bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of dams in river networks on fish assemblages in non‐impoundment sections of rivers in Michigan and Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Wang Lizhu , Infante Dana , Lyons John , Stewart Jana , Cooper Arthur 
Published: February 2010

AbstractRegional assessment of cumulative impacts of dams on riverine fish assemblages provides resource managers essential information for dam operation, potential dam removal, river health assessment and overall ecosystem management. Such an assessment is challenging because characteristics of fish assemblages are not only affected by dams, but also influenced by natural variation and human‐induced modification (in addition to dams) in thermal and flow regimes, physicochemical habitats and biological assemblages. This study evaluated the impacts of dams on river fish assemblages in the non‐impoundment sections of rivers in the states of Michigan and Wisconsin using multiple fish assemblage indicators and multiple approaches to distinguish the influences of dams from those of other natural and human‐induced factors. We found that environmental factors that influence fish assemblages in addition to dams should be incorporated when evaluating regional effects of dams on fish assemblages. Without considering such co‐influential factors, the evaluation is inadequate and potentially misleading. The role of dams alone in determining fish assemblages at a regional spatial scale is relatively small (explained less than 20% of variance) compared with the other environmental factors, such as river size, flow and thermal regimes and land uses jointly. However, our results do demonstrate that downstream and upstream dams can substantially modify fish assemblages in the non‐impoundment sections of rivers. After excluding river size and land‐use influences, our results clearly demonstrate that dams have significant impacts on fish biotic‐integrity and habitat‐and‐social‐preference indicators. The influences of the upstream dams, downstream dams, distance to dams, and dam density differ among the fish indicators, which have different implications for maintaining river biotic integrity, protecting biodiversity and managing fisheries. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modified Dynamic Gracilis Neosphincter for Fecal Incontinence: An Analysis of Functional Outcome at a Single Institution
Authors: Hassan M. Z. M. , Rathnayaka M. M. G. , Deen K. I. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackgroundWe undertook a prospective longitudinal study of patients with end‐stage fecal incontinence who were undergoing transposition of the gracilis muscle as a neo‐anal sphincter with external low‐frequency electrical stimulation of the nerve to the gracilis combined with biofeedback.MethodsA total of 31 patients (21 male, 10 female: median age: 22 years; range: 4–77 years) underwent this procedure for treatment of traumatic disruption (11 patients, 35%), congenital atresia (11 patients, 35%), iatrogenic injury (6–20%), and perineal sepsis (3 patients, 10%). The gracilis muscle was transposed at operation in an alpha or gamma configuration. Low‐frequency (7 Hz) transcutaneous electrical stimulation commenced 2 weeks after operation and was continued for up to 12 weeks. Biofeedback therapy, which consisted of supervised neosphincter squeeze exercises, commenced simultaneously and continued for up to 28 weeks. Outcome was assessed by clinical examination, anal manometry, the Cleveland Clinic Florida continence score (CCFS), and the Rockwood quality of life scale (FIQL). Successful outcome was defined by improvement in clinical outcome, patient satisfaction, a positive result on anal manometry, and/or CCFS < 9, or FIQL ≥ 4.ResultsAt median follow‐up of 67 months, overall improvement was seen in 22 (71%). Maximum resting pressure (MRP) and maximum squeeze pressure (MSP) improved significantly after operation [MRP pre versus post, mean (SD), cm water—13.8 (9.6) versus 20.9 (11.3); P = 0.01; and MSP 36.6 (22.4) versus 95.4 (71.2), P = 0.001]. In a subset of 18 patients who showed improvement after operation, the CCFS score (mean, SD) improved from 19.2 (3.4) to 5.2 (5.6); P = 0.0001. FIQL (mean, SD) showed significant improvement in all four domains in 14 patients who reported improvement since the year 2000.ConclusionsA modified dynamic gracilis neoanal sphincter for end‐stage fecal incontinence helps restore and sustain continence with improvement in quality of life in the majority of patients. The procedure was most effective as augmentation in those who had suffered a traumatic injury, when compared with patients with congenital atresia and sepsis that had resulted in loss of the native anal sphincter.
Do seed harvesting ants threaten the viability of a critically endangered non‐myrmecochorous perennial plant population? A complex interaction
Authors: Martínez‐Duro Esmeralda , Ferrandis Pablo , Herranz José M. , Copete Miguel A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis study analyzes the fate of seeds removed by ants, as well as the seed supply, seedling survival, and the ability to form persistent seed banks in the soil, in a critically endangered population of the non‐myrmecochorous perennial halophyteHelianthemum polygonoides, in order to determine the extent to which seed removal by ants represents a real bottleneck for recruitment and thus a threat for long‐term population viability. Apparently, the impact of seed‐harvester ants was dramatic: the primary seed shadow was reduced by up to 93% by the activity ofMessor bouvieriandAphaenogaster dulcineae. However,M. bouvierilost 7% of fruits collected by dropping them on trunk trails, mostly under plant cover, the most propitious microenvironment for recruitment. In addition, some seeds were mistakenly rejected in refuse piles, although here recruitment was extremely low. A significant fraction of seeds (≈40%) remained viable in the soil for over 2 years. In addition,H. polygonoideshad the ability to form short‐term persistent seed banks, in spite of the intense ant seed removal. In general, seedling recruitment was very low, denoting the scarcity of safe sites in the habitat. Overall, the data corroborate that seed removal by ants, although highly intense, does not compromise the viability of perennial‐plant populations, because seed supply and seed reserve in the soil are enough to exploit current and future safe sites. A population viability analysis demonstrated that other threats affecting the survival of reproductiveH. polygonoidesplants actually constitute the real risk for the conservation of this critically endangered species.
Targeted genome-wide investigation identifies novel SNPs associated with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: McKnight Amy Jayne , Currie Diane , Patterson Chris C. , Maxwell Alexander P. , Fogarty Damian G. ,   The Warren 3/UK GoKinD Study Group
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Loci contributing to complex disease have been identified by focusing on genome-wide scans utilising non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs). We employed Illumina’s HNS12 BeadChip (13,917 high-value SNPs) which was specifically designed to capture nsSNPs and ideally complements more dense genome-wide association studies that fail to consider many of these putatively functional variants. The HNS12 panel also includes 870 tag SNPs covering the major histocompatibility region. All individuals genotyped in this study were Caucasians with (cases) and without (controls) diabetic nephropathy. About 449 individuals with type 2 diabetes (203 cases, 246 controls) were genotyped in the initial study. 1,467 individuals with type 1 diabetes (718 cases, 749 controls) were genotyped in the follow up study. 11,152 SNPs were successfully analysed and ranked for association with diabetic nephropathy based on significance (P) values. The top ranked 32 SNPs were subsequently genotyped using MassARRAY iPLEX™ and TaqMan technologies to investigate association of these polymorphisms with nephropathy in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The top ranked nsSNP, rs1543547 (P = 10−5), is located in RAET1L, a major histocompatibility class I-related gene at 6q25.1. Of particular interest, multiple nsSNPs within the top ranked (0.2%) SNPs are within several plausible candidate genes for nephropathy on 3q21.3 and 6p21.3.
Effects of epigallocatechin gallate on regulatory T cell number and function in obese v. lean volunteers
Authors: Yun Jung-Mi , Jialal Ishwarlal , Devaraj Sridevi 
Published: February 2010

Obesity predisposes to an increased incidence of diabetes and CVD. Also, obesity is a pro-inflammatory state. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential negative regulators of inflammation and are down-regulated in pro-inflammatory states. Animal models of obesity are associated with decreased Tregs. The dietary modulation of Tregs could be used as a therapeutic strategy to control inflammation. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and an active ingredient of green tea and is suggested to have a role as a preventive agent in obesity, diabetes and CVD. The role of EGCG in the modulation of Tregs has, however, not been studied. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of EGCG on the number and function of Tregs in obese and lean human subjects in vitro, and to delineate its specific regulation mechanisms. Tregs were isolated from normal-weight and obese subjects. Tregs were cultured in the absence or presence of EGCG (20 μm) for 24 h. Foxp3-expressing Tregs were enumerated using flow cytometry. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and nuclear NF-κBp65 level were measured by ELISA and Western blots. Obese subjects had lower Tregs and IL-10 production than lean subjects. EGCG treatment significantly enhanced the number of Foxp3-expressing Tregs and IL-10 production in vitro (P < 0·05) in both groups. Also, EGCG decreased NF-κB activity and increased HDAC activity and HDAC-2 expression in Tregs (P < 0·05) in both groups. Thus, in part, EGCG enhances the functionality of Tregs, i.e. IL-10 production and number by suppressing the NF-κB signalling pathway via inducing epigenetic changes.
Attachment patterns of homeless youth: Choices of stress and confusion
Authors: Kang Min Ju , Glassman Michael 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis commentary explores the reproductive strategies and attachment patterns among homeless youths. Del Giudice's integrated evolutionary model is applied to a homeless youth population that must function in ecological settings of constant high risk and stress. Different reproductive needs result in different patterns of high-risk behaviors. Intervention considering the sex differences, life history, and early caregiver–child relationships is suggested.
English as a trademark of modernity and elitism
Authors: Hasanova D. 
Published: February 2010

A case study of the presence of English in shop and service names in Post-Soviet Uzbekistan. The use of English as a trademark of modernity and elitism in the commercial contexts in Uzbekistan is a new phenomenon which has emerged as Uzbekistan entered the global village as an independent and developing country in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. While during the Cold War (1947–1991) and the Soviet era by and large, English was considered ‘the language of Western imperialism’ (Dushku, 1998), today it is seen as a symbol of advanced education, modernity, prestige, and elitism. In order to have a better understanding of how common and widespread English is on the streets and commercial contexts of Uzbekistan, this study examines the use of written English in shop signs and different service names.Uzbekistan, the most populous Central Asian country, shares its borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan.
Viewing cancer genes from co-evolving gene modules
Authors: Zhu Jing , Xiao Hui , Shen Xiaopei , Wang Jing , Zou Jinfeng , Zhang Lin , Yang Da , Ma Wencai , Yao Chen , Gong Xue , Zhang Min , Zhang Yang , Guo Zheng 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Motivation: Studying the evolutionary conservation of cancer genes can improve our understanding of the genetic basis of human cancers. Functionally related proteins encoded by genes tend to interact with each other in a modular fashion, which may affect both the mode and tempo of their evolution.
Results: In the human PPI network, we searched for subnetworks within each of which all proteins have evolved at similar rates since the human and mouse split. Identified at a given co-evolving level, the subnetworks with non-randomly large sizes were defined as co-evolving modules. We showed that proteins within modules tend to be conserved, evolutionarily old and enriched with housekeeping genes, while proteins outside modules tend to be less-conserved, evolutionarily younger and enriched with genes expressed in specific tissues. Viewing cancer genes from co-evolving modules showed that the overall conservation of cancer genes should be mainly attributed to the cancer proteins enriched in the conserved modules. Functional analysis further suggested that cancer proteins within and outside modules might play different roles in carcinogenesis, providing a new hint for studying the mechanism of cancer.
Contact: guoz@ems.hrbmu.edu.cn
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sugar transporters of the major facilitator superfamily in aphids; from gene prediction to functional characterization
Authors: Price D. R. G. , Tibbles K. , Shigenobu S. , Smertenko A. , Russell C. W. , Douglas A. E. , Fitches E. , Gatehouse A. M. R. , Gatehouse J. A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAnalysis of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) genome using signatures specific to the Major Facilitator Superfamily (Pfam Clan CL0015) and the Sugar_tr family (Pfam Family PF00083) has identified 54 genes encoding potential sugar transporters, of which 38 have corresponding ESTs. Twenty‐nine genes contain the InterPro IPR003663 hexose transporter signature. The protein encoded byAp_ST3, the most abundantly expressed sugar transporter gene, was functionally characterized by expression as a recombinant protein. Ap_ST3 acts as a low‐affinity uniporter for fructose and glucose that does not depend on Na+or H+for activity.Ap_ST3was expressed at elevated levels in distal gut tissue, consistent with a role in gut sugar transport. TheA. pisumgenome shows evidence of duplications of sugar transporter genes.
A full‐length cDNA resource for the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: Shigenobu S. , Richards S. , Cree A. G. , Morioka M. , Fukatsu T. , Kudo T. , Miyagishima S. , Gibbs R. A. , Stern D. L. , Nakabachi A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractLarge collections of full‐length cDNAs are important resources for genome annotation and functional genomics. We report the creation of a collection of 50 599 full‐length cDNA clones from the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Sequencing from 5′ and 3′ ends of the clones generated 97 828 high‐quality expressed sequence tags, representing approximately 9000 genes. These sequences were imported to AphidBase and are shown to play crucial roles in both automatic gene prediction and manual annotation. Our detailed analyses demonstrated that the full‐length cDNAs can further improve gene models and can even identify novel genes that are not included in the current version of the official gene set. This full‐length cDNA collection can be utilized for a wide variety of functional studies, serving as a community resource for the study of the functional genomics of the pea aphid.
Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome: long‐term follow‐up and genetic heterogeneity
Authors: Jung C , Dagoneau N , Baujat G , Le Merrer M , David A , Di Rocco M , Hamel B , Mégarbané A , Superti‐Furga A , Unger S , Munnich A , Cormier‐Daire V 
Published: February 2010

Jung C, Dagoneau N, Baujat G, Le Merrer M, David A, Di Rocco M, Hamel B, Mégarbané A, Superti‐Furga A, Unger A, Munnich A, Cormier‐Daire V. Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome: long‐term follow‐up and genetic heterogeneity.Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome (SWS, OMIM 601559) is a severe autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations in the leukemia inhibitory receptor (LIFR) gene. The main characteristic features are bowing of the long bones, neonatal respiratory distress, swallowing/sucking difficulties and dysautonomia symptoms including temperature instability often leading to death in the first years of life. We report here four patients with SWS who have survived beyond 36 months of age with no LIFR mutation. These patients have been compared with six unreported SWS survivors carrying null LIFR mutations. We provide evidence of clinical homogeneity of the syndrome in spite of the genetic heterogeneity.
Only two mutations detected in 15 Tunisian patients with 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency: the p.Q356X and the novel p.G379V
Authors: Kharrat M , Trabelsi S , Chaabouni M , Maazoul F , Kraoua L , Ben Jemaa L , Gandoura N , Barsaoui S , Morel Y , M’rad R , Chaabouni H 
Published: February 2010

Kharrat M, Trabelsi S, Chaabouni M, Maazoul F, Kraoua L, Ben Jemaa L, Gandoura N, Barsaoui S, Morel Y, M’rad R, Chaabouni H. Only two mutations detected in 15 Tunisian patients with 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency: the p.Q356X and the novel p.G379V.Steroid 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency is the second most common cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, resulting in virilization, glucocorticoid deficiency and hypertension. The 11β‐hydroxylase enzyme is encoded by the CYP11B1 gene and mutations in this gene are responsible for this disease. The aim of this study was to characterize mutations in the CYP11B1 gene and to determine their frequencies in a cohort of Tunisian patients. The molecular genetic analysis was performed by direct nucleotide sequencing of the CYP11B1 gene in 15 unrelated Tunisian patients suffering from classical 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency. Only two mutations were detected in homozygous state in the CYP11B1 gene of all patients, the p.Q356X in exon 6 (26.6%) and the novel p.G379V in exon 7 with large prevalence (73.3%). This is the first report of screening for mutations of CYP11B1 gene in the Tunisian population and even in the Arab population.
The contribution of founder mutations in BRCA1 to breast and ovarian cancer in Lithuania
Authors: Elsakov P , Kurtinaitis J , Petraitis S , Ostapenko V , Razumas M , Razumas T , Meskauskas R , Petrulis K , Luksite A , Lubiński J , Górski B , Narod SA , Gronwald J 
Published: February 2010

Elsakov P, Kurtinaitis J, Petraitis S, Ostapenko V, Razumas M, Razumas T, Meskauskas R, Petrulis K, Luksite A, Lubiński J, Górski B, Narod SA, Gronwald J. The contribution of founder mutations in BRCA1 to breast and ovarian cancer in Lithuania.We evaluated the prevalence of BRCA1 founder mutations in unselected cases of breast, ovarian and colon cancer from Lithuania. We identified a founder mutation (4153delA, 5382insC or C61G) in 6% of 235 unselected cases of breast cancer and in 19% of 43 unselected cases of ovarian cancer. Only one patient with a mutation was identified among 178 cases of colon cancer. No mutation was identified among 422 newborn controls. This data indicates that the genetic burden of breast and ovarian cancer attributable to BRCA1 mutations in Lithuania is very high and supports the recommendation that all cases of breast and ovarian cancer in Lithuania be offered genetic testing.
Genetic and environmental effects on a condition‐dependent trait: feather growth in Siberian jays
Authors: GIENAPP P. , MERILÄ J. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractCondition, defined as the amount of ‘internal resources’ an individual can freely allocate, is often assumed to be environmentally determined and to reflect an individual’s health and nutritional status. However, an additive genetic component of condition is possible if it ‘captures’ the genetic variance of many underlying traits as many fitness‐related traits appear to do. Yet, the heritability of condition can be low if selection has eroded much of its additive genetic variance, or if the environmental influences are strong. Here, we tested whether feather growth rate – presumably a condition‐dependent trait – has a heritable component, and whether variation in feather growth rate is related to variation in fitness. To this end, we utilized data from a long‐term population study of Siberian jays (Perisoreus infaustus), and found that feather growth rate, measured as the width of feather growth bars (GB), differed between age‐classes and sexes, but was only weakly related to variation in fitness as measured by annual and life‐time reproductive success. As revealed by animal model analyses, GB width was significantly heritable (h2 = 0.10 ± 0.05), showing that this measure of condition is not solely environmentally determined, but reflects at least partly inherited genetic differences among individuals. Consequently, variation in feather growth rates as assessed with ptilochronological methods can provide information about heritable genetic differences in condition.
Rapid test for detection of imidazolinone resistance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: Breccia G. , Vega T. , Nestares G. , Mayor M. L. , Zorzoli R. , Picardi L. 
Published: February 2010

With 2 figures AbstractThe development of imidazolinone (IMI) resistant sunflower cultivars represents a great advantage in controlling weeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of sunflower genotypes to the presence of IMIs in a soil‐less bioassay. Six genotypes differing in IMI resistance were planted in pots filled with perlite and watered with different imazapyr doses. Differences among resistant, intermediate and susceptible genotypes were observed 8–15 days after planting. The susceptible genotype showed stunted plantlets. The intermediate genotypes developed reduced lateral roots when exposed to imazapyr. The resistant inbred line was only affected at the highest herbicide concentrations. Differences in aerial growth were also observed among genotypes. The bioassay described in this study is a rapid, simple and cost‐effective method for early screening herbicide resistant genotypes. This diagnostic test could be a useful tool when breeding for IMI resistance in sunflower.
Glomus tumor of the kidney
Authors: Sugimoto Koichi , Yamamoto Yutaka , Hashimoto Kiyoshi , Esa Atsunobu , Okamoto Shigeru 
Published: February 2010

AbstractA 41‐year‐old man was diagnosed with a glomus tumor of the kidney, which was incidentally found by ultrasonography. Partial nephrectomy revealed a 10‐mm encapsulated mass. We diagnosed it as a glomus tumor using morphological and immunohistochemical stains.