bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase signalling components and the Ste12 transcription factor in germination and pathogenicity of Botrytis cinerea
Authors: SCHAMBER ASTRID , LEROCH MICHAELA , DIWO JANINE , MENDGEN KURT , HAHN MATTHIAS 
Published: September 2009

SUMMARYIn all fungi studied so far, mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades serve as central signalling complexes that are involved in various aspects of growth, stress response and infection. In this work, putative components of the yeast Fus3/Kss1‐type MAP kinase cascade and the putative downstream transcription factor Ste12 were analysed in the grey mould fungus Botrytis cinerea. Deletion mutants of the MAP triple kinase Ste11, the MAP kinase kinase Ste7 and the MAP kinase adaptor protein Ste50 all resulted in phenotypes similar to that of the previously described BMP1 MAP kinase mutant, namely defects in germination, delayed vegetative growth, reduced size of conidia, lack of sclerotia formation and loss of pathogenicity. Mutants lacking Ste12 showed normal germination, but delayed infection as a result of low penetration efficiency. Two differently spliced ste12 transcripts were detected, and both were able to complement the ste12 mutant, except for a defect in sclerotium formation, which was only corrected by the full‐sized transcript. Overexpression of the smaller ste12 transcript resulted in delayed germination and strongly reduced infection. Bc‐Gas2, a homologue of Magnaporthe grisea Gas2 that is required for appressorial function, was found to be non‐essential for growth and infection, but its expression was under the control of both Bmp1 and Ste12. In summary, the role and regulatory connections of the Fus3/Kss1‐type MAP kinase cascade in B. cinerea revealed both common and unique properties compared with those of other plant pathogenic fungi, and provide evidence for a regulatory link between the BMP1 MAP kinase cascade and Ste12.
Stable isotope evidence for impala Aepyceros melampus diets at Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Authors: Copeland Sandi R. , Sponheimer Matt , Spinage Clive A. , Lee‐Thorp Julia A. , Codron Daryl , Reed Kaye E. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractStable isotope analysis of tooth enamel was used to investigate the relative proportions of grass and browse in seasonal and overall diets of impala Aepyceros melampus at Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Bulk enamel samples suggest that on average, impala ate c. 86% C4 grass year‐round, far more than in most previously studied impala populations across Africa. Intra‐tooth samples show that seasonal changes in the proportion of C4 grass versus C3 browse are minimal (c. 10%), the diet being dominated by C4 grass year‐round in contrast to other impala populations that consume ≥50% browse during the dry season. Intra‐tooth oxygen isotope values track carbon isotope changes to a moderate degree, but are not patterned clearly enough to permit identification of wet versus dry seasons. As other studies have shown that impala select high‐protein diets, the foraging behaviour at Akagera is probably because of the availability of palatable grass for much of the year in the edaphic grasslands around the lacustrine environments of the eastern portions of Akagera National Park.
Understanding the multiple meanings of ‘inbreeding’ and ‘effective size’ for genetic management of African rhinoceros populations
Authors: Braude Stanton , Templeton Alan R. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAlthough some African rhinoceros populations are currently increasing, others are critically endangered. Even healthy populations are extensively managed in the wild and in captivity. While political and demographic considerations are of primary concern, many decisions are made in the name of genetic management. Such decisions should be informed by a full understanding of the multiple meanings of inbreeding and effective population size. In this essay, we examine inbreeding and effective size of wild and captive populations of African rhinoceroses. We conclude by showing how misunderstanding of effective size and Franklin’s 50/500 rule can make a crucial difference in informing management decisions.
High temporal variation in the assemblage of Lepidopteran larvae on a constant resource
Authors: Skippari Sini , Veteli Timo Olavi , Kasenene John , Niemelä Pekka , Roininen Heikki 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe studied variation in the assemblage of lepidopteran larvae between individual trees, and temporal variation in the diversity and species composition of the assemblage in a medium‐altitude rainforest in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Monthly samples of lepidopteran larvae were collected from the leaves of Neoboutonia macrocalyx Pax. between January 1995 and December 1996. During this period, a total of 1961 specimens representing 76 lepidopteran morphospecies were found. The numbers of individuals within species varied enormously, ranging from one to 707 individuals. Assemblages of individual trees were highly similar and dominated by geometrid larvae. Temporal variation in herbivore abundance was high. The number of individuals peaked during the major rainy season in 1995 but not in 1996 and was not correlated significantly with rainfall within these 2 years. In contrast, a negative correlation was found between lepidopteran diversity and rainfall that seems to cause a semi‐annual trend in diversity with one or two peaks per year. Furthermore, there was seasonality in the similarity of the assemblage. Consequently, the same species were found in the assemblage during certain times of the year. Our study shows that short‐term biodiversity assessments can give a skewed picture of the diversity of tropical forests.
Enrichment planting does not improve tree restoration when compared with natural regeneration in a former pine plantation in Kibale National Park, Uganda
Authors: Omeja Patrick A. , Chapman Colin A. , Obua Joseph 
Published: September 2009

AbstractGiven the high rates of deforestation and subsequent land abandonment, there are increasing calls to reforest degraded lands; however, many areas are in a state of arrested succession. Plantations can break arrested succession and the sale of timber can pay for restoration efforts. However, if the harvest damages native regeneration, it may be necessary to intervene with enrichment planting. Unfortunately, it is not clear when intervention is necessary. Here, we document the rate of biomass accumulation of planted seedlings relative to natural regeneration in a harvested plantation in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We established two 2‐ha plots and in one, we planted 100 seedlings of each of four native species, and we monitored all tree regeneration in this area and the control plot. After 4 years, naturally regenerating trees were much taller, larger and more common than the planted seedlings. Species richness and two nonparametric estimators of richness were comparable between the plots. The cumulative biomass of planted seedlings accounted for 0.04% of the total above‐ground tree biomass. The use of plantations facilitated the growth of indigenous trees, and enrichment planting subsequent to harvesting was not necessary to obtain a rich tree community with a large number of new recruits.
Growth response of woody species to elephant foraging in Mwea National Reserve, Kenya
Authors: Chira Robert M. , Kinyamario J. I. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is known to greatly affect the structure and dynamics of vegetation. In Mwea National Reserve, elephants foraged mainly on Acacia ataxacantha and Grewia bicolor out of the five most preferred woody species. However, out of the five preferred woody species, only Grewia virosa and G. bicolor showed a positive association between their fresh use and past elephant use. All the five selected woody species showed high coppicing response after foraging, with the highest coppice growth rates recorded for Acacia brevispica and lowest for Grewia tembensis. The mean heights of woody species utilized by elephants were highest for A. brevispica and lowest for G. bicolor. The mean heights of coppices emerging after utilization by elephants were not significantly different for A. ataxacantha but were significantly shorter in the rest of the foraged species. Elephants avoided the coppices of many other woody species notably C. africana, A. tortilis, A. mellifera, Combretum aculeatum among others in the reserve. The objective of this study was to understand the capacity of woody species to recover after utilization by elephants and feeding response of elephants to new woody species re‐growth; a cycle that would define the dynamics of food resources and elephant population within the reserve.
Impact of land use on the ecology of uncultivated plant species in the Rwenzori mountain range, mid western Uganda
Authors: Muhumuza Moses , Byarugaba Dominic 
Published: September 2009

AbstractRwenzori mountain range is important for its high diversity of unique species and as a water catchment area and yet very fragile to human interference. The study documented the impact of land use on ecology of uncultivated plant species in the Rwenzori mountain range using Bugoye sub‐county as a reference site. The ecological aspects of the plants studied included distribution, abundance and diversity of the plant species in and around the various land uses as well as in degraded, disturbed and undisturbed areas. Land uses identified were; agriculture, built up area and land with other activities (conservation and abandoned fields). The study revealed that agriculture was the main land use category taking up 69.7% of land use area. Plants distributed in and around the land uses were mainly trees with species diversity of 34.5%. Generally, there was no relationship in the distribution of plant species in degraded, undisturbed and disturbed areas (a = 0.01). In disturbed areas, there was vegetation cover especially of plant species that occur as secondary re‐growth, and in degraded areas, the ground was sparsely covered by primary succession species while in the undisturbed areas, plant species growing in a ‘natural. habitat dominated and most of them were climax species.
The distribution of temperature, oxygen and nutrients in Lake Bukoni, Uganda
Authors: Nyakoojo Clement , Byarujali Stephen M. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTemperature, oxygen and nutrients were determined in the permanently stratified Lake Bukoni from July 2004 to December 2005. Meromixis has resulted from the nature of the surrounding hilly topography and the almost vertical crater walls that exclude the effects of light winds. These circumstances and the tropical temperature regime ensure permanent stratification in the offshore part of the lake. From about 20 m to the bottom, the water was out of circulation and devoid of oxygen. Water samples from such depths had a strong smell of hydrogen sulphide gas. The inshore site, with greater turbulence and littoral area, had a uniformly oxygenated water column compared with the offshore site. According to information from members of the community around the lake, ‘fish kills’ have taken place but on irregular occasions. The nutrients (N, P and Si) were well distributed in the inshore site. In the offshore site, the concentrations were generally lower in the uppermost 20 m but more than double near the mud surface. Soluble reactive phosphorous was the least abundant nutrient while soluble reactive silicon was the most abundant nutrient. The high Si : P ratios have led to the dominance of species like Synedra ulna Ehr.
Potentially inappropriate prescribing in an Irish elderly population in primary care
Authors: Ryan Cristín , O'Mahony Denis , Kennedy Julia , Weedle Peter , Byrne Stephen 
Published: September 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Potentially inappropriate prescribing in older people is a well‐documented problem and has been associated with adverse drug reactions and hospitalization.• Beers' criteria, Screening Tool of Older Persons' potentially inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START) are screening tools that have been formulated to help physicians and pharmacists identify potentially inappropriate prescribing and potential prescribing omissions.• The prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing and prescribing omissions in the elderly population presenting to hospital with acute illness is high according to STOPP and START criteria. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Potential errors of prescribing and of omission of medicines are prevalent among medically stable older people in primary care.• Screening tools should be incorporated into the everyday practice of primary care doctors and community pharmacists as a means of preventing potential errors of prescribing commission and prescribing omission in older people.AIMS Screening tools have been formulated to identify potentially inappropriate prescribing (IP) in older people. Beers' criteria are the most widely used but have disadvantages when used in Europe. New IP screening tools called Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START) have been developed to identify potential IP and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). The aim was to measure the prevalence rates of potential IP and PPOs in primary care using Beers' criteria, STOPP and START.METHODS Case records of 1329 patients ≥65 years old from three general practices in one region of southern Ireland were studied. The mean age ± SD of the patients was 74.9 ± 6.4 years, 60.9% were female. Patients' current diagnoses and prescription medicines were reviewed and the Beers' criteria, STOPP and START tools applied.RESULTS The total number of medicines prescribed was 6684; median number of medicines per patient was five (range 1–19). Overall, Beers' criteria identified 286 potentially inappropriate prescriptions in 18.3% (243) of patients, whilst the corresponding IP rate identified by STOPP was 21.4% (284), in respect of 346 potentially inappropriate prescriptions. A total of 333 PPOs were identified in 22.7% (302) of patients using the START tool.CONCLUSION Potentially inappropriate drug prescribing and errors of drug omission are highly prevalent among older people living in the community. Prevention strategies should involve primary care doctors and community pharmacists.
Pharmacokinetic and clinical profile of a novel formulation of bosentan in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension: the FUTURE‐1 study
Authors: Beghetti Maurice , Haworth Sheila G. , Bonnet Damien , Barst Robyn J. , Acar Philippe , Fraisse Alain , Ivy Dunbar D. , Jais Xavier , Schulze‐Neick Ingram , Galiè Nazzareno , Morganti Adele , Dingemanse Jasper , Kusic‐Pajic Andjela , Berger Rolf M. F. 
Published: September 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Exposure to bosentan was lower in paediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients treated with the marketed adult formulation at a dose of about 2 mg kg−1 when compared with adult PAH patients.• In healthy adult subjects, bosentan pharmacokinetics are less than dose‐proportional at doses of ≥500 mg. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • The pharmacokinetics of a new paediatric bosentan formulation were characterized in paediatric PAH patients.• The level of exposure to bosentan as observed in adult PAH patients cannot be reached in paediatric patients with b.i.d. dosing.• In paediatric PAH patients, nondose‐proportional pharmacokinetics of bosentan occur at lower doses when compared with healthy adult subjects.AIM To show equivalent bosentan exposure in paediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) when compared with a cohort of historical controls of adult PAH patients using a newly developed paediatric formulation.METHODS Thirty‐six paediatric PAH patients were enrolled in this multicentre, prospective, open‐label, noncontrolled study and treated for 4 weeks with bosentan 2 mg kg−1 b.i.d. and then for 8 weeks with 4 mg kg−1 b.i.d. Blood samples were taken for pharmacokinetic purposes. Exploratory efficacy measurements included World Health Organization (WHO) functional class and parent's and clinician's Global Clinical Impression scales.RESULTS Comparing children with a historical group of adults, the geometric mean ratio (90% confidence interval) of the area under the plasma concentration–time curve was 0.54 (0.37, 0.78), i.e. children had lower exposure to bosentan than adults. Bosentan concentrations following doses of 2 and 4 mg kg−1 were similar. Improvements in WHO functional class and the Global Clinical Impression scales occurred mainly in bosentan‐naive patients, whereas the rare worsenings occurred in patients already on bosentan prior to study initiation. The paediatric formulation was well accepted and bosentan well tolerated in this study. No cases of elevated liver enzymes or anaemia were reported.CONCLUSIONS Exposure to bosentan, as shown comparing the results from this study with those from a study in adults, was different in paediatric and adult PAH patients. Since FUTURE‐1 and past studies suggest a favourable benefit–risk profile for bosentan at 2 mg kg−1 b.i.d., this dose is recommended for children with PAH. The new paediatric formulation was well tolerated.
Effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of the GLP‐1 analogue liraglutide
Authors: Jacobsen Lisbeth V. , Hindsberger Charlotte , Robson Richard , Zdravkovic Milan 
Published: September 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Patients with Type 2 diabetes are likely to have or to develop renal impairment, which affects the pharmacokinetics of some antidiabetic treatments.• Whether dosing of the once‐daily human glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue liraglutide should be modified in patients with renal impairment has not previously been studied. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Renal dysfunction was not found to increase the exposure of liraglutide.• Hence, no dose adjustment is expected to be required in patients with Type 2 diabetes and renal impairment treated with liraglutide.AIMS To investigate whether dose adjustment of the once‐daily human glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue liraglutide is required in patients with varying stages of renal impairment.METHODS A cohort of 30 subjects, of whom 24 had varying degrees of renal impairment and six had normal renal function, were given a single dose of liraglutide, 0.75 mg subcutaneously, and completed serial blood sampling for plasma liraglutide measurements for pharmacokinetic estimation.RESULTS No clear trend for change in pharmacokinetics was evident across groups with increasing renal dysfunction. While the between‐group comparisons of the area under the liraglutide concentration–curve (AUC) did not demonstrate equivalence [estimated ratio AUCsevere/AUChealthy 0.73, 90% confidence interval (CI) 0.57, 0.94; and AUC (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis)CAPD/AUChealthy 0.74, 90% CI 0.56, 0.97], the regression analysis of log(AUC) for subjects with normal renal function and mild‐to‐severe renal impairment showed no significant effect of decreasing creatinine clearance on the pharmacokinetics of liraglutide. The expected AUC ratio between the two subjects with the lowest and highest creatinine clearance in the study was estimated to be 0.88 (95% CI 0.58, 1.34) (NS). Degree of renal impairment did not appear to be associated with an increased risk of adverse events.CONCLUSIONS This study indicated no safety concerns regarding use of liraglutide in patients with renal impairment. Renal dysfunction was not found to increase exposure of liraglutide, and patients with Type 2 diabetes and renal impairment should use standard treatment regimens of liraglutide. There is, however, currently limited experience with liraglutide in patients beyond mild‐stage renal disease.
Genetic and environmental controls of microbial communities on leaf litter in streams
Authors: MARKS JANE C. , HADEN G. A. , HARROP BRENDA L. , REESE ELIZABETH G. , KEAMS JEANNA L. , WATWOOD MARY E. , WHITHAM THOMAS G. 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. Despite the importance of microorganisms for leaf litter decomposition in streams, little is known about which factors affect community composition of bacterial and fungal communities. Standard morphological techniques probably underestimate microbial diversity.2. We used terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the ITS regions for fungi, and the 16S region for bacteria, to compare fungal and bacterial communities on four cross types of cottonwood leaves (Populus fremontii, P. angustifolia, and their naturally occurring F1 and backcross hybrids). Decomposing leaves were studied in two Arizona rivers that differ in water chemistry and macroinvertebrates.3. Hybridising cottonwoods are an ideal model system to test how genetic differences in leaf litter chemistry affect microbial communities because cross types have different decomposition rates and leaf litter chemistry. Leaves were incubated in litter bags for 2 weeks and brought to the laboratory for genetic analysis. Communities were analysed using non‐metric multi dimensional scaling (NMDS) and diversity indices.4. Fungal and bacterial communities differed between the two rivers, even when growing on identical substrates. There were also significant differences in microbial communities among the four cross types, indicating that genetically based differences in leaf litter translate to differences in microbial communities.5. Diversity increased along the hybridising complex from P. fremontii to P. angustifolia, with hybrids showing intermediate values. Fungal and bacterial diversity were significantly higher on cross types with higher tannin concentrations and slower decomposition rates.6. Environmental conditions most strongly structured microbial communities, but within an environment, genetic‐based differences in leaf litter quality yielded differences in diversity and community structure.7. Molecular tools are making it possible to understand patterns of microbial diversity in river ecosystems, paving the way for a better understanding of how differences in microbial species affect ecosystem processes and higher trophic levels.