bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thicket expansion in a South African savanna under divergent land use: local vs. global drivers?
Authors: WIGLEY BENJAMIN J. , BOND WILLIAM J. , HOFFMAN M. TIMM 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWoody plant increase in grassy biomes has been widely reported over the last century. Increases have been attributed to local drivers associated with land use change, such as heavy grazing or fire suppression, or, controversially, to global drivers such as increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Here, we report a comparison of woody increase since the 1930s in three neighbouring areas with highly contrasting land use systems to help distinguish between local and global causes of woody increase. Aerial photography was used to measure changes in tree cover for three time intervals (1937, 1960, 2004) for three adjacent 25 km2 sites which remained under radically different tenure (conservation, commercial farms, and communal rangeland) over the study period. From previous studies on drivers affecting savanna dynamics, we predicted a decrease in tree cover for the conservation and communal sites and an increase in tree cover at the commercial site. The analyses showed highly significant increases in tree cover at all sites. Total tree cover increased from 14% in 1937 to 58% in 2004 at the conservation site, 3–50% in the commercial ranching area and 6–25% in the communal farming area. Reconstruction of past land use practices showed large differences in stocking rates, herbivore species, burning practices, human population densities and natural resource harvesting between the three sites. These land use differences are reflected in differences in woody cover among the three sites in 2004. However, despite major differences in land use, tree cover also increased significantly in all three areas. This suggests global drivers favouring woody plant increase in grassy vegetation regardless of land use practises. In our study area the most likely candidates are increased CO2 and/or atmospheric nitrogen deposition.
Evaluation of effectiveness of enhanced‐efficiency fertilizers as mitigation options for N2O and NO emissions from agricultural soils: meta‐analysis
Authors: AKIYAMA HIROKO , YAN XIAOYUAN , YAGI KAZUYUKI 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAgricultural fields are an important anthropogenic source of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO). Although many field studies have tested the effectiveness of possible mitigation options on N2O and NO emissions, the effectiveness of each option varies across sites due to environmental factors and field management. To combine these results and evaluate the overall effectiveness of enhanced‐efficiency fertilizers [i.e., nitrification inhibitors (NIs), polymer‐coated fertilizers (PCFs), and urease inhibitors (UIs)] on N2O and NO emissions, we performed a meta‐analysis using field experiment data (113 datasets from 35 studies) published in peer‐reviewed journals through 2008. The results indicated that NIs significantly reduced N2O emissions (mean: −38%, 95% confidential interval: −44% to −31%) compared with those of conventional fertilizers. PCFs also significantly reduced N2O emissions (−35%, −58% to −14%), whereas UIs were not effective in reducing N2O. NIs and PCFs also significantly reduced NO (−46%, −65% to −35%; −40%, −76% to −10%, respectively). The effectiveness of NIs was relatively consistent across the various types of inhibitors and land uses. However, the effect of PCFs showed contrasting results across soil and land‐use type: they were significantly effective for imperfectly drained Gleysol grassland (−77%, −88% to −58%), but were ineffective for well‐drained Andosol upland fields. Because available data for PCFs were dominated by certain regions and soil types, additional data are needed to evaluate their effectiveness more reliably. NIs were effective in reducing N2O emission from both chemical and organic fertilizers. Moreover, the consistent effect of NIs indicates that they are potent mitigation options for N2O and NO emissions.
A Lucilia cuprina excretory–secretory protein inhibits the early phase of lymphocyte activation and subsequent proliferation
Authors: ELKINGTON R. A. , HUMPHRIES M. , COMMINS M. , MAUGERI N. , TIERNEY T. , MAHONY T. J. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe development of a protective immune response in sheep towards the presence of the larval stage of Lucilia cuprina has not been reported in the field. Upon investigation of the effects of larval excretory/secretory material on ovine T lymphocyte proliferation, we isolated a 56 kDa protein capable of inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation by at least 70%, compared with that in the presence of mitogen alone. This protein inhibited proliferation induced through cross‐linking of the T‐cell receptor as well as proliferation induced pharmacologically through the stimulation of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. The protein, named blowfly larval immunosuppressive protein (BLIP), was shown to bind directly to lymphocytes. Further investigation revealed that the BLIP prevented a proportion of lymphocytes from entering the first division following stimulation, by affecting the early events in lymphocyte activation. Subsequently, the BLIP reduced CD25 expression on T lymphocytes, reduced IL‐2 mRNA expression, in addition to IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13 mRNA expression. Conversely, TNF‐α and TGF‐β gene expression was up‐regulated in response to the BLIP. These effects suggest suboptimal activation of T lymphocytes in the presence of the BLIP, and we propose that the BLIP presents an effective immune evasion tactic for the larvae of L. cuprina.
Opinion: Stomatal responses to light and CO2 depend on the mesophyll
Authors: MOTT KEITH A. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThe mechanisms by which stomata respond to red light and CO2 are unknown, but much of the current literature assumes that these mechanisms reside wholly within the guard cells. However, responses of guard cells in isolated epidermes are typically much smaller than those in leaves, and there are several lines of evidence in the literature suggesting that the mesophyll is necessary for these responses in leaves. This paper advances the opinion that although guard cells may have small direct responses to red light and CO2, most of the stomatal response to these factors in leaves is caused by an unknown signal that originates in the mesophyll.
In vivo Extravasated Human Monocytes have an Altered Expression of CD16, HLA‐DR, CD86, CD36 and CX3CR1
Authors: Paulsson J. M. , Held C. , Jacobson S. H. , Lundahl J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe phenotypic alterations in monocytes induced by extravasation in vivo are still largely unknown. We addressed the question whether a general phenotype of extravasated monocytes exists and whether this phenotype differs between healthy individuals and statin treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In vivo extravasated monocytes from CAD patients and healthy controls were collected by use of the skin blister method and compared with peripheral circulating monocytes by flow cytometry. The number of CD14+CD16+ monocytes were significantly higher in the skin blister compared with peripheral circulation in both patients (P < 0.001) and controls (P = 0.005). In vivo extravasated monocytes had in comparison with peripheral monocytes a lower expression of CX3CR1, a higher expression of HLA‐DR, CD86 and CD36 and a higher binding of acetylated low density lipoprotein (acLDL) (significant for all markers). Skin blister fluid from CAD patients, compared with healthy controls, induced a 20% increase in monocyte CD36 expression (P = 0.008) following 18 h of in vitro incubation. The results indicate that the integrated response to the in vivo extravasation process is similar in statin treated stable CAD patients and healthy controls, with respect to phenotypic alterations. Such differences in CAD patients may, however, occur as a response to the inflammatory milieu.
The CD4+CD8+ and CD4+ Subsets of FOXP3+ Thymocytes Differ in their Response to Growth Factor Deprivation or Stimulation
Authors: Lehtoviita A. , Rossi L. H. , Kekäläinen E. , Sairanen H. , Arstila T. P. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe timing of thymic regulatory T (Treg) cell commitment remains unclear. Specifically, there is disagreement as to whether the CD4+CD8+ FOXP3+ thymocytes are precursors of mature CD4+ FOXP3+ Treg cells, or an independent Treg cell lineage. We reasoned that precursors should be more susceptible to apoptosis than mature Treg cells, and tested this by growth factor removal and anti‐CD3 stimulation. Both treatments resulted in an increase of CD4+ FOXP3+ thymocytes, whereas the frequency of CD4+CD8+ FOXP3+ thymocytes decreased significantly. These changes were accompanied by an increase of annexin+ apoptotic cells. Both of these FOXP3+ subsets expressed higher levels of Bcl‐2 and BIM than other thymocytes, and while in our setting expression of BIM seemed to predispose the cells to apoptosis, Bcl‐2 had no apparent protective effect. These results indicate that CD4+CD8+ FOXP3+ thymocytes are more susceptible to apoptosis than mature CD4+ FOXP3+ Treg cells. This is consistent with the view that they are still immature and thus likely to represent a precursor population.
Anomalous Immunogenic Properties of Serine Proteases
Authors: Darani H. Y. , Doenhoff M. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIt has previously been shown that a ∼27 kDa serine protease of Schistosoma mansoni larvae, the cercarial elastase (CE), was a poor immunogen in as much as it failed to induce an antibody response. The CE has a critical role in enabling schistosome larvae to penetrate the skin of their definitive hosts, so the apparently poor immunogenicity of this enzyme is clearly of interest. To understand its lack of immunogenicity better and in particular to determine whether it is related to its proteolytic activity, we have measured antibody responses of mice to three different serine proteases. Groups of mice were immunized with porcine pancreatic trypsin (TRY), chymotrypsin (CHY) or elastase (ELA) and the resulting antibody response compared with antibody responses to two non‐protease antigens, chicken egg albumin (OVA) and Schistosoma japonicum glutathione S‐transferase (GST), all being administered with alum as an adjuvant. Of 12 mice that were injected five times at 14 day intervals with TRY, only one produced antibody reactive with this enzyme in ELISA. Immunizations with CHY or ELA induced somewhat better antibody responses than TRY, but the responses to the first and second injections of these two proteases nevertheless seemed comparatively lower than the responses to GST. Induction of antibody responses by OVA and GST was not affected when TRY was injected concomitantly. Thus, the antibody response to one of the serine proteases used in this study, mammalian trypsin, was anomalous.
Arabidopsis 14‐3‐3 lambda is a positive regulator of RPW8‐mediated disease resistance
Authors: Yang Xiaohua , Wang Wenming , Coleman Mark , Orgil Undral , Feng Jiayue , Ma Xianfeng , Ferl Robert , Turner John G. , Xiao Shunyuan 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe RPW8 locus from Arabidopsis thaliana Ms‐0 includes two functional paralogous genes (RPW8.1 and RPW8.2) and confers broad‐spectrum resistance via the salicylic acid‐dependent signaling pathway to the biotrophic fungal pathogens Golovinomyces spp. that cause powdery mildew diseases on multiple plant species. To identify proteins involved in regulation of the RPW8 protein function, a yeast two‐hybrid screen was performed using RPW8.2 as bait. The 14‐3‐3 isoform lambda (designated GF14λ) was identified as a potential RPW8.2 interactor. The RPW8.2–GF14λ interaction was specific and engaged the C‐terminal domain of RPW8.2, which was confirmed by pulldown assays. The physiological impact of the interaction was revealed by knocking down GF14λ by T‐DNA insertion, which compromised basal and RPW8‐mediated resistance to powdery mildew. In addition, over‐expression of GF14λ resulted in hypersensitive response‐like cell death and enhanced resistance to powdery mildew via the salicylic acid‐dependent signaling pathway. The results from this study suggest that GF14λ may positively regulate the RPW8.2 resistance function and play a role in enhancing basal resistance in Arabidopsis.
Modulation of drought resistance by the abscisic acid receptor PYL5 through inhibition of clade A PP2Cs
Authors: Santiago Julia , Rodrigues Americo , Saez Angela , Rubio Silvia , Antoni Regina , Dupeux Florine , Park Sang‐Youl , Márquez José Antonio , Cutler Sean R. , Rodriguez Pedro L. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAbscisic acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone involved in adaption to environmental stress and regulation of plant development. Clade A protein phosphatases type 2C (PP2Cs), such as HAB1, are key negative regulators of ABA signaling in Arabidopsis. To obtain further insight into regulation of HAB1 function by ABA, we have screened for HAB1‐interacting partners using a yeast two‐hybrid approach. Three proteins were identified, PYL5, PYL6 and PYL8, which belong to a 14‐member subfamily of the Bet v1‐like superfamily. HAB1–PYL5 interaction was confirmed using BiFC and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. PYL5 over‐expression led to a globally enhanced response to ABA, in contrast to the opposite phenotype reported for HAB1‐over‐expressing plants. F2 plants that over‐expressed both HAB1 and PYL5 showed an enhanced response to ABA, indicating that PYL5 antagonizes HAB1 function. PYL5 and other members of its protein family inhibited HAB1, ABI1 and ABI2 phosphatase activity in an ABA‐dependent manner. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed saturable binding of (+)ABA to PYL5, with Kd values of 1.1 μm or 38 nm in the absence or presence of the PP2C catalytic core of HAB1, respectively. Our work indicates that PYL5 is a cytosolic and nuclear ABA receptor that activates ABA signaling through direct inhibition of clade A PP2Cs. Moreover, we show that enhanced resistance to drought can be obtained through PYL5‐mediated inhibition of clade A PP2Cs.
Multifocal pupillographic visual field testing in glaucoma
Authors: Maddess Ted , Bedford Suzanne M , Goh Xin‐Lin , James Andrew C 
Published: July 2009

AbstractPurpose:  This preliminary study investigated a means of concurrently assessing the visual field defects of both eyes by recording pupillary responses to multifocal stimuli.Methods:  Twenty normal subjects and 26 primary open angle glaucoma patients, age and sex matched, were examined by slit‐lamp, Humphrey Field Analyser II achromatic 24‐2 perimetry and fundus photography. The patients had moderate to severe fields in at least one eye. Two stereoscopically arranged displays presented an array of 24 stimulus regions per eye extending from fixation to 30 degrees eccentricity. Pupil responses were recorded by video cameras under infrared illumination. Four stimulus conditions were tested: each stimulus region containing either a single or a 2 × 2 array of patches, presented either steadily for 133 ms or flickered at 15 Hz for 266 ms. Mean presentation rate was 1/s/region. The 4‐min duration stimuli were presented in 8 segments of 30 s. Segments did not need to be repeated unless more than 15% of a segment record was lost as a result of blinks or fixation losses.Results:  The 48 stimuli produced 96 direct and consensual responses per subject. The single patch, non‐flickered stimulus condition produced the best diagnostic performance, an area under the curve of 84%. The contraction amplitudes for that stimulus gave a median z‐score of 3.2.Conclusions:  The method produced diagnostic accuracy approaching that of automated perimetry, but unlike perimetry provides standard errors for every point in each field as well as information on response delay and efferent defects. Only one pupil needs to function to measure both visual fields.
Possible neuroprotective effect of brimonidine in a mouse model of ischaemic optic neuropathy
Authors: Goldenberg‐Cohen Nitza , Dadon‐Bar‐El Shimrit , Hasanreisoglu Murat , Avraham‐Lubin Bat Chen R , Dratviman‐Storobinsky Olga , Cohen Yoram , Weinberger Dov 
Published: July 2009

AbstractPurpose: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of brimonidine following induction of ischaemic optic neuropathy in rodents (rAION).Methods: Mice were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of brimonidine 48, 24 or 0 h before rAION induction or eye drops for 5 days after rAION induction. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and expression of genes involved in the angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], pigment epithelium‐derived factor [PEDF], The epidermal growth factor homology domains‐2 [Tie‐2]), ischaemia (haem oxygense‐1 [HO‐1], hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α[HIF‐1α], endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS]) and oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase‐1 [SOD‐1], glutathione peroxidase‐1 [GPX‐1]) response to ischaemic damage were compared with sham or rAION‐untreated mice.Results: No RGC loss was detected in the brimonidine‐treated mice. Effect of post‐rAION eye drops: day 1 – no decrease in retinal mRNA levels of angiogenesis‐related genes, increase in ischaemia‐ and oxidative stress‐related genes except HIF‐1α; day 3 – baseline or higher levels of oxidative and ischaemia‐related genes except HIF‐1α, increase in VEGF, decrease in PEDF; day 21 – no change in angiogenesis‐related genes. Effect of pre‐rAION injection: baseline levels of angiogenesis‐related genes with all injection schedules; increase in ischaemia‐related genes with 48‐h and 0‐h pretreatment; decrease in HO‐1 and eNOS with 24‐h pretreatment; increase in oxidative‐related genes except GPX‐1. In optic nerve tissue, HO‐1, HIF‐1α and SOD‐1 decreased on day 1 after topical administration and were still below baseline on day 3.Conclusions: The increase in HO‐1 associated with rAION is mitigated with brimonidine treatment, especially when administered intraperitoneally. Topical brimonidine apparently reduces VEGF, Tie‐2, HIF‐1α and GPX‐1 expression on day 21. These results agree with published data and may have therapeutic implications for patients diagnosed with AION in the acute phase.
The iCare rebound tonometer: comparisons with Goldmann tonometry, and influence of central corneal thickness
Authors: Poostchi Ali , Mitchell Robert , Nicholas Simon , Purdie Gordon , Wells Anthony 
Published: July 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To assess agreement between the iCare rebound tonometer and Goldmann tonometry and to assess the influence of central corneal thickness and the value of scleral rebound tonometer readings.Methods:  Prospective single‐centre cross‐sectional study comparing iCare rebound tonometer (RT) intraocular pressure (IOP) readings taken from corneal and scleral locations to Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) readings in 100 subjects attending ophthalmology clinics.Results:  There was a significant difference between RT and GAT, with RT tending to overestimate IOP. The mean difference between RT and GAT measurements was 3.36 mmHg. The mean difference between the log of RT and the log of GAT measurements was 0.2356, a ratio of 1.27 (P < 0.0001). A formula derived from a linear regression analysis suggested that a 10% increase in CCT increased the RT IOP reading by 9.9%. Scleral RT readings showed no relationship to GAT readings.Conclusions:  The rebound tonometer cannot replace the Goldmann tonometer in the office setting given the wide limits of agreement between the two devices. Corneal rebound tonometer readings are influenced by CCT whereas scleral rebound tonometer readings are of no value.
Eye injuries in rural Victoria, Australia
Authors: Raymond Simon , Favilla Ian , Nguyen Anh , Jenkins Mark , Mason Greg 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground:  Eye injury causes significant morbidity and is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. This study investigates the incidence, spectrum and patterns of eye injury presenting to a rural hospital in Victoria, Australia.Methods:  A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients presenting with eye injury to the emergency department of Mildura Base Hospital, Victoria, Australia in year 2004 was conducted. As the emergency department of Mildura Base Hospital also acts as the outpatient department for this hospital, the series included all patients treated for eye injury at Mildura Base Hospital in year 2004, including admissions.Results:  There were 435 patients present to Mildura Base Hospital emergency department for eye injury in 2004, which represented approximately 1% of the population of Mildura. The majority of eye injuries were superficial. Fifty‐six (13%) patients required specialist attention. Most patients were male (83%) and were middle‐aged. The most common locations where eye injuries took place were residential homes (47%) and workplaces (32%). The most common causes of eye injuries were trade tools and machinery (47%), followed by chemicals (12%) and branches/sticks/twigs (11%). Of particular concern for Mildura is that approximately one‐quarter of the patients treated at Mildura Base Hospital for eye injury in 2004 had been treated at Mildura Base Hospital for a separate episode of eye injury in the past.Conclusion:  Eye injuries represent a significant socioeconomic burden. This research contributes to the knowledge required for the design and implementation of effective preventative strategy.
Temperature effect on the sulfur isotope fractionation during sulfate reduction by two strains of the hyperthermophilic Archaeoglobus fulgidus
Authors: Mitchell Kristen , Heyer Anne , Canfield Donald E. , Hoek Joost , Habicht Kirsten S. 
Published: July 2009

SummarySulfur isotope fractionation during dissimilatory sulfate reduction by two strains of the thermophilic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus (strains VC‐16 and Z) was explored over the entire temperature range of growth. The optimal cell‐specific sulfate reduction rate (14 fmol cell−1 h−1) was found at 82–84°C but growth was measured as low as 54°C. The fractionation ranged between 0.52‰ and 27‰, with largest fractionations were found at intermediate temperatures and the smallest fractionations at the lowest and highest temperatures. There was an inverse relationship between the cell‐specific sulfate reduction rate and fractionation, and the cell‐specific rate was a good indicator of the expected fractionations regardless of whether temperature or substrate concentrations controlled the rate. Comparison of the fractionation trend found in this study with similar measurements for seven other sulfate‐reducers showed that sulfate‐reducing organisms respond to temperature in three different ways and this correlated with their maximum fractionation value, but not with the cell‐specific sulfate reduction rate. A sulfur isotope model was used to reproduce the observed variation of fractionation with temperature. This approach predicted the rate of internal sulfur transformations as having the major influence on the observed fractionations in the intermediate temperature range, whereas the exchange of sulfate across the cell membrane controls fractionation at low and high temperatures.