bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fine mapping a quantitative trait locus on horse chromosome 2 associated with radiological signs of navicular disease in Hanoverian warmblood horses
Authors: Lopes M. S. , Diesterbeck U. , Da Câmara Machado A. , Distl O. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryNavicular disease or podotrochlosis is one of the main causes of progressive forelimb lameness in warmblood horses. The objective of this study was to refine a quantitative trait locus on horse chromosome 2 for radiological alterations in the contour of the navicular bone (RAC) in Hanoverian warmblood horses. Genotyping was performed in 192 Hanoverian warmblood horses from 17 paternal half‐sib groups. The marker set was extended to 58 informative microsatellites including nine newly developed microsatellites. QTL for RAC could be delineated at 32.50–43.13 Mb and a further new QTL for RAC could be identified at 59.08–65.14 Mb. The markers ABGe342 and ABGe343 reached the highest multipoint Zmean and LOD scores at 34.42 and 35.23 Mb with genome‐wide error probabilities of P = 0.013 and P = 0.064. In addition, significant associations of markers and haplotypes within the QTL could be shown. The results support the location of the QTL on ECA2 associated with RAC. This work is a further step towards the development of a marker test for navicular disease in Hanoverian warmblood horses.
The significance of TP53 in lymphoid malignancies: mutation prevalence, regulation, prognostic impact and potential as a therapeutic target
Authors: Cheung K‐John J. , Horsman Douglas E. , Gascoyne Randy D. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe tumour suppressor TP53 (previously termed p53) mediates a pathway that is considered to be one of the most important mechanisms in the maintenance of genomic stability. The function of TP53 can be abrogated by genomic deletion, mutation, or deregulation of upstream and downstream participants in the TP53 pathway. While aberrations of TP53 are widely prevalent in non‐haematological malignancies (over 60%), they are present in much lower frequency in haematological malignancies (<20%). Nevertheless, in those cases where TP53 function or expression is aberrant, correlation with inferior clinical outcome (such as overall survival and progression or transformation) has generally been strong. In this review, we focus our discussion on the relationship between TP53 and lymphoid malignancies as defined by the World Health Organization. Specifically, we examine the prevalence of TP53 aberrations and their prognostic significance in various types of lymphoid cancer. Next, we discuss the various mechanisms of TP53 inactivation. Finally, we summarize progress in the use of recent therapeutic modalities that target TP53.
pH‐dependent extraction of soil and soil amendments to understand the factors controlling element mobility
Authors: Carter C. M. , Van der Sloot H. A. , Cooling D. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryA combination of the pH‐dependent leaching test CEN/TS 14429 and geochemical modelling (LeachXS©‐ORCHESTRA) was used to evaluate the partitioning of major, minor and trace elements in relation to their phosphorus retention capability, the release of non‐nutrient constituents, their reduction of soil acidity and their organic matter retention. One Australian soil sample and two different soil amendments (Red Lime and Alkaloam) were studied. The pH‐dependent leaching test showed that the acid neutralization capacity and the phosphorus retention of the soil were improved, respectively, by a factor of two to five and by a factor of two to ten after addition of these amendments. The amendments improved retention of dissolved organic matter (by a factor of 3–10) and did not increase leachability of undesired contaminants. The partitioning as obtained from modelling between free and dissolved organic‐carbon‐bound metals provides insight into the potential for uptake (bioavailability). This partitioning is very pH‐dependent and therefore testing and associated chemical speciation modelling provide valuable information for judging traditional soil improvers and soil amendments, including the waste‐derived soil amendments Alkaloam and Red Lime.
Leaf diversity influences in‐stream litter decomposition through effects on shredders
Authors: SANPERA‐CALBET ISIS , LECERF ANTOINE , CHAUVET ERIC 
Published: June 2009

Summary1. The functioning of many aquatic ecosystems is controlled by surrounding terrestrial ecosystems. In a view of growing interest in linking biodiversity to ecosystem‐level processes, we examined whether and how leaf diversity influences litter decomposition and consumers in streams.2. We tested experimentally the hypothesis that the effects of leaf diversity on decomposition are determined by the responses of leaf consumers to resource–habitat heterogeneity. Leaves from three common riparian trees, beech (Fagus sylvatica), hazel (Corylus avellana) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior), were exposed alone and in all possible mixtures of two and three species in a stream. We analysed individual leaf species for decomposition rate, microbial respiration and mycelial biomass, and we determined the species composition, abundance and biomass of shredders in leaf bags.3. We found that the decomposition of the fastest decomposing leaves (hazel and ash) was substantially stimulated (up to twofold higher than single species leaf packs) in mixtures containing beech leaves, which are refractory. In contrast, the decomposition of beech leaves was not affected by leaf mixing. Such species‐specific behaviour of leaves in species mixtures has been overlooked in previous studies that examined the overall decomposition of litter mixtures.4. The effects of leaf diversity on decomposition varied with the abundance and biomass of shredders but not with microbial parameters. Beech leaves alone were less attractive to shredders than leaf packs made of hazel, ash or any mixture of species. Moreover, the presence of beech leaves in mixtures led to higher shredder abundance and biomass than we had expected from data from single species exposed alone. Lastly, we found that early instars of the caddisfly Potamophylax (the dominant shredder in terms of biomass) almost exclusively used the toughest material (i.e. beech leaves) to construct their cases.5. Leaf pack heterogeneity may have altered shredder‐mediated decomposition. Shredders colonising diverse leaf packs benefited from the stable substratum provided by beech leaves, whereas ash and hazel leaves were primarily used as food. Thus, our findings provide strong evidence for an intimate linkage between the diversity of riparian vegetation and aquatic communities.
Species co‐occurrence, nestedness and guild–environment relationships in stream macroinvertebrates
Authors: HEINO JANI 
Published: June 2009

Summary1. Describing species distribution patterns and the underlying mechanisms is at the heart of ecological research. A number of recent studies have used null model approaches to explore mechanisms behind spatial variation in community structure.2. However, unexplored questions are the degree to which single guilds of potentially competing stream macroinvertebrate species show: (i) interspecific segregation among‐stream sites (i.e. occur together less often than expected by chance), suggesting competitive interactions; (ii) interspecific aggregation (i.e. occur together more often than expected by chance), suggesting similar responses to the environment; (iii) comply with nestedness, suggesting the existence of selective extinctions or colonisations and (iv) show similar environmental relationships.3. The present analyses showed that guilds of stream macroinvertebrates exhibit non‐random co‐occurrence patterns that were generally contingent on the weighting of sites by stream size. Despite significant segregation of species, each guild also showed significantly nested patterns. Species richness was correlated with different environmental factors between the guilds, although these correlations were relatively low. By contrast, correlations between the major ordination axes and key environmental variables were slightly stronger in canonical correspondence analysis, and generally the same factors were most strongly correlated with variation in the species composition of each guild.4. The present findings are the first to show that species within each stream macroinvertebrate guild show significant negative co‐occurrence at the among‐stream riffle scale. These findings present challenges for future studies that aim to disentangle whether these patterns comply with the habitat checkerboard or the competitive checkerboard explanations.
Online ads in familiar and unfamiliar sites: effects on perceived website quality and intention to reuse
Authors: McCoy Scott , Everard Andrea , Loiacono Eleanor T. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractElectronic commerce is an integral part of most businesses today. The perceived quality of the website and whether users intend to reuse the site are of primary concern to online businesses. There are various factors that influence customers' intentions to reuse a site. In this paper, we investigate two of these factors: whether the site is familiar to the user and whether there are online advertisements on the website. The results indicate that familiarity and online ads do have an impact on quality and reuse, although it is not entirely as expected.
The cis‐regulatory sequences required for expression of the Drosophila melanogaster adult cuticle gene ACP65A
Authors: Lestradet M. , Gervasio E. , Fraichard S. , Dupas S. , Alabouvette J. , Lemoine A. , Charles J. P. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPost‐embryonic development in insects requires successive molts. Molts are triggered by ecdysteroids, and the nature of the molt (larval, pupal or adult) is determined by juvenile hormones. The genes encoding cuticle proteins are targets of both classes of hormones, and therefore are interesting models to study hormone action at the molecular level. The Drosophila ACP65A cuticle gene is expressed exclusively during the synthesis of the adult exoskeleton, in epidermal domains synthesising flexible cuticle. We have examined the cis‐regulatory sequences of ACP65A using phylogenetic comparisons and functional analysis, and find that only about 180 bp are essential, including an 81 bp intron. The restriction of ACP65A expression appears to depend on a strong repression mechanism.
People with an intellectual disability living in an intentional community
Authors: Randell M. , Cumella S. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground  Hospital closure programmes in England have generally sought to attain a fulfilling life for people with an intellectual disability by locating them in domestic‐style housing in urban settings. Few have been placed in intentional or ‘village’ communities. Yet comparative studies of different housing types have found that intentional communities have better or similar outcomes for their residents than dispersed housing or residential clusters on former hospital sites. A possible explanation is the distinctive pattern of social relationships that exist in many intentional communities and the impact this has on the lives of their residents. This paper reports the results of research that explores the perceptions of people with an ID living in an intentional community and the meaning of their community to them.Methods  The research used an ethnographic approach to interview a sample of 15 residents in a large intentional community (Botton Village), which is part of the Camphill Movement. Interviews used Makaton, pictures and symbols where required.Results  Respondents included 10 men and 5 women aged between 38 and 78 years. Length of residence in Botton Village ranged from 5 to 50 years. All lived with the families of co‐workers and valued these relationships. All but one (who had retired) worked in a diverse range of employment in the village. Almost all were positive about their work. Respondents reported that they took part in both individual and communal leisure activities and all but two had a network of friends. Opportunities for friendship were enhanced by proximity to other people with an ID and a sense of personal security in the village. As in many villages and communities in society in general, these advantages were balanced by some loss of privacy.Conclusions  Results confirm those from earlier studies of intentional communities and suggest that positive outcomes derive from the absence of the overt subordination of residents to staff, the facilitation of friendship with other people with an ID, high levels of meaningful employment and a sense of community. These factors contrast with the experience of living in small homes funded on a contractual basis by public authorities, in which cost pressures reduce wage levels for staff resulting in difficulties in retaining suitable staff and a consequent high staff turnover.
Sevoflurane‐ and Desflurane‐induced human myocardial post‐conditioning through Phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/Akt signalling
Authors: ZHU L. , LEMOINE S. , BABATASI G. , LEPAGE O. , MASSETTI M. , GÉRARD J.‐L. , HANOUZ J.‐L. 
Published: June 2009

Background: The role of phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K) in sevoflurane‐ and desflurane‐induced myocardial post‐conditioning remains unknown.Methods: We recorded isometric contraction of isolated human right atrial trabeculae (oxygenated Tyrode's at 34 °C, stimulation frequency 1 Hz). In all groups, a 30‐min hypoxic period was followed by a 60‐min reoxygenation period. At the onset of reoxygenation, muscles were exposed to 5 min of sevoflurane 1%, 2%, and 3%, and desflurane 3%, 6%, and 9%. In separate groups, sevoflurane 2% and desflurane 6% were administered in the presence of 100 nM wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor. Recovery of force after the 60‐min reoxygenation period was compared between groups (mean ± SD).Result: As compared with the Control group (49 ± 7% of baseline) PostC by sevoflurane 1%, 2%, and 3% (78 ± 4%, 79 ± 5%, and 85 ± 4% of baseline, respectively) and desflurane 3%, 6%, and 9% (74 ± 5%, 84 ± 4%, and 86 ± 11% of baseline, respectively) enhanced the recovery of force. This effect was abolished in the presence of wortmannin (56 ± 5% of baseline for sevoflurane 2%+wortmannin; 56 ± 3% of baseline for desflurane 6%+wortmannin). Wortmannin alone had no effect on the recovery of force (57 ± 7% of baseline).Conclusion: In vitro, sevoflurane and desflurane post‐conditioned human myocardium against hypoxia through activation of phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase.
Hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass as a determinant of late thrombocytopenia following cardiac operations in pediatric patients
Authors: RANUCCI M. , CARLUCCI C. , ISGRÒ G. , BROZZI S. , BONCILLI A. , COSTA E. , FRIGIOLA A. 
Published: June 2009

Background: Thrombocytopenia after cardiac operations is a common event in both adult and pediatric patients. Late thrombocytopenia (LTCP) is a less common event that is still without a well‐recognized cause. This study explores the role of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and other factors (complexity of the operation, temperature management, and drug use) in determining LTCP.Methods: We conducted an observational study of 63 consecutive patients aged <36 months operated with or without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). LTCP was defined as a platelet count <100,000 cells/μl or <50% of the pre‐operative count at any point in time between post‐operative days 5 and 10. A diagnostic test for heparin‐platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies was performed in patients with LTCP. Other pre‐ and post‐operative factors were investigated for their association with LTCP.Results: LTCP occurred in 15 (24%) patients. No patient had positive heparin‐PF4 antibodies. The lowest temperature on CPB was an independent predictor of LTCP, with a cut‐off value at 29 °C (sensitivity 80%, specificity 70%). Other factors associated with LTCP were prolonged post‐operative use of unfractionated heparin and milrinone. LTCP was associated with increased post‐operative morbidity.Conclusion: LTCP was related to a combination of factors (operation severity, degree of hypothermia during CPB, prolonged use of unfractionated heparin, and milrinone). The individual contribution of each factor seems difficult to establish. However, the degree of hypothermia during CPB and drug‐associated effects were identified. HIT could be excluded in all cases.
Performance of the Airtraq™ laryngoscope after failed conventional tracheal intubation: a case series
Authors: MALIN E. , MONTBLANC J. de , YNINEB Y. , MARRET E. , BONNET F. 
Published: June 2009

Background: The Airtraq™, a new disposable indirect laryngoscope, was evaluated in patients with difficult intubation.Methods: The Airtraq™ was used in 47 patients with predicted or unpredicted difficult intubation after failed orotracheal intubation performed by two senior anaesthesiologists with the Macintosh laryngoscope.Results: Tracheal intubation with Airtraq™ was successful in 36 patients (80%). The Cormack and Lehane score was IIb–III in 35 patients, and IV in 12 patients, with the Macintosh laryngoscope, while Cormack and Lehane score was I–IIa in 40 patients, IIb–III in three and IV in four with Airtraq™. A gum elastic bougie was used to facilitate tracheal access in one‐third (11/36) of the cases. Orotracheal intubation was not possible with Airtraq™ in nine cases, five of whom had a pharyngeal, laryngeal or basal lingual tumour.Conclusion: In patients with difficult airway, following failed conventional orotracheal intubation, Airtraq™ allows securing the airway in 80% of cases mainly by improving glottis view. However, the Airtraq™ does not guarantee successful intubation in all instances, especially in case of laryngeal and/or pharyngeal obstruction.
Prehospital therapeutic hypothermia for comatose survivors of cardiac arrest: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: KÄMÄRÄINEN A. , VIRKKUNEN I. , TENHUNEN J. , YLI‐HANKALA A. , SILFVAST T. 
Published: June 2009

Background: Intravenous infusion of ice‐cold fluid is considered a feasible method to induce mild therapeutic hypothermia in cardiac arrest survivors. However, only one randomized controlled trial evaluating this treatment exists. Furthermore, the implementation rate of prehospital cooling is low. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this method in comparison with conventional therapy with spontaneous cooling often observed in prehospital patients.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a physician‐staffed helicopter emergency medical service. After successful initial resuscitation, patients were randomized to receive either +4 °C Ringer's solution with a target temperature of 33 °C or conventional fluid therapy. As an endpoint, nasopharyngeal temperature was recorded at the time of hospital admission.Results: Out of 44 screened patients, 19 were analysed in the treatment group and 18 in the control group. The two groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics. The core temperature was markedly lower in the hypothermia group at the time of hospital admission (34.1±0.9 °C vs. 35.2±0.8 °C, P<0.001) after a comparable duration of transportation. Otherwise, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding safety or secondary outcome measures such as neurological outcome and mortality.Conclusion: Spontaneous cooling alone is insufficient to induce therapeutic hypothermia before hospital admission. Infusion of ice‐cold fluid after return of spontaneous circulation was found to be well tolerated and effective. This method of cooling should be considered as an important first link in the ‘cold chain’ of prehospital comatose cardiac arrest survivors.
Nowhere to run: the role of habitat openness and refuge use in defining patterns of morphological and performance evolution in tropical lizards
Authors: GOODMAN B. A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractFor species from open habitats with little cover and few refugia, selection should favour morphologies that enhance performance at tasks that enable rapid movement across open areas. Similarly, selection should also favour traits that enable rapid access and movement within suitable refugia. This study examined the relationship between habitat openness, refuge use, morphology and performance of 19 species representing 23 populations of tropical Lygosomine skink. Species from this group occupy a wide array of habitats from open forest and open rocky intertidal zones to high‐altitude heaths and dense, closed forests. Species that occupied open habitats were faster at sprinting, climbing and had better cling ability than species from more cluttered, closed habitats. In addition, species from habitats that used rock crevices as refuges had enhanced sprinting ability. This study shows the importance of both habitat openness and refuge type in the evolution of both the morphology and performance in lizards.
Scent of a Woman – The Effect of Female Presence on Sexual Cannibalism in an Orb‐Weaving Spider (Araneae: Araneidae)
Authors: Nessler Stefan H. , Uhl Gabriele , Schneider Jutta M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPost‐mating sexual cannibalism occurs as a regular element of mating behaviour in a number of spider species. Frequencies of cannibalism, however, are highly variable between and within species. In Argiope bruennichi, males apparently differ in their motivation to escape a female attack but causes for this variability are unknown. We observed that the probability of sexual cannibalism is positively correlated with male age, i.e. the number of days that passed between male maturation and copulation. The mating season in this species is short with 3–4 wk and males mostly mature days before the females, whose maturation phase is longer. Consequently, as the season progresses, the availability of virgin females increases, quickly reaches a peak and then rapidly declines. In addition, the age of still unmated males increases with the season and both of these factors can potentially affect the degree of sexual cannibalism. To separate these factors, males were collected in their penultimate stage and kept until mating either with or without contact to female pheromones. Thereby, we experimentally manipulated the male’s perception of female presence. Within each treatment, we formed three male age groups: (1) 2–6 d, (2) 12–16 d and (3) 22–28 d. Our results demonstrate that the probability of cannibalism was independent of male age but was explained by the treatment of males: males exposed to virgin female pheromones were significantly more likely to be cannibalised than males that were kept without female pheromones. This suggests that males change their reproductive strategy according to perceived mating prospects.