bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nocardia seriolae infection in the three striped tigerfish, Terapon jarbua (Forsskål)
Authors: Wang P‐C , Chen S‐D , Tsai M‐A , Weng Y‐J , Chu S‐Y , Chern R‐S , Chen S‐C 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAn epizootic in pond cultured three striped tigerfish, Terapon jarbua, in Taiwan was caused by Nocardia seriolae. Diseased fish first showed clinical signs and mortalities in February and March 2003. The cumulative mortality within 2 months was 2.4% (1200 of 50 000) and affected fish were 7 months old with total lengths from 18 to 25 cm. Most affected fish were pale and lethargic with haemorrhages and ulcers on the skin. The most significant gross pathological changes were varying degrees of ascites and enlargement of the spleen, kidney and liver. Obvious white nodules, varying in size, were found in these organs. Bacteria were either coccal or filamentous in appearance, with bead‐like forms. Isolates from diseased fish were characterized using the API ZYM (Analytical profile index; Bio Mérieux, France) systems and conventional tests and identified as Nocardia sp. The isolate was designated NS127 and was confirmed as N. seriolae by a polymerase chain reaction assay that gave the expected specific 432 bp amplicon. In addition, its 16S rDNA sequence gave 100% sequence identity with N. seriolae. A partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, heat shock protein gene and RNA polymerase gene (rpo B) of NS127 and the type strain of N. seriolae BCRC 13745 formed a monophyletic clade with a high sequence similarity and bootstrap value of 99.9%. White nodules induced in experimental fish were similar to naturally infected cases and N. seriolae was re‐isolated on brain heart infusion agar. This is the first report of N. seriolae‐infection in three striped tigerfish in aquaculture.
Identification of immune cells interacting with Vibrio spp. and its in vitro post‐phagocytic killing mechanism of haemocytes in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards
Authors: Jayasree S 
Published: March 2009

AbstractImmune cells were identified and their interaction towards Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. anguillarum was studied in vitro in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus. Haemocytes were divided into agranulocytes, semi‐dense granulocytes and dense granulocytes according to their morphology. Agranulocytes (100%) and 0.3–0.7% of granulocytes were actively involved in coagulation. Granulocytes were involved in in vitro phagocytosis and encapsulation of foreign materials. Phagocytosis was enhanced by prior opsonization of bacteria with cell‐free shrimp haemolymph. Semi‐dense granulocytes were phagocytic towards V. alginolyticus with and without opsonization at the rate of 91.1% and 83.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). Granulocyte death observed after 2 h with opsonized haemolymph was 26.1%. About 64.5% of dense granulocytes and 23.2% of semi‐dense granulocytes were actively involved in encapsulation, forming capsules. A spectrophotometric nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay was used to demonstrate the production of superoxide anions (O2−) by shrimp haemocytes. All the Vibrio spp. were able to induce superoxide anions (O2−) during phagocytosis. Live Vibrio sp. induced O2− production in haemocytes in a dose‐dependent manner. Significant activity was detected with a 40:1 bacteria to haemocyte ratio (P < 0.05). NBT reduction assay for measuring the post‐phagocytic killing mechanism in shrimp haemocytes might be a valuable tool for monitoring shrimp health and immunological studies.
Protein markers of Marteilia sydneyi infection in Sydney rock oysters, Saccostrea glomerata
Authors: Simonian M , Nair S V , O’Connor W A , Raftos D A 
Published: March 2009

Abstract Marteilia sydneyi is the causative agent of QX disease in Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata. It is responsible for disease outbreaks among oysters that occur during summer and can result in up to 95% mortality. QX disease has significantly decreased S. glomerata production in some areas of Australia’s eastern seaboard over the past 30 years. Marteilia sydneyi sporulates in the digestive gland of oysters leading to complete disorganization of the infected tissues. The current study used proteomics to identify potential molecular markers of sporulating M. sydneyi infection during a field trial undertaken in the Georges River, Sydney, between December 2006 and May 2007. Early stages of M. sydneyi infection were detected by polymerase chain reaction, whilst cytological examination was used to identify sporulating M. sydneyi in the gut. Protein expression in oyster haemolymph was assessed during the M. sydneyi infection period by two dimensional electrophoresis. Proteome maps identified significant differences in the expression of four proteins in oysters with sporulating M. sydneyi infections.
Modulating T‐cell homeostasis with IL‐7: preclinical and clinical studies
Authors: Capitini C. M. , Chisti A. A. , Mackall C. L. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract.Interleukin‐7 (IL‐7) is required for the development and survival of T cells and plays a critical role in modulating T‐cell homeostasis. This review will address current understanding of IL‐7 biology, review recent clinical experiences and discuss potential future clinical applications of IL‐7, or IL‐7 blockade, in the setting of disease.
Glacial refugia in a maritime temperate climate: Cicada (Kikihia subalpina) mtDNA phylogeography in New Zealand
Authors: MARSHALL DAVID C. , HILL KATHY B. R. , FONTAINE KATHRYN M. , BUCKLEY THOMAS R. , SIMON CHRIS 
Published: March 2009

AbstractUnderstanding the biological significance of Pleistocene glaciations requires knowledge of the nature and extent of habitat refugia during glacial maxima. An opportunity to examine evidence of glacial forest refugia in a maritime, Southern Hemisphere setting is found in New Zealand, where the extent of Pleistocene forests remains controversial. We used the mitochondrial phylogeography of a forest‐edge cicada (Kikihia subalpina) to test the hypothesis that populations of this species survived throughout South Island during the Last Glacial Maximum. We also compared mitochondrial DNA phylogeographic patterns with male song patterns that suggest allopatric divergence across Cook Strait. Cytochrome oxidase I and II sequences were analyzed using network analysis, maximum‐likelihood phylogenetic estimation, Bayesian dating and Bayesian skyline plots. K. subalpina haplotypes from North Island and South Island form monophyletic clades that are concordant with song patterns. Song divergence corresponds to approximately 2% genetic divergence, and Bayesian dating suggests that the North Island and South Island population‐lineages became isolated around 761 000 years bp. Almost all South Island genetic variation is found in the north of the island, consistent with refugia in Marlborough Sounds, central Nelson and northwest Nelson. All central and southern South Island and Stewart Island haplotypes are extremely similar to northern South Island haplotypes, a ‘northern richness/southern purity’ pattern that mirrors genetic patterns observed in many Northern Hemisphere taxa. Proposed southern South Island forest habitat fragments may have been too small to sustain populations of K. subalpina, and/or they may have harboured ecological communities with no modern‐day analogues.
Dispersal to or from an African biodiversity hotspot?
Authors: BLACKBURN D. C. , MEASEY G. J. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBiodiversity hotspots are centres of endemism and thus contain many range‐restricted species. In addition, within these hotspots occur widespread species that might have originated within a hotspot before dispersing to neighbouring or distant regions. We test this hypothesis with a phylogeographic analysis of a miniature leaf litter frog, Arthroleptis xenodactyloides, that has a large distribution throughout the Eastern Arc biodiversity hotspot and other regions in East Africa. Maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian estimates of the mitochondrial gene phylogeny are used as a proxy for understanding the evolutionary history of diversification and the historical relationships between populations. The north–south range of this species extends for approximately 1900 km; our sampling covers approximately 85% of this range. Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we estimate the region of origin and direction of dispersal within A. xenodactyloides. We compare contrasting hypotheses of latitudinal range expansion using bayes factors. The ancestral region of origin of A. xenodactyloides is reconstructed as having occurred within the Eastern Arc before dispersing southwards into the southern Rift Mountains, probably in the Pleistocene. The phylogeographic structure within this leaf litter frog is surprisingly similar to that of forest birds, revealing that similar geographic features might have had a driving role in diversification of these very dissimilar taxa. Latitudinal expansion occurred early in the evolutionary history of A. xenodactyloides, which may indicate that physiological adaptation facilitated its wide geographic distribution.
Genomic pattern of adaptive divergence in Arabidopsis halleri, a model species for tolerance to heavy metal
Authors: MEYER CLAIRE‐LISE , VITALIS RENAUD , SAUMITOU‐LAPRADE PIERRE , CASTRIC VINCENT 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPollution by heavy metals is one of the strongest environmental constraints in human‐altered environments that only a handful of species can cope with. Identifying the genes conferring to those species the ability to grow in polluted areas is a first step towards a global understanding of the evolutionary processes involved and will eventually improve phytoremediation practices. We used a genome‐scan approach to detect loci under divergent selection among four populations of Arabidopsis halleri growing on either polluted or nonpolluted habitats. Based on a high density of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers (820 AFLP markers, i.e. ~1 marker per 0.3 Mb), evidence for selection was found for some markers in every sampled population. Four loci departed from neutrality in both metallicolous populations and thus constitute high‐quality candidates for general adaptation to pollution. Interestingly, some candidates differed between the two metallicolous populations, suggesting the possibility that different loci may be involved in adaptation in the different metallicolous populations.
Roles of relSpn in stringent response, global regulation and virulence of serotype 2 Streptococcus pneumoniae D39
Authors: Kazmierczak Krystyna M. , Wayne Kyle J. , Rechtsteiner Andreas , Winkler Malcolm E. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryRelA/SpoT homologue (RSH) proteins have (p)ppGpp synthetase and hydrolase activities that mediate major global responses to nutrient limitation and other stresses. RSH proteins are conserved in most bacteria and play diverse roles in bacterial pathogenesis. We report here that the RSH protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae, RelSpn, can be deleted and is the primary source of (p)ppGpp synthesis in virulent strain D39 under some conditions. A D39 ΔrelSpn mutant grew well in complex medium, but did not grow in chemically defined medium unless supplemented with the metals copper and manganese. Transcriptome analysis of D39 rel+Spn and ΔrelSpn strains treated with mupirocin revealed relSpn‐independent (translation stress), relSpn‐dependent (stringent response) and ΔrelSpn‐dependent changes, suggesting that relSpn and (p)ppGpp amount play wide‐ranging homeostatic roles in pneumococcal physiology, besides adjusting macromolecular synthesis and transport in response to nutrient availability. Notably, the relSpn‐dependent response included significant upregulation of the ply operon encoding pneumolysin toxin, whereas the ΔrelSpn‐dependent response affected expression linked to the VicRK and CiaRH two‐component systems. Finally, a D39 ΔrelSpn mutant was severely attenuated and displayed a significantly altered course of disease progression in a mouse model of infection, which was restored to normal by an ectopic copy of rel+Spn.
Spatial and temporal evolution of a terminal fluvial fan system: the Permian Organ Rock Formation, South‐east Utah, USA
Authors: CAIN STEPHEN A. , MOUNTNEY NIGEL P. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe recognition of terminal fluvial systems, otherwise termed ‘terminal fans’ or ‘distributary fluvial fan systems’, preserved in the ancient rock record is based primarily on the recognition of facies characteristics indicative of a progressive downstream decrease in: (i) fluvial discharge; (ii) channel depth and width; (iii) lateral and vertical connectivity of channel‐fill elements; and (iv) evidence for channellized flow and a systematic increase in: (i) evidence for sheetflood deposition; (ii) aeolian and/or playa deposits; and (iii) channel bifurcation. However, despite these criteria having been applied previously to a variety of outcrop successions, there is still no unifying facies model that adequately accounts for the complex stratigraphic architectural relationships expected for such systems, based on the varied styles of fluvial activity and system interaction known from modern examples. Moreover, few previous studies have given significant consideration to the long‐term temporal evolution of terminal fluvial fans. These issues are addressed by this study of the Permian (Leonardian/Artinskian) Organ Rock Formation of the Paradox Basin, South‐east Utah. A detailed stratigraphic framework based on 84 sedimentary logs demonstrates proximal to distal variations in sedimentary style. Integration of these data with high‐resolution architectural panels depicting the geometry and facies characteristics of individual fluvial elements has enabled the development of a series of depositional models that account for both the spatial and temporal evolution of the system and which are representative of: (i) initial progradation of the fluvial system into the Paradox foreland basin; (ii) retreat of the fluvial system and expansion of a distal aeolian dune system; (iii) the final phase of fluvial progradation following aeolian dune deflation; and (iv) the final retrogradation of the fluvial system back towards the hinterland.
The evolution of jumping performance in anurans: morphological correlates and ecological implications
Authors: Gomes F. R. , Rezende E. L. , Grizante M. B. , Navas C. A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWe investigated the evolution of anuran locomotor performance and its morphological correlates as a function of habitat use and lifestyles. We reanalysed a subset of the data reported byZug (Smithson. Contrib. Zool.1978; 276: 1–31)employing phylogenetically explicit statistical methods (n = 56 species), and assembled morphological data on the ratio between hind‐limb length and snout‐vent length (SVL) from the literature and museum specimens for a large subgroup of the species from the original paper (n = 43 species). Analyses using independent contrasts revealed that classifying anurans into terrestrial, semi‐aquatic, and arboreal categories cannot distinguish between the effects of phylogeny and ecological diversification in anuran locomotor performance. However, a more refined classification subdividing terrestrial species into ‘fossorials’ and ‘non‐fossorials’, and arboreal species into ‘open canopy’, ‘low canopy’ and ‘high canopy’, suggests that part of the variation in locomotor performance and in hind‐limb morphology can be attributed to ecological diversification. In particular, fossorial species had significantly lower jumping performances and shorter hind limbs than other species after controlling for SVL, illustrating how the trade‐off between burrowing efficiency and jumping performance has resulted in morphological specialization in this group.
Parallelism and historical contingency during rapid ecotype divergence in an isopod
Authors: EROUKHMANOFF F. , HARGEBY A. , ARNBERG N. N. , HELLGREN O. , Bensch S. , SVENSSON E. I. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractRecent studies on parallel evolution have focused on the relative role of selection and historical contingency during adaptive divergence. Here, we study geographically separate and genetically independent lake populations of a freshwater isopod (Asellus aquaticus) in southern Sweden. In two of these lakes, a novel habitat was rapidly colonized by isopods from a source habitat. Rapid phenotypic changes in pigmentation, size and sexual behaviour have occurred, presumably in response to different predatory regimes. We partitioned the phenotypic variation arising fromhabitat(‘selection’: 81–94%),lake(‘history’: 0.1–6%) andlake × habitatinteraction (‘unique diversification’: 0.4–13%) for several traits. There was a limited role for historical contingency but a strong signature of selection. We also found higher phenotypic variation in the source populations. Phenotype sorting during colonization and strong divergent selection might have contributed to these rapid changes. Consequently, phenotypic divergence was only weakly influenced by historical contingency.
Four years after graduation: Occupational therapists' work destinations and perceptions of preparedness for practice
Authors: Brockwell Dione , Wielandt Trish , Clark Michele 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective:  The present study sought to identify the work destinations of graduates and ascertain their perceived preparedness for practice from a regional occupational therapy program, which had been specifically developed to support the health requirements of northern Australians by having an emphasis on rural practice. Design:  Self‐report questionnaires and semistructured in‐depth telephone interviews. Participants:  Graduates (n = 15) from the first cohort of occupational therapists from James Cook University, Queensland.Main outcome measure:  The study enabled comparisons to be made between rural and urban based occupational therapists, while the semistructured interviews provided a deeper understanding of participants' experiences regarding their preparation for practice. Results:  Demographic differences were noted between occupational therapists working in rural and urban settings. Rural therapists were predominantly younger and had worked in slightly more positions than their urban counterparts. The study also offered some insights into the value that therapists placed on the subjects taught during their undergraduate occupational therapy training, and had highlighted the differences in perceptions between therapists with rural experience and those with urban experience regarding the subjects that best prepared them for practice. Generally, rural therapists reported that all subjects included in the curriculum had equipped them well for practice. Conclusions:  Findings suggest the need to undertake further research to determine the actual nature of rural practice, the personal characteristics of rural graduates and the experiences of students while on rural clinical placements.
Urethral mobility at catheter removal predicts early recovery of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Nishida Sachiyo , Utsunomiya Noriaki , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Kamoto Toshiyuki , Ogawa Osamu , Kinoshita Hidefumi 
Published: March 2009

Objectives:  To analyze the clinical parameters correlated with early recovery of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy, focusing especially on urethral mobility during voiding at catheter removal.Methods:  At the time of catheter removal, a voiding cystourethrography was performed in 58 men (median age 69 years, range 55–76) who had undergone radical prostatectomy. The vertical length of urethral movement between voiding and standstill was measured.The correlation between continence status and various clinical parameters, including age, prostate volume, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score and the length of urethral movement was analyzed.Results:  An inverse correlation was observed between length of urethral movement and urinary incontinence volume rate (defined as [leakage volume/daily total urine volume] × 100%) on day 7 after catheter removal (r = −0.388, P < 0.05). Classifying patients into two groups according to the length of urethral movement of 2 mm gave the best accuracy for the prediction of postoperative recovery of urinary incontinence with receiver operating characteristic analysis. A statistically significant difference was observed between group 1 (length ≥ 2 mm) and group 2 (<2 mm) for the leakage rate until day 7 after the catheter was removed (P < 0.01). Urethral movement at the time of catheter removal was significantly correlated with early recovery of continence in the two groups (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Urethral mobility after radical prostatectomy, which can be easily evaluated using voiding cystourethrography, may be a good predictor of early recovery of urinary continence.
Combined effect of factors associated with burdens on primary caregiver
Authors: Makizako Hyuma , Abe Tsutomu , Shimada Hiroyuki , Ohnuma Takeshi , Furuna Taketo , Nakamura Yoshio 
Published: March 2009

Background:  It is argued that a multidimensional approach is necessary for burden assessment. Reducing caregiver burden is a social problem in the ageing Japan society. We examined the combined effect of factors affecting the care burden among community‐dwelling handicapped people and their caregivers.Methods:  The participants were 49 handicapped people (aged 53–104 years) who received home‐visit rehabilitation, and their 49 caregivers (age 42–85 years). Caregivers were provided questionnaires consisting of questions on social support, subjective well‐being, self‐efficacy with regard to care continuation, the Motor Fitness Scale and caregiver burden. Care recipients were assessed using the Bedside Mobility Scale and the Barthel Index.Results:  We prepared the hypothesis model using structural equation modeling with the bootstrap method within outcome measures. The hypothesis model did not fit the data well. The impact of the Motor Fitness Scale was shifted from the caregiver burden to care self‐efficacy and well‐being, having a cooperator for care and variable of spouse caregiver or others associated with caregiver well‐being in the revised model. The fit of the revised model was acceptable (goodness of fit index, 0.903; comparative fit index, 0.998; root mean square error of approximation, 0.017). In the revised model, the care recipients' disabled state was associated with caregiver burden. In addition, higher burden and poor motor fitness of caregivers might lead to lower care self‐efficacy in providing continuous care and lower caregiver well‐being.Conclusion:  These findings suggested that the program to reduce caregiver burden should focus on aspects of the care recipients' disabled state, the caregivers' well‐being, fitness, and care self‐efficacy.