bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High assemblage persistence in heterogeneous habitats: an experimental test with stream benthic algae
Authors: SCHNECK FABIANA , MELO ADRIANO S. 
Published: December 2012

Summary1. The persistence of biological assemblages is positively affected by spatial heterogeneity. This influence may be indirect, through increased species richness. Another possibility is the increased availability of refuges from disturbances, which would prevent local loss.2. We conducted a field experiment to test the hypothesis that greater roughness (a form of spatial heterogeneity) on the surface of substrata allows higher persistence of assemblages of stream benthic algae and that this relationship does not depend on species richness. Samples were taken on six occasions from smooth and rough artificial substrata used for algal colonisation. We calculated the persistence of assemblages using two analytical approaches: the mean distance to group centroid and the sum of the Euclidean distances between consecutive sampling occasions, both in a multivariate space. We also subsampled the data to take into account differences in species richness between treatments and thus to evaluate the effect of species richness on persistence.3. Assemblages on rough substrata were more persistent than assemblages on smooth substrata. The effects detected were not due to the greater species richness on rough substrata, since a higher persistence of the assemblages on rough substrata remained after the subsampling procedures.4. Our results indicate a strong positive relationship between substratum roughness and the persistence of stream benthic algal assemblages. We suggest that this is due to the presence of physical refuges in heterogeneous habitats.
Population genetic structure of parthenogenetic flatworm populations with occasional sex
Authors: SÁNCHEZ NAVARRO BEATRIZ , JOKELA JUKKA , MICHIELS NICO K. , D’SOUZA THOMAS G. 
Published: December 2012

Summary1. Sexual populations are expected to perform better in fluctuating environments than asexuals because recombination provides the potential to adapt to changing environments due to increased genetic variation. Nevertheless, some asexual species show comparably high levels of genotypic diversity. Such diversity might be achieved through gene flow between coexisting sexual and asexual populations or through sexual events within asexual populations.2. Evidence for occasional sex in the flatworm Schmidtea polychroa was previously found at one specific site that is inhabited by parthenogenetic forms. There, varying rates of sex between subpopulations, reaching up to 12%, were observed. Past recurrent sexual processes left a significant genetic signature in the population genetic structure of this population. In the present study, we examined the population genetic structure of six independent metapopulations (lakes) of the freshwater planarian flatworm S. polychroa, to confirm the presence of occasional sex and that its population genetic consequences can be generalised.3. Using microsatellites, we found varying rates of occasional sex among subpopulations. Metapopulations showed medium to high levels of genotypic diversity that correlated with the rate of sex.4. We conclude that occasional sex has considerable consequences for population genetic structure of parthenogenetic species and promotes diversity that might allow response to the particular type of selection that is usually predicted to favour sexual reproduction. This reproductive strategy provides genetic characteristics required for selection to act on, and might, therefore, explain the success of this parthenogenetic species.
The keystone role of anostracans and copepods in European soda pans during the spring migration of waterbirds
Authors: HORVÁTH ZSÓFIA , VAD CSABA F. , VÖRÖS LAJOS , BOROS EMIL 
Published: December 2012

Summary1. The European soda pans of the Carpathian Basin provide important stopover sites for several waterbird species. We studied the effect of different invertebrate food types and other characteristics on the habitat choice and distribution of birds on 82 pans (in Hungary, Austria and Serbia) during spring migration.2. Only three environmental variables proved to be significant determinants of the waterbird communities: pan density (spatial effect) along with the density of Arctodiaptomus spp. and anostracans (local effect). Variance partitioning of the data revealed that aquatic invertebrate food supply (Arctodiaptomus and anostracans) had a greater effect than pan density on the 10 investigated bird species, suggesting a dominant role of species sorting in structuring the communities. Pied avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta) and northern shovelers (Anas clypeata) differed from the other species in their strong association with densities of anostracans (avocet) and Arctodiaptomus (shoveler).3. Anostracans and microcrustaceans, especially the most frequent Branchinecta orientalis, Arctodiaptomus spinosus and Arctodiaptomus bacillifer, can be regarded as keystone elements of this soda pan habitat because of their bottom‐up role in structuring waterbird assemblages during spring migration.
A comparative evaluation of a new automated assay for von Willebrand factor activity
Authors: Lawrie A. S. , Stufano F. , Canciani M. T. , Mackie I. J. , Machin S. J. , Peyvandi F. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe ristocetin cofactor assay (VWF:RCo) is the reference method for assessing von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity in the diagnosis of von Willebrand's Disease (VWD). However, the assay suffers from poor reproducibility and sensitivity at low levels of VWF and is labour intensive. We have undertaken an evaluation of a new immunoturbidimetric VWF activity (VWF:Ac) assay (INNOVANCE® VWF Ac. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany) relative to an established platelet‐based VWF:RCo method. Samples from 50 healthy normal subjects, 80 patients with VWD and 50 samples that exhibited ‘HIL’ (i.e. Haemolysis, Icterus or Lipaemia) were studied. VWF:Ac, VWF:RCo and VWF:Ag were performed on a CS–analyser (Sysmex UK Ltd, Milton Keynes, UK), all reagents were from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. The VWF:Ac assay, gave low intra‐ and inter‐assay imprecision (over a 31‐day period, n = 200 replicate readings) using commercial normal (Mean 96.2 IU dL−1, CV < 3.0%) and pathological (Mean 36.1 IU dL−1, CV < 3.5%) control plasmas. The normal and clinical samples exhibited good correlation between VWF:RCo (range 3–753 IU dL−1) and VWF:Ac (rs = 0.97, P < 0.0001), with a mean bias of 5.6 IU dL−1. Ratios of VWF:Ac and VWF:RCo to VWF:Ag in the VWD samples were comparable, although VWF:Ac had a superior lower level of detection to that of VWF:RCo (3% and 5% respectively). A subset (n = 97) of VWD and HIL samples were analysed for VWF:Ac at two different dilutions to assess the effect on relative potency, no significant difference was observed (P = 0.111). The INNOVANCE® VWF Ac assay was shown to be reliable and precise.
Wogonin induced cytotoxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activation of unfolded protein response and inactivation of AKT
Authors: Xu Min , Lu Na , Zhang Haiwei , Dai Qinsheng , Wei Libin , Li Zhiyu , You Qidong , Guo Qinglong 
Published: December 2012

AimTo investigate the potential anticancer effects of the natural flavonoid wogonin on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and tumor xenografts and the contribution of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and AKT pathways to the cytotoxicity of wogonin.MethodsThe HCC cell lines HepG2, SMMC‐7721 and Hep3B were treated with wogonin. 3‐(4 5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays were used to evaluate the cell viability. Flow cytometry assays were used to identify the cell death types and measure the concentrations of intracellular H2O2 and Ca2+. Western blotting assays were used to detect the protein expression levels of members in the UPR and AKT pathways. Relative quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays were used to analysis the mRNA expression levels of chop and trb3. Furthermore, the male BALB/c nude mice with SMMC‐7721 xenografts were treated with wogonin. The tumor volume, tumor weight and bodyweight were monitored during the tumorigenicity assays.ResultsWogonin significantly inhibited the viability of HCC cells by inducing apoptosis and necrosis. This cytotoxicity was at least partially attributed to the activation of the UPR pathway and consequent inactivation of AKT signaling, which resulted from the production of intracellular H2O2 and causal release of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+. Moreover, wogonin evidently repressed the growth of xenografts but slightly influenced the bodyweight of mice.ConclusionWogonin is a prospect for improving the systemic chemotherapy strategy on HCC by concurrently rectifying the aberrant UPR and AKT signaling pathways, which are crucial to the biology of HCC.
16th IHIW: Report of the MICA Project
Authors: Stastny P. , Zou Y. ,   The Participating Laboratories
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe MICA Project of the 16th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop was planned to improve the detection of specific antibodies against MICA antigens that develop in organ transplant recipients. It was organized as a serum exchange with 18 laboratories located in seven countries as participants. Each laboratory used the MICA screening reagents available to them. It was found that there were four different kits of Luminex beads conjugated with MICA antigens that could be used in these experiments. They were, kit BL, produced by Rainer Blasczyk in Hannover, Germany, containing 12 MICA antigens, the kit from Gen‐Probe (GP), which included 28 MICA antigens, the beads from One Lambda (OL), consisting of ten antigens, and the beads produced in the laboratory of the organizers (ZS) consisting of 11 MICA antigens. The sera were all from transplant recipients and represented a spectrum of MICA‐specific antibodies that are commonly found. All laboratories accurately could recognize which sera contained MICA antibodies. None failed to recognize the negative serum that was included in one of the shipments. While there were important differences in the specificities of MICA antigens recognized by the different kits, the results in laboratories using the same beads were remarkably similar. Feedback was given to the participants, and especially to the producers of the antibody detection kits, after each set of four sera was sent, and results were collected. Certain beads were replaced and results improved as can be seen in the results of the third shipment of sera. It is important for laboratories to be able to accurately determine the specificity of antibodies against MICA to know whether the antibodies are donor specific. Although complete consensus was not attained, some important errors were corrected, and a better understanding of how to accurately determine MICA allele–specific antibodies was developed.
Diseases that turn African hair silky
Authors: Ajose Frances O. A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground  African hair in its natural state poses tenacious grooming challenges; consequently a large portion of the African cosmetic industry is focused on means to relax the tight curls of African hair to make the hair more manageable. In malnourished and hypoproteinemic states, African hair straightens in an uncomplimentary manner. Recently, we observed that in certain diseases African hair changes to a desirable silky wavy texture.Method  To identify the diseases that turn African hair silky and their parameters we examined 5612 dermatology patients at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. We then studied the clinical and basic laboratory parameters of those patients whose diseases were accompanied by the silky hair change.Result  Silky hair change similar to the hair of the African neonatal child was observed in five diseases, namely AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, pulmonary tuberculosis with cachexia, and Behçet’s disease.Conclusion  Our study identified retrogression of African hair to the neonatal structure in five diseases. Anemia of chronic illness, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and mild hypocalcemia were significant laboratory parameters. This is an important observation, which should excite and advance research into the nature and structure of African hair. The causes of structural hair changes should include these five diseases.
Les maladies qui rendent les cheveux africains soyeux
Authors: Ajose Dr. Frances O. A. 
Published: December 2012

RésuméContexte Les cheveux africains, dans leur état naturel posent des problèmes tenaces de coiffage. En conséquence, une partie importante de l’industrie cosmétique africaine cherche le moyen de défriser les boucles serrées des cheveux africains afin de les rendre plus faciles à coiffer. Chez les personnes en état de malnutrition et dans des états hypoprotéinémiques, les cheveux africains se raidissent de façon peu flatteuse. Récemment, nous avons observé que certaines maladies entraînent un changement agréable de la texture des cheveux africains, qui devient ondulée et soyeuse.Methode Afin d’identifier les maladies qui rendent les cheveux africains soyeux, ainsi que leurs paramètres, nous avons examiné 5612 patients de dermatologie dans un hôpital tertiaire au Nigeria. Nous avons ensuite étudié les paramètres cliniques et biochimiques de base des patients pour lesquels les maladies étaient accompagnées de l’apparition de cette texture soyeuse des cheveux.Résultat Un changement de texture des cheveux donnant à ces derniers un aspect soyeux similaire à celui observé chez l’enfant africain nouveau‐né a été observé pour 5 maladies, à savoir, le SIDA, la polyarthrite rhumatoïde, le lupus systémique, la tuberculose pulmonaire avec cachexie et la maladie de Behcet.Conclusion Notre étude a identifié une régression de la structure des cheveux dans 5 maladies. L’anémie caractéristique d’une maladie chronique, une vitesse de sédimentation érythrocytaire élevée et une légère hypocalcémie étaient des paramètres biochimiques significatifs. Il s’agit là d’une imporante observation qui devrait stimuler et faire avancer les travaux portant sur la nature et la structure des cheveux africains. Les causes des changements structuraux au niveau des cheveux devraient inclure ces cinq maladies.
Dermatitis of the folds in black Africans in Bamako, Mali
Authors: Keita Somita , Faye Ousmane , Traoré Aboubacrine , Dicko Adama , Berthe Siritio , Traore Pierre , Coulibaly Karim 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDermatitis of the folds (intertrigo) is a frequent reason for attending consultations, particularly in Africa, where the hot and humid climate constitute an aggravating factor. It is a complex pathology with multiple and intricate etiologies. The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological and etiological aspects of dermatitis of the folds in black‐skinned subjects in Bamako (Mali). We conducted a transversal descriptive survey of cases of localized dermatitis of the folds of the skin in dermatology clinics in Bamako. In total, 141 cases of intertrigo were identified: 96 female subjects (68%) and 45 male subjects. The average age of patients was 30 ± 18 years (2–80 years). The majority of patients were seen between March and June; 52% of patients had already received treatment before the consultation. The lesions affected skin folds of the groin area and/or area between the buttocks in 95 patients (57.4%), and folds of the armpits and area under the breasts were affected in 46 cases (42.6%). Eczema, erythrasma, and fungal disease were the most frequently observed pathologies. Of interest to this study is the topographical approach that a dermatologist must adopt when diagnosing certain forms of dermatitis. In populations with specific cultural practices, apart from a thorough knowledge of these specific factors, treatment of these conditions requires certain harmful attitudes and behaviors to be abandoned.
Prévalence de la Linea Nigra chez des patients souffrant d’Hyperplasie Bénigne de la Prostate et de Cancer de la Prostate
Authors: Okeke Linus Ikechukwu , George Adekunle Olufemi , Ogunbiyi Adebola Olufunmilayo , Wachtel Mitchelle 
Published: December 2012

RésuméContexte La linea nigra (LN) est une hyperpigmentation linéaire qui apparaît entre l’ombilic et la symphyse pubienne. Normalement associée à la grossesse, où elle prend le nom de « linea gravidarum », elle a été aussi observée chez des femmes non enceintes et des hommes appartenant en particulier à des tranches d’âges plus jeunes, chez qui il a été suggéré que les œstrogènes ou l’absence de sensibilité des récepteurs aux androgènes constituait un facteur prédisposant. Une étude antérieure a montré que l’incidence de la LN était variable en fonction du sexe, de l’âge et de certains états cliniques tels que la grossesse chez la femme, et chez l’homme l’hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate et le cancer de la prostate.Objectif La nécessité de disposer d’une caractéristique clinique pouvant faciliter le diagnostic du cancer de la prostate, cancer masculin le plus fréquent au Nigeria, à un coût abordable, nous a incités à examiner l’incidence de la linea nigra dans 3 populations d’hommes adultes : des hommes atteints d’hyperplasie bénigne de la prostate (HBP), des hommes souffrant de cancer de la prostate (CP) et une population témoin non atteinte par ces deux pathologies. La gynécomastie et la distribution pileuse féminine, deux caractéristiques estimées être hormonodépendantes, ont étéévaluées par ailleurs dans la population étudiée. Cette étude a été menée dans un hôpital universitaire à Ibadan, dans le sud‐ouest du Nigeria.Résultats Une LN a été observée chez 48% des CP, 26% des HBP et 8% des témoins. Une pilosité pubienne à distribution féminine a été observée chez 48% des CP, 26% des HBP et 12% des témoins – Une gynécomastie a été observée chez 36% des CP, 12% des HBP et 0% des témoins. Nous avons estimé que les différences entre patients atteints d’HBP, de CP et les témoins, pour ce qui est de l’incidence de la linea nigra et de la pilosité pubienne à distribution féminine pouvaient s’expliquer par le hasard (P = 0.17, test exact de Fisher). Nous avons estimé que les différences entre les patients atteints de CP et les patients atteints d’HBP, relativement à la gynécomastie, ne pouvaient pas s’expliquer par le hasard (P = 0.008, test exact de Fisher).Conclusion La linea nigra seule ne peut pas être utilisée pour différencier le cancer de la prostate et l’HPB. Des études supplémentaires devront être réalisées en vue de caractériser le rôle de la LN dans ces pathologies chez des hommes avant et après le traitement.
Male lower urinary tract symptoms and α1D‐adrenoceptors
Authors: Ishizuka Osamu , Imamura Tetsuya , Kurizaki Yoshiki , Nishizawa Osamu , Andersson Karl‐Erik 
Published: December 2012

AbstractHistorically, α1‐adrenoceptors have been classified into three subtypes (α1A, α1B and α1D) that are widely distributed in various organs. Research on the α1D‐adrenoceptors in the bladder, urethra and prostate has focused on the relationship between expression levels and symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction, and the implications and functional roles of α1D‐adrenoceptors subtypes in these organs. The α1D‐adrenoceptor messenger ribonucleic acid and protein seem to be increased in obstructed bladders or small capacity bladders. In contrast, α1D‐adrenoceptor subtype knock‐out mice have been found to have a prolonged voiding interval. Interestingly, an α1D‐adrenoceptor antagonist was found to inhibit the facilitation of afferent nerve activity for the micturition reflex induced by intravesical infusion of acetic acid. Clinically, patients who felt urgency at low filling volumes and had a small bladder capacity were found to have more α1D‐adrenoceptor messenger ribonucleic acid in their bladder mucosa than patients who felt urgency at high filling volumes and had a large bladder capacity. An α1D‐adrenoceptor antagonist was found to increase the first desired volume and the maximum desired volume while decreasing detrusor overactivity in pressure flow studies. Thus, α1D‐adrenoceptors in the lower urinary tract might play an important role in the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract disorders.
Oil palm, food security and adaptation among smallholder households in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Koczberski Gina , Curry George N. , Bue Veronica 
Published: December 2012

Abstract: This paper is concerned with food security and access to land for food crop gardening among first and second generation migrant oil palm producers in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. We examine changes in food security due to the rapid population growth in the presence of growing demand for land for oil palm production. Despite oil palm providing the major source of income for most migrant households, food crop gardening remains a primary livelihood activity, particularly for women, and especially so, during periods of low oil palm prices. Rising population and land pressures pose a threat to household food security and have implications for the supply of food to the rapidly growing urban population in the province. The paper begins by describing how household food security and access to land have changed over the past two decades. Then the paper examines how smallholder households are responding to shortages of garden land through the intensification of land use, intercropping immature oil palm with food crops and seeking access to land beyond the oil palm block. The paper also considers the role that research, agricultural extension and the milling companies can play in supporting strategies to promote food security among smallholders.
Patronage politics as a driver of economic regionalisation: The Indonesian oil palm sector and transboundary haze
Authors: Varkkey Helena 
Published: December 2012

Abstract: Recent evidence has linked illegal peat and forest fires in Indonesia to commercial oil palm plantations. Fire is the most cost‐efficient way to clear land for planting, but these fires release smoke causing transboundary haze pollution. The countries worst affected by the haze are neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore. Malaysian and Singaporean investors control more than two‐thirds of the Indonesian oil palm plantation sector and they have been implicated in the fires alongside local plantations. Using information obtained from interviews with individuals linked to the sector, this paper aims to explain why these companies continue to burn despite the dire consequences of the haze. It identifies patronage politics as a common business culture in Southeast Asia, and argues that because these Malaysian and Singaporean investors are already familiar with patronage practices at home, they have easily inserted themselves into existing patronage networks in Indonesia. Hence, these companies enjoy the protection of their Indonesian patrons during their operations. Furthermore, in a business atmosphere defined by patronage politics, clients are largely motivated by material gain. This explains why Malaysian and Singaporean investors continue to clear land by fire in the interests of cost‐efficiency, despite their home countries suffering the worst effects of haze.