bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Restless leg syndrome is a treatable cause of sleep disturbance and fatigue in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Anderson Kirstie , Jones David E. J. , Wilton Katharine , Newton Julia L. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundPrimary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients frequently describe sleep problems. The cause remains unclear and treatment is challenging. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder. In this study, we systematically screened PBC patients for the presence of RLS.MethodsParticipants were recruited from our specialist PBC clinical service. Subjects completed the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group rating scale (IRLSS) a validated measure of the presence of RLS and its severity. Those fulfilling diagnostic criteria for RLS underwent foot actigraphy (CamNtech Actiwatch) to objectively assess periodic limb movement index (PLMI) (normal <5/h).ResultsRestless leg syndrome was assessed in 42 consecutive early stage PBC patients. Twelve (29%) fulfilled the IRLSS criteria for RLS. Scores were significantly higher in PBC compared to controls (P = 0.005). Twenty‐four patients were further assessed with foot actigraphy for 3 nights (12 with subjective RLS symptoms and 12 with no RLS symptoms). Thirteen of twenty‐four subjects had PLMI >5/h and four had moderate or severe PLMI >15/h. All moderate or severe PLMI subjects had subjective symptoms of moderate or severe RLS. No patients had PLMI >10 in the absence of RLS symptoms. Eleven PBC patients with symptomatic RLS went on to have treatment. Sixty‐three per cent had clear benefit in restless leg symptoms and associated symptoms of fatigue.ConclusionRestless leg syndrome symptoms are common and underdiagnosed in PBC patients. RLS represents a potential therapy for PBC patients with daytime sleepiness, fatigue and unpleasant lower limb symptoms and this is worthy of further studies in larger cohorts.
Linking predator–prey interactions with exposure to a trophically transmitted parasite usingPCR‐based analyses
Authors: Luong Lien T. , Chapman Eric G. , Harwood James D , Hudson Peter J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractParasite transmission is determined by the rate of contact between a susceptible host and an infective stage and susceptibility to infection given an exposure event. Attempts to measure levels of variation in exposure in natural populations can be especially challenging. The level of exposure to a major class of parasites, trophically transmitted parasites, can be estimated by investigating the host's feeding behaviour. Since the parasites rely on the ingestion of infective intermediate hosts for transmission, the potential for exposure to infection is inherently linked to the definitive host's feeding ecology. Here, we combined epidemiological data and molecular analyses (polymerase chain reaction) of the diet of the definitive host, the white‐footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), to investigate temporal and individual heterogeneities in exposure to infection. Our results show that the consumption of cricket intermediate hosts accounted for much of the variation in infection; mice that had consumed crickets were four times more likely to become infected than animals that tested negative for cricketDNA. In particular, pregnant female hosts were three times more likely to consume crickets, which corresponded to a threefold increase in infection compared with nonpregnant females. Interestingly, males in breeding condition had a higher rate of infection even though breeding males were just as likely to test positive for cricket consumption as nonbreeding males. These results suggest that while heterogeneity in host diet served as a strong predictor of exposure risk, differential susceptibility to infection may also play a key role, particularly among male hosts. By combiningPCRanalyses with epidemiological data, we revealed temporal variation in exposure through prey consumption and identified potentially important individual heterogeneities in parasite transmission.
Global lack of flyway structure in a cosmopolitan bird revealed by a genome wide survey of single nucleotide polymorphisms
Authors: Kraus Robert H. S. , van Hooft Pim , Megens Hendrik‐Jan , Tsvey Arseny , Fokin Sergei Y. , Ydenberg Ronald C. , Prins Herbert H. T. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractKnowledge about population structure and connectivity of waterfowl species, especially mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), is a priority because of recent outbreaks of avian influenza. Ringing studies that trace large‐scale movement patterns have to date been unable to detect clearly delineated mallard populations. We employed 363 single nucleotide polymorphism markers in combination with population genetics and phylogeographical approaches to conduct a population genomic test of panmixia in 801 mallards from 45 locations worldwide. Basic population genetic and phylogenetic methods suggest no or very little population structure on continental scales. Nor could individual‐based structuring algorithms discern geographical structuring. Model‐based coalescent analyses for testing models of population structure pointed to strong genetic connectivity among the world's mallard population. These diverse approaches all support the conclusion that there is a lack of clear population structure, suggesting that the world's mallards, perhaps with minor exceptions, form a single large, mainly interbreeding population.
Resprouting as a key functional trait: how buds, protection and resources drive persistence after fire
Authors: Clarke P. J. , Lawes M. J. , Midgley J. J. , Lamont B. B. , Ojeda F. , Burrows G. E. , Enright N. J. , Knox K. J. E. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryResprouting as a response to disturbance is now widely recognized as a key functional trait among woody plants and as the basis for the persistence niche. However, the underlying mechanisms that define resprouting responses to disturbance are poorly conceptualized. Resprouting ability is constrained by the interaction of the disturbance regime that depletes the buds and resources needed to fund resprouting, and the environment that drives growth and resource allocation. We develop a buds‐protection‐resources (BPR) framework for understanding resprouting in fire‐prone ecosystems, based on bud bank location, bud protection, and how buds are resourced. Using this framework we go beyond earlier emphases on basal resprouting and highlight the importance of apical, epicormic and below‐ground resprouting to the persistence niche. The BPR framework provides insights into: resprouting typologies that include both fire resisters (i.e. survive fire but do not resprout) and fire resprouters; the methods by which buds escape fire effects, such as thick bark; and the predictability of community assembly of resprouting types in relation to site productivity, disturbance regime and competition. Furthermore, predicting the consequences of global change is enhanced by the BPR framework because it potentially forecasts the retention or loss of above‐ground biomass.

Contents

Summary
19

I.
Introduction
20

II.
Resprouters rather than ‘sprouters’
21

III.
How do plants resprout?
21

IV.
Life‐history consequences of resprouting
27

V.
Environmental constraints on resprouting
28

VI.
Resprouting, community patterns and assembly
29

VII.
Global change, carbon storage and resprouting
30

VIII.
Conclusions
31

Acknowledgements
31

References
32
Catch crop biomass production, nitrogen uptake and root development under different tillage systems
Authors: Munkholm L. J. , Hansen E. M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCatch crops are generally regarded as an efficient tool to reduce nitrate leaching. However, the benefits need to be balanced against potential adverse effects on the main crop yields. The objectives of the study were to study three contrasting catch crops, that is, dyer's woad (DW) (Isatis tinctoria L.), perennial ryegrass (RG) (Lolium perenne L.) and fodder radish (FR) (Raphanus sativus L.) under three tillage systems. For that, we used a tillage experiment established in 2002 on a Danish sandy loam. The tillage treatments were direct drilling (D), harrowing to 8–10 cm (H) and ploughing (P). Above‐ground biomass production and N uptake were measured in the catch crops and the main crop. Catch crop root growth was studied using both minirhizotron and core methods. Soil penetration resistance was recorded to 60 cm depth. Fodder radish and RG produced up to 1800 kg/ha dry matter and DW 900 kg/ha. The nitrogen uptake in November was 55, 37 and 31 kg N/ha for FR, RG and DW, respectively, when averaged across the 2 yr of study. The yield of the spring barley main crop was in general highest where FR was grown as a catch crop. Ploughing tended to result in highest yields although differences were only significant in 2008. The minirhizotron root measurements showed that the crucifers FR and DW achieved better subsoil rooting than RG. In contrast, the soil core data showed no significant difference between FR and RG in subsoil root growth. Our study highlights the need for further studies on subsoil root growth of different catch crops.
Endogenous silencing of Puccinia triticina pathogenicity genes through in planta‐expressed sequences leads to the suppression of rust diseases on wheat
Authors: Panwar Vinay , McCallum Brent , Bakkeren Guus 
Published: October 2012

SummaryRust fungi are destructive plant pathogens. The draft genomes of several wheat‐infecting species have been released and potential pathogenicity genes identified through comparative analyses to fungal pathogens that are amenable to genetic manipulation. Functional gene analysis tools are needed to understand the infection process of these obligate parasites and to confirm whether predicted pathogenicity genes could become targets for disease control. We have modified an Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated in planta‐induced transient gene silencing (PITGS) assay for use in Triticum spp. (wheat), and used this assay to target predicted wheat leaf rust fungus, Puccinia triticina (Pt) pathogenicity genes, a MAP kinase (PtMAPK1), a cyclophilin (PtCYC1) and calcineurin B (PtCNB), to analyze their roles in disease. Agroinfiltration effectively delivered hairpin silencing constructs in wheat, leading to the generation of fungal gene‐specific siRNA molecules in infiltrated leaves, and resulting in up to 70% reduction in transcription of the endogenous target genes in superinfected Pt. In vivo silencing caused severe disease suppression, compromising fungal growth and sporulation, as viewed by confocal microscopy and measured by reductions in fungal biomass and emergence of uredinia. Interestingly, using the same gene constructs, suppression of infection by Puccinia graminis and Puccinia striiformis was also achieved. Our results show that A. tumefaciens‐mediated PITGS can be used as a reverse‐genetics tool to discover gene function in rust fungi. This proof‐of‐concept study indicates that the targeted fungal transcripts might be important in pathogenesis, and could potentially be used as promising targets for developing RNA interference‐based resistance against rust fungi.
Glaucoma associated with uveal cysts and goniodysgenesis in American Bulldogs: a case series
Authors: Pumphrey Stephanie A. , Pizzirani Stefano , Pirie Christopher G. , Needle David B. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe present a series of three American Bulldogs with clinical signs of glaucoma and intraocular inflammation accompanied by bilateral uveal cysts and abnormal gonioscopic findings. All dogs proved refractory to medical management and were enucleated. Histopathologic findings were similar in all three and included significant preiridal fibrovascular membranes and mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates in the anterior uvea. On microscopic evaluation, cysts appeared to arise primarily from the ciliary body and iridociliary sulcus, with smaller cysts also budding from the posterior iris. Pigment dispersion was variable but consistent, involving deposition of a small number of pigment‐laden cells in the dependent trabecular meshwork. Cataract formation was not noted. Glaucoma associated with uveal cysts has been described previously in Golden Retrievers and Great Danes, although clinical and histopathologic findings in those breeds are not identical to those described here. American Bulldogs with uveal cysts should have gonioscopy performed and should be monitored carefully for signs of increased intraocular pressure and intraocular inflammation. Furthermore, documentation of cyst‐associated glaucoma in a third breed suggests clinicians should exercise caution in dismissing uveal cysts in dogs as incidental findings.
Transsynaptic inhibition of spinal transmission by A2 botulinum toxin
Authors: Akaike Norio , Shin Min‐Chul , Wakita Masahito , Torii Yasushi , Harakawa Tetsuhiro , Ginnaga Akihiro , Kato Keiko , Kaji Ryuji , Kozaki Shunji 
Published: October 2012

Key points
Botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) blocks synaptic transmission via the cleavage of SNAP‐25. Axonal transport of BoNT/A (A1 type botulinum toxin (A1LL) and A2 type botulinum toxin (A2NTX)) from periphery to the CNS has been described in trigeminal nerve and foreleg muscles.
A1LL and A2NTX were injected into the ipsilateral soleus, and their effects on ipsilateral and contralateral contractions were compared as a measure of local and systemic/transport‐mediated effects. Spinal transmission was also measured to determine axonal and transsynaptic transport of neurotoxin.
A2NTX induced faster and stronger muscle relaxation than A1LL. A1LL arrived at the contralateral muscle by almost equal transport via neural pathways and by the circulation.
A2NTX was mainly transported to contralateral muscles via the blood.
A1LL and A2NTX were carried from peripheral to CNS and vice versa by dual antero‐ and retrograde axonal transport through either motor or sensory neurons.
Our results may point to greater potential safety in A2NTX form.
Abstract  Type A botulinum toxin blocks not only ACh release from motor nerve terminals but also central synaptic transmission, including glutamate, noradrenaline, dopamine, ATP, GABA and glycine. Neurotoxins (NTXs) are transported by both antero‐ and retrogradely along either motor or sensory axons for bidirectional delivery between peripheral tissues or the CNS. A newly developed type A2 NTX (A2NTX) injected into one rat foreleg muscle was transported to the contralateral muscle. This finding was consistent with the NTX traveling retrogradely via spinal neurons and then transsynaptically through motor neurons to the contralateral motor neurons within the spinal cord and on to the soleus muscle. In the present study we found that toxin injection into the rat left soleus muscle clearly induced bilateral muscle relaxation in a dose‐dependent fashion, although the contralateral muscle relaxation followed the complete inhibition of toxin‐injected ipsilateral muscles. The toxin‐injected ipsilateral muscle relaxation was faster and stronger in A2NTX‐treated rats than A1LL (BOTOX). A1LL was transported almost equally to the contralateral muscle via neural pathways and the bloodstream. In contrast, A2NTX was mainly transported to contralateral muscles via the blood. A1LL was more successfully transported to contralateral spinal neurons than A2NTX. We also demonstrated that A1LL and A2NTX were carried from peripheral to CNS and vice versa by dual antero‐ and retrograde axonal transport through either motor or sensory neurons.
α2‐containing GABAA receptors expressed in hippocampal region CA3 control fast network oscillations
Authors: Heistek Tim S. , Ruiperez‐Alonso Marta , Timmerman A. Jaap , Brussaard Arjen B. , Mansvelder Huibert D. 
Published: October 2012

Key points
Hippocampal oscillations are thought to be important for memory encoding and retrieval and depend on inhibition via GABA synapses.
GABAA receptor subunits are differentially expressed throughout the hippocampal circuitry. Here we address which subunit controls cholinergically induced fast network oscillations and where it is expressed.
By selectively increasing and decreasing the function of α1 and α2 subunits, we find that hippocampal oscillations are controlled by α2 subunits expressed in CA3.
Synapses from fast spiking interneurons to pyramidal cells in CA3 that provide the perisomatic inhibition necessary for fast network oscillations contain GABAA receptors with the α2 subunit.
Our data suggest that α2‐containing GABA receptors in CA3 have an important role in rhythmic hippocampal activity and thereby possibly in cognitive processing.
Abstract  GABAA receptors are critically involved in hippocampal oscillations. GABAA receptor α1 and α2 subunits are differentially expressed throughout the hippocampal circuitry and thereby may have distinct contributions to oscillations. It is unknown which GABAA receptor α subunit controls hippocampal oscillations and where these receptors are expressed. To address these questions we used transgenic mice expressing GABAA receptor α1 and/or α2 subunits with point mutations (H101R) that render these receptors insensitive to allosteric modulation at the benzodiazepine binding site, and tested how increased or decreased function of α subunits affects hippocampal oscillations. Positive allosteric modulation by zolpidem prolonged decay kinetics of hippocampal GABAergic synaptic transmission and reduced the frequency of cholinergically induced oscillations. Allosteric modulation of GABAergic receptors in CA3 altered oscillation frequency in CA1, while modulation of GABA receptors in CA1 did not affect oscillations. In mice having a point mutation (H101R) at the GABAA receptor α2 subunit, zolpidem effects on cholinergically induced oscillations were strongly reduced compared to wild‐type animals, while zolpidem modulation was still present in mice with the H101R mutation at the α1 subunit. Furthermore, genetic knockout of α2 subunits strongly reduced oscillations, whereas knockout of α1 subunits had no effect. Allosteric modulation of GABAergic receptors was strongly reduced in unitary connections between fast spiking interneurons and pyramidal neurons in CA3 of α2H101R mice, but not of α1H101R mice, suggesting that fast spiking interneuron to pyramidal neuron synapses in CA3 contain α2 subunits. These findings suggest that α2‐containing GABAA receptors expressed in the CA3 region provide the inhibition that controls hippocampal rhythm during cholinergically induced oscillations.
Heterogeneous properties of central lateral and parafascicular thalamic synapses in the striatum
Authors: Ellender T. J. , Harwood J. , Kosillo P. , Capogna M. , Bolam J. P. 
Published: October 2012

Key points
The excitatory afferents to the striatum from the cortex and thalamus are critical in the expression of basal ganglia function.
Thalamostriatal afferents are markedly heterogeneous and arise in different subnuclei of the intralaminar thalamus.
We used an optogenetic approach, to isolate and selectively activate thalamostriatal afferents arising in the central lateral or parafascicular thalamic nuclei, and to study the properties of their synapses with principal striatal neurons, the medium‐spiny neurons.
Thalamostriatal synapses differ in many aspects and our data suggest that inputs from the central lateral nucleus are efficient drivers of medium‐spiny neuron action potential firing, whereas inputs from the parafascicular nucleus are likely to be modulatory.
These results suggest distinct roles for thalamostriatal inputs from different subnuclei of the thalamus and will help us understand how the striatal circuit operates in health and disease.
Abstract  To understand the principles of operation of the striatum it is critical to elucidate the properties of the main excitatory inputs from cortex and thalamus, as well as their ability to activate the main neurons of the striatum, the medium spiny neurons (MSNs). As the thalamostriatal projection is heterogeneous, we set out to isolate and study the thalamic afferent inputs to MSNs using small localized injections of adeno‐associated virus carrying fusion genes for channelrhodopsin‐2 and YFP, in either the rostral or caudal regions of the intralaminar thalamic nuclei (i.e. the central lateral or parafascicular nucleus). This enabled optical activation of specific thalamic afferents combined with whole‐cell, patch‐clamp recordings of MSNs and electrical stimulation of cortical afferents, in adult mice. We found that thalamostriatal synapses differ significantly in their peak amplitude responses, short‐term dynamics and expression of ionotropic glutamate receptor subtypes. Our results suggest that central lateral synapses are most efficient in driving MSNs to depolarization, particularly those of the direct pathway, as they exhibit large amplitude responses, short‐term facilitation and predominantly express postsynaptic AMPA receptors. In contrast, parafascicular synapses exhibit small amplitude responses, short‐term depression and predominantly express postsynaptic NMDA receptors, suggesting a modulatory role, e.g. facilitating Ca2+‐dependent processes. Indeed, pairing parafascicular, but not central lateral, presynaptic stimulation with action potentials in MSNs, leads to NMDA receptor‐ and Ca2+‐dependent long‐term depression at these synapses. We conclude that the main excitatory thalamostriatal afferents differ in many of their characteristics and suggest that they each contribute differentially to striatal information processing.
Systematic review and meta-analyses of risk factors for childhood overweight identifiable during infancy
Authors: Weng Stephen Franklin , Redsell Sarah A , Swift Judy A , Yang Min , Glazebrook Cristine P 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveTo determine risk factors for childhood overweight that can be identified during the first year of life to facilitate early identification and targeted intervention.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Search strategyElectronic database search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and CAB Abstracts.Eligibility criteriaProspective observational studies following up children from birth for at least 2 years.ResultsThirty prospective studies were identified. Significant and strong independent associations with childhood overweight were identified for maternal pre-pregnancy overweight, high infant birth weight and rapid weight gain during the first year of life. Meta-analysis comparing breastfed with non-breastfed infants found a 15% decrease (95% CI 0.74 to 0.99; I2=73.3%; n=10) in the odds of childhood overweight. For children of mothers smoking during pregnancy there was a 47% increase (95% CI 1.26 to 1.73; I2=47.5%; n=7) in the odds of childhood overweight. There was some evidence associating early introduction of solid foods and childhood overweight. There was conflicting evidence for duration of breastfeeding, socioeconomic status at birth, parity and maternal marital status at birth. No association with childhood overweight was found for maternal age or education at birth, maternal depression or infant ethnicity. There was inconclusive evidence for delivery type, gestational weight gain, maternal postpartum weight loss and ‘fussy’ infant temperament due to the limited number of studies.ConclusionsSeveral risk factors for both overweight and obesity in childhood are identifiable during infancy. Future research needs to focus on whether it is clinically feasible for healthcare professionals to identify infants at greatest risk.