bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Review article: omega‐3 fatty acids – a promising novel therapy for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: MASTERTON G. S. , PLEVRIS J. N. , HAYES P. C. 
Published: December 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 679–692SummaryBackground  Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease affects 10–35% of the adult population worldwide; there is no consensus on its treatment. Omega‐3 fatty acids have proven benefits for hyperlipidaemia and cardiovascular disease, and have recently been suggested as a treatment for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.Aims  To review the evidence base for omega‐3 fatty acids in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and critically appraise the literature relating to human trials.Methods  A Medline and PubMed search was performed to identify relevant literature using search terms ‘omega‐3’, ‘N‐3 PUFA’, ‘eicosapentaenoic acid’, ‘docosahexaenoic acid’, ‘non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease’ and ‘NAFLD’.Results  Omega‐3 fatty acids are important regulators of hepatic gene transcription. Animal studies demonstrate that they reduce hepatic steatosis, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce markers of inflammation. Clinical trials in human subjects generally confirm these findings, but have significant design inadequacies.Conclusions  Omega‐3 fatty acids are a promising treatment for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease which require to be tested in randomized placebo‐controlled trials.
Differences in defensive behaviour between host‐adapted races of the pea aphid
Authors: KUNERT GRIT , BELZ ELODIE , SIMON JEAN‐CHRISTOPHE , WEISSER WOLFGANG W. , OUTREMAN YANNICK 
Published: January 2010

1. Host races, i.e. host‐adapted populations in partial reproductive isolation, have been reported in a growing number of insect herbivores including aphids. The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum encompasses distinct races highly specialised on various Fabaceae plants. Races have been well documented at both the ecological and genetic level. However, little is known about possible behavioural differences between host races other than those involved in plant choice.2. The aim of this study was to determine whether pea aphid host races differ in the behavioural response to the aphid alarm pheromone that was used to simulate immediate predation risk. The behaviour of aphids towards a synthetic alarm pheromone applied in their vicinity was measured in several pea aphid clones originating from various legumes including Medicago sativa, Pisum sativum, Trifolium pratense, and Vicia faba. To control for the influence of plant traits, experiments were conducted on the preferred host plant and on the universal host plant Vicia faba.3. Host races differed in their defensive responses, with stronger behavioural responses in host races originating from M. sativa and T. pratense compared with those coming from P. sativum and V. faba. These differences in behaviour are inherent to the pea aphid host race but not dependent on the test plant.4. Our work shows that host‐plant specialisation may involve behavioural traits in addition to host choice. Possible mechanisms of how different defensive behaviours might have evolved are discussed.
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 activity and localization during ventral prostate atrophy and regrowth
Authors: Justulin Jr L. A. , Della‐Coleta H. H. M. , Taboga S. R. , Felisbino S. L. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryMatrix metalloproteinses (MMPs) are enzymes involved in prostatic development, growth, disease‐induced tissue remodelling and secretory fluid. Although the prostate function depends upon androgen regulation, the relationship between MMPs and androgen has not been well established. Here, we evaluated MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 gelatinolytic activity in association with tissue localization during ventral prostate atrophy and regrowth induced by testosterone replacement (TR). Adult male Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups: control, castrated (CS) and TR 21 days after castration. Ventral prostate (VP) was excised at 3, 5, 7 and 21 days after castration in CS group, and at 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after TR (4 mg/kg/day) in TR group. The VP was dissected, weighed and processed for histology, immunohistochemistry, ultrastructure and zymography analyses. Castration elicited the typical parenchymal atrophy and stromal condensation. TR induced intense epithelial growth towards the stromal space to restore the prostate histoarchitecture. MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 immunostaining presented intense reaction in CS and TR groups, mainly in the epithelial and endothelial cells. After TR, a strong immunoreaction for MMP‐2 was observed in the activated stromal fibroblasts. Zymography showed that MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activity, mainly the active form, increased after castration. In contrast, TR induced an additional increase in MMP‐2 activity, but not in MMP‐9. In conclusion, the overall behaviour of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 within the prostate under androgen handling is highly complex, as each glandular compartment and cell type is affected differently by the androgenic status. Prostate regrowth appears to involve a more effective participation of MMP‐2 in both epithelial and stromal compartments, while MMP‐9 plays a major role in the late prostate atrophy and early regrowth.
Endocrine disruptors targeting ERβ function
Authors: Swedenborg E. , Pongratz I. , Gustafsson J.‐Å. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryEndocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) circulating in the environment constitute a risk to ecosystems, wildlife and human health. Oestrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta are targeted by various kinds of EDCs but the molecular mechanisms and long‐term consequences of exposure are largely unknown. Some biological effects of EDCs are mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which is a key player in the cellular defence against xenobiotic substances. Adding complexity to the picture, there is also accumulating evidence that AhR‐ER pathways have an intricate interplay at multiple levels. In this review, we discuss some EDCs that affect the oestrogen pathway by targeting ERβ. Furthermore, we describe some effects of AhR activities on the oestrogen system. Mechanisms as well as potential adverse effects on human health are discussed.
Relating juvenile spatial distribution to breeding patterns in anadromous salmonid populations
Authors: Foldvik Anders , Finstad Anders Gravbrøt , Einum Sigurd 
Published: December 2009

Summary 1. Spatial within‐population heterogeneity in density probably affects competition intensity and may have a fundamental role in shaping population dynamics and carrying capacity. This may be particularly relevant for organisms where limitations on juvenile mobility cause maternal choice of breeding locations to influence the spatial distribution of younger life stages. 2. In this study, we mapped redd locations and the resulting densities of juveniles the following year along the entire reach (9·2 km) of a river holding natural populations of anadromous salmonids (Atlantic salmon and brown trout). These data were used to quantify the spatial scale over which breeding influences juvenile densities, and hence becomes important for density‐dependent processes. 3. Although the observed cumulative distributions indicated a relatively uniform distribution of breeding along the river, autocorrelation analyses identified spatial patchiness of both breeding and resulting juveniles on a local scale. Furthermore, cross‐correlations suggested a close spatial relationship between distribution of redds and juveniles. 4. Using spatially explicit hockey‐stick stock–recruitment functions, we found juvenile salmonid density to be mostly influenced by the amount of breeding upstream of a given location. This influence decreased rapidly within the first 75–150 m. Thus, female choice with regard to breeding location gave rise to a heterogeneous distribution of offspring on a spatial scale of almost two orders of magnitude finer than that of the whole population (9·2 km). 5. The results are consistent with smaller scale experimental studies of salmonids, and emphasize the role for maternal choice of breeding locations in causing substantial spatial heterogeneity in juvenile densities within natural populations. Due to effects of density heterogeneity on overall levels of competition, this adds another layer of complexity to the dynamics of salmonid populations even in populations where breeding appears to be relatively uniformly distributed through space, and potentially also for a range of other organisms where juvenile dispersal is constrained.
Recovery of anuran community diversity following habitat replacement
Authors: Lesbarrères David , Fowler Mike S. , Pagano Alain , Lodé Thierry 
Published: December 2009

Summary 1. Recently habitat degradation, road construction and traffic have all increased with human populations, to the detriment of aquatic habitats and species. While numerous restoration programmes have been carried out, there is an urgent need to follow their success to better understand and compensate for the decline of amphibian populations. To this end, we followed the colonization success of an anuran community across multiple replacement ponds created to mitigate large‐scale habitat disturbance. 2. Following construction of a highway in western France, a restoration project was initiated in 1999 and the success of restoration efforts was monitored. The amphibian communities of eight ponds were surveyed before they were destroyed. Replacement ponds were created according to precise edaphic criteria, consistent with the old pond characteristics and taking into account the amphibian species present in each. The presence of amphibian species was recorded every year during the breeding period for 4 years following pond creation. 3. Species richness initially declined following construction of the replacement ponds but generally returned to pre‐construction levels. Species diversity followed the same pattern but took longer to reach the level of diversity recorded before construction. Pond surface area, depth and sun exposure were the most significant habitat characteristics explaining both amphibian species richness and diversity. Similarly, an increase in the number of vegetation strata was positively related to anuran species richness, indicating the need to maintain a heterogeneous landscape containing relatively large open wetland areas. 4. Synthesis and applications. We highlight the species‐specific dynamics of the colonization process, including an increase in the number of replacement ponds inhabited over time by some species and, in some cases, an increase in population size. Our work suggests that successful replacement ponds can be designed around simple habitat features, providing clear benefits for a range of amphibian species, which will have positive cascading effects on local biodiversity. However, consideration must also be given to the terrestrial buffer zone when management strategies are being planned. Finally, our study offers insight into the successful establishment of anuran communities over a relatively short time in restored or replacement aquatic environments.
Barriers to tree seedling emergence on human‐induced grasslands in Sri Lanka
Authors: Gunaratne A. M. T. A. , Gunatilleke C. V. S. , Gunatilleke I. A. U. N. , Madawala Weerasinghe H. M. S. P. , Burslem D. F. R. P. 
Published: December 2009

Summary1. Colonization by woody plants is often very slow or absent on grasslands occupying degraded land in the tropics. Seed dispersal limitation is widely reported, but the constraints to forest succession imposed by barriers to seedling establishment are poorly understood. We tested the hypotheses that seedling emergence of woody plants is limited by interactions of anthropogenic fire, vertebrate herbivory and competition with the dominant grass sward in human‐induced montane grasslands in Sri Lanka.2. Seedling emergence was determined fortnightly for 18 months in response to experimental manipulation of fire regimes, access by vertebrate herbivores and competition from the dominant grass canopy at the forest/grassland edge and at 10, 20 and 40 m from the edge into four blocks of grassland. Seedling emergence was also monitored in the absence of any experimental manipulation at 10, 20 and 40 m into adjacent blocks of lower montane rainforest.3. Emergence of seedlings of woody plants was much lower in the grassland (mean <0·1 seedlings m−2 year−1) than in natural forest patches (mean 6·0 seedlings m−2 year−1), but was maximal at the forest/grassland edge (mean 9·5 m−2 year−1). In the grassland, fire reduced seedling emergence by 36% in fenced vertebrate exclosures but increased seedling emergence by 68% in unfenced plots. Exclusion of vertebrate herbivores had no impact on seedling emergence at the forest/grassland edge. Removal of the grass canopy by clipping or tilling increased seedling emergence at the edge, but had no effect in the grassland. Seedlings of the woody pioneer speciesMacaranga indicadominated the community of emergents in the grassland and at the edge.4. Synthesis and applications. Although dispersal limitation represents the primary constraint to forest succession on degraded montane grasslands in Sri Lanka, management of fire regimes, vertebrate herbivory and competition from the dominant grasses would influence the abundance and composition of tree seedling emergents. Tilling in narrow strips, 2–5 m wide and within 10 m of the forest edge, would facilitate the emergence and establishment of early successional trees in the grassland, but the strips would require protection from fire for at least 2 years. Within the interior of grassland patches, a combination of controlled burning and short‐term access to vertebrate dispersers would promote tree seedling emergence, but the burned patches would then require long‐term protection from fire and grazing subsequently to allow the emergents to establish and catalyse forest succession.
Genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Flavobacterium psychrophilum isolated from cultured rainbow trout, Onchorynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in Spain
Authors: Del Cerro A , Márquez I , Prieto J M 
Published: January 2010

Abstract Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the causative agent of bacterial cold‐water disease (CWD) and rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS) in salmonids. These diseases are a major problem in the aquaculture industry in Spain, and a better understanding of the epidemiology of F. psychrophilum isolates is necessary to improve management strategies. In this study, to investigate genetic variability of this bacterium, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis after DNA digestion with endonuclease StuI, plasmid profiling analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were undertaken with 25 isolates of F. psychrophilum from Spain. These isolates were classified into 17 patterns by PFGE analysis, which were grouped into four clusters and seven independent branches. Twenty isolates (80%) possessed plasmids of 3.5 kb (n = 13) or 5.5 kb (n = 7). No plasmids were associated with antibiotic resistance to oxytetracycline (OTC) or florfenicol (FLO). Twenty isolates (80%) had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to OTC of between 2.4 and 9.7 μg mL−1, and all isolates were susceptible to FLO. A relationship between the origin of the isolates and PFGE genotypes was found. Plasmid profile typing correlated with PFGE profile typing, whereas no correlation was found between antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PFGE profiles. These results suggest that the population of F. psychrophilum with pathogenic potential in northern Spain is quite heterogeneous.
Neonatal sepsis, antibiotic therapy and later risk of asthma and allergy
Authors: Sobko Tanja , Schiött Jessica , Ehlin Anna , Lundberg Jon , Montgomery Scott , Norman Mikael 
Published: December 2009

SummarySobko T, Schiött J, Ehlin A, Lundberg J, Montgomery S, Norman M. Neonatal sepsis, antibiotic therapy and later risk of asthma and allergy. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010; 24: 88–92.Neonatal sepsis and early antibiotic therapy affect bacterial colonisation and immune activation after birth. This could have implications for later risk of allergy and asthma. Using a validated questionnaire (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children, ISAAC), we screened for asthma and allergy in three cohorts (total n = 834; median age 12, range 7–23 years) with different perinatal exposures as regards infection and antibiotics.Asthma, but not hay fever, was more prevalent after neonatal sepsis with adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.63 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04, 2.56] and early antibiotic therapy (OR 1.48 [0.93, 2.35]) as compared with a control group. There was a trend towards increased atopic eczema after neonatal sepsis (OR = 1.39 [CI = 0.98, 1.98]). We conclude that neonatal sepsis is associated with an increased risk for later development of asthma. Early antibiotic exposure may contribute to this association.
Accuracy of reporting bleeding during pregnancy
Authors: Hasan Reem , Jonsson Funk Michele L. , Herring Amy H. , Olshan Andrew F. , Hartmann Katherine E. , Baird Donna D. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryHasan R, Jonsson Funk ML, Herring AH, Olshan AF, Hartmann KE, Baird DD. Accuracy of reporting bleeding during pregnancy. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010; 24: 31–34.Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy has been considered a marker of an at‐risk pregnancy, but the accuracy of reported bleeding has not been assessed. We sought to evaluate the agreement in vaginal bleeding reports based on prospective daily diary and retrospective recall at first‐trimester interview and to investigate predictors of reporting accuracy. Participants recruited prior to pregnancy for a community‐based pregnancy cohort (n = 153) completed web‐based daily diaries beginning before pregnancy until the end of the first trimester. A comprehensive first‐trimester interview was conducted, and the bleeding data from diary and interview were compared. Kappa statistics were used to quantify agreement. Log‐linear models were used to investigate maternal age, prior miscarriage, and current pregnancy outcome as potential predictors of agreement.We found that bleeding characteristics (number of bleeding episodes, bleeding heaviness, duration and gestational timing) from the diary and interview were reported with high levels of agreement. Kappas ranged from 0.77 to 0.84. Retrospective report of any bleeding had a sensitivity of 0.80 and specificity of 1.0; however, sensitivity was lower when examined within smaller time intervals. Important predictors of agreement were not identified in this analysis, but the sample was small. Overall, the presence of vaginal bleeding, a common and potentially alarming symptom of early pregnancy, may be assessed by interview later in pregnancy with reasonable accuracy.
Modelling hydration and photosystem II activation in relation to in situ rain and humidity patterns: a tool to compare performance of rare and generalist epiphytic lichens
Authors: JONSSON ČABRAJIĆ ANNA V. , LIDÉN MARLENE , LUNDMARK TOMAS , OTTOSSON‐LÖFVENIUS MIKAELL , PALMQVIST KRISTIN 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTA dynamic water and activity model was developed to assess how efficiently lichens can exploit in situ rain and humid air. The capacity to rehydrate and activate photosynthesis [i.e. photosystem II (PSII)] by these water sources was compared among four hydrophilic and one generalist epiphytic lichen. Hydration status, potential (instant activation) and realized (delayed activation) day‐light activity were simulated using a model based on species‐specific hydration, PSII activation characteristics and in situ water content for Platismatia norvegica in three microclimatic scenarios. The results showed that delayed PSII activation could have profound effects on lichens' ability to exploit environmental water sources. During rain, realized activity was reduced by 19, 34 and 56% compared to simulations assuming instant activation for three hydrophilic lichens in the driest microclimate. During humid air, the reduction was 81% for the most extreme species and scenario, because of slow hydration and low equilibrium water content. Many and brief hydration events may thus hamper species with slow activation and fast desiccation kinetics. No evidence of compensation by a ‘water‐holding’ morphology was observed among studied species. The developed model may provide a tool for identifying suitable habitats for long‐term persistence of lichens with physiological constraints.
The effect of the heterologous expression of Phragmites australis γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase on the Cd2+ accumulation of Agrostis palustris
Authors: ZHAO CUIZHU , QIAO MENG , YU YANCHONG , XIA GUANGMIN , XIANG FENGNING 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTHeavy metal pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems today. To develop a more efficient plant to clean up heavy metal contaminated soils, a γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) cDNA, named PaGCS, was isolated by PCR from Phragmites australis. The PaGCS sequence was transformed via agroinfection into the heavy metal intolerant grass Agrostis palustris. Five confirmed transgenic A. palustris plants expressing PaGCS were compared with the wild‐type line for growth and Cd2+ accumulation, as well as for the expression of a number of phytochelatin synthesis and stress‐responsive enzymes when challenged with Cd2+ stress. GCS and phytochelatin synthase (PCS) were up‐regulated in the transgenic lines. All the transgenic lines accumulated more Cd2+ and phytochelatins (PCs) than the wild‐type line, and three of the five lines grew more effectively than the wild‐type after either five or 21 d of Cd2+ stress. Variation among the transgenics was observed for the distribution of Cd2+ in the root, shoot and leaf. The malondialdehyde content of all the transgenic lines was lower than that of the wild type under Cd2+ treatment, while the activity of both superoxide dismutase and peroxidase present in the transgenic lines increased markedly 24 h after Cd2+ stress, and then rapidly declined.
How to read a report of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: JUN MIN , ZOUNGAS SOPHIA , PERKOVIC VLADO , WEBSTER ANGELA C 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT:Proper evaluation of up‐to‐date clinical evidence is essential for the provision of optimal patient care. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the ideal study type to investigate the benefit or harm of an intervention, such as a drug therapy. RCTs aims to avoid biased assessment of clinical interventions through the even distribution of both known and unknown factors that may influence outcomes. However, not all RCTs are well designed, conducted or reported. As such, the clinician needs to critically appraise RCTs in order to determine their strengths and weaknesses. This paper aims to explain how to approach critical appraisal, by highlighting and illustrating important questions that help determine the reliability of results from randomized trials.