bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lofoten–Vesterålen: for cod and cod fisheries, but not for oil?
Authors: Misund Ole Arve , Olsen Erik 
Published: June 2013

AbstractMisund, O. A., and Olsen, E. 2013. .Lofoten–Vesterålen: for cod and cod fisheries, but not for oil? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 722–725. Over the last decade, the most controversial issue regarding the management of Norwegian marine waters has been about opening the Lofoten–Vesterålen areas for offshore oil and gas exploration. This paper outlines the political and management processes and reviews the arguments for and against. Our conclusion is that these valuable areas should not be opened for such activity because of their high biological significance as the main spawning grounds for northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua) and other important fish stocks in the northeast Arctic waters.
Measurement of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient Is Feasible and Safe in Children
Authors: Woolfson Jessica , John Philip , Kamath Binita , Ng Vicky L. , Ling Simon C. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTBackground and Objectives:Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is an indirect measure of portal venous pressure in cirrhosis, which is valid in cirrhotic adults for evaluating the severity of portal hypertension, predicting outcomes, and guiding therapeutic decisions. Published data on the measurement of HVPG in children are sparse. The aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility and safety of undertaking HVPG measurements in children.Methods:Children who underwent HVPG measurements between 2000 and 2011 were identified from our interventional radiology database. Medical charts were reviewed for clinical, procedural, and outcome data.Results:A total of 49 patients (25 boys, mean age 8.2 ± 5.6 years) underwent 52 HVPG measurements. Diagnoses included cirrhosis (n = 7), acute liver failure (n = 15), postliver transplant (n = 6), postbone marrow transplant (n = 9), vascular anomalies (n = 3), and others (n = 9). There were no complications related to HVPG measurement. HVPG values ranged between 0 and 28 mmHg, median 9.0 (range 0–28) mmHg, and were elevated >6 mmHg in 30 patients.Conclusions:HVPG measurement is feasible and safe in children with severe liver disease. The clinical use of HVPG measurements in managing children with portal hypertension or with acute liver diseases must now be determined.
Ectopic Expression of miR160 Results in Auxin Hypersensitivity, Cytokinin Hyposensitivity, and Inhibition of Symbiotic Nodule Development in Soybean
Authors: Turner Marie , Nizampatnam Narasimha Rao , Baron Mathieu , Coppin Stéphanie , Damodaran Suresh , Adhikari Sajag , Arunachalam Shivaram Poigai , Yu Oliver , Subramanian Senthil 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Symbiotic root nodules in leguminous plants result from interaction between the plant and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia bacteria. There are two major types of legume nodules, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate nodules do not have a persistent meristem, while indeterminate nodules have a persistent meristem. Auxin is thought to play a role in the development of both these types of nodules. However, inhibition of rootward auxin transport at the site of nodule initiation is crucial for the development of indeterminate nodules but not determinate nodules. Using the synthetic auxin-responsive DR5 promoter in soybean (Glycine max), we show that there is relatively low auxin activity during determinate nodule initiation and that it is restricted to the nodule periphery subsequently during development. To examine if and what role auxin plays in determinate nodule development, we generated soybean composite plants with altered sensitivity to auxin. We overexpressed microRNA393 to silence the auxin receptor gene family, and these roots were hyposensitive to auxin. These roots nodulated normally, suggesting that only minimal/reduced auxin signaling is required for determinate nodule development. We overexpressed microRNA160 to silence a set of repressor auxin response factor transcription factors, and these roots were hypersensitive to auxin. These roots were not impaired in epidermal responses to rhizobia but had significantly reduced nodule primordium formation, suggesting that auxin hypersensitivity inhibits nodule development. These roots were also hyposensitive to cytokinin and had attenuated expression of key nodulation-associated transcription factors known to be regulated by cytokinin. We propose a regulatory feedback loop involving auxin and cytokinin during nodulation.
Ontogenetic changes in the body temperature of an insect herbivore
Authors: Woods H. Arthur 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Over ontogeny, many insect larvae grow substantially, through at least several orders of magnitude in body size. Increasing size can profoundly change how individuals interact with their environments, by altering the opportunities for, and constraints on, feeding, changing the relative risk and sources of predation and shifting the relative importance of physical factors in the environment.

Here I use eggs and larvae of Manduca sexta, which are herbivores on solanaceous plants in the south‐western US, to examine how body size affects body temperature. Larvae grow in excess of 10 000‐fold by mass in a few weeks, from 0·001‐g hatchlings to 12–15‐g fifth‐instar larvae.

Using infrared thermography, I show that increasing body size leads to large changes in body temperature: over ontogeny, average larval temperature increased by 3–7 °C. The temperatures of eggs, hatchlings and early larval instars were coupled to leaf temperatures (Datura wrightii), which were much cooler than ambient air temperatures. The temperatures of larger larvae, by contrast, were similar to air temperatures, or somewhat higher.

Changing body temperatures reflect that small and large larvae were immersed differentially in leaf boundary layers, received different amounts of incoming solar radiation, and used thermal heterogeneity on leaf surfaces in different ways.

I develop a simple species distribution model that links maximum observed air temperatures in the south‐western US with known thermal tolerances of eggs and larvae. This model predicts that eggs of M. sexta can occupy significantly larger fractions of the landscape than can large larvae.

Large differences among stage‐specific microclimates, such as those observed for M. sexta, are likely to be general features for insects and other organisms whose body sizes span large ranges, and stage‐specific microclimates pose general and largely unrecognized problems for species distribution models.
Phylogeny determines the role of helminth parasites in intertidal food webs
Authors: Poulin Robert , Krasnov Boris R. , Pilosof Shai , Thieltges David W. 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Parasites affect interactions among species in food webs and should be considered in any analysis of the structure, dynamics or resilience of trophic networks.

However, the roles of individual parasite species, such as their importance as connectors within the network, and what factors determine these roles, are yet to be investigated. Here, we test the hypotheses that the species roles of trematode, cestode and nematode parasites in aquatic food webs are influenced by the type of definitive host they use, and also determined by their phylogenetic affiliations.

We quantified the network role of 189 helminth species from six highly resolved intertidal food webs. We focused on four measures of centrality (node degree, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality and eigenvalue centrality), which characterize each parasite's position within the web, and on relative connectedness of a parasite species to taxa in its own module vs. other modules of the web (within‐module degree and participation coefficient).

All six food webs displayed a significant modular structure, that is, they consisted of subsets of species interacting mostly with each other and less with species from other subsets. We demonstrated that the parasites themselves are not generating this modularity, though they contribute to intermodule connectivity.

Mixed‐effects models revealed only a modest influence of the type of definitive host used (bird or fish) and of the web of origin on the different measures of parasite species roles. In contrast, the taxonomic affiliations of the parasites, included in the models as nested random factors, accounted for 37–93% of the total variance, depending on the measure of species role.

Our findings indicate that parasites are important intermodule connectors and thus contribute to web cohesion. We also uncover a very strong phylogenetic signal in parasite species roles, suggesting that the role of any parasite species in a food web, including new invasive species, is to some extent predictable based solely on its taxonomic affiliations.
Genetic basis of pathogen community structure for foundation tree species in a common garden and in the wild
Authors: Busby Posy E. , Newcombe George , Dirzo Rodolfo , Whitham Thomas G. 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Genetic variation within and among foundation plant species is known to affect arthropod, plant and soil microbial communities. We hypothesized that the same would be expected for pathogen communities, which have typically been studied only as individual pathogen species.

In a common garden in Utah, USA, we first tested how genetic differences within and among Populus angustifolia, P. fremontii and their interspecific hybrid P. × hinckleyana affect a fungal leaf pathogen community. Next, we tested how Populus genetic differences at the level of species and hybrids affect fungal leaf pathogen communities in the wild, specifically in a natural Populus hybridization zone (13 river km) and throughout the larger Weber River watershed (150 river km).

In the common garden, genetic variation both within and among Populus species and hybrids significantly affected the structure (i.e. species abundances and composition) of pathogen communities. In the wild, genetic variation among Populus species and hybrids also significantly affected pathogen communities, though not as strongly as was found in the common garden environment. Stand‐level density of the susceptible Populus species most strongly affected the structure of pathogen communities in the hybrid zone.

Synthesis. Plant species and genotypic variation can affect the local and geographic distribution of pathogen communities in a similar fashion as other diverse organisms (e.g. arthropods, plants, soil microbes), both within a relatively controlled common garden environment and in the wild.
Light, temperature, dry after‐ripening and salt stress effects on seed germination of Phleum sardoum (Hackel) Hackel
Authors: Santo Andrea , Mattana Efisio , Frigau Luca , Bacchetta Gianluigi 
Published: June 2013

AbstractPhleum sardoum is an endemic psammophilous species of Sardinia, growing exclusively on coastal sandy dunes. The effect of glumes on seed germination, germination requirements at constant (5–25°C) and alternating (25/10°C) temperatures, both in the light (12/12 h) and in the dark were evaluated, as well as the effect of a dry after‐ripening period (90 days at 25°C), the salt stress effect (0–600 mmol NaCl) and its recovery on seed germination. The presence of glumes reduced final germination percentages. For fresh naked seeds, high germination percentages were observed at 10°C. Dry after‐ripening increased germination rate at low temperatures, but did not affect final germination percentages. NaCl determined a secondary salt‐induced dormancy which recovery interrupted only partially. Our results highlighted that this species has its optimum of germination during autumn–winter when, under a Mediterranean climate, water availability is highest and soil salinity levels are minimal.
Urban forest corridors in Australia: Policy, management and technology
Authors: Wang M‐Z , Merrick J.R. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis paper demonstrates the importance of the remaining urban forests, and the related policy and management issues, by reviewing the current situation in Sydney, Australia. Transport corridor vegetation surveys are used to show challenges and implications for the future.The process of medium to long‐term policy formulation, with initial management strategy development at the local level, is outlined. This study also addresses the increasing need for integration with other urban issues, including the existing general urban forest strategies. The benefits of using active remote sensing technologies are illustrated by using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data to generate a high resolution, 3‐dimensional surface model.Among the major transport corridors in the Sydney metropolitan area, segments of two long‐established main roads were selected for detailed studies of the roadside forest resource. Data analysis indicated that roadside trees are very diverse and distributed in a patchy way. Some areas are treeless and some have dense stands. The results also showed high variability in species composition between local areas, with canopy cover and shading varying widely. We identify a number of issues and lessons from conservation, pollution and socio‐economic perspectives, which have broader applications, and relate these findings back to policies and planning.
Transposable elements and microevolutionary changes in natural populations
Authors: Bonchev Georgi , Parisod Christian 
Published: June 2013

AbstractTransposable elements (TEs) usually represent the most abundant and dynamic fraction of genomes in almost all living organisms. The overall capacity of such ‘junk DNA’ to induce mutations and foster the reorganization of functional genomes suggests that TE may be of central evolutionary significance. However, to what extent TE dynamics drive and is driven by the evolutionary trajectory of host taxa remains poorly known. Further work addressing the fate of TE insertions in natural populations is necessary to shed light on their impact on microevolutionary processes. Here, we highlight methodological approaches (i.e. transposon displays and high‐throughput sequencing), tracking TE insertions across large numbers of individuals and discuss their pitfalls and benefits for molecular ecology surveys.
Early experience of reinforcing the ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure with a bioprosthetic graft (BioLIFT) for anal fistula
Authors: Tan Ker‐Kan , Lee Peter J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe BioLIFT procedure involves placing a bioprosthetic graft in the intersphincteric space during the ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure. Our study was aimed to describe our experience in the BioLIFT procedure.MethodsA review of all patients who underwent the BioLIFT procedure for anal fistula from September 2011 to August 2012 was performed. Endoanal ultrasonography and manometry tests were performed in all patients.ResultsThirteen patients with 16 fistulas underwent the BioLIFT procedure. All of them had at least a seton inserted previously and the median interval to the BioLIFT procedure was 20 (range, 10–41) weeks. Four patients failed a prior LIFT procedure. More than half of the fistulas (56.3%) had anterior internal openings and there was a female preponderance (n = 7, 53.8%). Over a median follow up of 26 (12–51) weeks, 11 (68.8%) fistulas had healed. The median interval between the BioLIFT procedure to the diagnosis of failure was 3 (2–7) weeks. All five failures had only isolated discharges at the intersphincteric wounds. Two had already undergone successful lay‐open fistulotomy, giving a secondary success rate of 81.3%. The remaining three patients are on review. No patient developed incontinent symptoms following the BioLIFT procedure and there were no significant differences between the pre‐procedural or post‐procedural maximal resting and squeeze anal manometric pressures.ConclusionThe BioLIFT procedure can achieve a primary success rate of 68.8%. When coupled with a simple lay‐open fistulotomy for the subsequent intersphincteric fistula, the success rate in eradicating the fistula rose to 81.3%.
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for totally intrarenal tumours
Authors: Nadu Andrei , Goldberg Hanan , Lubin Marc , Baniel Jack 
Published: June 2013

Objective
To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for totally intrarenal tumours (TIT).
Patients and Methods
TIT were defined as completely intraparenchymatic masses, without any exophytic element. Identification of such a tumour necessitates guidance of intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography.
Data of patients with TIT who underwent LPN was collected from our Ethical Committee‐approved database. Their data was compared with that of patients who underwent LPN for tumours with any degree of exophytic element.
The two groups were compared for preoperative data (age, gender, tumour size and location), intraoperative variables (warm ischemia time [WIT], open conversions rate, radical nephrectomy [RN] rate, blood loss and other complications), and postoperative data (renal function, reoperation rates, pathological results, and incidence of positive surgical margins).
Results
Among 458 patients who underwent LPN, 41 had TIT. The mean (sd) tumour size was 2.6 (0.8) cm, mean WIT was 22.6 (13.8) min and blood loss was 279 (210) mL. The RN rate was significantly higher in the TIT group compared with the remaining cohort of LPNs (9.7% vs 5.3%). The intra‐ and postoperative complications, open conversion and positive margin rates were similar between the two groups. Malignant tumours were found in 84.2% and 78.2%, respectively.
Conclusions
LPN for a TIT is technically feasible. TIT carry a significantly higher RN rate due to tumour involvement of vital kidney structures. This aspect should be discussed with the patient preoperatively but TIT should not be considered a definitive indication for RN.
A longitudinal study of anxiety, depression and distress as predictors of sexual and urinary quality of life in men with prostate cancer
Authors: Punnen Sanoj , Cowan Janet E. , Dunn Laura B. , Shumay Dianne M. , Carroll Peter R. , Cooperberg Matthew R. 
Published: June 2013

Objective
To evaluate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and distress among active surveillance (AS) and radical prostatectomy (RP) patients.
To evaluate the impact of these symptoms at baseline on urinary and sexual quality of life at follow‐up.
Patients and Methods
Patients managed with AS or RP who completed validated questionnaires assessing levels of depression, anxiety, distress and urinary (UF) and sexual function (SF) and bother comprised the final analytic cohort.
These measures were completed at baseline, within 1 year, and between 1 and 3 years from baseline.
Mixed model repeated measures analysis was used to examine associations between mental health at baseline and sexual and urinary outcomes in a subset of RP patients with complete follow‐up.
Results
Among 679 men who comprised the study cohort, baseline prevalence of moderate or higher levels of depression or anxiety were low (<5%), while levels of mild depression or anxiety ranged from 3–16% over time. Baseline levels of elevated distress ranged from 8–20%.
Among men who provided data at baseline and follow‐up, there were no significant differences between AS and RP patients in the proportion of men with elevated levels of depression, anxiety, or distress.
Among 177 men who underwent RP and had complete follow‐up moderate or higher levels of depression or anxiety appeared to be associated with post‐treatment SF and bother, while elevated levels of distress were associated with post‐treatment UF.
Conclusion
Moderate or higher levels of depression or anxiety were low in men with localised prostate cancer but were associated with sexual outcomes, while elevated distress was associated with urinary outcomes.
Greater attention should be paid to mental health symptoms among men with prostate cancer, as these symptoms may be associated with quality of life outcomes.
B6.g7 mice reconstituted with BDC2·5 non-obese diabetic (BDC2·5NOD) stem cells do not develop autoimmune diabetes
Authors: Rajasekaran N , Wang N , Hang Y , Macaubas C , Rinderknecht C , Beilhack G F , Shizuru J A , Mellins E D 
Published: June 2013

SummaryIn BDC2·5 non-obese diabetic (BDC2·5NOD) mice, a spontaneous model of type 1 diabetes, CD4+ T cells express a transgene-encoded T cell receptor (TCR) with reactivity against a pancreatic antigen, chromogranin. This leads to massive infiltration and destruction of the pancreatic islets and subsequent diabetes. When we reconstituted lethally irradiated, lymphocyte-deficient B6.g7 (I-Ag7+) Rag–/– mice with BDC2·5NOD haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC; ckit+Lin–Sca-1hi), the recipients exhibited hyperglycaemia and succumbed to diabetes. Surprisingly, lymphocyte-sufficient B6.g7 mice reconstituted with BDC2·5NOD HSPCs were protected from diabetes. In this study, we investigated the factors responsible for attenuation of diabetes in the B6.g7 recipients. Analysis of chimerism in the B6.g7 recipients showed that, although B cells and myeloid cells were 98% donor-derived, the CD4+ T cell compartment contained ∼50% host-derived cells. These host-derived CD4+ T cells were enriched for conventional regulatory T cells (Tregs) (CD25+forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)+] and also for host- derived CD4+CD25–FoxP3– T cells that express markers of suppressive function, CD73, FR4 and CD39. Although negative selection did not eliminate donor-derived CD4+ T cells in the B6.g7 recipients, these cells were functionally suppressed. Thus, host-derived CD4+ T cells that emerge in mice following myeloablation exhibit a regulatory phenoytpe and probably attenuate autoimmune diabetes. These cells may provide new therapeutic strategies to suppress autoimmunity.
Validation of a stoma‐specific quality of life questionnaire in a sample of patients with colostomy or ileostomy
Authors: Canova C. , Giorato E. , Roveron G. , Turrini P. , Zanotti R. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to determine how socio‐demographic and clinical variables affect quality of life (QoL) and to assess the validity of a 20‐item scale in a sample of Italian subjects with colostomy, ileostomy and multiple stomata.MethodA cross‐sectional multicentre survey was carried out in Italy between 2009 and 2010 in 73 stoma centres coordinated by the University of Padova. Patients aged 18 years old and above with a history of nontemporary stoma were included in the study. The Stoma Care QoL scale was measured and validated using a Rasch model. Socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics were considered in the analyses.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty‐one patients were recruited for the study; the mean age was 62 years, 58% were men, 72% had colostomy and 25% ileostomy; approximately 70% of patients had intestinal cancer requiring a stoma, 13% a complication and 10% an inflammatory disease. No significant differences were observed throughout strata in the Stoma Care QoL scale index, except for geographical area, where subjects from south Italy showed a significantly lower index than subjects living in other parts of Italy (P < 0.01). Colostomy and ileostomy patients reported very similar QoL. Cronbach's alpha for the Stoma Care QoL scale was 0.90 (95% CI 0.88–0.92). Rasch analysis supported the viability of the Stoma Care QoL scale questionnaire and showed acceptable goodness‐of‐fit. Three under‐fitted items were observed.ConclusionThe study confirms the validity of the 20‐item Stoma Care QoL scale questionnaire as a research tool for stoma patients but the number of items could be reduced.