of molecular activity statistical program gives better results in neonatal sepsis
Authors: Celik I. H. , Demirel G. , Sukhachev D. , Erdeve O. , Dilmen U. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryIntroductionNeonatal sepsis remains an important clinical syndrome despite advances in neonatology. Current hematology analyzers can determine cell volume (V), conductivity for internal composition of cell (C) and light scatter for cytoplasmic granularity and nuclear structure (S), and standard deviations which are effective in the diagnosis of sepsis. Statistical models can be used to strengthen the diagnosis. Effective modeling of molecular activity (EMMA) uses combinatorial algorithm of the selection parameters for regression equation based on modified stepwise procedure. It allows obtaining different regression models with different combinations of parameters.MethodsWe investigated these parameters in screening of neonatal sepsis. We used LH780 hematological analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, CA, USA). We combined these parameters with interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) and developed models by EMMA.ResultsA total of 304 newborns, 76 proven sepsis, 130 clinical sepsis and 98 controls, were enrolled in the study. Mean neutrophil volume (MNV) and volume distribution width (VDW) were higher in both proven and clinical sepsis groups. We developed three models using MNV, VDW, IL‐6, and CRP. These models gave more sensitivity and specificity than the usage of each marker alone.ConclusionsWe suggest to use the combination of MNV and VDW with markers such as CRP and IL‐6, and use diagnostic models created by EMMA.
Retrospective analysis of 12 Korean patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus
Authors: Choi Yuri , Nam Kyung‐Hwa , Lee Jee‐Bum , Lee Jun Young , IHM Chull‐Wan , Lee Sang Eun , Oh Sang Ho , Hashimoto Takashi , Kim Soo‐Chan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractParaneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a rare, life‐threatening, autoimmune, mucocutaneous blistering disease associated with neoplasia. Both humoral and cellular immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of PNP. Characteristically, PNP has a diverse spectrum of clinical and immunopathological features. We retrospectively analyzed 12 Korean patients with PNP who were diagnosed between 1993 and 2011. We performed analysis of the clinical features, clinical outcomes, underlying neoplasia, histological features and laboratory findings. All of the patients except one had severe mucosal involvement. Two patients had only mucosal lesions but no cutaneous involvement was observed. Erythema multiforme or lichen planus‐like eruptions rather than bullous lesions were more commonly observed skin rashes. The most common histological features were interface dermatitis and apoptotic keratinocytes. There were associated hematological‐related neoplasms in 11 patients, with Castleman's disease (n = 4) as the most frequent. Twelve patients were followed for 5–148 months (mean, 43.0). The prognosis depended on the nature of the underlying neoplasm. Six patients died due to respiratory failure (n = 3), postoperative septicemia (n = 1), lymphoma (n = 1) and sarcomatosis (n = 1). The 2‐year survival rate was 50.0%, and the median survival period after diagnosis was 21.0 months. Immunoblotting was performed in 12 patients and autoantibodies to plakins were detected in 11 patients. The results of this study demonstrated the clinical, histological and immunological diversity of PNP. Widely accepted diagnostic criteria that account for the diversity of PNP are needed.
Functional genomics tools to decipher the pathogenicity mechanisms of the necrotrophic fungus Plectosphaerella cucumerina in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ramos Brisa , González‐Melendi Pablo , Sánchez‐Vallet Andrea , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Clara , López Gemma , Molina Antonio 
Published: September 2012

SummaryThe analysis of the interaction between Arabidopsis thaliana and adapted (PcBMM) and nonadapted (Pc2127) isolates of the necrotrophic fungus Plectosphaerella cucumerina has contributed to the identification of molecular mechanisms controlling plant resistance to necrotrophs. To characterize the pathogenicity bases of the virulence of necrotrophic fungi in Arabidopsis, we developed P. cucumerina functional genomics tools using Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation. We generated PcBMM‐GFP and Pc2127‐GFP transformants constitutively expressing the green fluorescence protein (GFP), and a collection of random T‐DNA insertional PcBMM transformants. Confocal microscopy analyses of the initial stages of PcBMM‐GFP infection revealed that this pathogen, like other necrotrophic fungi, does not form an appressorium or penetrate into plant cells, but causes successive degradation of leaf cell layers. By comparing the colonization of Arabidopsis wild‐type plants and hypersusceptible (agb1‐1 and cyp79B2cyp79B3) and resistant (irx1‐6) mutants by PcBMM‐GFP or Pc2127‐GFP, we found that the plant immune response was already mounted at 12–18 h post‐inoculation, and that Arabidopsis resistance to these fungi correlated with the time course of spore germination and hyphal growth on the leaf surface. The virulence of a subset of the PcBMM T‐DNA insertional transformants was determined in Arabidopsis wild‐type plants and agb1‐1 mutant, and several transformants were identified that showed altered virulence in these genotypes in comparison with that of untransformed PcBMM. The T‐DNA flanking regions in these fungal mutants were successfully sequenced, further supporting the utility of these functional genomics tools in the molecular characterization of the pathogenicity of necrotrophic fungi.
No gene flow across the Eastern Pacific Barrier in the reef‐building coral Porites lobata
Authors: Baums Iliana B. , Boulay Jennifer N. , Polato Nicholas R. , Hellberg Michael E. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe expanse of deep water between the central Pacific islands and the continental shelf of the Eastern Tropical Pacific is regarded as the world's most potent marine biogeographic barrier. During recurrent climatic fluctuations (ENSO, El Niño Southern Oscillation), however, changes in water temperature and the speed and direction of currents become favourable for trans‐oceanic dispersal of larvae from central Pacific to marginal eastern Pacific reefs. Here, we investigate the population connectivity of the reef‐building coral Porites lobata across the Eastern Pacific Barrier (EPB). Patterns of recent gene flow in samples (n = 1173) from the central Pacific and the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) were analysed with 12 microsatellite loci. Results indicated that P. lobata from the ETP are strongly isolated from those in the central Pacific and Hawaii ( = 0.509; P < 0.001). However, samples from Clipperton Atoll, an oceanic island on the eastern side of the EPB, grouped with the central Pacific. Within the central Pacific, Hawaiian populations were strongly isolated from three co‐occurring clusters found throughout the remainder of the central Pacific. No further substructure was evident in the ETP. Changes in oceanographic conditions during ENSO over the past several thousand years thus appear insufficient to support larval deliveries from the central Pacific to the ETP or strong postsettlement selection acts on ETP settlers from the central Pacific. Recovery of P. lobata populations in the frequently disturbed ETP thus must depend on local larval sources.
Molecular mechanisms of tolerance to cyanobacterial protease inhibitors revealed by clonal differences in Daphnia magna
Authors: Schwarzenberger Anke , Kuster Christian J. , Von Elert Eric 
Published: September 2012

AbstractProtease inhibitors of primary producers are a major food quality constraint for herbivores. In nutrient‐rich freshwater ecosystems, the interaction between primary producers and herbivores is mainly represented by Daphnia and cyanobacteria. Protease inhibitors have been found in many cyanobacterial blooms. These inhibitors have been shown (both in vitro and in situ) to inhibit the most important group of digestive proteases in the daphnid's gut, that is, trypsins and chymotrypsins. In this study, we fed four different Daphnia magna genotypes with the trypsin‐inhibitor‐containing cyanobacterial strain Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 Mut. Upon exposure to dietary trypsin inhibitors, all D. magna genotypes showed increased gene expression of digestive trypsins and chymotrypsins. Exposure to dietary trypsin inhibitors resulted in increased activity of chymotrypsins and reduced activity of trypsin. Strong intraspecific differences in tolerance of the four D. magna genotypes to the dietary trypsin inhibitors were found. The degree of tolerance depended on the D. magna genotype. The genotypes' tolerance was positively correlated with the residual trypsin activity and the different IC50 values of the trypsins. On the genetic level, the different trypsin loci varied between the D. magna genotypes. The two tolerant Daphnia genotypes that both originate from the same lake, which frequently produces cyanobacterial blooms, clustered in a neighbour‐joining phylogenetic tree based on the three trypsin loci. This suggests that the genetic variability of trypsin loci was an important cause for the observed intraspecific variability in tolerance to cyanobacterial trypsin inhibitors. Based on these findings, it is reasonable to assume that such genetic variability can also be found in natural populations and thus constitutes the basis for local adaptation of natural populations to dietary protease inhibitors.