bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Curvilinear interspecific density–range size relationship in small mammals in Finland
Authors: Komonen Atte , Henttonen Heikki , Huitu Otso , Nissinen Kari 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimMacroecological patterns have mainly been depicted as atemporal, with existing research covering only short time periods. One fundamental pattern in macroecology is the interspecific relationship between local abundance and regional range size, which is generally considered to be positively linear. Here, we examine structural details of the relationship between abundance and range size in cyclic populations of small mammals and its long‐term temporal variation.LocationFinland.MethodsWe analysed 39 years of trapping data of Rodentia and Soricomorpha collected in field and forest habitats across Finland. Abundance was measured as the mean population density of individuals, and range size as the number of grid cells occupied and sample occupancy. Data were analysed using linear mixed models.ResultsThe relationship between mean local density and sample occupancy was generally linear, whereas the relationship between density and the number of grid cells occupied was generally curvilinear (U‐shaped) for both habitats, being negative for species with small range sizes and positive for species with larger ranges. The curvilinearity was temporally consistent in both habitats.Main conclusionsThe interspecific relationship between abundance and range size varies depending on how range size is measured. Interestingly, the curvilinear relationship between density and range size was found in an assemblage in which many of the species have fluctuating (cyclic) populations. Future research on abundance–range size relationships should focus on long‐term temporal variation to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to develop macroecological theory.
Clinical experiences of different dosing schedules of rituximab in pemphigus with various disease severities
Authors: Cho H.H. , Jin S.‐P. , Chung J. H. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundRituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against B lymphocytes, has been found to be a therapeutic agent for severe, refractory autoimmune bullous diseases. However, a dosing schedule or treatment indication of rituximab has not yet been established.ObjectivesWe investigated the efficacy of rituximab and different dosing schedules for different disease severities, retrospectively.MethodsA total of 23 patients with pemphigus who received rituximab were evaluated by a review of medical records. Group 1 patients (n = 10) with severe pemphigus were treated with three or four infusions of rituximab at a dose of 375 mg/m2 at 1‐week intervals. Group 2 (n = 13) patients with mild to moderate pemphigus were treated with two infusions of rituximab at the same dose. Late end points, occurrence of relapse and adverse events and numbers of B cells were evaluated.ResultsThe mean follow‐up period was 25.6 months in group 1 and 17.8 months in group 2. In group 1, six patients (60.0%) achieved complete remission (CR), including two patients off therapy (CR OFF) and four patients on therapy (CR ON). The other four patients (40.0%) achieved partial remission on therapy (PR ON). In group 2, nine patients (69.2%) achieved CR (4 CR OFF, 5 CR ON) and four patients (30.8%) achieved PR ON. During the follow‐up period, relapse occurred in five patients of group 1 and three patients of group 2. No serious adverse events were observed in any patients.ConclusionsWe concluded that rituximab is an effective and safe treatment method not only in severe, recalcitrant pemphigus but also in mild to moderate pemphigus. Low dose of rituximab seemed to be sufficient to treat mild to moderate pemphigus.
Quality Attributes in Shrimp Treated with Polyphosphate after Thawing and Cooking: A Study Using Physicochemical Analytical Methods and Low‐Field 1H NMR
Authors: Carneiro Carla Da Silva , Mársico Eliane Teixeira , Ribeiro Roberta De Oliveira Resende , Conte Júnior Carlos Adam , Álvares Thiago Silveira , De Jesus Edgar Francisco Oliveira 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe effects of polyphosphate on parameters of quality in shrimp (after thawing and cooking) were investigated using physicochemical analytical methods and low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF 1H NMR) spectroscopy. The NMR data were treated by bi‐exponential fitting and compared with the physicochemical data. The physicochemical parameters demonstrated that treatments with different concentrations of sodium tripolyphosphate and different time exposures influenced parameters such as cook loss, moisture, pH, color and texture. These differences were reflected in the transverse relaxation (T2) data. Bi‐exponential fitting of the T2 resulted in the observation of two water populations in all samples, T21 and T22, with relaxation times in the ranges of 24–47 and 63–120 ms, respectively. Pronounced changes in the T21 and T22 relaxation data were observed during the different treatments, with polyphosphate revealing changes in water properties. Good linear correlations were observed between the T2 parameters and physicochemical data.Practical ApplicationsShrimp processing contains various steps, such as freezing and cooking, which can lead to the denaturation or aggregation of proteins. In this context, the use of polyphosphates prior to the freezing of shrimp can improve yields, water‐holding capacity and the sensory attributes of the final product. The fish industry seeks to use polyphosphates in order to optimize production and obtain better quality products. Therefore, studies to identify the ideal phosphate concentration and contact time required for quality production in the frozen shrimp industry are important. Traditional analytical methods for physicochemical measurements are, however, time‐consuming, sample destructive and expensive. Low‐field 1H nuclear magnetic resonance is a rapid, noninvasive method to investigate water mobility within materials and foods. The method showed strong correlations with various physicochemical properties, which are important quality factors during shrimp processing. Moreover, the techniques are fast, reliable and nonsample destructive.
Lactation Reduces Glial Activation Induced by Excitotoxicity in the Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Cabrera V. , Ramos E. , González‐Arenas A. , Cerbón M. , Camacho‐Arroyo I. , Morales T. 
Published: January 2013

Motherhood induces a series of adaptations in the physiology of the female, including an increase of maternal brain plasticity and a reduction of cell damage in the hippocampus caused by kainic acid (KA) excitotoxicity. We analysed the role of lactation in glial activation in the hippocampal fields of virgin and lactating rats after i.c.v. application of 100 ng of KA. Immunohistochemical analysis for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionised calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba‐1), which are markers for astrocytes and microglial cell‐surface proteins, respectively, revealed differential cellular responses to KA in lactating and virgin rats. A significant astrocyte and microglial response in hippocampal areas of virgin rats was observed 24 h and 72 h after KA. By contrast, no increase in either GFAP‐ or Iba‐1‐positive cells was observed in response to KA in the hippocampus of lactating rats. Western blot analysis of GFAP showed an initial decrease at 24 h after KA treatment, with an increase at 72 h in the whole hippocampus of virgin but not of lactating rats. The number of GFAP‐positive cells was increased by lactation in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus but not in CA1 and CA3 areas. The present results indicate that lactating rats exhibit diminished responses of astrocyte and microglial cells in the hippocampus to damage induced by KA, supporting the notion that the maternal hippocampus is resistant to excitotoxic insults.
Efficacy of Additional Dutasteride on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Alpha‐1 Blocker‐Resistant Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: SENGIKU Atsushi , MIYAZAKI Yu , SAWAZAKI Harutake , TAKAHASHI Takeshi , OGURA Keiji 
Published: January 2013

Objective: We investigated the effects of dutasteride on urination and quality of life (QOL) in patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who showed poor improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with alpha‐1 blockers.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 108 patients with BPH who took dutasteride for more than 3 months from October 2009 to October 2011. The patients showed poor improvement in LUTS despite administration of alpha‐1 blockers for more than 3 months; all had an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of eight or greater. We investigated changes in prostate‐specific antigen and prostate volume and performed uroflowmetry and medical interviews to assess IPSS‐QOL score and BPH impact index (BII).Results: Mean prostate volume was 52.8 ± 22.2 mL, and the mean period of dutasteride administration was 284 ± 118 days. Prostate volume decreased 24.1% from baseline to 6 months after administration. Voiding symptoms and storage symptoms showed improvements with longer administration periods, but only nocturia showed no clear improvement. There was a 0.9‐point decrease in BII after 6 months. There was no statistically significant association between the rate of prostate volume reduction and improvement in voiding and storage symptoms.Conclusion: Additional administration of dutasteride to patients with alpha‐1 blocker‐resistant BPH led to improvements in all voiding and storage symptoms except nocturia, and showed no correlation between the prostate volume reduction rates and improvement in LUTS.
The bombardment history of the Moon as recorded by 40Ar‐39Ar chronology
Authors: Fernandes V. A. , Fritz J. , Weiss B. P. , Garrick‐Bethell I. , Shuster D. L. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractNew petrography and 40Ar‐39Ar ages have been obtained for 1–3 mm sized rock fragments from Apollo 16 Station 13 soil 63503 (North Ray crater ejecta) and chips from three rocks collected by Apollo 16 and Apollo 17 missions. Selection of these samples was aimed at the old 40Ar‐39Ar ages to understand the early history of the lunar magnetic field and impact flux. Fifteen samples were studied including crustal material, polymict feldspathic fragmental breccias, and impact melts. The impact ages obtained range between approximately 3.3 and 4.3 billion years (Ga). Polymict fragmental breccia 63503,1 exhibits the lowest signs of recrystallization observed and a probable old relic age of 4.547 ± 0.027. The plateau age of 4.293 ± 0.044 Ga obtained for impact melt rock 63503,13 represents the oldest known age for such a lithology. Possibly, this age represents the minimum age for the South Pole‐Aitken (SPA) Basin. In agreement with literature data, these results show that impact ages >3.9 Ga are found in lunar rocks, especially within soil 63503. Impact exhumation of deep‐seated warm crustal material onto the lunar surface is considered to explain the common 4.2 Ga ages obtained for weakly shocked samples from soil 63503 and Apollo 17. This would directly imply that one or more basin‐forming events occurred at that time. Some rock fragments showing none to limited petrologic features indicate thermal annealing. These rocks may have lost Ar while resident within the hot‐ejecta of a large basin. Concurrent with previous studies, these results lead us to advocate for a complex impact flux in the inner solar system during the initial approximately 1.3 Ga.
Marked host specificity and lack of phylogeographic population structure of Campylobacter jejuni in wild birds
Authors: Griekspoor Petra , Colles Frances M. , McCarthy Noel D. , Hansbro Philip M. , Ashhurst‐Smith Chris , Olsen Björn , Hasselquist Dennis , Maiden Martin C. J. , Waldenström Jonas 
Published: January 2013

AbstractZoonotic pathogens often infect several animal species, and gene flow among populations infecting different host species may affect the biological traits of the pathogen including host specificity, transmissibility and virulence. The bacterium Campylobacter jejuni is a widespread zoonotic multihost pathogen, which frequently causes gastroenteritis in humans. Poultry products are important transmission vehicles to humans, but the bacterium is common in other domestic and wild animals, particularly birds, which are a potential infection source. Population genetic studies of C. jejuni have mainly investigated isolates from humans and domestic animals, so to assess C. jejuni population structure more broadly and investigate host adaptation, 928 wild bird isolates from Europe and Australia were genotyped by multilocus sequencing and compared to the genotypes recovered from 1366 domestic animal and human isolates. Campylobacter jejuni populations from different wild bird species were distinct from each other and from those from domestic animals and humans, and the host species of wild bird was the major determinant of C. jejuni genotype, while geographic origin was of little importance. By comparison, C. jejuni differentiation was restricted between more phylogenetically diverse farm animals, indicating that domesticated animals may represent a novel niche for C. jejuni and thereby driving the evolution of those bacteria as they exploit this niche. Human disease is dominated by isolates from this novel domesticated animal niche.
Economic Growth, Technological Progress and Social Capital: The Inverted U Hypothesis
Authors: Antoci Angelo , Sabatini Fabio , Sodini Mauro 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe set up a theoretical framework to analyse the role of economic growth and technological progress in the erosion of social capital. Under certain conditions on parameters, the relationship between technological progress and social capital can take the shape of an inverted U curve. Furthermore, we show the circumstances that allow the economy to follow trajectories where the stock of social capital grows endogenously and unboundedly.
Differential induction of mitochondrial machinery by light intensity correlates with changes in respiratory metabolism and photorespiration in rice leaves
Authors: Huang Shaobai , Jacoby Richard P. , Shingaki‐Wells Rachel N. , Li Lei , Millar A. Harvey 
Published: January 2013

Summary

The light responsiveness of mitochondrial function was investigated through changes in mitochondrial composition and metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa) shoots.

The mitochondrial proteome and metabolite abundances under low light, (LL, 100 μmol m−2 s−1), and high light (HL, 700 μmol m−2 s−1) were measured along with information on shoot photosynthetic, respiratory and photorespiratory activity.

Specific steps in mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolism were decreased under HL, correlating with lower respiration rate under HL. The abundance of mitochondrial enzymes in branch chain metabolism was reduced under HL/LL, and correlated with a decrease in the abundance of a range of amino acids in the HL/LL. Mitochondrial nucleoside diphosphate kinase was increased under LL/HL treatments. Significant accumulation of glycine decarboxylase P, T subunits and serine hydroxymethyltransferase occurred in response to light. The abundance of the glycine decarboxylase (GDC) H subunit proteins was not changed by HL/LL treatments, and the abundance of GDC L subunit protein was halved under HL, indicating a change in the stoichiometry of GDC subunits, while photorespiration was fourfold higher in LL‐ than in HL‐treated plants.

Insights into these light‐dependent phenomena and their importance for understanding the initiation of photorespiration in rice and adaptation of mitochondria to function in photosynthetic cells are discussed.
Side‐effects of plant domestication: ecosystem impacts of changes in litter quality
Authors: García‐Palacios Pablo , Milla Rubén , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Martín‐Robles Nieves , Álvaro‐Sánchez Mónica , Wall Diana H. 
Published: January 2013

Summary

Domestication took plants from natural environments to agro‐ecosystems, where resources are generally plentiful and plant life is better buffered against environmental risks such as drought or pathogens. We hypothesized that predictions derived from the comparison of low vs high resource ecosystems (faster‐growing plants promoting faster nutrient cycling in the latter) extrapolate to the process of domestication.

We conducted the first comprehensive assessment of the consequences of domestication on litter quality and key biogeochemical processes by comparing 24 domesticated crops against their closest wild ancestors. Twelve litter chemistry traits, litter decomposability and indicators of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling were assessed in each domesticated vs wild ancestor pair. These assessments were done in microbial‐poor and microbial‐rich soils to exemplify intensively and extensively managed agricultural soils, respectively.

Plant domestication has increased litter quality, encouraging litter decomposability (36% and 44% increase in the microbial‐rich and microbial‐poor soils, respectively), higher soil availability and lower soil C : N ratios. These effects held true for the majority of the crops surveyed and for soils with different microbial communities.

Our results support ecological theory predictions derived from the comparison of low‐ and high‐resource ecosystems, suggesting a parallelism between ecosystem‐level impacts of natural and artificial selection.
Epigenetic modification contributes to the expression divergence of three TaEXPA1 homoeologs in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Hu Zhaorong , Han Zongfu , Song Na , Chai Lingling , Yao Yingyin , Peng Huiru , Ni Zhongfu , Sun Qixin 
Published: January 2013

Summary

Common wheat is a hexaploid species with most of the genes present as triplicate homoeologs. Expression divergences of homoeologs are frequently observed in wheat, as well as in other polyploid plants. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood.

Expansin genes play important roles in the regulation of cell size, as well as organ size. We found that all three TaEXPA1 homoeologs were silenced in seedling roots. In seedling leaves, TaEXPA1‐A and TaEXPA1‐D were expressed, but TaEXPA1‐B was silenced. Further analysis revealed that silencing of TaEXPA1‐B in leaves occurred after the formation of the hexaploid.

Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that the transcriptional silencing of three TaEXPA1 homoeologs in roots was correlated with an increased level of H3K9 dimethylation and decreased levels of H3K4 trimethylation and H3K9 acetylation. Reactivation of TaEXPA1‐A and TaEXPA1‐D expression in leaves was correlated with increased levels of H3K4 trimethylation and H3K9 acetylation, and decreased levels of H3K9 dimethylation in their promoters, respectively. Moreover, a higher level of cytosine methylation was detected in the promoter region of TaEXPA1‐B, which may contribute to its silencing in leaves.

We demonstrated that epigenetic modifications contribute to the expression divergence of three TaEXPA1 homoeologs during wheat development.
Elevated CO2 enrichment induces a differential biomass response in a mixed species temperate forest plantation
Authors: Smith Andrew R. , Lukac Martin , Hood Robin , Healey John R. , Miglietta Franco , Godbold Douglas L. 
Published: January 2013

Summary

In a free‐air carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment study (BangorFACE), Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula and Fagus sylvatica were planted in areas of one‐, two‐ and three‐species mixtures (n = 4). The trees were exposed to ambient or elevated CO2 (580 μmol mol−1) for 4 yr, and aboveground growth characteristics were measured.

In monoculture, the mean effect of CO2 enrichment on aboveground woody biomass was + 29, + 22 and + 16% for A. glutinosa, F. sylvatica and B. pendula, respectively. When the same species were grown in polyculture, the response to CO2 switched to + 10, + 7 and 0% for A. glutinosa, B. pendula and F. sylvatica, respectively.

In ambient atmosphere, our species grown in polyculture increased aboveground woody biomass from 12.9 ± 1.4 to 18.9 ± 1.0 kg m−2, whereas, in an elevated CO2 atmosphere, aboveground woody biomass increased from 15.2 ± 0.6 to 20.2 ± 0.6 kg m−2. The overyielding effect of polyculture was smaller (+ 7%) in elevated CO2 than in an ambient atmosphere (+ 18%).

Our results show that the aboveground response to elevated CO2 is affected significantly by intra‐ and interspecific competition, and that the elevated CO2 response may be reduced in forest communities comprising tree species with contrasting functional traits.
The association of IL‐6 and IL‐6R gene polymorphisms with chronic periodontitis in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhang H‐Y , Feng L , Wu H , Xie X‐D 
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveThe aim of our investigation is to reveal the association of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interleukin‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) gene polymorphisms with chronic periodontitis in Northwestern Chinese Han Population.Material and MethodsA case–control study of 199 cases of chronic periodontitis patients and 216 healthy controls was performed. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole venous blood, and four single nucleotide polymorphisms (IL‐6 −572 G/C and −1363 G/T, IL‐6R −183 G/A and +48892 A/C) were analysed using polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing methods.ResultsOur SNP analyses showed that the distribution of the IL‐6 −572 G/C and IL‐6R −183 G/A polymorphisms did not differ between patients and controls. The frequency of the IL‐6 −1363 G/T genotype GG was significantly increased chronic periodontitis cases (P = 0.023, odds ratio (OR) = 2.825 adjusted for gender and age.) The IL‐6R +48892 A/C polymorphisms genotype CC was found to be protective against chronic periodontitis (P = 0.004, OR = 0.318 adjusted for gender and age.). In addition, compared with the other haplotypes, haplotype A+48892A−183 was significantly associated with chronic periodontitis, with an odds ratio of 0.720 (P = 0.0235).ConclusionOur results suggest that the IL‐6 −1363 G/T and IL‐6R +48892 A/C polymorphisms may contribute to genetic susceptibility to chronic periodontitis in Northwestern Chinese Han population.