bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative genetics of sexual display, ejaculate quality and size in a lekking species
Authors: Chargé Rémi , Teplitsky Céline , Hingrat Yves , Saint Jalme Michel , Lacroix Frédéric , Sorci Gabriele 
Published: December 2012

Summary

The investment into extravagant sexual display and competitive sperm are two essential components of pre‐ and post‐copulatory sexual selection. Even though the selective forces acting on sexual display and sperm characteristics have been extensively studied in recent years, the genetic architecture underlying the expression of these traits has been rarely explored.

Here, we estimated the genetic variances and covariances of traits linked with ejaculate size and quality, and sexual display in the houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata, Jacquin 1784).

Using a very large pedigree‐based data set, we show that sexual signalling and ejaculate size (but not ejaculate quality) are heritable and genetically positively correlated. The matrix of genetic covariances also provided support for some across‐sex correlations: male and female gamete numbers are positively correlated, and more surprisingly, male display and female gamete numbers are also positively correlated.

These results can have important implications for the understanding of the evolution of sperm traits and sexual display in animals.
New EU Policies Towards Animal Welfare: The Relative Importance of Pig Castration  Les nouvelles politiques européennes en matière de bien‐être animal : l’importance relative de la castration des porcelets   Neue EU‐Politiken zum Tierwohl: Die relative Bedeutung der Ferkelkastration
Authors: Kallas Zein , Gil José Maria , Panella‐Riera Nuria , Blanch Marta , Tacken Gemma , Chevillon Patrick , De Roest Kees , Angels Oliver M. 
Published: December 2012

summaryNew EU Policies Towards Animal Welfare: The Relative Importance of Pig CastrationAnimal welfare is becoming one of the most contentious issues in animal husbandry and meat production industries. We assess the relative importance of animal welfare, with respect to pig castration and the avoidance of boar taint, alongside different attributes of pork meat, amongst consumers in six EU countries. We use the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a multi‐criteria decision‐support method aimed at deconstructing the purchasing decisions of consumers. Our results show that in all surveyed countries, consumers are generally not concerned about the ‘gender of the animal’. This particular attribute represented approximately 10 per cent or less of the final buying decision, while ‘flavour and odour’ was the most important attribute, representing approximately 45 per cent of the final buying decision. The results also demonstrated that pig castration is not necessarily perceived as a relevant aspect of animal welfare. However, any future regulation on banning castration to increase pig welfare could undesirably affect the ‘flavour and odour’ of the meat and thus might negatively impact the most important factor in consumers’ purchasing decisions. Thus, effective public awareness campaigns about the relationship between pig welfare and castration and between castration and sensory meat qualities are needed to help policymakers address the true interests of consumers in future food policies.
New haptophyte lineages and multiple independent colonizations of freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Simon Marianne , López‐García Purificación , Moreira David , Jardillier Ludwig 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe diversity and ecological relevance of small haptophytes in marine systems is increasingly recognized. Similar investigations in freshwater remain scarce, despite some recent studies showing the existence of divergent haptophyte lineages and indicating that these microalgae can occur at high abundance in lakes. We studied the diversity of haptophytes in a wide variety of marine, salty continental and, most particularly, freshwater environments by amplifying, cloning and sequencing 18S rRNA genes. For this purpose, we designed two sets of primers specific for the two recognized haptophyte classes, Prymnesiophyceae and Pavlovophyceae. We detected pavlovophyte sequences only in freshwater systems as well as several novel prymnesiophyte phylotypes in both freshwater and marine environments. In addition, we retrieved a cluster of sequences (HAP‐3) from the Marmara Sea branching deeply in the haptophyte tree with no clear affiliation to either of the two recognized classes. Five of the freshwater prymnesiophyte phylotypes detected formed a divergent monophyletic group (EV) without close described representatives that branched within the Isochrysidales, a group of generally marine and most often calcifying coccolithophorids. The presence of several sequences of freshwater haptophytes scattered among marine taxa in phylogenetic trees confirms the occurrence of several independent haptophyte transitions between marine and freshwater environments.
Deletion of p66Shc in mice increases the frequency of size‐change mutations in the lacZ transgene
Authors: Beltrami Elena , Ruggiero Antonella , Busuttil Rita , Migliaccio Enrica , Pelicci Pier Giuseppe , Vijg Jan , Giorgio Marco 
Published: December 2012

SummaryUpon oxidative challenge the genome accumulates adducts and breaks that activate the DNA damage response to repair, arrest, or eliminate the damaged cell. Thus, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by endogenous oxygen metabolism are thought to affect mutation frequency. However, few studies determined the mutation frequency when oxidative stress is reduced. To test whether in vivo spontaneous mutation frequency is altered in mice with reduced oxidative stress and cell death rate, we crossed p66Shc knockout (p66KO) mice, characterized by reduced intracellular concentration of ROS and by impaired apoptosis, with a transgenic line harboring multiple copies of the lacZ mutation reporter gene as part of a plasmid that can be recovered from organs into Escherichia coli to measure mutation rate. Liver and small intestine from 2‐ to 24‐month‐old, lacZ (p66Shc+/+) and lacZp66KO mice, were investigated revealing no difference in overall mutation frequency but a significant increase in the frequency of size‐change mutations in the intestine of lacZp66KO mice. This difference was further increased upon irradiation of mice with X‐ray. In addition, we found that knocking down cyclophilin D, a gene that facilitates mitochondrial apoptosis acting downstream of p66Shc, increased the size‐change mutation frequency in small intestine. Size‐change mutations also accumulated in death‐resistant embryonic fibroblasts from lacZp66KO mice treated with H2O2. These results indicate that p66Shc plays a role in the accumulation of DNA rearrangements and suggest that p66Shc functions to clear damaged cells rather than affect DNA metabolism.
Genetic population structure of the endangered fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) at the southernmost extreme of its distribution
Authors: Blank L. , Sinai I. , Bar‐David S. , Peleg N. , Segev O. , Sadeh A. , Kopelman N. M. , Templeton A. R. , Merilä J. , Blaustein L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe negative effects of habitat fragmentation and population isolation on population viability, genetic variability and structuring are well documented, and conservation plans failing to take into account spatial population structure and connectivity can be ineffectual. Of special concern are populations at the periphery of the species range that might show reduced genetic diversity, thus affecting their adaptive potential at environmental margins. We investigated genetic variability and differentiation of the globally near threatened and locally endangered fire salamander Salamandra infraimmaculata in northern Israel, an area that represents the periphery of this species' distribution range. Analyses of variability in 15 microsatellite loci from 20 sites revealed substantial population structuring, most of which was due to a strong subdivision between two regions separated by a heavily urbanized valley. In addition, levels of genetic variability within populations were lowest in the peripheral, southernmost populations. These results suggest that the conservation plans for this species should recognize the lower diversity and increased divergence in the peripheral regions, and take into account the observed spatial population structure when devising strategies and measures to ensure the species persistence.
Springtail (Collembola) assemblages along an elevational gradient in Australian subtropical rainforest
Authors: Maunsell Sarah C , Kitching Roger L , Greenslade Penelope , Nakamura Akihiro , Burwell Chris J 
Published: December 2012

AbstractSpringtails are one of the most abundant groups of arthropods inhabiting soil and litter substrates within rainforest ecosystems, making significant contributions to ecological processes such as decomposition. The aim of this study is to assess the potential sensitivity of springtail assemblages to climate change by presenting some of the first data on the elevation stratification of springtail assemblages in subtropical rainforest. A standardised sampling protocol was used to compare the assemblages of families and species of springtails living within leaf‐litter at three elevations in continuous rainforest in south‐east Queensland, Australia. Leaf‐litter was collected and springtails extracted from four replicate plots at approximately 700, 900 and 1100 m a.s.l. on two sampling occasions (January 2008 and December 2008). Environment variables (elevation of plots, tree species richness, composition and basal area, soil temperature and moisture and a range of physical and chemical properties of the soil) that may correlate with springtail distributions were incorporated into the analyses.Springtail assemblages showed clear elevation patterns, despite some differences between the two sampling occasions. Springtail assemblages characteristic of different elevations particularly when examined at a finer taxonomic resolution (species compared with family‐level identification) were identified. Plot elevation (m a.s.l.) correlated most strongly with patterns in springtail species assemblages, but was also highly correlated with several other environmental factors. The results indicate that springtails, as a group, respond strongly to the physico‐chemical and/or biological changes that occur with increasing elevation, even over a relatively small elevation range, demonstrating that they have potential as monitoring targets as forests experience climate change.
Secondary production of crustacean zooplankton and biomass of major rotifer species in Lake Bosumtwi/Bosomtwe, Ghana, West Africa
Authors: Sanful Peter O. , Frempong Emmanuel , Aikins Samuel , Hecky Robert. E. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractStudies have shown a strong linkage between zooplankton and fisheries' potential in tropical lakes. High zooplankton production provides the basis for fish production, but knowledge of zooplankton production dynamics in African lakes is extremely limited. Crustacean zooplankton production and the biomass of dominant rotifers in Lake Bosumtwi were assessed over a 2‐year period. The crustaceans comprised an endemic and extremely abundant cyclopoid copepod, Mesocyclops bosumtwii and the cladoceran Moina micrura. Mean standing stock of the crustaceans was 429 mg dw m−3, whilst annual production averaged 2.1 g dw m−3 y−1. Production doubled from 1.4 g dw m−3 y−1 in 2005 to 2.8 g dw m−3 y−1 in 2006. Copepods accounted for 98.5% of crustacean production. The biomass of the dominant rotifers Brachionus calyciflorus and Hexarthra intermedia was less than 1% of total zooplankton biomass. Daily turnover rate and turnover time of the crustaceans was 0.19 day−1 and 6.2 days respectively. Crustacean production yielded no statistical relationship with phytoplankton biomass. Production was well within the range of tropical lakes. Peak crustacean production synchronized maximum rainfall, lake mixing and phytoplankton production. Most importantly, no one year's set of dynamics can be used to characterize zooplankton production in the lake.
Increased risk of herpes zoster among 108 604 patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Long M. D. , Martin C. , Sandler R. S. , Kappelman M. D. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBackgroundPatients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on certain immunosuppressants have increased herpes zoster (HZ) risk.AimTo determine the risk of HZ in IBD and how antitumour necrosis factor‐alpha (anti‐TNF) agents affect this risk.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort and nested case–control study using administrative data from IMS LifeLink® Information Assets‐Health Plan Claims Database. In the cohort, we identified IBD patients <age 64 by diagnosis codes; matched to four individuals without IBD. HZ risk was evaluated by incidence rate ratio (IRR) and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models (HR). In the nested case–control analysis, 2659 IBD patients with HZ were each matched to four IBD patients without HZ. We determined associations between medications and HZ using conditional logistic regression.ResultsThe cohort included 50 932 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 56 403 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 1269 with unspecified IBD, matched to 434 416 individuals without IBD. The IBD cohort had increased HZ risk compared with non‐IBD (IRR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.60–1.76). After adjustment, IBD patients had a higher risk of HZ than non‐IBD (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.42–1.57). In the nested case–control multivariate‐adjusted analyses, anti‐TNF medications (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.48–2.21), corticosteroids (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.51–1.99) and thiopurines (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.61–2.13) were independently associated with HZ. Risk of HZ was highest with combination anti‐TNF and thiopurine therapy (OR: 3.29, 95% CI: 2.33–4.65).ConclusionsPatients with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk for herpes zoster. Use of thiopurines, anti‐TNF agents, combination therapy and corticosteroids increases herpes zoster risk.
Structure of the male reproductive system of the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus (Decapoda: Portunidae)
Authors: Ravi Raghunath , Manisseri Mary Kurian , Sanil Nandiath Karayi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAn attempt was made here to study the structure of the male reproductive system of Portunus pelagicus, which would improve the knowledge base on the reproductive biology of the species and also help in the maintenance of broodstock under controlled conditions. Male P. pelagicus of different sizes were collected from the Palk Bay off Mandapam (9°17′ N, 79°9′ E) and maintained under controlled conditions for the study. Tissues from testis, anterior vas deferens (AVD), median vas deferens (MVD), posterior vas deferens (PVD), ejaculatory duct and penis were fixed in Bouin's fluid and 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde separately and processed for light and electron microscopic studies, respectively. The reproductive system consisted of testis, commissure, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct and penis. The vas deferens was divided based on the morphology and/or histology into AVD, MVD and PVD. The AVD was further divided based on histology into proximal and distal regions, and the MVD, based on diameter into major and minor coils. The testicular lobe had several lobules with a central seminiferous tubule, which continued till the penis. The seminiferous tubule was lined by a layer of cuboidal or columnar epithelium. The lining of the central tubule of the vas deferens formed several ‘folds’, which at times formed ‘pouches’. High incidence of cell organelles in the columnar epithelial cells, aggregations of vesicles and occurrence of blebs at the luminal periphery and the projection of numerous microvilli containing electron‐dense materials into the lumen from the cell lining denoted high secretory activity of the epithelial cells.
The constitutive androstane receptor activator 4‐[(4R,6R)‐4,6‐diphenyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl]‐N,N‐dimethylaniline inhibits the gluconeogenic genes PEPCK and G6Pase through the suppression of HNF4α and FOXO1 transcriptional activity
Authors: Yarushkin AA , Kachaylo EM , Pustylnyak VO 
Published: December 2012

Background and PurposeThe dual role of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) as both a xenosensor and a regulator of endogenous energy metabolism (lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis) has recently gained acceptance. Here, we investigated the effects of 4‐[(4R,6R)‐4,6‐diphenyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl]‐N,N‐dimethylaniline (transpDMA), an effective CAR activator, on the gluconeogenic genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G6Pase) in rat livers.Experimental ApproachThe effects of transpDMA were investigated in normal and high‐fat diet‐fed Wistar rats using real‐time PCR, Western blotting, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays (ChIP), glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test.Key ResultsThe expression of the gluconeogenic enzymes PEPCK and G6Pase was repressed by transpDMA treatment under fasting conditions. Long‐term CAR activation by transpDMA significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels and improved glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in high‐fat diet‐fed rats. The metabolic benefits of CAR activation by transpDMA may have resulted from the inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenic genes. ChIP assays demonstrated that transpDMA prevented the binding of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) to insulin response sequences in the PEPCK and G6Pase gene promoters in rat livers. Moreover, transpDMA‐activated CAR inhibited hepatocyte nuclear factor‐4α (HNF4α) transactivation by competing with HNF4α for binding to the specific binding element (DR1‐site) in the gluconeogenic gene promoters.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur results provide evidence to support the conclusion that transpDMA inhibits the gluconeogenic genes PEPCK and G6Pase through suppression of HNF4α and FOXO1 transcriptional activity.
Persistent pollen exposure during infancy is associated with increased risk of subsequent childhood asthma and hayfever
Authors: Erbas B. , Lowe A. J. , Lodge C. J. , Matheson M. C. , Hosking C. S. , Hill D. J. , Vicendese D. , Allen K. J. , Abramson M. J. , Dharmage S. C. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBackgroundFew studies have focused on pollen exposure and asthma in children. None have examined associations between persistent exposure to pollen in infancy and aeroallergen sensitisation and asthma in childhood.ObjectivesTo examine the association between higher ambient levels of pollen in the first 3–6 months of life and risk of eczema, sensitization to food and aeroallergens at 2 years and asthma or hayfever at age 6–7 years combined.MethodsUsing a birth cohort of 620 infants with a family history of allergic disease born between 1990 and 1994, we examined risk of eczema or allergic sensitization (SPT > 3 mm to at least one of cow's milk, egg white, peanut, house dust‐mite, rye grass, and cat dander) by age 2 and asthma or hayfever at age 6–7. Daily ambient levels of pollen were measured during this period.ResultsCumulative exposure to pollen concentrations up to 6 months was associated with aeroallergen sensitization with the highest risk occurring at 3 months (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.06–1.72). Cumulative exposure to pollen up to 3 months was also associated with hayfever (aOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.009–1.29) and between 4 and 6 months exposure with asthma only (aOR=1.35, 95% CI 1.07–1.72).ConclusionPersistent pollen exposure in infancy appears to increase the risk of asthma and hayfever in children. These results support the hypothesis that there is a critical window of opportunity in early development which may be important for modification of allergic outcomes.
Cinacalcet in the management of primary hyperparathyroidism: post marketing experience of an Italian multicentre group
Authors: Saponaro Federica , Faggiano Antongiulio , Grimaldi Franco , Borretta Giorgio , Brandi Maria Luisa , Minisola Salvatore , Frasoldati Andrea , Papini Enrico , Scillitani Alfredo , Banti Chiara , Prete Michela Del , Vescini Fabio , Gianotti Laura , Cavalli Loredana , Romagnoli Elisabetta , Colao Annamaria , Cetani Filomena , Marcocci Claudio 
Published: December 2012

SummaryObjectiveTo report the Italian experience on cinacalcet use following its approval by the European Medical Agency (EMA) to control hypercalcaemia in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).DesignRetrospective data collection from 100 patients with sporadic (sPHPT) and 35 with familial PHPT (fPHPT) followed in eight Italian centres between October 2008 and March 2011.MeasurementsAlbumin‐adjusted serum calcium, PTH, 25OHD, daily cinacalcet dose and adverse events were recorded during the follow‐up (1–46 months).ResultsBaseline serum calcium was 2·90 ± 0·27 nmol/l in sPHPT and 2·75 ± 0·17 nmol/l in fPHPT patients (P = 0·007). The cinacalcet EMA labelling was met in 53% sPHPT and 26% fPHPT patients. High surgical risk (34%), negative preoperative imaging (19%), control of hypercalcaemia before parathyroidectomy (PTx) (24%), and refusal of PTx (19%) accounted for cinacalcet prescription in 96% of sPHPT patients. Conversely, initial treatment (34%), persistent/relapsing PHPT after surgery (31%), and refusal of PTx (14%) were the indications in 79% fPHPT patients. Cinacalcet was started at 30 mg/daily in 64% of sPHPT and 91% of fPHPT and increased until normocalcaemia was reached or side effects occurred. The final daily dose ranged between 15 and 120 mg. The majority of patients (65% of sPHPT and 80% of fPHPT) become normocalcaemic. Treatment was withdrawn in six patients because of side effects.ConclusionsThere is a wide heterogeneity in the prescription of cinacalcet in PHPT patients in Italy and the EMA labelling is not always followed, particularly in fPHPT patients. Cinacalcet effectively reduces serum calcium in patients with either sPHPT or fPHPT.
Thyroid dyshormonogenesis is mainly caused by TPO mutations in consanguineous community
Authors: Cangul Hakan , Aycan Zehra , Olivera‐Nappa Alvaro , Saglam Halil , Schoenmakers Nadia A. , Boelaert Kristien , Cetinkaya Semra , Tarim Omer , Bober Ece , Darendeliler Feyza , Bas Veysel , Demir Korcan , Aydin Banu K. , Kendall Michaela , Cole Trevor , Högler Wolfgang , Chatterjee V. Krishna K. , Barrett Timothy G. , Maher Eamonn R. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic background of thyroid dyshormonogenesis (TDH).ContextThyroid dyshormonogenesis comprises 10–15% of all cases of congenital hypothyroidism (CH), which is the most common neonatal endocrine disorder, and might result from disruptions at any stage of thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Currently seven genes (NIS, TPO, PDS, TG, IYD, DUOX2 and DUOXA2) have been implicated in the aetiology of the disease.DesignAs TDH is mostly inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, we planned to conduct the study in consanguineous/multi‐case families.PatientsOne hundred and four patients with congenital TDH all coming from consanguineous and/or multi‐case families.MeasurementsInitially, we performed potential linkage analysis of cases to all seven causative‐TDH loci as well as direct sequencing of the TPO gene in cases we could not exclude linkage to this locus. In addition, in silico analyses of novel missense mutations were carried out.ResultsTPO had the highest potential for linkage and we identified 21 TPO mutations in 28 TDH cases showing potential linkage to this locus. Four of 10 distinct TPO mutations detected in this study were novel (A5T, Y55X, E596X, D633N).ConclusionsThis study underlines the importance of molecular genetic studies in diagnosis, classification and prognosis of CH and proposes a comprehensive mutation screening by new sequencing technology in all newly diagnosed primary CH cases.