bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local and ecoregion effects on fish assemblage structure in tributaries of the Rio Paraíba do Sul, Brazil
Authors: PINTO BENJAMIN CARVALHO TEIXEIRA , ARAUJO FRANCISCO GERSON , RODRIGUES VITOR DANTAS , HUGHES ROBERT M. 
Published: July 2009

Summary1. We examined the effects of physical and chemical habitat variables and ecoregions on species occurrence and fish assemblage structure in streams of the Paraíba do Sul basin, in southeast Brazil.2. Fish and environmental data were collected from 42 sites on 26 first to fourth order streams (1 : 50 000 map scale) in three ecoregions. The sites occurred in one valley and two plateau ecoregions at altitudes of 40–1080 m and distances of 0.1–188 km from the main channel of the Rio Paraíba do Sul. Physical habitat (substratum, riparian cover, habitat types) and water quality (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature and conductivity) variables were measured at each sampling site.3. A total of 2684 individuals in 16 families and 59 species were recorded.4. Ecoregion was a better predictor of the fish assemblage than the other environmental variables, according to the differences between the mean within‐class and mean between‐class similarities in assemblage data.5. Differing landscape characteristics were associated with differing local variables and thereby with differing fish assemblage structures. Riffles, shrub, grass, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and temperature were closely related to fish assemblage structure.6. Fish assemblages in sites far from the main river and at higher altitudes also differed from those near the Paraíba do Sul main channel, presumably as a result of differences in connectivity, covarying environmental factors and anthropogenic influence.7. These results reinforce the importance of understanding how stream communities are influenced by processes and patterns operating at local and regional scales, which will aid water resource managers to target those factors in their management and rehabilitation efforts.
Separation of net ecosystem exchange into assimilation and respiration using a light response curve approach: critical issues and global evaluation
Authors: LASSLOP GITTA , REICHSTEIN MARKUS , PAPALE DARIO , RICHARDSON ANDREW D. , ARNETH ALMUT , BARR ALAN , STOY PAUL , WOHLFAHRT GEORG 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe measured net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 between the ecosystem and the atmosphere reflects the balance between gross CO2 assimilation [gross primary production (GPP)] and ecosystem respiration (Reco). For understanding the mechanistic responses of ecosystem processes to environmental change it is important to separate these two flux components. Two approaches are conventionally used: (1) respiration measurements made at night are extrapolated to the daytime or (2) light–response curves are fit to daytime NEE measurements and respiration is estimated from the intercept of the ordinate, which avoids the use of potentially problematic nighttime data. We demonstrate that this approach is subject to biases if the effect of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) modifying the light response is not included. We introduce an algorithm for NEE partitioning that uses a hyperbolic light response curve fit to daytime NEE, modified to account for the temperature sensitivity of respiration and the VPD limitation of photosynthesis. Including the VPD dependency strongly improved the model's ability to reproduce the asymmetric diurnal cycle during periods with high VPD, and enhances the reliability of Reco estimates given that the reduction of GPP by VPD may be otherwise incorrectly attributed to higher Reco. Results from this improved algorithm are compared against estimates based on the conventional nighttime approach. The comparison demonstrates that the uncertainty arising from systematic errors dominates the overall uncertainty of annual sums (median absolute deviation of GPP: 47 g C m−2 yr−1), while errors arising from the random error (median absolute deviation: ∼2 g C m−2 yr−1) are negligible. Despite site‐specific differences between the methods, overall patterns remain robust, adding confidence to statistical studies based on the FLUXNET database. In particular, we show that the strong correlation between GPP and Reco is not spurious but holds true when quasi‐independent, i.e. daytime and nighttime based estimates are compared.
Divergent patterns of photosynthetic phosphorus‐use efficiency versus nitrogen‐use efficiency of tree leaves along nutrient‐availability gradients
Authors: Hidaka Amane , Kitayama Kanehiro 
Published: July 2009

Summary 1.  Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are essential nutrients for photosynthetic carbon assimilation and most frequently limit primary productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. Efficient use of those nutrients is important for plants growing in nutrient‐poor environments. 2.  We investigated the pattern of photosynthetic phosphorus‐use efficiency (PPUE) in comparison with photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency (PNUE) along gradients of P and N availability across biomes with 340 tree and shrub species. We used both total soil N and P concentration and foliar N/P ratios for indicating nutrient‐availability gradients. 3.  Photosynthetic phosphorus‐use efficiency increased with greater leaf mass per area (LMA) toward decreasing P availability. By contrast, PNUE decreased with greater LMA towards decreasing N and P availability. 4.  The increase in PPUE with decreasing P availability was caused by the net effects of a relatively greater reduction in foliar P concentration and a relatively constant photosynthetic carbon assimilation rate. The decrease in PNUE with decreasing N availability was caused by the effects of a reduction in photosynthetic carbon assimilation rate with greater LMA. 5.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that higher PPUE may be an effective leaf‐level adaptation to P‐poor soils, especially in tropical tree species. Future research should focus on the difference between PPUE and PNUE in relation to leaf economics, physiology and strategy.
Female Barn Swallows Gain Indirect but not Direct Benefits through Social Mate Choice
Authors: Kojima Wataru , Kitamura Wataru , Kitajima Sachie , Ito Yoko , Ueda Keisuke , Fujita Go , Higuchi Hiroyoshi 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFemale mate choice is responsible for the evolution of male secondary sexual ornaments. If male ornamental traits reflect indirect, genetic benefits and/or direct, material benefits to females, choosy females may benefit from their choice, indirectly and/or directly. We examined a breeding population of Japanese barn swallowsHirundo rustica gutturalisto determine whether male tail streamer length reflected indirect and/or direct benefits to females. There was no significant positive relationship between male streamer length and the number of extra‐pair young (EPY) sired, suggesting that male tail streamers are not a signal of indirect benefits (i.e. good genes theory). In addition, we found no evidence that males with longer streamers fed their offspring more frequently or sired more within‐pair young (WPY). The result indicates that male streamer length probably does not act as a signal of direct benefits. Our finding that the length of tail streamers in Japanese barn swallows plays no role in sexual selection is not consistent with studies on European subspecies, but is consistent with studies on North American subspecies where sexual selection on tail streamer is weak. The present study supports the recent suggestion that the pattern of sexual selection on tail streamer length in barn swallows varies geographically. Instead of tail length, males in better condition sired more EPY and WPY. Males in better condition, however, did not feed their nestling more frequently. These results indicate that females gain indirect benefits but not direct benefits, in terms of feeding of young, on choosing social mates.
Selection and characterization of a novel glyphosate‐tolerant upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) mutant (R1098)
Authors: Tong X. H. , Daud M. K. , Zhu S. J. 
Published: July 2009

With 2 figures and 4 tables AbstractStepwise selection approach was adopted to obtain glyphosate‐tolerant upland cotton mutant (R1098) from the embryogenic calli of ‘Coker 312’ (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The calli were transferred to the selection medium and multi‐step selection pressure process was carried out until the calli could proliferate in the presence of 20 mm glyphosate. The regenerated plants from the glyphosate‐tolerant calli were analysed for glyphosate response, tolerance of progenies and shikimate accumulation on whole‐plant basis. ‘R1098’ could tolerate 1.48 kg acid equivalent/ha glyphosate. Progeny tests demonstrated that glyphosate tolerance trait was controlled by one dominant gene. Shikimate accumulation assay showed that significantly different amounts of shikimate were present between the mutant (R1098) and its wild parent (Coker 312) after glyphosate treatment. This indicates that ‘R1098’ has sufficient 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase activity in the presence of glyphosate, thereby maintaining normal carbon flow through the shikimate pathway. Moreover, ‘R1098’ offers a greater potential to improve the weed control system in cotton production.
Pulmonary sclerosing haemangioma mimicking lung cancer on PET scan
Authors: HSU Po‐Kuei , CHENG Hsu‐Fong , YEH Yi‐Chen , WU Yu‐Chung , HSU Wen‐Hu 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTSclerosing haemangioma is an uncommon lung tumour that typically presents as a solitary, peripheral pulmonary nodule in the lower lobe. Little is known of the appearance of these tumours on FDG‐PET scan. We report two patients with sclerosing haemangioma with increased uptake on FDG‐PET scan, which complicated the preoperative work‐up. Although the CT scan features of these two masses were compatible with the differential diagnosis of sclerosing haemangioma, the central location and increased uptake on FDG‐PET scan raised the suspicion of malignancy. We conclude that centrally located large sclerosing haemangiomas may be avid on FDG‐PET scan, and that familiarity with this false positive finding helps in the diagnosis of a solitary pulmonary nodule.
Rounded atelectasis and respiratory compromise secondary to pergolide use
Authors: BLOOM Chloe I. , WILSON Graeme E. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTRounded atelectasis is an unusual form of peripheral atelectasis that develops as a consequence of pleural disease. It is usually thought to be a benign process after malignancy and infection have been excluded. Pergolide is an ergot‐derived dopamine agonist that has been associated with pleuropulmonary fibrosis and fibrotic cardiac valve disease. Pergolide‐associated rounded atelectasis has occurred in patients with known asbestos exposure. We report a patient with no known asbestos exposure who developed rounded atelectasis and subsequent symptomatic diffuse restrictive pleural disease. Physicians should consider drugs early on in their work‐up of rounded atelectasis as discontinuation of the agent may reverse the process.
Endogenous BDNF is required for myelination and regeneration of injured sciatic nerve in rodents
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Yi , Luo Xue‐Gang , Xian Cory J. , Liu Zhong‐Hao , Zhou Xin‐Fu 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFollowing a peripheral nerve injury, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the p75 neurotrophin receptor are upregulated in Schwann cells of the Wallerian degenerating nerves. However, it is not known whether the endogenous BDNF is critical for the functions of Schwann cells and regeneration of injured nerve. Treatment with BDNF antibody was shown to retard the length of the regenerated nerve from injury site by 24%. Histological and ultrastructural examination showed that the number and density of myelinated axons in the distal side of the lesion in the antibody‐treated mice was reduced by 83%. In the BDNF antibody‐treated animals, there were only distorted and disorganized myelinated fibres in the injured nerve where abnormal Schwann cells and phagocytes were present. As a result of nerve degeneration in BDNF antibody‐treated animals, subcellular organelles, such as mitochondria, disappeared or were disorganized and the laminal layers of the myelin sheath were loosened, separated or collapsed. Our in situ hybridization revealed that BDNF mRNA was expressed in Schwann cells in the distal segment of lesioned nerve and in the denervated muscle fibres. These results indicate that Schwann cells and muscle fibres may contribute to the sources of BDNF during regeneration and that the deprivation of endogenous BDNF results in an impairment in regeneration and myelination of regenerating axons. It is concluded that endogenous BDNF is required for peripheral nerve regeneration and remyelination after injury.
Fear conditioning in C57/BL/6 and DBA/2 mice: variability in nucleus accumbens function according to the strain predisposition to show contextual‐ or cue‐based responding
Authors: Ammassari‐Teule Martine , Passino Enrica , Restivo Leonardo , De Marsanich Benedetta 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe contribution of the nucleus accumbens shell, the dorsal hippocampus, and the basolateral amygdala to contextual and explicit cue fear conditioning was assessed in C57BL/6 (C57) and DBA/2 (DBA) mice showing differences in processing contextual information associated with consistent but non‐pathological variations in hippocampal functionality. Mice from both strains with bilateral ibotenic acid or sham lesions located in each area were introduced in a conditioning chamber and exposed twice to the pairing of a tone (2 × 8 s, 2000 Hz, 80 dB) with a shock (2 s, 0.7 mA). On the following day, mice were first exposed to the training context then to the tone in a different context. Freezing behaviour was scored in all situations. C57 showed more freezing to the context than to the tone whereas DBA showed more freezing to the tone than to the context. In C57, both nucleus accumbens and hippocampal lesions impaired acquisition of contextual fear conditioning but paradoxically improved acquisition of cue fear conditioning, whereas amygdala lesions disrupted performance in every task. In DBA, nucleus accumbens lesions, like amygdala lesions, impaired acquisition of both contextual and cue fear conditioning, whereas hippocampal lesions did not produce any effect. The parallelism between the effect of nucleus accumbens and hippocampus lesions in C57, and between the effect of nucleus accumbens and amygdala lesions in DBA points to a variability in nucleus accumbens function according to the strain specialization to develop context‐ or cue‐based responding.
Role of interleukin‐1β and tumour necrosis factor‐α in lipopolysaccharide‐induced sickness behaviour: a study with interleukin‐1 type I receptor‐deficient mice
Authors: Bluthé Rose‐Marie , Layé Sophie , Michaud Bruno , Combe Chantal , Dantzer Robert , Parnet Patricia 
Published: July 2009

AbstractInterleukin‐1 (IL‐1) mediates symptoms of sickness during the host response to infection. IL‐1 exerts its effects via several subtypes of receptors. To assess the role of IL‐1 receptor type I (IL‐1RI) in the sickness‐inducing effects of IL‐1, IL‐1β and the cytokine inducer lipopolysaccharide were administered to IL‐1RI‐deficient mice (IL‐1RI–/–). Sickness was assessed by depression of social exploration, anorexia, immobility and body weight loss. IL‐1RI–/– mice were resistant to the sickness‐inducing effects of IL‐1β administered intraperitoneally (2 µg/mouse) and intracerebroventricularly (2 ng/mouse), but still fully responsive to lipopolysaccharide administered intraperitoneally (2.5 µg/mouse) and intracerebroventricularly (3 ng/mouse). The sensitivity of IL‐1RI–/– mice to lipopolysaccharide was not due to a higher brain expression of proinflammatory cytokines other than IL‐1, since lipopolysaccharide‐induced expression of brain IL‐1 β, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and IL‐6 transcripts were identical in IL‐1RI–/– and control mice when measured by semiquantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction 1 h after treatment. Blockade of TNF‐α action in the brain by intracerebroventricular administration of a fragment of the soluble TNF receptor, TNF binding protein (3.6 µg/mouse), attenuated the depressive effects of intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (1 µg/mouse) on behaviour in IL‐1RI–/– but not in control mice. Since IL‐1RI–/– mice were not more sensitive to intracerebroventricularly TNF‐α (50 ng) than control mice, these results indicate that IL‐1RI mediates the sickness effect of IL‐1 and that TNF‐α simply replaces IL‐1 when this last cytokine is deficient.
Differential calbindin‐immunoreactivity in dopamine neurons projecting to the rat striatal complex
Authors: Barrot Michel , Calza Laura , Pozza Monica , Le Moal Michel , Piazza Pier Vincenzo 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe calcium‐binding protein calbindin‐D28K is an anatomical marker that has been associated with resistance to neurodegeneration and with the electrophysiological characteristics of neurons. In this study, we compared the presence of calbindin in dopamine neurons projecting to three distinct functional regions of the striatal complex: the striatum, and the core and the shell of the nucleus accumbens. After iontophoretic injections of Fluoro‐Gold in the dopaminergic terminal fields, the presence of tyrosine hydroxylase and calbindin were immunohistochemically assessed in the mesencephalon. It was found that the proportion of cells expressing calbindin was highest in the dopamine cells projecting to the core (72%), intermediate in the cells projecting to the shell (51%) and lowest in the cells projecting to the dorsolateral striatum (2.6%). These results do not support the idea that calbindin is a sufficient condition to confer resistance to neurodegeneration because shell‐projecting neurons seem the most resistant to it. The present data also raise the question of the role of calbindin in the differences in firing characteristics among dopamine neurons projecting to the striatal complex.
Saccharin activates cation conductance via inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate production in a subset of isolated rod taste cells in the frog
Authors: Okada Yukio , Fujiyama Rie , Miyamoto Takenori , Sato Toshihide 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe transduction mechanism of the conductance activated by saccharin was analysed in isolated bullfrog taste cells under whole‐cell voltage‐clamp. Bath application of 30 mm saccharin induced an inward current of −34 ± 12 pA (mean ± SEM, n = 10) at a membrane potential of −50 mV in 10 (23%) of 44 rod cells. The concentration–response relationship for the saccharin‐gated current was consistent with that of the gustatory neural response. The saccharin‐induced current was accompanied with a conductance increase under internal low Cl– condition (ECl = −56 mV), suggesting that saccharin activated a cation conductance. The reversal potential of the saccharin‐induced current was −17 ± 2 mV (n = 10). Intracellular dialysis of 0.5 mm guanosine 5′‐O‐(2‐thiodiphosphate) (GDP‐β‐S) completely blocked the saccharin‐induced response, suggesting the involvement of a G protein in the transduction. The dialysis of heparin (1 mg/mL) also inhibited the response almost completely, but the dialysis of 1 mm 8‐Br‐cAMP did not affect the response significantly. Intracellular 50 µm inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (1,4,5 InsP3) also induced the inward current in five (38%) of 13 rod cells, but intracellular Pasteurella multocida toxin (5 µg/mL, Gαq‐coupled PLC activator) did not elicit any response in the cells. The results suggest that saccharin mainly activates a cation conductance in frog taste cells through the mediation of IP3 production.
GOING FROM PRINCIPLES TO RULES IN RESEARCH ETHICS
Authors: SACHS BENJAMIN 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTIn research ethics there is a canon regarding what ethical rules ought to be followed by investigators vis‐à‐vis their treatment of subjects and a canon regarding what fundamental ethical principles apply to the endeavor. What I aim to demonstrate here is that several of the rules find no support in the principles. This leaves anyone who would insist that we not abandon those rules in the difficult position of needing to establish that we are nevertheless justified in believing in the validity of the rules. I conclude by arguing that this is not likely to be accomplished.The rules I call into question are the rules requiring:

that studies be designed in a scientifically valid way
that risks to subjects be minimized
that subjects be afforded post‐trial access to experimental interventions
that inducements paid to subjects not be counted as a benefit to them
that inducements paid to subjects not be ‘undue’
that subjects must remain free to withdraw from the study at any time for any reason without penalty

Both canons, the canon on principles and the canon on rules, are found in the overlap among ethical pronouncements that are themselves canonical: the Nuremberg Code, the Declaration of Helsinki, the Belmont Report, CIOMS's International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects, and NBAC's 2001 report, Ethical Issues in International Research: Clinical Trials in Developing Countries.
INDUCTIVE RISK AND JUSTICE IN KIDNEY ALLOCATION
Authors: SCARANTINO ANDREA 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTHow should UNOS deal with the presence of scientific controversies on the risk factors for organ rejection when designing its allocation policies? The answer I defend in this paper is that the more undesirable the consequences of making a mistake in accepting a scientific hypothesis, the higher the degree of confirmation required for its acceptance. I argue that the application of this principle should lead to the rejection of the hypothesis that ‘less than perfect’ Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) matches are an important determinant of kidney graft survival. The scientific community has been divided all along on the significance of partial antigen matches. Yet reliance on partial matches has emerged as one of the primary factors leading blacks to spend a much longer time than whites on the waiting list for kidneys, thereby potentially impacting the justice of the kidney allocation policy. My case study illustrates one of the legitimate roles non‐epistemic values can play in science and calls into question the ideal of a value‐free science.
IN DEFENCE OF PRIORITY REVIEW VOUCHERS
Authors: SONDERHOLM JORN 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTInfectious and parasitic diseases cause enormous health problems in the developing world whereas they leave the developed one relatively unscathed. Research and development (R&D) of drugs for diseases that mainly affect people in developing countries is limited. The problem that relatively few drugs are available for diseases that cause an enormous burden of disease in the developing world is called the ‘availability problem’. In recent years, the availability problem has received quite a bit of attention. A number of proposals have been fielded as to how this problem might be minimized. Wild‐card patent extensions, advance market commitments, cash prizes and the Health Impact Fund are prominent examples of such proposals. These proposals can be thought of as pull‐mechanisms for R&D of drugs for neglected diseases. What has been coined a ‘priority review voucher’ is another pull‐mechanism. This paper is a critical discussion of this pull‐mechanism. First, the original priority review voucher scheme, as proposed by Ridley et al. (2006), is described. A number of objections to this scheme are thereafter presented. A few amendments to the original scheme are then suggested, and it is argued that with these amendments in place, the priority review voucher scheme constitutes an attractive way of stimulating R&D of drugs for neglected diseases.