bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogeography of Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera L.) across China: aggregate effects of refugia, introgression and riverine barriers
Authors: Dong Lu , Heckel Gerald , Liang Wei , Zhang Yanyun 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe role of Pleistocene glacial cycles in forming the contemporary genetic structure of organisms has been well studied in China with a particular focus on the Tibetan Plateau. However, China has a complex topography and diversity of local climates, and how glacial cycles may have shaped the subtropical and tropical biota of the region remains mostly unaddressed. To investigate the factors that affected the phylogeography and population history of a widely distributed and nondeciduous forest species, we analysed morphological characters, mitochondrial DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci in the Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera). In a pattern generally consistent with phenotypic clusters, but not nominal subspecies, deeply divergent mitochondrial lineages restricted to different geographic regions were detected. Coalescent simulations indicated that the time of main divergence events corresponded to major glacial periods in the Pleistocene and gene flow was only partially lowered by drainage barriers between some populations. Intraspecific cytonuclear discordance was revealed in mitochondrial lineages from Hainan Island and the Sichuan Basin with evidence of nuclear gene flow from neighbouring populations into the latter. Unexpectedly, hybridization was revealed in Yingjiang between the Silver Pheasant and Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) with wide genetic introgression at both the mtDNA and nuclear levels. Our results highlight a novel phylogeographic pattern in a subtropical area generated from the combined effects of climate oscillation, partial drainage barriers and interspecific hybridization. Cytonuclear discordance combined with morphological differentiation implies that complex historical factors shaped the divergence process in this biodiversity hot spot area of southern China.
Factors related to prediabetes among postpartum Thai women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Youngwanichsetha Sununta , Phumdoung Sasitorn 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWomen with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing prediabetes. Using a cross‐sectional analytic design, the factors related to prediabetes among Thai women (n = 210) with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus were investigated. The main outcomes measured were two‐hour plasma glucose after taking a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at a six week postpartum visit. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation. The study showed that the incidence of prediabetes among postpartum Thai women was 26.67%. Factors associated with prediabetes were: (i) being over 35 years of age; (ii) three or more pregnancies; (iii) recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus; (iv) high plasma glucose before taking a 100 g glucose tolerance test and high postprandial plasma glucose during pregnancy; and (v) being overweight or obese at six weeks' postpartum. The results showed that nursing interventions need to be implemented to reduce plasma glucose and body mass index in order to prevent or reverse prediabetes.
Do Thai parents discuss sex and AIDS with young adolescents? A qualitative study
Authors: Meechamnan Chutima , Fongkaew Warunee , Chotibang Jutamas , McGrath Barbara Burns 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis qualitative study explored parents' and young adolescents' perceptions of communication related to sex and HIV/AIDS. Focus group discussions and group discussion were conducted among 67 adolescents and 30 parents. For the adolescents, group discussion using participatory activities was conducted, followed by five focus group discussions. Group discussions using participatory activities were conducted among parents. Thematic analysis indicated that the adolescents received inadequate information about sex and AIDS from their parents, whom they feared as providing negative judgment, and this represented a key barrier to such discussions. Their parents, on the other hand, reported that they believed their children were still too young to learn about and engage in sexual activities. The parents perceived barriers to communication included a lack of confidence and feelings of embarrassment. Nevertheless, they also recognized their important role in their child's sexual education. Collectively, these results draw attention to the need for a culturally appropriate program to strengthen parent–child communication skills for the topics of sex and HIV/AIDS.
Ammonium first: natural mosses prefer atmospheric ammonium but vary utilization of dissolved organic nitrogen depending on habitat and nitrogen deposition
Authors: Liu Xue‐Yan , Koba Keisuke , Makabe Akiko , Li Xiao‐Dong , Yoh Muneoki , Liu Cong‐Qiang 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Mosses, among all types of terrestrial vegetation, are excellent scavengers of anthropogenic nitrogen (N), but their utilization of dissolved organic N (DON) and their reliance on atmospheric N remain uncharacterized in natural environments, which obscures their roles in N cycles.

Natural 15N abundance of N sources (nitrate (), ammonium () and DON in deposition and soil) for epilithic and terricolous mosses was analyzed at sites with different N depositions at Guiyang, China. Moss assimilation was inhibited substantially by the high supply of and DON. Therefore, contributions of and DON to moss N were partitioned using isotopic mass‐balance methods.

The N contributions averaged 56% and 46% from atmospheric , and 44% and 17% from atmospheric DON in epilithic and terricolous mosses, respectively. In terricolous mosses, soil and soil DON accounted for 16% and 21% of bulk N, which are higher than current estimations obtained using 15N‐labeling methods. Moreover, anthropogenic deposition suppressed utilization of DON and soil N because of the preference of moss for under elevated deposition.

These results underscore the dominance of, and preference for, atmospheric in moss N utilization, and highlight the importance of considering DON and soil N sources when estimating moss N sequestration and the impacts of N deposition on mosses.
Silencing of the chalcone synthase gene inCasuarina glaucahighlights the important role of flavonoids during nodulation
Authors: Abdel‐Lateif Khalid , Vaissayre Virginie , Gherbi Hassen , Verries Clotilde , Meudec Emmanuelle , Perrine‐Walker Francine , Cheynier Véronique , Svistoonoff Sergio , Franche Claudine , Bogusz Didier , Hocher Valérie 
Published: May 2013

SummaryNitrogen‐fixing root nodulation is confined to four plant orders, including > 14 000Leguminosae, one nonlegume genusParasponiaandc. 200 actinorhizal species that form symbioses with rhizobia andFrankiabacterial species, respectively. Flavonoids have been identified as plant signals and developmental regulators for nodulation in legumes and have long been hypothesized to play a critical role during actinorhizal nodulation. However, direct evidence of their involvement in actinorhizal symbiosis is lacking.Here, we usedRNAinterference to silence chalcone synthase, which is involved in the first committed step of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, in the actinorhizal tropical treeCasuarina glauca. Transformed flavonoid‐deficient hairy roots were generated and used to study flavonoid accumulation and further nodulation.Knockdown of chalcone synthase expression reduced the level of specific flavonoids and resulted in severely impaired nodulation. Nodule formation was rescued by supplementing the plants with naringenin, which is an upstream intermediate in flavonoid biosynthesis.Our results provide, for the first time, direct evidence of an important role for flavonoids during the early stages of actinorhizal nodulation.
Thirst beats hunger – declining hydration during drought prevents carbon starvation in Norway spruce saplings
Authors: Hartmann Henrik , Ziegler Waldemar , Kolle Olaf , Trumbore Susan 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Drought‐induced tree mortality results from an interaction of several mechanisms. Plant water and carbon relations are interdependent and assessments of their individual contributions are difficult. Because drought always affects both plant hydration and carbon assimilation, it is challenging to disentangle their concomitant effects on carbon balance and carbon translocation. Here, we report results of a manipulation experiment specifically designed to separate drought effects on carbon and water relations from those on carbon translocation.
In a glasshouse experiment, we manipulated the carbon balance of Norway spruce saplings exposed to either drought or carbon starvation (CO2 withdrawal), or both treatments, and compared the dynamics of carbon exchange, allocation and storage in different tissues.
Drought killed trees much faster than did carbon starvation. Storage C pools were not depleted at death for droughted trees as they were for starved, well‐watered trees. Hence drought has a significant detrimental effect on a plant's ability to utilize stored carbon.
Unless they can be transported to where they are needed, sufficient carbon reserves alone will not assure survival of a drought except under specific conditions, such as moderate drought, or in species that maintain plant water relations required for carbon re‐mobilization.
Relationships between molds and asthma suggesting non‐allergic mechanisms. A rural‐urban comparison
Authors: Flamant‐Hulin Marion , Annesi‐Maesano Isabella , Caillaud Denis 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundA fungal index, based on specific microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) emission, was employed and related to asthma in children from rural and urban dwellings after stratification on the children atopic status.MethodsA nested case‐control design was used to draw, from 2 cross‐sectional surveys, 20 asthmatics and 26 controls living in urban areas, and 24 asthmatics and 25 controls in rural areas. MVOCs levels were assessed in the living‐room during one week; during that week, children performed clinical tests and their parents were invited to fill in a questionnaire on respiratory health.ResultsAccording to the objective fungal index, 70.5% of cases and 49.0% of controls were exposed to molds. More children with current asthma had experienced mold exposure in their homes (OR=3.38, 95% CI (1.16; 9.90)), especially amongst children living in rural areas. Atopic status modified this association: exposure to molds was found to be related to current asthma only in non‐atopic children (OR=10.42, 95% CI (2.42; 44.81)). Among urban ‐dwelling children that could be screened at hospital, asthmatic children living in contaminated dwellings had a higher proportion of blood neutrophils and a lower FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) than non‐exposed ones.ConclusionOur findings based on an objective assessment of MVOCs suggest adverse respiratory effects of molds. Our results suggest that when looking at the aetiology of non‐atopic asthma, mold exposure should be systematically assessed.
Markers of operational immune tolerance after pediatric liver transplantation in patients under immunosuppression
Authors: Schulz‐Juergensen S. , Marischen L. , Wesch D. , Oberg H. H. , Fändrich F. , Kabelitz D. , Burdelski M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA prospective identification of the estimated 20–50% of pediatric LTX recipients developing operational tolerance would be of great clinical advantage. So far markers of immune tolerance – T‐cell subpopulations or gene expression profiles – have been investigated only retrospectively in successfully weaned patients. Fifty children aged 8–265 months (median 89) were investigated 1–180 months (median 44) after LTX under ongoing immunosuppression. T‐cell subpopulations were measured during regular post‐transplant visits using FACS (Vδ1‐ vs. Vδ2‐γδ‐T cells and Tregs). A Vδ1/Vδ2‐γδ‐T‐cell ratio ≥1.42 previously reported in operational tolerance was found in 12 of 50 (24%) patients. In analogy, a Treg count ≥44 per μL was found in 35 of 50 (70%) patients and a Treg proportion ≥2.23% of CD3+‐T cells in 39 of 50 (78%) patients. Only 9 of 50 patients (18%) fulfilled both criteria. The parameters Vδ1/Vδ2‐γδ‐T‐cell ratio and Tregs were not significantly correlated to each other or with donor type or immunosuppression. Vδ1/Vδ2‐γδ‐T‐cell ratio was more stable in serial examinations compared with Treg analyses. The observed proportion of 18% pediatric LTX patients with potential operational tolerance is in accordance with previous reports. However, clinical experience shows that rejections may happen even after long‐time weaning of immunosuppression. This suggests that operational tolerance is a dynamic process, with uncertain prediction by Vδ1/Vδ2‐γδ‐T‐cell ratio and/or Tregs under immunosuppression.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for children with primary immunodeficiency diseases: Single center experience in Jordan
Authors: Amayiri Nisreen , Al‐Zaben Abdulhadi , Ghatasheh Lubna , Frangoul Haydar , Hussein Ayad Ahmed 
Published: May 2013

AbstractHSCT can be curative for many PID. Little is known about the outcome of HSCT for patients with PID in the developing countries. We retrospectively reviewed all children with PID who received HSCT at KHCC in Jordan between August 2003 and October 2011. Twenty‐eight patients were identified. The median age was 16 months (3 months–17 yr). Patients' diagnoses were SCID (n = 16), CHS (n = 3), HLH (n = 3), WAS (n = 2), Griscelli syndrome (n = 1), ALPS (n = 1), Omenn's syndrome (n = 1), and DiGeorge syndrome (n = 1). Seventeen patients received HLA‐matched related HSCT, eight received maternal un‐manipulated haploidentical HSCT, and three received unrelated cord blood transplantation. Nine patients (32%) developed BCGosis secondary to reactivation of pretransplant vaccination. Three died while still receiving anti‐tuberculosis drugs, one still on treatment, and all others have recovered. Six patients had graft failure; four of them received no conditioning regimens. At a median follow up of 32 months (range 1‐67), 21 patients are alive, with overall survival of 72%. We conclude that HSCT for PID patients can be performed with a good outcome in developing countries; however, delayed diagnosis or referral and BCG reactivation are unique challenges.
Opsins are involved in nymphal photoperiodic responses in the cricket Modicogryllus siamensis
Authors: TAMAKI SAORI , TAKEMOTO SAKI , URYU OUTA , KAMAE YUICHI , TOMIOKA KENJI 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe cricket Modicogryllus siamensis Chopard shows photoperiod‐dependent changes in the duration of nymphal development: nymphs become adult within 60 days after hatching, undergoing seven moults under long‐day conditions, whereas, under short‐day conditions, nymphal development takes much longer (approximately 180 days) with an increased number of moults. Because removal of the compound eyes alters this photoperiodic response, the eyes may be involved in light detection during the photoperiodic response. The role of opsins, expressed in the compound eye, is examined in the present study with reference to the photoperiodic response. Molecular cloning identifies cDNAs of three opsins, opsin‐Ultra Violet (Ms'op‐UV), opsin‐Blue (Ms'op‐B) and opsin‐Long Wave (Ms'op‐LW), and in situ hybridization reveals that the opsin genes are expressed in specific regions of the compound eye in a gene‐specific manner. RNA interference (RNAi) technology using the opsin genes results in a partial disruption in the long‐day responses; most of the treated crickets showed eight or more moults and up to 23.5% show a prolonged nymphal period that is typical of short‐day responses. Under short‐day conditions, op‐UV RNAi crickets show earlier adult development, whereas no distinct alterations are observed in op‐B and op‐LW RNAi insects. The results suggest that the opsin genes may play differential roles in the photoperiodic response in the cricket and that the results can be at least partially explained in terms of the external coincidence model of photoperiodic time measurement.
Superresolution Imaging with Switchable Fluorophores Based on Oxazine Auxochromes
Authors: Petriella Marco , Deniz Erhan , Swaminathan Subramani , Roberti Maria J. , Raymo Françisco M. , Bossi Mariano L. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe spatial resolution of fluorescence microscopes is limited by diffraction to about half of the light wavelength, hampering the observation of many important intracellular processes. Recent emerging techniques have overcome that diffraction barrier using the temporal discrimination of close objects that are otherwise unresolved or blurred within the spatial resolution of the microscope. The key of these techniques is to switch the signal of fluorescence markers on and off exploiting their distinct molecular states, and detect and localize these markers at the single‐molecule level. This underlying principle highlights the critical role of the photophysical properties of the probes, and the importance of finding adequate switching mechanisms. Here, we present strategies to achieve fluorescence modulation based on novel molecular assemblies containing a [1,3]oxazine as the two states, building block responsible for the transformation. Two different triggering events, based on the photochromic and halochromic properties of the oxazine, induce a large absorption and emission bathochromic shift of a pendant fluorophore, as the ultimate fluorescence switching event. The implementation of these approaches to achieve spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit is also discussed.
Against Doxastic Compatibilism
Authors: Peels Rik 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWilliam Alston has argued that the so‐called deontological conception of epistemic justification, on which epistemic justification is to be spelled out in terms of blame, responsibility, and obligations, is untenable. The basic idea of the argument is that this conception is untenable because we lack voluntary control over our beliefs and, therefore, cannot have any obligations to hold certain beliefs. If this is convincing, however, the argument threatens the very idea of doxastic responsibility. For, how can we ever be responsible for our beliefs if we lack control over them? Several philosophers have argued that the idea that we bear responsibility for our beliefs can be saved, because absence of voluntary control over our beliefs is perfectly compatible with having obligations to hold particular beliefs. With others, I call this view ‘doxastic compatibilism’. It comes in two varieties. On the first variety, doxastic obligations do not require any kind of doxastic control whatsoever. I argue that this variety of doxastic compatibilism fails because it confuses doxasticresponsibilitywith other closely related phenomena. On the second variety, doxastic obligations do not require voluntary doxastic control, but only compatibilist doxastic control (roughly, reason‐responsiveness) and we do in fact have such control. I grant that we have such control, but also argue that having such control is insufficient for bearing doxastic responsibility. The plausibility of the examples put forward by doxastic compatibilists in support of the claim that itissufficient for doxastic responsibility derives from the fact that in these examples, the subjects have control over factors that influence what they believe rather than control over those beliefs themselves.
Cytoskeleton organisation during the infection of three brown algal species, Ectocarpus siliculosus,Ectocarpus crouaniorum and Pylaiella littoralis, by the intracellular marine oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii
Authors: Tsirigoti A. , Küpper F. C. , Gachon C. M. M. , Katsaros C. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractOomycete diseases in seaweeds are probably widespread and of significant ecological and economic impact, but overall still poorly understood. This study investigates the organisation of the cytoskeleton during infection of three brown algal species, Pylaiella littoralis, Ectocarpus siliculosus, and Ectocarpus crouaniorum, by the basal marine oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii. Immunofluorescence staining of tubulin revealed how the development of this intracellular biotrophic pathogen impacts on microtubule (MT) organisation of its algal host. The host MT cytoskeleton remains normal and organised by the centrosome until very late stages of the infection. Additionally, the organisation of the parasite's cytoskeleton was examined. During mitosis of the E. dicksonii nucleus the MT focal point (microtubule organisation centre, MTOC, putative centrosome) duplicates and each daughter MTOC migrates to opposite poles of the nucleus. This similarity in MT organisation between the host and pathogen reflects the relatively close phylogenetic relationship between oomycetes and brown algae. Moreover, actin labelling with rhodamine‐phalloidin in E. dicksonii revealed typical images of actin dots connected by fine actin filament bundles in the cortical cytoplasm. The functional and phylogenetic implications of our observations are discussed.
Mono‐ and digalactosyldiacylglycerol composition of the marennine‐producing diatom, Haslea ostrearia: Comparison to a selection of pennate and centric diatoms
Authors: Dodson V. Joshua , Dahmen Jeremy L. , Mouget Jean‐Luc , Leblond Jeffrey D. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryDiatoms are one of the largest groups of primary producers in the oceans, yet despite their environmental importance little is known about their plastidial lipid biochemistry. It has been previously reported that Skeletonema species contain primarily C16/C16 and C20/C16 forms of mono‐ and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG, respectively). Likewise, it was also reported that Phaeodactylum tricornutum contains primarily C16/C16 and C20/C20 forms of MGDG and DGDG. We seek to relate their studies to other diatoms, both in the centrics and pennates, with particular focus on the marennine‐producing pennate diatom, Haslea ostrearia. To this end, the composition and positional distribution of fatty acids of MGDG and DGDG were examined using positive‐ion electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). Two centric diatoms, Skeletonema marinoi and Thalassiosira weissflogii, and the pennate diatom, P. tricornutum, contained primarily C20/C16 (sn‐1/sn‐2) and C18/C16 forms of MGDG and DGDG. The other pennate diatoms, H. ostrearia and Navicula perminuta, contained primarily C18/C16 or C18/C18 forms of MGDG and DGDG, indicating a previously unrecognized fatty acid diversity in diatom MGDG and DGDG.
Application of Reproductive Biotechnology for the Recovery of Endangered Breeds: Birth of the First Calf of Murciana–Levantina Bovine Breed Derived by OPU, In vitro Production and Embryo Vitrification
Authors: Ruiz S , Romero‐Aguirregomezcorta J , Astiz S , Peinado B , Almela L , Poto A 
Published: May 2013

ContentsIn a conservation project, reproductive biotechnology was implemented for the recovery and conservation of an endangered bovine breed in Spain. The breed Murciana–Levantina, declared to be worthy of special protection status (http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000464/index.html), is of great interest because of its hardness, longevity, docility and disease resistance. This contribution describes the birth of the first calf of this breed obtained by reproductive biotechnology, using ultrasound‐guided punction and aspiration of ovarian follicles, in vitro embryo production, vitrification of embryos by a cryotop device and, finally, the transfer of cryopreserved embryos to recipient heifers of a commercial dairy herd.