bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between sea lice levels on sea trout and fish farm activity in western Scotland
Authors: Middlemas S. J. , Fryer R. J. , Tulett D. , Armstrong J. D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe relationship between aquaculture and infestations of sea lice on sea trout, Salmo trutta L., is controversial. Here, the association between sea lice infestations on wild sea trout and characteristics of local Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms were investigated using data collected on the Scottish west coast. The proportion of sea trout with louse burdens above a critical level was positively related to the fork length of the sea trout and the mean weight of salmon on the nearest fish farm, and negatively related to the distance to that farm. The distance to the nearest fish farm did not influence the probability of infestations above the critical level beyond 31 km although there was considerable uncertainty around this cut‐off distance (95% limits: 13–149 km). The results support a link between Atlantic salmon farms and sea lice burdens on sea trout in the west of Scotland and provide the type of information required for marine spatial planning.
Adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine: variation of emulsion components affects stability, antigen structure, and vaccine efficacy
Authors: Fox Christopher B. , Barnes V Lucien , Evers Tara , Chesko James D. , Vedvick Thomas S. , Coler Rhea N. , Reed Steven G. , Baldwin Susan L. 
Published: November 2012

Please cite this paper as: Fox et al. (2012) Adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine: variation of emulsion components affects stability, antigen structure, and vaccine efficacy. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI: 10.1111/irv.12031.Abstract Background  Adjuvant formulations are critical components of modern vaccines based on recombinant proteins, which are often poorly immunogenic without additional immune stimulants. Oil‐in‐water emulsions comprise an advanced class of vaccine adjuvants that are components of approved seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. However, few reports have been published that systematically evaluate the in vitro stability and in vivo adjuvant effects of different emulsion components.Objectives  To evaluate distinct classes of surfactants, oils, and excipients, for their effects on emulsion particle size stability, antigen structural interactions, and in vivo activity when formulated with a recombinant H5N1 antigen.Methods  Emulsions were manufactured by high pressure homogenization and characterized alone or in the presence of vaccine antigen by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, viscosity, pH, hemolytic activity, electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and SDS‐PAGE. In vivo vaccine activity in the murine model was characterized by measuring antibody titers, antibody‐secreting plasma cells, hemagglutination inhibition titers, and cytokine production.Results  We demonstrate that surfactant class and presence of additional excipients are not critical for biological activity, whereas oil structure is crucial. Moreover, we report that simplified two‐component emulsions appear more stable by particle size than more complex formulations.Finally, differences in antigen structural interactions with the various emulsions do not appear to correlate with in vivo activity.Conclusions  Oil‐in‐water emulsions can significantly enhance antibody and cellular immune responses to a pandemic influenza antigen. The dramatic differences in adjuvant activity between squalene‐based emulsion and medium chain triglyceride‐based emulsion are due principally to the biological activity of the oil composition rather than physical interactions of the antigen with the emulsion.
Drying characteristics and quality of taegeuk ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) using far‐infrared rays
Authors: Ning Xiaofeng , Han Chungsu 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThe purpose of this study is to investigate the drying characteristics of taegeuk ginseng using a far‐infrared dryer. The dryer used for this experiment can control the drying parameters such as far‐infrared heater temperature and air velocity. The far‐infrared drying tests of taegeuk ginseng were performed using large, medium and small ginseng at an air velocity of 0.6 m s−1, and drying chamber temperatures of 45, 55 and 65 °C. The results were compared with those of the hot‐air drying method. The drying characteristics were analysed based on factors such as drying rate, colour changes, internal tissue structure of ginseng, saponin contents and antioxidant activities, and energy consumption. In general, the hot‐air drying time was 3–3.5 days longer than that of far‐infrared drying under the same conditions. The colour changes of far‐infrared drying were also smaller than that of hot‐air drying. Far‐infrared dryer required less energy consumption about 9.67–14.8% less than that required by hot‐air drying. At the same time, the saponin and polyphenol contents of taegeuk ginseng subjected to far‐infrared drying were 1.01 mg g−1, 7.81 mg/100 g higher than that subjected to hot‐air drying, respectively. The results showed that the far‐infrared drying increases the capacity and quality of taegeuk ginseng.
Creating patches of native flowers facilitates crop pollination in large agricultural fields: mango as a case study
Authors: Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Seymour Colleen L. , Nicolson Susan W. , Veldtman Ruan 
Published: November 2012

Summary

As cropland increases, fields become progressively isolated from pollinators, leading to declines in pollinator‐dependent crop productivity. With the rise in demand for pollinator‐dependent foods, such productivity losses may accelerate conversion of natural areas to cropland. Pollination–compensation measures involving managed pollinators or hand pollination are not always optimal or are too costly. Introducing areas of native vegetation within cropland has been proposed as a way to supplement crop pollinators, but this measure is perceived by farmers to carry costs outweighing benefits to agricultural production. Studies quantifying benefits of small patches of native flowers to crop pollination are therefore necessary to encourage such practices.

To ascertain whether provision of floral resources within farmlands can facilitate pollination, and hence, crop yields, small experimental patches of perennial native plants (native flower compensation areas, NFCAs) were created in nonproductive areas of large commercial fields of several cultivars of mango Mangifera indica.

Pesticide use and isolation from natural habitat were associated with declines in flying visitors and in mango production (kg of marketable fresh fruit), but presence of NFCAs ameliorated these declines, and NFCAs did not harbour any mango pests. In areas far from natural vegetation, orchards near NFCAs had significantly higher diversity and abundance of mango flying visitors, as well as mango production, than orchards far from NFCAs, although these measures were still lower than in orchards close to natural areas.

Neither the most abundant flower visitors to mango (ants) nor initial fruit set was significantly affected by distance, pesticides or NFCAs, suggesting that although fertilization is associated with factors unaffected by isolation from natural habitat and pesticide use (i.e. self‐ and ant‐pollination), viable fruit set (and ultimately, production) requires cross‐pollination, for which flying visitors are essential.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show that the presence of small patches of native flowers within large farms can increase pollinator‐dependent crop production if combined with preservation of remaining fragments of natural habitat and judicious use of pesticides. Native flower compensation areas represent a profitable management measure for farmers, increasing cost‐effectiveness of cropland while indirectly contributing to preservation of natural habitat.
Outcrossing rates in two self‐compatible, hybridising Rhinanthus species: implications for hybrid formation
Authors: Ducarme V. , Wesselingh R. A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe congeners Rhinanthus angustifolius and Rhinanthus minor, two annual hemiparasites pollinated by bumblebees, are known to hybridise in the wild. Both species are self‐compatible, but the capacity for autonomous selfing is higher in R. minor. This suggests a difference in realized outcrossing rates, which have not been determined before in these species. Using microsatellites, both species turned out to have mixed mating systems, but with a much lower multilocus outcrossing rate (0.13) for R. minor compared to R. angustifolius (0.76). We hypothesised that a higher outcrossing rate should lead to a higher chance of heterospecific pollination, and we therefore determined the rate of hybrid formation on each species in an artificial mixed population. Hybrid seeds were produced at low frequency (4.5%), and no significant difference was found between the species. It is therefore likely that post‐pollination processes influence hybrid seed formation to counteract the expected difference in heterospecific pollen deposition. We checked fruit set, seed set and the rate of autonomous selfing in controlled crosses in the greenhouse in 2 years, and found that fruit set (2003) or seed set (2010) were lower in R. angustifolius × R. minor crosses relative to the reciprocal cross. Hybrid seeds produced on R. angustifolius also had a much lower germination rate, so most of the established F1 hybrid plants have the R. minor cytoplasm. The formation of advanced hybrids depends on pollinator preference, which is biased towards R. angustifolius if present in sufficient numbers, because it offers more rewards.
Xylem vulnerability to cavitation can be accurately characterised in species with long vessels using a centrifuge method
Authors: Tobin M. F. , Pratt R. B. , Jacobsen A. L. , De Guzman M. E. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractVulnerability to cavitation curves describe the decrease in xylem hydraulic conductivity as xylem pressure declines. Several techniques for constructing vulnerability curves use centrifugal force to induce negative xylem pressure in stem or root segments. Centrifuge vulnerability curves constructed for long‐vesselled species have been hypothesised to overestimate xylem vulnerability to cavitation due to increased vulnerability of vessels cut open at stem ends that extend to the middle or entirely through segments. We tested two key predictions of this hypothesis: (i) centrifugation induces greater embolism than dehydration in long‐vesselled species, and (ii) the proportion of open vessels changes centrifuge vulnerability curves. Centrifuge and dehydration vulnerability curves were compared for a long‐ and short‐vesselled species. The effect of open vessels was tested in four species by comparing centrifuge vulnerability curves for stems of two lengths. Centrifuge and dehydration vulnerability curves agreed well for the long‐ and short‐vesselled species. Centrifuge vulnerability curves constructed using two stem lengths were similar. Also, the distribution of embolism along the length of centrifuged stems matched the theoretical pressure profile induced by centrifugation. We conclude that vulnerability to cavitation can be accurately characterised with vulnerability curves constructed using a centrifuge technique, even in long‐vesselled species.
Competition between meiotic and apomictic pathways during ovule and seed development results in clonality
Authors: Hojsgaard Diego H. , Martínez Eric J. , Quarin Camilo L. 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Meiotic and apomictic reproductive pathways develop simultaneously in facultative aposporous species, and compete to form a seed as a final goal. This developmental competition was evaluated in tetraploid genotypes of Paspalum malacophyllum in order to understand the low level of sexuality in facultative apomictic populations.

Cyto‐embryology on ovules, flow cytometry on seeds and progeny tests by DNA fingerprinting were used to measure the relative incidence of each meiotic or apomictic pathway along four different stages of the plant's life cycle, namely the beginning and end of gametogenesis, seed formation and adult offspring.

A high variation in the frequencies of sexual and apomictic pathways occurred at the first two stages. A trend of radical decline in realized sexuality was then observed. Sexual and apomictic seeds were produced, but the efficiency of the sexual pathway dropped drastically, and exclusively clonal offspring remained.

Both reproductive pathways are unstable at the beginning of development, and only the apomictic one remains functional. Key factors reducing sexuality are the faster growth and parthenogenetic development in the aposporous pathway, and an (epi)genetically negative background related to the extensive gene de‐regulation pattern responsible for apomixis. The effects of inbreeding depression during post‐fertilization development may further decrease the frequency of effective sexuality.
Nuclear and chloroplast DNA phylogeography of Ficus hirta: obligate pollination mutualism and constraints on range expansion in response to climate change
Authors: Yu Hui , Nason John D. 
Published: November 2012

Summary

This study uses a phylogeographic approach to investigate how interspecific interactions in an obligate pollination mutualism enhance or constrain dispersal and the range distributions of species through time.

Fifteen populations of Ficus hirta, a bird‐dispersed fig pollinated by a species‐specific fig wasp, were sampled from Thailand to the northern limits of the tropical forest in China. These populations were assayed for six nuclear microsatellite loci and two intergenic chloroplast DNA sequences.

Analyses of range expansion and genetic clustering indicated a relatively slow rate of range expansion from two or more southern glacial refugia. Low nuclear differentiation, combined with high interpopulation differentiation, and phylogeographic structuring of chloroplast variation indicated that seed dispersal has had a greater constraint than obligate interactions with fig wasps on the rate of post‐glacial range expansion.

This study is the first to investigate the phylogeographic history of a widely distributed southeast Asian tropical plant whose distribution extends to the northern limits of tropical forest habitat in China. It is also the first study of Ficus utilizing molecular data to evaluate whether species‐specific pollination is a limitation or an aid to range expansion in response to climate change.
A nude mouse model of hypertrophic scar shows morphologic and histologic characteristics of human hypertrophic scar
Authors: Momtazi Moein , Kwan Peter , Ding Jie , Anderson Colin C. , Honardoust Dariush , Goekjian Serge , Tredget Edward E. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractHypertrophic scar (HSc) is a fibroproliferative disorder that occurs following deep dermal injury. Lack of a relevant animal model is one barrier toward better understanding its pathophysiology. Our objective is to demonstrate that grafting split‐thickness human skin onto nude mice results in survival of engrafted human skin and murine scars that are morphologically, histologically, and immunohistochemically consistent with human HSc. Twenty nude mice were xenografted with split‐thickness human skin. Animals were euthanized at 30, 60, 120, and 180 days postoperatively. Eighteen controls were autografted with full‐thickness nude mouse skin and euthanized at 30 and 60 days postoperatively. Scar biopsies were harvested at each time point. Blinded scar assessment was performed using a modified Manchester Scar Scale. Histologic analysis included hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, toluidine blue, and picrosirius red staining. Immunohistochemistry included anti‐human human leukocyte antigen‐ABC, α‐smooth muscle actin, decorin, and biglycan staining. Xenografted mice developed red, shiny, elevated scars similar to human HSc and supported by blinded scar assessment. Autograft controls appeared morphologically and histologically similar to normal skin. Xenografts survived up to 180 days and showed increased thickness, loss of hair follicles, adnexal structures and rete pegs, hypercellularity, whorled collagen fibers parallel to the surface, myofibroblasts, decreased decorin and increased biglycan expression, and increased mast cell density. Grafting split‐thickness human skin onto nude mice results in persistent scars that show morphologic, histologic, and immunohistochemical consistency with human HSc. Therefore, this model provides a promising technique to study HSc formation and to test novel treatment options.
Topical application of a film‐forming emulgel dressing that controls the release of stratifin and acetylsalicylic acid and improves/prevents hypertrophic scarring
Authors: Rahmani‐Neishaboor Elham , Jallili Reza , Hartwell Ryan , Leung Victor , Carr Nicholas , Ghahary Aziz 
Published: November 2012

AbstractHere, we evaluate the efficacy of an emulgel dressing to control the release of an antifibrogenic factor, stratifin (SFN), along with an anti‐inflammatory drug, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), to be used as a wound dressing with hypertrophic scar reducing features. Emulgel dressings were prepared by dispersing positively charged submicron vesicles in carboxymethyl cellulose gel. Release kinetics of SFN/ASA and toxicity for primary skin cells were assessed in vitro. Antifibrogenic efficacy of medicated emulgel dressings was tested on a rabbit ear fibrotic model. Following topical application on the wounds, emulgels formed an occlusive film and controlled the release of SFN and ASA for 7 and 24 hours, respectively. Wounds treated with SFN/ASA‐containing emulgel dressings showed an 80% reduction in scar elevation compared with untreated controls. Topical formulations were nontoxic for cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Inflammation was significantly controlled in treated wounds, as shown by a reduced number of infiltrated CD3+ T cells (p < 0.001) and macrophages. SFN/ASA‐treated wounds showed a significantly higher (p < 0.001) expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐1, resulting in reduced collagen deposition and less scarring. Film‐forming emulgel dressings that control the release of antifibrogenic and anti‐inflammatory factors provide an excellent treatment option for postburn hypertrophic scar management.
Novel differences in the expression of inflammation‐associated genes between mid‐ and late‐gestational dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Wulff Brian C. , Yu Lianbo , Parent Allison E. , Wilgus Traci A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWhile cutaneous wounds of late‐gestational fetuses and on through adulthood result in scar formation, wounds incurred early in gestation have been shown to heal scarlessly. Unique properties of fetal fibroblasts are believed to mediate this scarless healing process. In this study, microarray analysis was used to identify differences in the gene expression profiles of cultured fibroblasts from embryonic day 15 (E15; midgestation) and embryonic day 18 (E18; late‐gestation) skin. Sixty‐two genes were differentially expressed and 12 of those genes are associated with inflammation, a process that correlates with scar formation in fetal wounds. One of the differentially expressed inflammatory genes was cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1). COX‐1 was more highly expressed in E18 fibroblasts than in E15 fibroblasts, and these differences were confirmed at the gene and protein level. Differences in COX‐1 protein expression were also observed in fetal skin by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. The baseline differences in gene expression found in mid‐ and late‐gestational fetal fibroblasts suggest that developmental alterations in fibroblasts could be involved in the transition from scarless to fibrotic fetal wound healing. Furthermore, baseline differences in the expression of inflammatory genes by fibroblasts in E15 and E18 skin may contribute to inflammation and scar formation late in gestation.
Neurocognitive profiles in children with epilepsy
Authors: Kernan Claudia L. , Asarnow Robert , Siddarth Prabha , Gurbani Suresh , Lanphier Erin K. , Sankar Raman , Caplan Rochelle 
Published: November 2012

SummaryPurpose: The presence of specific neurocognitive deficits may help explain why school achievement and psychosocial functioning are often worse in children with epilepsy than would be predicted by their global intellectual functioning. This study compared children with two forms of epilepsy: localization‐related epilepsy with complex partial seizures (CPS) and childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), to determine whether they display distinct neurocognitive profiles.Methods: Fifty‐one children with CPS, 31 children with CAE, and 51 controls underwent neuropsychological testing assessing verbal memory, visual memory, and executive functioning. Groups were compared in these cognitive domains. Within‐group analyses were also conducted to examine seizure‐related factors that may be related to neuropsychological test performance.Key Findings: When compared to controls, children with CPS showed a mild generalized cognitive deficit, whereas children with CAE did not. When we controlled for intelligent quotient (IQ), both epilepsy groups showed poorer performance relative to controls in the domain of verbal memory. When the epilepsy groups were compared to one another, the CPS group performed significantly poorer than the CAE group on a test of generalized cognitive functioning. However, in the specific domains of executive functioning, verbal memory, and visual memory the epilepsy groups did not differ when compared to one another.Significance: Neurocognitive deficits present in the context of grossly intact global intellectual functioning highlight the importance of neuropsychological screening in both children with CPS and children with CAE.
High Blood Pressure and Resilience to Physical and Cognitive Decline in the Oldest Old: The Leiden 85‐Plus Study
Authors: Sabayan Behnam , Oleksik Anna M. , Maier Andrea B. , van Buchem Mark A. , Poortvliet Rosalinde K. E. , de Ruijter Wouter , Gussekloo Jacobijn , de Craen Anton J. M. , Westendorp Rudi G. J. 
Published: November 2012

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between various blood pressure (BP) measures at age 85 and future decline in physical and cognitive function the oldest old.DesignLongitudinal study.SettingThe population‐based Leiden 85‐plus Study.ParticipantsFive hundred seventy‐two 85‐year‐old community‐dwelling individuals.MeasurementsBP was measured at age 85 during home visits. Activities of daily living (ADLs) and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) were assessed at age 85 and annually thereafter up to age 90. On average, participants were followed for 3.2 years. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed using linear regression models using systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP) as the determinants. All analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic and cardiovascular factors.ResultsAt age 85, higher SBP and PP were associated with lower ADL disability scores (both P = .01). Similarly, higher SBP, DBP, and MAP were associated with higher MMSE scores (all P < .05). From age 85 onward, higher SBP (P < .001), MAP (P = .01), and PP (P = .003) at age 85 were associated with lower annual increases in ADL disability scores. Likewise, higher SBP (P = .03) and PP (P = .008) at age 85 were associated with lower annual declines in MMSE scores. Additional analyses showed that the association between high BP and lower annual decline in MMSE score was most pronounced in participants with high ADL disability.ConclusionIn the oldest old, higher SBP and PP are associated with resilience to physical and cognitive decline, especially in individuals with pre‐existing physical disability.