bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial distribution and settlement strategies in willow ptarmigan
Authors: Kvasnes Mikkel A. J. , Pedersen Hans Chr. , Solvang Håkon , Storaas Torstein , Nilsen Erlend B. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn heterogeneous landscapes individuals select among several habitat patches. The fitness rewards of these choices are assumed to play an important role in the distribution of individuals across landscapes. Individuals can either use environmental cues to directly assess the quality of breeding sites, or rely on social cues to guide the settlement decision. We estimated the density of adult birds and per capita reproductive success of willow ptarmigan over 5–15 years in 42 survey areas, nested within 5 spatially separated populations in south‐central Norway. Our aims were to (1) examine spatial and temporal patterns of variation in densities of adult birds (i.e., the breeding densities) and reproductive success (juveniles/pair) measured in autumn and (2) evaluate which habitat distribution model best described the distribution of willow ptarmigan across heterogeneous mountain landscapes. Variation in density of adult birds was primarily attributable to variation between survey areas which could arise from spatial heterogeneity in adult survival or as a consequence of spacing behavior of juveniles during the settlement stage. In contrast, reproductive success was more variable between years and did not vary consistently between survey areas once year effects were accounted for. The lack of any relationship between the density of adult birds and reproductive success supported the predictions of an ideal free distribution (IFD), implying that within years, the mean reproductive success was approximately equal across survey areas. However, analysis based on Taylor's power law (i.e., the relationship between logarithms of spatial variance and mean density of adult birds) suggested that aggregation was stronger than expected under IFD. This implies that the relative change in density of adult birds was larger in areas with high mean densities than in areas with low densities. The exact mechanisms causing this statistical pattern are unclear, but based on the breeding biology of willow ptarmigan we suggest that yearlings are attracted to areas of high densities during the settlement period in spring. Our study was conducted during a period of low overall density and we suggest that this pattern might be particular to such situations. This implies that the presence of conspecifics might represent a cue signaling high adult survival and thus high habitat quality.
Triggered Earthquake Study in Tranh River No. 2 (Vietnam) Hydropower Reservoir
Authors: Trieu Cao Dinh , Trong Cao Dinh , Dung Le Van , Tuan Thai Anh , Van Dinh Quoc , Long Ha Vinh 
Published: September 2014

Abstract:
This article presents the results of investigating triggered earthquakes in the vicinity of Tranh River No.2 Hydropower Reservoir in recent years. It is found that earthquakes occurred in the vicinity of Tranh River Hydropower Reservoir, probably associated with the Trà My – Trà BÓng fault zone. It is estimated that this fault is capable of hosting an earthquake of M∼6.1. The ‘b’ value for this earthquake sequence is 0.83, which is higher than the regional ‘b’ value of 0.60. We estimate that the return period of earthquakes of M=4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0 is 11, 29, 76 and 198 months respectively. On October 22, 2012 an earthquake MS=4.6, I0=6.0 (MSK-64) occurred at 13:41:28 hrs GMT. The epicenter of the earthquake was located at a distance of 5.5 km away from the center of the dam towards the west. The focal depth is about 4.5 km, and the rupture length is about 1.8 km.
Maternal dietary betaine supplementation modifies hepatic expression of cholesterol metabolic genes via epigenetic mechanisms in newborn piglets
Authors: Cai Demin , Jia Yimin , Lu Jingyu , Yuan Mengjie , Sui Shiyan , Song Haogang , Zhao Ruqian 
Published: September 2014

To elucidate the effects of maternal dietary betaine supplementation on hepatic expression of cholesterol metabolic genes in newborn piglets and the involved epigenetic mechanisms, we fed gestational sows with control or betaine-supplemented diets (3 g/kg) throughout pregnancy. Neonatal piglets born to betaine-supplemented sows had higher serum methionine concentration and hepatic content of betaine, which was associated with significantly up-regulated hepatic expression of glycineN-methyltransferase. Prenatal betaine exposure increased hepatic cholesterol content and modified the hepatic expression of cholesterol metabolic genes in neonatal piglets. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 was down-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels, while 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR)was down-regulated at the mRNA level, but up-regulated at the protein level, in betaine-exposed piglets. The transcriptional repression ofHMGCRwas associated with CpG island hypermethylation and higher repressive histone mark H3K27me3 (histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation) on the promoter, whereas increased HMGCR protein content was associated with significantly decreased expression of miR-497. Furthermore, LDL receptor was significantly down-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels in the liver of betaine-exposed piglets, which was associated with promoter CpG hypermethylation. In addition, the expression of cholesterol-27α-hydroxylase (CYP27α1) was up-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels, while the expression of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7α1) was increased at the mRNA level, but unchanged at the protein level associated with increased expression of miR-181. These results indicate that maternal betaine supplementation increases hepatic cholesterol content in neonatal piglets through epigenetic regulations of cholesterol metabolic genes, which involve alterations in DNA and histone methylation and in the expression of microRNA targeting these genes.
Metazoan parasites in the head region of the bullet tuna Auxisrochei (Osteichthyes: Scombridae) from the western Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Mele S. , Saber S. , Gómez-Vives M.J. , Garippa G. , Alemany F. , Macías D. , Merella P. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe head region of 72 bullet tuna Auxis rochei from the western Mediterranean Sea (south-east Spain and the Strait of Gibraltar) was examined for parasites. Seven metazoan species were found in the fish from south-east Spain: three monogeneans, two trematodes and two copepods, whereas only three species were isolated in the fish from the Strait of Gibraltar. A comparison of the levels of infection of the parasites according to fish size in south-east Spain showed that the prevalence of Didymozoon auxis and the mean abundance of Allopseudaxine macrova were higher in the larger hosts (range of fork length = 38–44 cm) than in the smaller ones (33–37 cm). A comparison of the parasite infections according to geographical region showed that the mean abundances of Nematobothriinae gen. sp. and Caligus bonito were higher in fish from south-east Spain than in those from the Strait of Gibraltar. A comparison of the parasite fauna of A. rochei from the Mediterranean Sea with the published data on Auxis spp. from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans revealed the closest similarity between the Mediterranean A. rochei and the Atlantic A. thazard.
Malaria diagnostics: now and the future
Authors: CHIODINI PETER L. 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYLight microscopy of stained blood films is still the mainstay of malaria diagnosis in many regions, but its pre-eminence is threatened by accurate and sensitive rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on immunochromatography which are now widely used in the field. In well-resourced regions, nucleic acid detection easily out performs microscopy and RDTs. This paper reviews the main in vitro methods for parasite detection and considers future trends in diagnostics, both for sophisticated laboratory settings and for field use.
Epidemiological review ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in humans and animals in Portugal
Authors: LOPES A. P. , DUBEY J. P. , DARDÉ M.-L. , CARDOSO L. 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYToxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis. However, data from Portugal are limited and a considerable part of the literature is in Portuguese. Currently, the rate of congenital infection in Portugal is unknown, and almost nothing is known of sequelae of congenital toxoplasmosis. There is no recent general population-based serological survey ofToxoplasma gondiiin humans in Portugal. In addition, there is little information on genetic characteristics ofT. gondiiin animals and humans. In the present paper, we review prevalence, clinical spectrum and epidemiology ofT. gondiiin humans and animals in Portugal. This knowledge should be useful to biologists, public health workers, physicians and veterinarians.
The protozoan parasiteTrichomonas gallinaecauses adult and nestling mortality in a declining population of European Turtle Doves,Streptopelia turtur
Authors: STOCKDALE JENNIFER E. , DUNN JENNY C. , GOODMAN SIMON J. , MORRIS ANTONY J. , SHEEHAN DANAË K. , GRICE PHILIP V. , HAMER KEITH C. 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYStudies incorporating the ecology of clinical and sub-clinical disease in wild populations of conservation concern are rare. Here we examine sub-clinical infection byTrichomonas gallinaein a declining population of free-living European Turtle Doves and suggest caseous lesions cause mortality in adults and nestlings through subsequent starvation and/or suffocation. We found a 100% infection rate byT. gallinaein adult and nestling Turtle Doves (n = 25) and observed clinical signs in three adults and four nestlings (28%). Adults with clinical signs displayed no differences in any skeletal measures of size but had a mean 3·7% reduction in wing length, with no overlap compared to those without clinical signs. We also identifiedT. gallinaeas the suggested cause of mortality in one Red-legged Partridge although disease presentation was different. A minimum of four strains ofT. gallinae, characterized at the ITS/5·8S/ITS2 ribosomal region, were isolated from Turtle Doves. However, all birds with clinical signs (Turtle Doves and the Red-legged Partridge) carried a single strain ofT. gallinae, suggesting that parasite spill over between Columbidae and Galliformes is a possibility that should be further investigated. Overall, we highlight the importance of monitoring populations for sub-clinical infection rather than just clinical disease.
Population-based, multi-generational family clustering study of social anxiety disorder and avoidant personality disorder
Authors: Isomura K. , Boman M. , Rück C. , Serlachius E. , Larsson H. , Lichtenstein P. , Mataix-Cols D. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundWe aimed to provide unbiased estimates of familial risk and heritability of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and avoidant personality disorder (AVPD).MethodWe identified 18 399 individuals diagnosed with SAD and 2673 with AVPD in the Swedish National Patient Register between 1997 and 2009. Risks (odds ratios; OR) for SAD in all biological and non-biological relatives of probands, compared to relatives of unaffected individuals were calculated. We also estimated the risks for AVPD in relatives of probands with SAD.ResultsThe risk for SAD among relatives of SAD probands increased proportionally to the degree of genetic relatedness. The risks for first-degree relatives [OR 4.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.28–5.25] were significantly higher than for second-degree and third-degree relatives. Second-degree relatives (OR 2.30, 95% CI 2.01–2.63) had significantly higher risk than third-degree relatives (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.52–1.94). Relatives at similar genetic distances had similar risks for SAD, despite different degrees of shared environment. Heritability was estimated to be approximately 56%. There were no significant sex differences in the familial patterns. The risk of AVPD in relatives of SAD probands was significantly elevated, even after excluding individuals with both diagnoses (first-degree OR 3.54, second-degree OR 2.20, third-degree OR 1.62). Non-biological relatives (spouses/partners) also had elevated risks for both SAD (OR 4.01) and AVPD (OR 3.85).ConclusionsSAD clusters in families primarily due to genetic factors. SAD and AVPD are aetiologically related and may represent different expressions of the same vulnerability. The strong marital concordance observed in SAD/AVPD may indicate assortative mating but the exact mechanisms and implications require further investigation.
Bowel parasitosis and neuroendocrine tumours of the appendix. A report from the Italian TREP project
Authors: VIRGONE C. , CECCHETTO G. , BESUTTI V. , FERRARI A. , BUFFA P. , ALAGGIO R. , ALESSANDRINI L. , DALL'IGNA P. 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYFive children with a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) of the appendix associated with a parasitic bowel infection are described, and the possibility of inflammation-triggered carcinogenesis is discussed. Schistosoma haematobium is linked primarily to bladder cancer but it has been reported in association with several other histotypes, including NETs of the gastrointestinal tract. Conversely, Enterobius vermicularis has not yet been claimed to participate in the onset of pre-cancerous conditions or tumours. The rare occurrence of contemporary appendiceal NETs and parasitic infection, raises the intriguing hypothesis of an inflammation-related carcinogenesis, although a cause–effect relationship cannot be established. Larger international series of childhood appendiceal NETs, which also include countries with higher prevalence of parasitic bowel infections, are needed to further clarify this possible cause–effect relationship.
Child-evoked maternal negativity from 9 to 27 months: Evidence of gene–environment correlation and its moderation by marital distress
Authors: Fearon R. M. Pasco , Reiss David , Leve Leslie D. , Shaw Daniel S. , Scaramella Laura V. , Ganiban Jody M. , Neiderhiser Jenae M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPast research has documented pervasive genetic influences on emotional and behavioral disturbance across the life span and on liability to adult psychiatric disorder. Increasingly, interest is turning to mechanisms of gene–environment interplay in attempting to understand the earliest manifestations of genetic risk. We report findings from a prospective adoption study, which aimed to test the role of evocative gene–environment correlation in early development. Included in the study were 561 infants adopted at birth and studied between 9 and 27 months, along with their adoptive parents and birth mothers. Birth mother psychiatric diagnoses and symptoms scales were used as indicators of genetic influence, and multiple self-report measures were used to index adoptive mother parental negativity. We hypothesized that birth mother psychopathology would be associated with greater adoptive parent negativity and that such evocative effects would be amplified under conditions of high adoptive family adversity. The findings suggested that genetic factors associated with birth mother externalizing psychopathology may evoke negative reactions in adoptive mothers in the first year of life, but only when the adoptive family environment is characterized by marital problems. Maternal negativity mediated the effects of genetic risk on child adjustment at 27 months. The results underscore the importance of genetically influenced evocative processes in early development.
Very extensive nonmaternal care predicts mother–infant attachment disorganization: Convergent evidence from two samples
Authors: Hazen Nancy L. , Allen Sydnye D. , Christopher Caroline Heaton , Umemura Tomotaka , Jacobvitz Deborah B. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe examined whether a maximum threshold of time spent in nonmaternal care exists, beyond which infants have an increased risk of forming a disorganized infant–mother attachment. The hours per week infants spent in nonmaternal care at 7–8 months were examined as a continuous measure and as a dichotomous threshold (over 40, 50 and 60 hr/week) to predict infant disorganization at 12–15 months. Two different samples (Austin and NICHD) were used to replicate findings and control for critical covariates: mothers' unresolved status and frightening behavior (assessed in the Austin sample,N= 125), quality of nonmaternal caregiving (assessed in the NICHD sample,N= 1,135), and family income and infant temperament (assessed in both samples). Only very extensive hours of nonmaternal care (over 60 hr/week) and mothers' frightening behavior independently predicted attachment disorganization. A polynomial logistic regression performed on the larger NICHD sample indicated that the risk of disorganized attachment exponentially increased after exceeding 60 hr/week. In addition, very extensive hours of nonmaternal care only predicted attachment disorganization after age 6 months (not prior). Findings suggest that during a sensitive period of attachment formation, infants who spend more than 60 hr/week in nonmaternal care may be at an increased risk of forming a disorganized attachment.
Co-development of early adolescent alcohol use and depressive feelings: The role of the mu-opioid receptor A118G polymorphism
Authors: Kleinjan Marloes , Rozing Mayke , Engels Rutger C. M. E. , Verhagen Maaike 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAlcohol use and depressive feelings are often related among early adolescents. However, the nature and underlying mechanisms of this association are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the co-development of alcohol use and depressive feelings over time and to examine the effects of the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) A118G genotype on such co-development. Data from a five-wave longitudinal, genetically informed survey study, with intervals of 4 months among a group of 739 normative early adolescents (12–13 years of age at baseline), were analyzed using a dual latent growth curve approach.OPRM1status was evaluated from saliva-derived DNA samples. The results indicated a positive association between alcohol use and depressive feelings both at the initial levels and over time, indicating co-development in early adolescence. Compared toOPRM1118G carriers, homozygous 118A carriers showed a greater increase in frequency of alcohol use and higher levels of depressive feelings over time. Evidence for co-development was only found within the group of homozygous 118A carriers, whereas inOPRM1118G carriers the development of alcohol use and depressive feelings over time were not significantly associated. These results highlight the potential ofOPRM1as a common etiological factor for the development of alcohol use and depressive feelings in early adolescence.
Structural analysis of embryogenesis ofLeiarius marmoratus(Siluriformes: Pimelodidae)
Authors: Oliveira-Almeida Isângela Rodrigues , Buzollo Hellen , Costa Raphael da Silva , Veríssimo-Silveira Rosicleire , Porto-Foresti Fábio , Ninhaus-Silveira Alexandre 
Published: September 2014

SummaryEmbryological studies in fish species are useful to the understanding of their biology and systematics. The available biological data inLeiarius marmoratusare scarce and additional information about its reproductive biology is needed, mainly because this species has been commercially exploited and used in production of hybrid lineages. In order to evaluate the temporal–morphological embryonic modifications inL. marmoratus, samples of nearly 200 embryos were collected at random at different stages of development, starting from fecundation (time zero). Embryos were fixed in modified Karnovsk's solution and 2.5% glutaraldehyde, processed and analysed under optic and electron microscopy. The incubation period ofL. marmoratuswas equal to 14.42 h at a mean temperature of 28.3 ± 0.07°C. The following stages of embryonic development were established: zygote, cleavage, gastrula, organogenesis and hatching. These stages were divided into phases, as follows: cleavage – phases of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 cells and morula; gastrula – phases of 25, 50, 75 and 90% of epiboly and blastopore closure; and organogenesis – neurula, segmentation and pre-larval phases. The embryogenesis ofL. marmoratuswas typical of neotropical teleosteans, with peculiarities in species development.
Psychosocial responses of parents to their infant’s diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Cantwell-Bartl Annie M. , Tibballs James 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the psychosocial status of mothers and fathers in response to their infant’s diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.Design:A study on interviews with parents whose children had survived staged surgery.Setting:Tertiary hospital paediatric ICU.Subjects:A total of 29 parents (16 mothers and 13 fathers) of surviving children.Intervention: A semi-structured face-to-face interview was conducted to explore experiences of parents in response to their infant’s diagnosis, their interaction with the doctor delivering the diagnosis, their deliberation about staged surgery, and their reasons for this choice.Measurement and Main Results: All parents were devastated about their infant’s diagnosis, and most (83%) of them said that the time of the diagnosis and the aftermath was the worst time of their lives. Parents reported helpful and unhelpful communication at this time. Although all parents in this study chose surgery for their infant, when faced with the choice, 17 of them made an immediate decision “to protect their infant’s life”, 8 were initially unsure when their infant was diagnosed in utero, and 4 were unsure when the infant was diagnosed after birth. Parents also experienced loss and other stressors.Conclusions:All parents of the infants diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome experienced intense loss and stressors. Physicians need to be sensitive to the needs and thinking of the parents when discussing treatment options before surgery. The nature of the relationship with the doctor at this time can support parents or be a further source of stress.
Ultrasound assessment of mesenteric blood flow in neonates with hypoplastic left heart before and after hybrid palliation
Authors: Cozzi Corin T. , Galantowicz Mark , Cheatham John P. , Nicholson Lisa , Fernandez Richard , Backes Carl H. , McCaw Carrie , Cua Clifford L. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground: Altered mesenteric perfusion may be a contributor to the development of necrotising enterocolitis in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The goal of this study was to document mesenteric flow patterns in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome pre- and post-hybrid procedure. Methods: A prospective study on all patients with hypoplatic left heart syndrome undergoing the hybrid procedure was conducted. Doppler ultrasound analysis of the coeliac and superior mesenteric artery was performed. Results: A total of 13 patients were evaluated. There was a significant difference in the coeliac artery effective velocity-time intergral pre- and post-hybrid procedure (8.69±3.84 versus 12.51±4.95 cm, respectively). There were significant differences in the superior mesenteric artery antegrade velocity-time integral pre- and post-hybrid procedure (6.86±2.45 versus 10.52±2.64 cm, respectively) and superior mesenteric artery effective velocity-time integral pre- and post-hybrid procedure (6.22±2.68 versus 9.73±2.73 cm, respectively). There were no significant differences between the coeliac and superior mesenteric artery Doppler indices in the pre-hybrid procedure; there were, however, significant differences in the post-hybrid procedure between coeliac and superior mesenteric artery antegrade velocity-time integral (13.8 2±5.60 versus 10.52±2.64 cm, respectively) and effective velocity-time integral (13.04±4.71 versus 9.73±2.73 cm, respectively). Conclusion: Doppler mesenteric indices of perfusion improve in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome after the hybrid procedure; however, there appears to be preferential flow to the coeliac artery versus the superior mesenteric artery in these patients post-procedure.