bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Game theory and plant ecology
Authors: McNickle Gordon G. , Dybzinski Ray 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe fixed and plastic traits possessed by a plant, which may be collectively thought of as its strategy, are commonly modelled as density‐independent adaptations to its environment. However, plant strategies may also represent density‐ or frequency‐dependent adaptations to the strategies used by neighbours. Game theory provides the tools to characterise such density‐ and frequency‐dependent interactions. Here, we review the contributions of game theory to plant ecology. After briefly reviewing game theory from the perspective of plant ecology, we divide our review into three sections. First, game theoretical models of allocation to shoots and roots often predict investment in those organs beyond what would be optimal in the absence of competition. Second, game theoretical models of enemy defence suggest that an individual's investment in defence is not only a means of reducing its own tissue damage but also a means of deflecting enemies onto competitors. Finally, game theoretical models of trade with mutualistic partners suggest that the optimal trade may reflect competition for access to mutualistic partners among plants. In short, our review provides an accessible entrance to game theory that will help plant ecologists enrich their research with its worldview and existing predictions.
Structural analysis of the alcohol acyltransferase protein family from Cucumis melo shows that enzyme activity depends on an essential solvent channel
Authors: Galaz Sebastián , Morales‐Quintana Luis , Moya‐León María Alejandra , Herrera Raúl 
Published: January 2013

Alcohol acyltransferases (AAT) play a key role in ester biosynthesis. In Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis, AATs are encoded by a gene family of four members (CmAAT1–4). CmAAT1, CmAAT3 and CmAAT4 are capable of synthesizing esters, with CmAAT1 the most active. CmAAT2 is inactive and has an Ala268 residue instead of a threonine which is present in all other active AATs, although the role of this residue is still unclear. The present work aims to understand the molecular mechanism involved in ester biosynthesis in melon fruit and to clarify the importance of the Ala268 residue. First, structural models for each protein were built by comparative modelling methodology. Afterwards, conformational interaction between the protein and several ligands, alcohols and acyl‐CoAs was explored by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Structural analysis showed that CmAATs share a similar structure. Also, well‐defined solvent channels were described in the CmAATs except for CmAAT2 which does not have a proper channel and instead has a small pocket around Ala268. Residues of the catalytic HxxxD motif interact with substrates within the solvent channel, with Ser363 also important. Strong binding interaction energies were described for the best substrate couple of each CmAAT (hexyl‐, benzyl‐ and cinnamyl‐acetate for CmAAT1, 3 and 4 respectively). CmAAT1 and CmAAT2 protein surfaces share similar electrostatic potentials; nevertheless the entrance channels for the substrates differ in location and electrostatic character, suggesting that Ala268 might be responsible for that. This could partly explain the major differences in activity reported for these two enzymes.DatabaseStructural data have been deposited in the Protein Model Data Bank under the following accession numbers: CmAAT1 (PM0078514); CmAAT2 (PM0078515); CmAAT3 (PM0078516); CmAAT4 (PM0078517)
Structural and biochemical characterization of an atypical short‐chain dehydrogenase/reductase reveals an unusual cofactor preference
Authors: Buysschaert Géraldine , Verstraete Kenneth , Savvides Savvas N. , Vergauwen Bjorn 
Published: January 2013

Short‐chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) encompass a large and functionally diverse family of enzymes with representative members in all kingdoms of life. Despite the wealth of reactions catalyzed by SDRs, they operate through a well‐conserved and efficient reaction mechanism centered in a conserved catalytic tetrad (Asn‐Ser‐Tyr‐Lys) and the employment of an appropriate cofactor. In recent years, SDRs that lack the signature catalytic tetrad have been identified, thus adding a perplexing twist to SDR functionality. In the present study, we report the crystal structure of SDRvv, an atypical SDR from Vibrio vulnificus devoid of the catalytic tetrad, thereby defining the structural signature of this apparent SDR family outlier. Further structural analysis of SDRvv in complex with its putative cofactor NADPH, site‐directed mutagenesis and binding studies via isothermal titration calorimetry, and further biochemical characterization have allowed us to dissect the cofactor preferences of SDRvv. The retained capacity to bind the NADPH cofactor, the conceivable existence of a proton relay and the conservation of the coordination distances between the key residues in the cofactor binding pocket define a first set of rules towards catalytic activity for SDRvv. The findings of the present study set the stage for deriving the identity of the natural substrate of SDRvv and add a new twist to the structure–function landscape for Rossmann‐fold‐dependent cofactor discrimination.DatabaseStructural data have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank database under accession numbers 3UCE and 3UCF.Structured digital abstract

SDRvv and SDRvv bind by molecular sieving (View interaction)

SDRvv and SDRvv bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)
Soil warming increases plant species richness but decreases germination from the alpine soil seed bank
Authors: Hoyle Gemma L. , Venn Susanna E. , Steadman Kathryn J. , Good Roger B. , McAuliffe Edward J. , Williams Emlyn R. , Nicotra Adrienne B. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractGlobal warming is occurring more rapidly above the treeline than at lower elevations and alpine areas are predicted to experience above average warming in the future. Temperature is a primary factor in stimulating seed germination and regulating changes in seed dormancy status. Thus, plant regeneration from seed will be crucial to the persistence, migration and post disturbance recruitment of alpine plants in future climates. Here, we present the first assessment of the impact of soil warming on germination from the persistent alpine soil seed bank. Contrary to expectations, soil warming lead to reduced overall germination from the soil seed bank. However, germination response to soil temperature was species specific such that total species richness actually increased by nine with soil warming. We further explored the system by assessing the prevalence of seed dormancy and germination response to soil disturbance, the frequency of which is predicted to increase under climate change. Seeds of a significant proportion of species demonstrated physiological dormancy mechanisms and germination of several species appeared to be intrinsically linked to soil disturbance. In addition, we found no evidence of subalpine species and little evidence of exotic weed species in the soil, suggesting that the soil seed bank will not facilitate their invasion of the alpine zone. In conclusion, changes in recruitment via the alpine soil seed bank can be expected under climate change, as a result of altered dormancy alleviation and germination cues. Furthermore, the alpine soil seed bank, and the species richness therein, has the potential to help maintain local species diversity, support species range shift and moderate species dominance. Implications for alpine management and areas for further study are also discussed.
Fragmentation and thermal risks from climate change interact to affect persistence of native trout in the Colorado River basin
Authors: Roberts James J. , Fausch Kurt D. , Peterson Douglas P. , Hooten Mevin B. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractImpending changes in climate will interact with other stressors to threaten aquatic ecosystems and their biota. Native Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT; Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus) are now relegated to 309 isolated high‐elevation (>1700 m) headwater stream fragments in the Upper Colorado River Basin, owing to past nonnative trout invasions and habitat loss. Predicted changes in climate (i.e., temperature and precipitation) and resulting changes in stochastic physical disturbances (i.e., wildfire, debris flow, and channel drying and freezing) could further threaten the remaining CRCT populations. We developed an empirical model to predict stream temperatures at the fragment scale from downscaled climate projections along with geomorphic and landscape variables. We coupled these spatially explicit predictions of stream temperature with a Bayesian Network (BN) model that integrates stochastic risks from fragmentation to project persistence of CRCT populations across the upper Colorado River basin to 2040 and 2080. Overall, none of the populations are at risk from acute mortality resulting from high temperatures during the warmest summer period. In contrast, only 37% of populations have a ≥90% chance of persistence for 70 years (similar to the typical benchmark for conservation), primarily owing to fragmentation. Populations in short stream fragments <7 km long, and those at the lowest elevations, are at the highest risk of extirpation. Therefore, interactions of stochastic disturbances with fragmentation are projected to be greater threats than warming for CRCT populations. The reason for this paradox is that past nonnative trout invasions and habitat loss have restricted most CRCT populations to high‐elevation stream fragments that are buffered from the potential consequences of warming, but at risk of extirpation from stochastic events. The greatest conservation need is for management to increase fragment lengths to forestall these risks.
Resilience of marine turtle regional management units to climate change
Authors: Fuentes Mariana M. P. B. , Pike David A. , Dimatteo Andrew , Wallace Bryan P. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractEnhancing species resilience to changing environmental conditions is often suggested as a climate change adaptation strategy. To effectively achieve this, it is necessary first to understand the factors that determine species resilience, and their relative importance in shaping the ability of species to adjust to the complexities of environmental change. This is an extremely challenging task because it requires comprehensive information on species traits. We explored the resilience of 58 marine turtle regional management units (RMUs) to climate change, encompassing all seven species of marine turtles worldwide. We used expert opinion from the IUCN‐SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group (n = 33 respondents) to develop a Resilience Index, which considered qualitative characteristics of each RMU (relative population size, rookery vulnerability, and genetic diversity) and non climate‐related threats (fisheries, take, coastal development, and pollution/pathogens). Our expert panel perceived rookery vulnerability (the likelihood of functional rookeries becoming extirpated) and non climate‐related threats as having the greatest influence on resilience of RMUs to climate change. We identified the world's 13 least resilient marine turtle RMUs to climate change, which are distributed within all three major ocean basins and include six of the world's seven species of marine turtle. Our study provides the first look at inter‐ and intra‐species variation in resilience to climate change and highlights the need to devise metrics that measure resilience directly. We suggest that this approach can be widely used to help prioritize future actions that increase species resilience to climate change.
‘ERST KOMMT DAS FRESSEN, DANN KOMMT DIE MORAL’: STARVATION WARFARE AND MEDICAL ETHICS IN KARL SCHÖNHERR'S HUNGERBLOCKADE 1919
Authors: Harland Rachel 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTKarl Schönherr's drama Hungerblockade 1919 (1925) is set against the background of the food shortage that affected Austria during and in the aftermath of the First World War. While it touches critically on the British naval blockade of Germany and the countries associated with her, its main focus is on the abrogation of moral standards in the face of acute hunger, as illuminated by the case of Doktor Glatz, a physician caught between professional responsibilities and concern for his starving daughter. Although Schönherr is regarded as a straightforward moralist by some critics, in Hungerblockade 1919 he presents a number of difficult moral conflicts in the area of medical ethics including the doctor's duty of care and the extent to which it outweighs private responsibilities, distributive justice and the exploitation of professional status for personal gain. This article argues that the play calls for altruism but that its didacticism is tempered by doubt about man's capacity for self‐sacrifice in times of great material need.Karl Schönherrs Drama Hungerblockade 1919 (1925) spielt während der Hungerkrise, die Österreich im Ersten Weltkrieg und in der Zeit danach traf. Es kritisiert am Rande die britische Seeblockade der Mittelmächte, befasst sich jedoch in erster Linie mit dem Zusammenbruch der Moral angesichts des akuten Hungers. Letzteres wird anhand der Figur des Doktor Glatz dargestellt, eines Arztes, der innerlich zerrissen ist vom Konflikt zwischen seiner beruflichen Verantwortung auf der einen Seite und der Sorge um seine verhungernde Tochter auf der anderen Seite. In der Forschungsliteratur wird Schönherr gelegentlich als unkomplizierter Moralist gesehen. In Hungerblockade 1919 stellt er jedoch verschiedene schwierige Dilemmata dar, indem er Probleme des ärztlichen Ethos anspricht, darunter die Pflicht der Wohltätigkeit und ihre Dringlichkeit im Vergleich zu den privaten Verantwortlichkeiten eines Arztes, die Verteilungsgerechtigkeit und den Missbrauch der beruflichen Position zum Zwecke der persönlichen Bereicherung. Die These des vorliegenden Aufsatzes ist, dass das Stück zwar den Wert der Nächstenliebe betont, aber skeptisch hinterfragt, ob der Mensch in Zeiten großer Not zu Selbstlosigkeit fähig ist.
‘ICH WILL LEBEN, AUCH WENN ICH TOT BIN’:VALESKA GERT'S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL LEGACY
Authors: Hylenski Kristen M. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTThe German‐Jewish dancer, cabaret artist, and actor Valeska Gert wrote four autobiographical texts that span the time from the height of her fame in the Weimar Republic to her exile in New York and on to her post‐war experiences in the Federal Republic of Germany. An examination of Mein Weg (1931), Die Bettlerbar von New York (1950), Ich bin eine Hexe (1968), and Katze von Kampen (1973) reveals the ways in which Gert revisits and revises her life story. While each text recycles material from the previous ones, Gert continually reframes her narrative according to the changing audiences and historical contexts. Ultimately, through her drive to tell her story repeatedly, Gert succeeded in writing herself back into the history of modern dance, cabaret, theatre, and film in Germany, thus enacting the ‘spiritual reparations’ she felt she had been denied.Die deutsch‐jüdische Tänzerin, Kabarettistin und Schauspielerin Valeska Gert schrieb vier autobiographische Texte, die die Zeit vom Gipfel ihres Ruhmes in der Weimarer Republik bis hin zum Exil in New York und den anschließenden Nachkriegserfahrungen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland umfassen. Dieser Artikel betrachtet Mein Weg (1931), Die Bettlerbar von New York (1950), Ich bin eine Hexe (1968) und Katze von Kampen (1973) und untersucht die Art und Weise, in der Gert ihre Lebensgeschichte immer wieder aufgreift und neu bearbeitet. Während jeder Text das Material der vorigen wiederverwendet, gestaltet Gert das Erzählte jeweils neu und stellt sich entsprechend auf das jeweilige Publikum und den wechselnden historischen Kontext ein. Durch ihren regelrechten Drang, ihre Geschichte immer wieder zu erzählen, gelingt es Gert letztendlich, sich in die Geschichte des modernen Tanzes, des Kabaretts, des Theaters und des Films in Deutschland einzuschreiben und die ‘geistige Wiedergutmachung’, die sie einst gefordert hatte, durch ihre eigenen Schriften zu verwirklichen.
An immunohistochemical evaluation of the proteins Wnt1 and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3β in invasive breast carcinomas
Authors: Mylona Eleni , Vamvakaris Ioannis , Giannopoulou Ioanna , Theohari Irene , Papadimitriou Christos , Keramopoulos Antonios , Nakopoulou Lydia 
Published: January 2013

AimsOur purpose was to investigate, in breast carcinomas, the prognostic importance of the proteins Wnt1 and glycogen synthasekinase (GSK)‐3β, and their associations with classic clinicopathological indices.Methods and resultsImmunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin‐embedded tissue specimens from 288 invasive breast carcinomas to detect the expression of the proteins Wnt1, GSK3β, oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), erbB2, p53, Ki67, caspase‐3 and β‐catenin. Both Wnt1 and GSK3β were detected predominantly in the cytoplasm of the invasive tumour cells and the in‐situ component, while GSK3β was also detected in the stromal fibroblasts. Wnt1 immunoreactivity in the invasive tumour cells showed an inverse association with histological grade (P = 0.002), Ki67 (P = 0.008) and p53 (P = 0.031), while its relation with ER, erbB2 and caspase‐3 was found to be positive (P = 0.007, P = 0.018 and P = 0.03, respectively). Cytoplasmic Wnt1 expression was related to a favourable prognosis within the subgroup of patients with stage II disease (P = 0.032).ConclusionsWnt1 expression in the invasive tumour cells seems to promote differentiation and apoptosis, while being related inversely to proliferation. Therefore, this suggests its participation in the primary stages of breast carcinogenesis. The latter is supported further by the immunodetection of Wnt1 in in‐situ carcinomas.
Redox state at ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphism: Constraint from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling eclogites
Authors: Okamoto Kazuaki , Jahn Borming , Yui Tzen‐Fu , Akasaka Masahide 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn order to estimate the fluid composition, C‐species of the CCSD (Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling) eclogites were investigated. Graphite is always recognized with pyrite in the eclogites, suggesting their growth from the H2O‐rich (CO2‐poor) fluids released during metamorphism. The studied eclogites contain vacancy (CaEs component =Ca0.5□0.5AlSi2O6) in clinopyroxene. Therefore, Fe3+ content in clinopyroxene cannot be calculated based on their chemical composition determined by an electron probe micro analyzer. We estimated Fe3+/ΣFe based on the Mössbauer analysis and calculated the pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions from the assemblage of phengite‐garnet‐clinopyroxene‐(coesite) as P = 3–4 GPa, and T = 650–780°C. The P–T‐values obtained in this study show lower values than those which were previously reported elsewhere for the CCSD eclogites, suggesting that the effect of Fe3+ estimation is significant.
Premature death of TDP‐43 (A315T) transgenic mice due to gastrointestinal complications prior to development of full neurological symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Esmaeili Mohammad A. , Panahi Marzieh , Yadav Shilpi , Hennings Leah , Kiaei Mahmoud 
Published: January 2013

SummaryAbnormal distribution, modification and aggregation of transactivation response DNA‐binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) are the hallmarks of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, especially frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin‐positive inclusions (FTLD‐U) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Transgenic mouse lines overexpressing wild‐type or mutant TDP‐43 exhibit ALS‐like symptom, motor abnormalities and early paralysis followed by death. Reports on lifespan and phenotypic behaviour in Prp‐TDP‐43 (A315T) vary, and these animals are not fully characterized. Although it has been proposed that the approximate 20% loss of motor neurons at end stage is responsible for the severe weakness and death in TDP‐43 mice, this degree of neurologic damage appears insufficient to cause death. Hence we studied these mice to further characterize and determine the reason for the death. Our characterization of TDP‐43 transgenic mice showed that these mice develop ALS‐like symptoms that later become compounded by gastrointestinal (GI) complications that resulted in death. This is the first report of a set of pathological evidence in the GI track that is strong indicator for the cause of death of Prp‐hTDP‐43 (A315T) transgenic mice.
Experimental development of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws in rodents
Authors: Conte Neto Nicolau , Spolidorio Luis C. , Andrade Cleverton R. , S. Bastos Alliny , Guimarães Morgana , Marcantonio Elcio 
Published: January 2013

SummaryOsteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) following the use of bisphosphonates has become of increased interest in the scientific community, due in particular to its as‐yet‐unsolved pathogenesis. An experimental model of ONJ was induced in normal male rats [alendronate (ALN); 1 mg/Kg/day; n = 10] and matched controls (saline solution; n = 10). After 60 days of drug treatment, all animals were subjected to extractions of the left first lower molars and were euthanized at 3 and 28 days postsurgery. The following analyses were performed: (i) descriptive and quantitative (scores) histological evaluation, (ii) stereometry of distal sockets and (iii) biochemical measurement of C‐telopeptide cross‐linked collagen type I (CTX) and bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP). The results showed that 28 days postsurgery the animals treated with ALN had areas of exposed and necrotic bone, associated with significant infection, especially in the interalveolar septum area and crestal regions, compared with controls. The levels of CTX, BALP and bone volume, as well as the degrees of inflammation and vascularization, were significantly reduced in these animals. Therefore, analysis of the data presented suggests that ALN therapy is associated with the development of osteonecrosis in the jaws of rodents after tooth extraction.
First documented case of imported tick‐borne encephalitis in Australia
Authors: Chaudhuri A. , Růžek D. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe report a case of tick‐borne encephalitis that has not been described before in Australia. The patient was a returned traveller from Russia who had typical manifestations of this infection. Clinical diagnosis was elusive because of the peculiar biphasic nature of the illness and its rarity in Australia. Laboratory diagnosis was also challenging and required testing at a reference laboratory in the Czech Republic because of the unavailability of specific assays in Australia. This report aims to make physicians from non‐endemic regions aware that tick‐borne encephalitis can be imported and to familiarise them with its clinical course.