bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in the large‐scale distribution of plants: extinction, colonisation and the effects of climate
Authors: Doxford Simon W. , Freckleton Robert P. 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. Understanding large‐scale distribution shifts is vital to predict species responses to changes in the environment. Such shifts occur as a consequence of habitat distribution, dispersal processes and the influence of environment factors.2. Historical distribution records provide a long‐term perspective on change. Here, we use presence/absence data on 1781 British plant species to examine distribution shifts in the 20th century. Our aim was to determine the importance of long‐ and short‐distance colonisation in the spread of plant populations.3. We consider three contrasting models of distribution change: random colonisation, where colonisation occurs independently of the established distribution, localised phalanx, where favourable local conditions and/or short‐distance dispersal results in colonisation of neighbouring sites only, and phalanx‐spread, which is the diffusion‐like spread of a population through localised colonisations.4. We fitted a set of four generalised linear models to contrast various forms of the three mechanisms of distribution change. Model selection was used to assess the relative fit of each.5. Overall rates of extinction and colonisation were low, but highly variable. They were strongly linked with total occupancy, which reduced the probability of extinction and increased that of colonisation.6. Comparison of the models indicated that the majority of distributions change through a phalanx‐spread process. This indicates that local habitat distribution, as well as localised dispersal, are key driving processes. Long‐distance colonisation is, in particular, very rare.7. An additional set of three models was fitted using rainfall and temperature data. These models were of improved fit compared to the models of distribution change. A clear climate signal could be identified for c. 45% of species, while for the remainder there was a signal that could not be unequivocally attributed to rainfall or temperature.8.
Synthesis. Our analysis shows that the spread of most species is spatially restricted at a national scale. This is likely to be a consequence of habitat suitability and dispersal. Habitat changes, such as climate, occur (on a decadal scale) through relatively slow spread of changes. Dispersal is typically restricted, so that new habitat is usually colonised only if it is adjacent to already colonised patches. Our findings highlight the importance of prior knowledge of dispersal mechanisms as well as local habitat structure and availability in species distribution modelling research and species conservation initiatives.
Automated calculation of the distal contractile integral in esophageal pressure topography with a region‐growing algorithm
Authors: Lin Z. , Roman S. , Pandolfino J. E. , Kahrilas P. J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground  The distal contractile integral (DCI) is an index of contractile vigor in high‐resolution esophageal pressure topography (EPT) calculated as the product of amplitude, duration, and span of the distal esophageal contraction. The aim of this study was to develop an automated algorithm calculating DCI.Methods  The DCI was calculated conventionally using ManoView™ (Given Imaging, Los Angeles, CA, USA) software in EPT studies from 72 controls and 20 patients and compared to the calculation using a MATLAB™ (Version 7.9.0, R2009b; The MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA, USA) ‘region‐growing’ algorithm. This algorithm first established the spatial limits of the distal contraction (the proximal pressure trough to either the distal pressure trough or to the superior margin of the lower esophageal sphincter at rest). Pixel‐by‐pixel horizontal line segments were then analyzed within this span starting at the pressure maximum and extending outward from that point. The limits of ‘region‐growing’ were defined either by the spatial DCI limits or by encountering a pressure <20 mmHg. The DCI was then calculated as the total units of mmHg s cm greater than 20 mmHg within this domain.Key Results  Excellent correlation existed between the two methods (r = 0.98, P < 0.001). The DCI values obtained with the conventional calculation were slightly but significantly greater than with the region‐growing algorithm. Differences were attributed to the inclusion of vascular pressures in the conventional calculation or to differences in localization of the distal limit of the DCI.Conclusions & Inferences  The proposed region‐growing algorithm provides an automated method to calculate DCI that limits inclusion of vascular pressure artifacts and minimizes the need for user input in data analysis.
Generation of Antibody‐Producing Hybridomas Following One Single Immunization with a Targeted DNA Vaccine
Authors: Øynebråten I. , Løvås T.‐O. , Thompson K. , Bogen B. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe standard protocol for generating antibody (Ab)‐producing hybridomas is based on fusion of plasmacytoma cells with Ab‐producing B cells harvested from immunized mice. To increase the yield of hybridomas, it is important to use immunization protocols that induce a high frequency of B cells producing specific Abs. Our laboratory has developed a vaccine format, denoted vaccibody that promotes the immune responses towards the delivered antigen. The vaccine format targets antigens in a bivalent form to surface receptors on antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). Here, we used the fluorescent protein (FP) mCherry as antigen and targeted it to APCs by use of either the natural ligand CCL3/MIP‐1α or single‐chain variable fragment specific for major histocompatibility complex class II. The vaccine format was delivered to mouse muscle as DNA combined with electroporation. By this procedure, we developed two monoclonal Abs that can be utilized to detect the FC mCherry in various applications. The data suggest that the targeted DNA vaccine format can be utilized to enhance the number of Ab‐producing hybridomas and thereby be a tool to improve the B cell hybridoma technology.
Self‐administered MDMA produces dose‐ and time‐dependent serotonin deficits in the rat brain
Authors: Do Jennifer , Schenk Susan 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use and abuse have been increasing worldwide. Of concern, exposure to high doses of MDMA decreases several markers of serotonin (5HT) neurotransmission and produces deficits in tissue levels of 5HT. Studies in laboratory animals have been conducted primarily following large doses (20.0–80.0 mg/kg) of experimenter‐administered MDMA, but it is unclear whether similar persistent deficits in tissue 5HT levels are produced following self‐administration. In this study, tissue levels of 5HT in the frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus were measured following different levels of self‐administered MDMA. For both groups, responding was initially reinforced by an infusion of 1.0 mg/kg/infusion MDMA. The dose was reduced to 0.5 mg/kg/infusion once 90 infusions had been self‐administered. For the two groups, testing continued until either a total of 165 or 315 mg/kg had been self‐administered. Assays were conducted either 2 or 10 weeks following the last self‐administration session. The lower dose exposure regimen failed to significantly decrease 5HT levels in any brain region. The higher dose exposure, however, decreased 5HT levels by 30–35% in all three brain regions 2 weeks, but not 10 weeks, following self‐administration. Thus, MDMA self‐administration produced dose‐ and time‐dependent deficits in tissue levels of 5HT, suggesting that similar deficits would be produced in humans who use and abuse the drug.
Reproductive behavior of individuals with increased risk of having a child with retinoblastoma
Authors: Dommering CJ , Garvelink MM , Moll AC , van Dijk J , Imhof SM , Meijers‐Heijboer H , Henneman L 
Published: September 2011

Dommering CJ, Garvelink MM, Moll AC, van Dijk J, Imhof SM, Meijers‐Heijboer H, Henneman L. Reproductive behavior of individuals with increased risk of having a child with retinoblastoma.To investigate reproductive behavior of individuals at increased risk of having a child with retinoblastoma (Rb), we conducted a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey among 118 counselees visiting the Clinical Genetics Department of the National Rb Center in the Netherlands. The recurrence risk for counselees ranged from <1% to 50%. The response rate was 69%. Of 43 respondents considering having children after becoming aware of their increased risk, Rb influenced reproductive behavior for 25 (58%), of whom 14 had a recurrence risk <3%. Twenty of these 25 decided against having more children and 5 used prenatal diagnosis. Eighteen of the 43 respondents did not use any of the alternative reproductive options and had children (or more children), although half indicated having had doubts about their decisions. Multiple logistic regression showed that only perceived risk (p = 0.003) was significantly associated with Rb influencing reproductive behavior. Of 17 respondents planning children (or more children), 11 (65%) considered using one of the alternative reproductive options. We conclude that reproductive behavior is greatly influenced by Rb and that perceived risk, not objective risk, is the most important factor of influence. It is important to offer individuals at increased risk continued access to genetic counseling, even when this risk is small.
Silver–Russell syndrome due to maternal uniparental disomy 7 and a familial reciprocal translocation t(7;13)
Authors: Behnecke A , Hinderhofer K , Jauch A , Janssen JWG , Moog U 
Published: September 2011

Behnecke A, Hinderhofer K, Jauch A, Janssen JWG, Moog U. Silver–Russell syndrome due to maternal uniparental disomy 7 and a familial reciprocal translocation t(7;13).Silver–Russell syndrome (SRS) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, typical facial features and a spectrum of additional features including body and limb asymmetry and clinodactyly. Maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 7 (upd(7)mat) was shown to occur in 5–10% of patients with SRS. Maternal UPD7 is clinically often associated with mild SRS. Parents of an affected child are given a negligible recurrence risk as all reported cases with upd(7)mat have been sporadic so far. In general, chromosomal rearrangements‐like translocations increase the likelihood of uniparental disomy (UPD) for the chromosomes involved. However, SRS as the result of a upd(7)mat in association with an inherited chromosomal translocation involving chromosome 7 has only been reported once before. Here, we describe the second case of SRS with upd(7)mat due to a familial reciprocal translocation t(7;13). This emphasizes the importance of chromosome analysis in SRS patients with upd(7)mat to rule out chromosomal rearrangements despite their rare occurrence as they are of great relevance for genetic counseling of SRS families.
False‐positive Aspergillus galactomannan assay in solid organ transplant recipients with histoplasmosis
Authors: Vergidis P. , Walker R.C. , Kaul D.R. , Kauffman C.A. , Freifeld A.G. , Slagle D.C. , Kressel A.B. , Wheat L.J. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract:Post‐transplantation histoplasmosis may be acquired via inhalation, may result from endogenous reactivation, or may be derived from the allograft. The Histoplasma and Aspergillus enzyme‐linked immunoassays are increasingly being relied upon for rapid diagnosis of fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. We describe 4 cases of solid organ transplant recipients who had histoplasmosis and a falsely positive Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) obtained from the serum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. We also report our experience, testing for Histoplasma antigen (Ag) in specimens positive for Aspergillus GM. From January 2007 through December 2010, of 2432 unique patients who had positive Aspergillus GM tests, 514 (21%) were tested for Histoplasma Ag, and 27 were found to be positive. Most specimens that tested positive for both Aspergillus and Histoplasma were obtained by BAL. False‐positive tests for Aspergillus GM can occur in immunosuppressed patients who have histoplasmosis, and may obscure the correct diagnosis.
Validation and usefulness of the Danish version of the Pain Medication Questionnaire in opioid‐treated chronic pain patients
Authors: HØJSTED J. , NIELSEN P. R. , KENDALL S. , FRICH L. , SJØGREN P. 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundAddiction is a feared complication of long‐term opioid therapy for chronic pain patients. A screening tool to assess the potential risk of addiction may be helpful.MethodsThe Pain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ) was translated into Danish by a ‘forward’ and ‘backward’ translation procedure. Patients with chronic non‐cancer pain and cancer pain treated at a tertiary pain center were screened for addiction using Portenoy's criteria and invited to answer the Danish version of the PMQ.ResultsTwo hundred nine patients participated in the study. PMQ was able to discriminate between addicted and non‐addicted patients. Patients with high PMQ scores indicating a risk of addiction drank more alcohol, smoked more tobacco, used higher doses of morphine, had a higher anxiety and depression score, and had poorer mental health. Using a cut‐off score of 22, the PMQ had a sensitivity of 82%, but the specificity at this cut‐point was 56%, indicating a risk of false positive cases. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed by correlation with opioid doses, alcohol and tobacco use, anxiety and depression scores, and inverse correlation with mental health and social role. Test–retest showed a very strong correlation. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was 0.61. Ten components were found to have eigenvalues above 1.0, confirming the multidimensional structure of the questionnaire.ConclusionsThe PMQ may assist physicians in addiction risk assessment and stratification when treating chronic pain patients with opioids. PMQ is not a diagnostic tool and should only be used as an indicator for possible addiction problems.
Sonoanatomy of the vasculature at the supraclavicular and interscalene regions relevant for brachial plexus block
Authors: MUHLY W. T. , OREBAUGH S. L. 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundOur aim in this observational study was to utilize ultrasound, as well as anatomic dissection, to document the frequency with which branches of the subclavian vessels are found in close association with the brachial plexus at the locations of supraclavicular and interscalene brachial plexus block.MethodsUltrasound was utilized to document the presence of branches of the subclavian vein and artery, adjacent to the brachial plexus in the supraclavicular and in the interscalene region in 50 patients undergoing shoulder surgery. The position, depth, and dimensions of the vessels were described, and the origin determined when possible. In addition, the posterior triangle of the neck on both sides of three non‐preserved cadavers was dissected to evaluate the vascular anatomy and correlate the ultrasound findings.ResultsUltrasound scanning revealed an arterial branch adjacent to, or passing directly through, the brachial plexus in the supraclavicular region in 43/50 (86%) patients. Within the interscalene region, an artery was identified coursing in a lateral direction in 45/50 (90%) of cases, while a corresponding small vein, coursing medial to lateral in this area, was noted in 23/50 (46%) of cases.ConclusionsSmall branch vessels from the subclavian artery and vein were frequently evident, on ultrasound imaging, in close association with the nerve elements of the brachial plexus in the supraclavicular and interscalene regions. Appreciation of the presence of these vessels and their likely origin and course will aid the anesthesiologist in planning a safe nerve block.
Dose‐dependent attenuation by fentanyl on cough during emergence from general anesthesia
Authors: YOO Y.‐C. , NA S. , JEONG J.‐J. , CHOI E.‐M. , MOON B.‐E. , LEE J.‐R. 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundAlthough fentanyl suppresses tracheal tube‐induced cough during anesthetic recovery, it has not been proven if its antitussive effect is dose dependent and complication free. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between fentanyl doses and cough suppression during emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia.MethodsSixty patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomly allocated to one of four groups (F0, F1, F1.5, and F2) according to the fentanyl dose (0 mcg/kg, 1 mcg/kg, 1.5 mcg/kg, or 2 mcg/kg). Fentanyl was administered immediately after sevoflurane discontinuation. Coughing was assessed throughout the periextubation period. The relationship between fentanyl dose and incidence of cough was analyzed using Cochran–Armitage trend test. Incidence of more than 30% elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), awakening time, extubation time, and respiratory rate after extubation were recorded and compared using Mantel–Haenszel chi‐square test and one‐way analysis of variance.ResultsFentanyl suppressed emergence cough in a dose‐related manner (P = 0.002), and the ED50 and ED90 were 1.1 mcg/kg and 2.1 mcg/kg, respectively. The higher dose of fentanyl further reduced the number of patient with MAP and HR elevation (P = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively). Awakening time (8.4 ± 1.9 min) in F2 was comparable with that in F1 and F1.5. Respiratory rate (9 ± 2 bpm) and extubation time (11.9 ± 1.8 min) in F2 were only different from those in F0 (13 ± 3 bpm and 10.4 ± 1.1 min, respectively).ConclusionsFentanyl suppressed cough in a dose‐related manner during recovery from general sevoflurane anesthesia, and 2 mcg/kg may be considered as a proper dose.
Noninvasive tissue oxygen saturation determined by near‐infrared spectroscopy following peripheral nerve block
Authors: TIGHE P.J. , ELLIOTT C.E. , LUCAS S.D. , BOEZAART A.P. 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundNoninvasive physiologic measurement of cutaneous tissue oxygenation using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has become increasingly common in cardiovascular and plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to determine whether clinically available NIRS‐based monitors could detect changes in tissue oxygen saturation (rSO2) following a variety of peripheral nerve blocks. We hypothesize that peripheral nerve blocks will produce detectable changes in cutaneous tissue oxygenation levels that can be measured by noninvasive NIRS‐based oximetry.MethodsForty adult patients scheduled for pre‐operative peripheral nerve block placement were enrolled. Prior to block placement, NIRS sensors were placed on the operative and nonoperative (control) limb. Baseline tissue oxygen saturation values were obtained prior to dosing of the nerve block, and measurements were recorded every 5 min thereafter.ResultsInitial rSO2 values were higher in the operative vs. control limbs prior to nerve block placement. Tissue oxygen saturation increased in the blocked, but not control, limbs with time. Subgroup analysis suggested statistically significant differences in rSO2 values in blocked vs. control limbs for cervical paravertebral, infraclavicular, and femoral nerve blocks.ConclusionsOur results demonstrated sustained increases in tissue rSO2 values following peripheral nerve block placement, in addition to higher initial rSO2 values in operative limbs prior to block placement. Further investigations are necessary to define the expected baseline rSO2 values in operative and control limbs. Future efforts utilizing NIRS‐based detection of tissue ischemia should consider the small but significant changes in rSO2 resulting from a successful nerve block.
Sex‐specific fitness variation in gynodioecious Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima: do empirical observations fit theoretical predictions?
Authors: DE CAUWER I. , ARNAUD J.‐F. , COURSEAUX A. , DUFAY M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn gynodioecious species, in which hermaphroditic and female plants co‐occur, the maintenance of sexual polymorphism relies on the genetic determination of sex and on the relative fitness of the different phenotypes. Flower production, components of male fitness (pollen quantity and pollen quality) and female fitness (fruit and seed set) were measured in gynodioecious Beta vulgaris spp. maritima, in which sex is determined by interactions between cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) genes and nuclear restorers of male fertility. The results suggested that (i) female had a marginal advantage over hermaphrodites in terms of flower production only, (ii) restored CMS hermaphrodites (carrying both CMS genes and nuclear restorers) suffered a slight decrease in fruit production compared to non‐CMS hermaphrodites and (iii) restored CMS hermaphrodites were poor pollen producers compared to non‐CMS hermaphrodites, probably as a consequence of complex determination of restoration. These observations potentially have important consequences for the conditions of maintenance of sexual polymorphism in B. vulgaris and are discussed in the light of existing theory on evolutionary dynamics of gynodioecy.
Predictive ability of alternative models for genetic analysis of clinical mastitis
Authors: Vazquez A.I. , Perez‐Cabal M.A. , Heringstad B. , Rodrigues‐Motta M. , Rosa G.J.M. , Gianola D. , Weigel K.A. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryMastitis in cows can be defined as a binary trait, reflecting presence or absence of clinical mastitis (CM), or as a count variable, number of mastitis cases (NCM), within a defined time interval. Many different models have been proposed for genetic analyses of mastitis, and the objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive ability and sire predictions of a set of models for genetic evaluation of CM or NCM. Linear‐ and threshold liability models for CM, and linear, censored ordinal threshold, and zero‐inflated Poisson (ZIP) models for NCM were compared in a cross‐validation study. To assess the ability of these models to predict future data, records from 620 492 first‐lactation Norwegian Red cows, which were daughters of 3064 sires, were evaluated in a fourfold cross‐validation scheme. The mean squared error of prediction was used for model comparison. All models but ordinal threshold model equally performed when comparing the overall predictive ability. This result was on average, across sick and healthy cows; however, the models behaved differently for each category of animals. For example, healthy cows were predicted better by the threshold and linear models for binary data and ZIP model, whereas for mastitic cows, the ordinal threshold model was by far the best model. Predicted sire effects and rankings of sires were highly correlated across all models. For practical purposes, the linear models are very competitive with the nonlinear models.