bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cryofixation rapidly preserves cytoskeletal arrays of leaf epidermal cells revealing microtubule co‐alignments between neighbouring cells and adjacent actin and microtubule bundles in the cortex
Authors: BARTON D.A. , OVERALL R.L. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryAccurate preservation of microtubule and actin microfilament arrays is crucial for investigating their roles in plant cell development. Aldehyde fixatives such as paraformaldehyde or glutaraldehyde preserve cortical microtubule arrays but, unless actin microfilaments are stabilized with drugs such as m‐maleimidobenzoyl N‐hydroxysuccinimide ester (MBS), ethylene glycol bis[sulfosuccinimidylsuccinate] (sulfo‐EGS) or phalloidin, their arrays are often poorly preserved. Cryofixation, used primarily for electron microscopy, preserves actin microfilaments well but is used rarely to fix plant cells for optical microscopy. We developed a novel whole‐mount cryofixation method to preserve microtubule and microfilament arrays within Tradescantia virginiana leaf epidermal cells for investigation using confocal microscopy. Cortical microtubule arrays were often oriented in different directions on the internal and external faces of the epidermal cells. A number of arrays were aligned in several directions, parallel to microtubules of neighbouring cells. Actin microfilaments were particularly well preserved possibly due to the speed with which they were immobilized. No transverse cortical microfilament arrays were observed. On occasion, we observed co‐aligned microfilament and microtubule bundles lying adjacent to the plasma membrane and positioned side by side suggesting a potential direct interaction between the cytoskeletal filaments at these locations. Cryofixation is therefore a valuable tool to investigate the interactions between cytoskeletal arrays in plant cells using confocal microscopy.
Daily light exposure profiles in older non‐resident extreme morning and evening types
Authors: STAPLES VICTORIA S. L. , ARCHER SIMON N. , ARBER SARA , SKENE DEBRA J. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryDifferences in daily light exposure profiles have been reported, with younger M‐types shown to spend more time in bright light, especially in the morning, compared with E‐types. This study aimed to investigate how patterns of daily light exposure in older non‐resident M‐types and E‐types compare. Sleep diaries were kept during actigraphic measurement of activity and light using the Actiwatch‐L for 14 days in 12 M‐types [eight females, mean ± standard deviation (SD) Horne–Östberg Morning–Eveningness Questionnaire (HÖ MEQ) score 75.2 ± 1.6] and 11 E‐types (seven females, HÖ MEQ 41.5 ± 4.8), over 60 years old, living in their own homes. Light data were log‐transformed, averaged over each hour, and group × time analysis of covariance (ancova) performed with age as a covariate. M‐types had significantly earlier bed and wake time than E‐types, but there was no significant difference in sleep duration, sleep efficiency or time spent in bed between groups. Daily exposure to light intensity greater than 1000 lux was compared between the two groups, with no significant difference in the duration of exposure to >1000 lux between M‐types and E‐types. Twenty‐four‐hour patterns of light exposure show that M‐types were exposed to higher light intensity at 06:00 h than E‐types. Conversely, E‐types were exposed to higher light intensity between 22:00 and 23:00 h than M‐types. These findings show that differences in daily light exposure patterns found previously in younger M‐types and E‐types are also found in older M‐types and E‐types, but at an earlier clock‐time, confirming the tendency to advance with ageing.
Host–parasite determinants of parasite population structure: lessons from bats and mites on the importance of time
Authors: MCCOY KAREN D. 
Published: August 2009

By definition, parasitic organisms are strongly dependant on their hosts, and for a great majority, this dependence includes host‐to‐host transmission. Constraints imposed by the host’s spatial distribution and demography, in combination with those of the parasite, can lead to a metapopulation structure, where parasite populations are highly stochastic (i.e. prone to frequent extinctions and re‐colonizations) and where drift becomes a major force shaping standing genetic variation. This, in turn, will directly affect the observed population structure, along with the ability of the parasite to adapt (or co‐adapt) to its host. However, only a specific consideration of temporal dynamics can reveal the extent to which drift shapes parasite population structure; this is rarely taken into account in population genetic studies of parasitic organisms. The study by Bruyndonckx et al. in this issue of Molecular Ecology does just this and, in doing so, illustrates how a comparison of host–parasite co‐structures in light of temporal dynamics can be particularly informative for understanding the ecological and evolutionary constraints imposed by the host. More specifically, the authors examine spatial and temporal population genetic data of a parasitic mite Spinturnix bechsteini that exclusively exploits the Bechstein’s bat Myotis bechsteinii and consider these data in relation to host–parasite life histories and the population structure of the host.
Helminths and malignancy
Authors: VENNERVALD B. J. , POLMAN K. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryIt has been estimated that chronic infections with viruses, bacteria and parasites contribute to 17·8% of the global burden of cancer, although only a relatively small proportion of the infection‐related cancers can be attributed to helminth infections. These are important because of the high number of people who are exposed or infected worldwide. Carcinogenesis associated with helminth infections is a complex process, which may involve several different mechanisms, but chronic inflammation is a key feature. Host immune responses and immunopathological processes mediate inflammatory responses and any failure in the control of the immunological components involved in this response can lead to chronic inflammation. This may generate a microenvironment that might be conducive to the initiation and development of cancer. Inflammatory cells generate free radicals and nitrogen species, which can oxidize and damage DNA and lead to genetic instabilities and malignant transformation. Physical damage caused by the parasites, their eggs or secreted products leads to restorative hyperplasia of the damaged tissue. This may promote the propagation of cells, in which genotoxic damage and pre‐malignant change has taken place. Three helminth infections have been classified as definitely carcinogenic to humans (group 1 carcinogens), namely Schistosoma haematobium, which is associated with cancer of the urinary bladder and the food‐borne liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini associated with cholangiocarcinoma of the liver. Reducing the level of infection and the risk of getting (re)infected will reduce the risk of cancer development later in life. Helminth infections are thus a preventable cause of cancer, emphasizing the need for sustainable helminth control in endemic areas coupled with health education, especially in relation to food‐borne liver fluke infections.
Influence of genetic architecture on contemporary local evolution in the soapberry bug,Jadera haematoloma:artificial selection on beak length
Authors: DINGLE H. , CARROLL S. P. , FAMULA T. R. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractLittle is known about the influence of genetic architecture on local adaptation. We investigated the genetic architecture of the rapid contemporary evolution of mouthparts, the flight polymorphism and life history traits in the soapberry bugJadera haematoloma(Hemiptera) using laboratory selection. The mouthparts of these seed‐feeding bugs have adapted in 40–50 years by decreasing in length following novel natural selection induced by a host switch to the seeds of an introduced tree with smaller fruits than those of the native host vine. Laboratory selection on beak length in both an ancestral population feeding on the native host and a derived population feeding on the introduced host reveals genetic variance allowing a rapid response (heritabilities of 0.51–0.87) to selection for either longer or shorter beaks. This selection resulted in reverse evolution by restoring long beaks in the derived population and forward evolution by re‐creating short beaks in the ancestral bugs. There were strong genetic correlations (0.68–0.84) in both populations between beak lengths and the frequency of flight morphs, with short beaks associated with short wings. The results reveal a genetically interrelated set of adaptive multivariate traits including both beak length and flight morph. This suite of traits reflects host plant patchiness and seeding phenology. Weaker evidence suggests that egg mass and early egg production may be elements of the same suite. Reversible or forward evolution thus may occur in a broad set of genetically correlated multivariate traits undergoing rapid contemporary adaptation to altered local environments.
Body size as a primary determinant of ecomorphological diversification and the evolution of mimicry in the lampropeltinine snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae)
Authors: ALEXANDER PYRON R. , BURBRINK F. T. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractEvolutionary correlations between functionally related character suites are expected as a consequence of coadaptation due to physiological relationships between traits. However, significant correlations may also exist between putatively unrelated characters due to shared relationships between those traits and underlying variables, such as body size. Although such patterns are often dismissed as simple body size scaling, this presumption may overlook important evolutionary patterns of diversification. If body size is the primary determinant of potential diversity in multiple unrelated characters, the observed differentiation of species may be governed by variability in body size, and any biotic or abiotic constraints on the diversification thereof. Here, we demonstrate that traits related to both predatory specialization (gape and diet preference) and predatory avoidance (the development of Batesian mimicry) are phylogenetically correlated in the North American snake tribe Lampropeltini. This is apparently due to shared relationships between those traits and adult body size, suggesting that size is the primary determinant of ecomorphological differentiation in the lampropeltinines. Diversification in body size is apparently not linked to climatic or environmental factors, and may have been driven by interspecific interactions such as competition. Additionally, we find the presence of a ‘key zone’ for the development of both rattle‐ and coral snake mimicry; only small snakes feeding primarily on ectothermic prey develop mimetic colour patterns, in or near the range of venomous model species.
Gastrointestinal Morphology of the Crowned Lemur (Eulemur coronatus)
Authors: Schwitzer C. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryI provide measurements of the gastrointestinal tract of a captive female Eulemur coronatus, obtained at necropsy, and describe its morphology. The small intestine, caecum and colon were short when compared with those of other lemur species. The ratio of intestine length to body length was low. Distinct sacculations were present in the caecum, but not in the colon. The results suggest that E. coronatus is able to digest a certain amount of structural polysaccharides as contained in plant cell wall. The main fermentation chamber seems to be the caecum. Its digestive morphology implies that E. coronatus relies on a diet higher in energy‐rich cell contents than those of other lemur species of similar body size.
The infectivity and host range of Orgyia anartoides nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Markwick N. P. , Glare T. R. , Hauxwell C. , Li Z. , Poulton J. , Ward J. M. , Young V. L. , Ward V. K. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe painted apple moth (PAM), Teia anartoides (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) made a recent incursion into New Zealand. A nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), Orgyia anartoides NPV (OranNPV), originally isolated from PAM in Australia, was tested for its pathogenicity to PAM and a range of non‐target insect species found in New Zealand, to evaluate its suitability as a microbial control for this insect invader. Dosage‐mortality tests showed that OranNPV was highly pathogenic to PAM larvae; mean LT50 values for third instars ranged from 17.9 to 8.1 days for doses from 102 to 105 polyhedral inclusion bodies/larva, respectively. The cause of death in infected insects was confirmed as OranNPV. Molecular analysis established that OranNPV can be identified by PCR and restriction digestion, and this process complemented microscopic examination of infected larvae. No lymantriid species occur in New Zealand; however, the virus had no significant effects on species from five other lepidopteran families (Noctuidae, Tortricidae, Geometridae, Nymphalidae and Plutellidae) or on adult honeybees. Thus, all indications from this initial investigation are that OranNPV would be an important tool in the control of PAM in a future incursion of this species into New Zealand.
Response of ground‐dwelling beetles across logging coupe edges into streamside reserves
Authors: Baker Susan C , Barmuta Leon A , Richardson Alastair M M 
Published: August 2009

AbstractStreamside reserves can provide important habitat reservation in forest landscapes subject to logging. Depending on the width of streamside reserves, edge effects have the potential to compromise their effectiveness for terrestrial conservation, yet edge effects into riparian environments have rarely been assessed. It would be unwise to assume that edge effects act in the same way at streamside reserves as at the non‐riparian edges of logging coupes, as interactions with riparian influences on beetles along the stream‐upslope gradient might create unique edge conditions. In this study, we assess edge effects on ground dwelling beetles at four sites, using transects of pitfall traps across logging coupe edges into streamside reserves that have only been affected by logging on one side of the stream. Edge effects were found to extend further into streamside reserves in this study than into upslope habitat at the same sites from a concurrent study. Edge effects were site specific and appeared to extend as far as the stream in most cases (23–65 m). Comparison of beetle assemblage composition with adjacent unlogged streams supported the conclusion that beetles within 10 m of streams in streamside reserves were still responding to edge effects. These results suggest that streamside reserves might not contain habitat comparable with riparian areas away from the influences of nearby clearfelling, and wider reserves are recommended to maintain core habitat not compromised by edge effects.
The tolerance of the lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae), to currently registered pesticides in Australia
Authors: Roberts John M K , Umina Paul A , Hoffmann Ary A , Weeks Andrew R 
Published: August 2009

Abstract Sminthurus viridis (lucerne flea) is a major crop and pasture pest throughout southern regions of Australia that experience a Mediterranean type climate. It is particularly problematic at the establishment phase, and chemicals are currently the main option available to farmers for their control. Few studies have assessed the currently registered pesticides for the control of S. viridis, and rates of application are generally similar to the frequently co‐occurring red‐legged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, despite few comparisons between species for their susceptibility being made. Here, we examine the response of S. viridis to six pesticides (α‐cypermethrin, bifenthrin, omethoate, methidathion, chlorpyrifos and phosmet) and then directly compare them with H. destructor. S. viridis displayed similar dose–response curves for bifenthrin, omethoate, chlorpyrifos and phosmet. It had greater sensitivity to methidathion and greater tolerance to α‐cypermethrin. S. viridis was found to be significantly more tolerant than H. destructor to all pesticides tested, with the exception of chlorpyrifos. This indicates that rates of application for control of S. viridis should be greater than H. destructor and that the organophosphates are likely to provide the most effective control of this pest.
Viva La Revolución! Designing the digital renaissance in zoological taxonomy
Authors: Yeates David 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWeb‐based, digital taxonomy is developing rapidly, but the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) still requires that the primary data element of taxonomy, the description, be published in hard copy. If accepted, a recently proposed amendment to the ICZN allows for electronic publication of taxonomic names, with the names to be registered in a global, publicly accessible, web‐based archive called ZooBank. This proposal will allow for contemporary models of publication and begin the process of establishing a global register of zoological names. While on the surface this sounds like a reasonably minor step in the pathway to the new taxonomy, the logical implications of this proposal are many and far reaching. For example, this change may lead to further advances so that zoological taxonomy bypasses traditional journal publication entirely, with ZooBank or some other electronic web‐based outlet operating as the publishing vehicle and names register for the new taxonomy. While electronic publication is an important step in improving taxonomic practice, it is by no means a panacea for the critical shortage of taxonomic expertise in Australia or elsewhere.
Predictive validity of a modified fall assessment tool in nursing homes: Experience from Slovenia
Authors: Jakovljevic Miroljub 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive validity of the Modified Fall Assessment Tool (MFAT) in a nursing home setting. The study involved 83 residents from a nursing home in Slovenia with an average age of 81 years. To determine the predictive characteristics of the MFAT, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied. During the observation period of 12 weeks, 18 residents fell. The fallers had a significantly higher history of falls, a higher number of diagnoses, more medication, and a higher MFAT score than the non‐fallers. Using the estimated criterion of 20 points, the sensitivity of the MFAT score was 61%, its specificity was 80%, its classification accuracy was 64%, its positive likelihood ratio was 3.1, its negative likelihood ratio was 0.5, its positive predictive value was 46%, and its negative predictive value was 88%. The results showed that the MFAT is suitable for the prediction of falls and, hence, also the prevention of falls in nursing homes, whereby the recommended criterion score is 20 points.
Hyperthermia in the pediatric intensive care unit – is it malignant hyperthermia?
Authors: SCHLEELEIN LAURA E. , LITMAN RONALD S. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryObjective:  To determine the characteristics of calls made to the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) Hotline regarding pediatric patients in the intensive care unit setting.Aim:  Retrospective, cohort study conducting analysis of included cases to identify the cause of elevated temperature in the pediatric intensive care unit.Background:  The etiology of hyperthermia in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) is multifactorial and often difficult to diagnose.Methods/materials:  Review of all MHAUS logs for the years 1997–2005 for children, 18 years of age and younger, with elevated temperature presenting in the intensive care setting.Results:  Sixty‐three of 1883 (3.3%) calls met inclusion criteria and these cases were characterized. Patient temperature values ranged from 38.0 to 45.0°C. Malignant hyperthermia (MH) was considered ‘definite’ in five cases and ‘probable’ in three cases. An infectious diagnosis was given to 16 cases, and a central fever was diagnosed in nine cases. The diagnosis was unknown in the remaining 30 cases. Dantrolene was administered prior to the Hotline call in 32 cases. The recommendation to continue or stop dantrolene varied according to the clinical situation. In six cases, the Hotline expert recommended initiation of dantrolene. In 17 cases, the Hotline expert recommended initiation or continuation of dantrolene as a nonspecific antipyretic, even though MH was not considered as a leading diagnosis.Conclusions:  Cases of elevated temperature in children in an intensive care unit setting reported to the MHAUS Hotline were rarely considered to be MH related. Although MH does not represent a significant portion of diagnoses related to hyperthermia, when hyperthermia occurs in children exposed to anesthetic agents, MH should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Salbutamol premedication in children with a recent respiratory tract infection
Authors: Von UNGERN‐STERNBERG BRITTA S. , HABRE WALID , ERB THOMAS O. , HEANEY MAIREAD 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground:  Premedication with β‐2 agonists (e.g. salbutamol) is effective in preventing increases in total respiratory resistance and in decreasing the incidence of perioperative bronchospasm in asthmatic children. Because children with recent respiratory tract infection (RTI) exhibit bronchial hyperreactivity similar to that observed in asthmatic children, the use of salbutamol in children with RTI has become popular among pediatric anesthetists for the prevention of perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAE). In a prospective observational study, we therefore assessed the usefulness of salbutamol premedication on the occurrence of PRAE.Methods:  Results from 600 children (0–16 years) undergoing general anesthesia were analyzed: 200 children with a recent RTI who received preoperative salbutamol 10–30 min prior to surgery, 200 children with a recent RTI without salbutamol premedication, and 200 children without a RTI during the last 4 weeks. All PRAE (laryngospasm, bronchospasm, oxygen desaturation [<95%], severe coughing) were recorded.Results:  Children with a recent RTI who received salbutamol demonstrated a significantly reduced incidence of perioperative bronchospasm (5.5% vs 11%, P = 0.0270) and severe coughing (5.5% vs 11.5%, P = 0.0314) compared with children who had an RTI but did not receive salbutamol. However, healthy children presented with the lowest rate (bronchospasm 1.5%, severe coughing 4.5%) of respiratory complications compared with children with a recent RTI independent whether or not they received salbutamol preoperatively.Conclusions:  The results from this audit suggest that children with a history of a recent RTI have significantly less PRAE following a premedication with salbutamol compared with no premedication. Therefore, premedication with salbutamol might be considered in children with recent RTI.