bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution of unionid freshwater mussels depends on the distribution of host fishes on a regional scale
Authors: Schwalb Astrid N. , Morris Todd J. , Mandrak Nicholas E. , Cottenie Karl 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimThe successful conservation of endangered mussel communities requires, in part, a thorough understanding of the processes that shape their distribution. Therefore, we tested the prediction that (1) the distribution of host fishes explains a significant amount of variation in mussel community composition. In addition, because mussel distribution also depends on spatial processes and environmental variables, we predicted that (2) the distribution and community composition of mussels in Ontario varies across eight contiguous watersheds, flowing into three different basins of the Great Lakes (Huron, St. Clair and Erie); and (3) environmental variables also explain part of the mussel distribution.LocationWatersheds in south‐western Ontario, North America, Great Lakes Region.MethodsExisting data on the distribution of mussels and fishes, and environmental and spatial information were compiled. Variation partitioning with redundancy analysis was used to examine what proportion of the variation in mussels' community composition was explained by watershed (as a spatial component), environmental differences and host fish presence. Redundancy analysis for mussel abundances was used to illustrate the similarities in the distributions of mussels and fishes, and the association of differences in community composition of mussels among watersheds with certain mussel species and environmental variables.ResultsHost fish presence explained 44%, watershed identity 28% and environmental factors 23% of the variation in mussel species composition. However, much of the explained variation was shared among these components, and all three components together explained 55% of the total variation in species composition. Even after statistically eliminating the other explanatory variables, host fish distribution was the most important group of predictor variables, although we used a subset of relevant environmental variables because of the scale of the study.Main conclusionsOur results highlight the important role played by host fishes in shaping current distributions of freshwater mussels and underscore the necessity of incorporating these relationships in conservation efforts and management actions.
The mitochondrial fluorescent dye rhodamine 123 is a high‐affinity substrate for organic cation transporters (OCTs) 1 and 2
Authors: Jouan Elodie , Le Vee Marc , Denizot Claire , Da Violante Georges , Fardel Olivier 
Published: July 2012

AbstractRhodamine 123 is a fluorescent cationic dye commonly used as a mitochondrial probe and known or suspected to be transported by certain drug membrane transporters. The present study was designed to characterize the putative interactions of rhodamine 123 with human organic cation transporter (OCT) 1 and OCT2. Intracellular uptake of the dye was demonstrated to be enhanced in both hOCT1‐ and hOCT2‐overexpressing HEK293 cells when compared with control HEK293 cells. This increase of rhodamine 123 influxes was found to be a saturable carrier‐mediated process, with low Km values (Km = 0.54 μm and Km = 0.61 μm for transport of the dye in hOCT1‐ and hOCT2‐positive HEK293 cells, respectively). Known inhibitors of hOCT1 and hOCT2 activities such as verapamil, amitriptyline, prazosin, and quinine were next demonstrated to decrease rhodamine 123 accumulation in hOCT1‐ and hOCT2‐overexpressing HEK293 cells. In addition, the dye was found to inhibit hOCT1‐ and hOCT2‐mediated uptake of tetraethylammonium (TEA), a model substrate for both hOCT1 and hOCT2; rhodamine 123 appeared nevertheless to be a more potent inhibitor of hOCT1‐mediated TEA transport (IC50 = 0.37 μm) than of that mediated by hOCT2 (IC50 = 61.5 μm). Taken together, these data demonstrate that rhodamine 123 is a high‐affinity substrate for both hOCT1 and hOCT2. This dye may be therefore useful for fluorimetrically investigating cellular hOCT1 or hOCT2 activity, knowing, however, that other factors potentially contributing to cellular accumulation of rhodamine 123, including mitochondrial membrane potential or expression of the efflux transporter P‐glycoprotein, have also to be considered.
Curcumin promotes cardiac repair and ameliorates cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Ning‐Ping , Wang Zhang‐Feng , Tootle Stephanie , Philip Tiji , Zhao Zhi‐Qing 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Curcumin, the natural yellow pigment extracted from the rhizomes of the plant curcuma longa, has been demonstrated to exhibit a variety of potent beneficial effects, acting as an antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrotic. In this study we tested the hypothesis that curcumin attenuates maladaptive cardiac repair and improves cardiac function after ischaemia and reperfusion by reducing degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and inhibiting synthesis of collagens via TGFβ/Smad‐mediated signalling pathway.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to 45 min of ischaemia followed by 7, 21 and 42 days of reperfusion respectively. Curcumin was fed orally at a dose of 150 mg·kg−1·day−1 only during reperfusion.KEY RESULTS Curcumin reduced the level of malondialdehyde, inhibited activity of MMPs, preserved ECM from degradation and attenuated collagen deposition, as it reduced the extent of collagen‐rich scar and increased mass of viable myocardium. In addition to reducing collagen synthesis and fibrosis in the ischaemic/reperfused myocardium, curcumin significantly down‐regulated the expression of TGFβ1 and phospho‐Smad2/3, and up‐regulated Smad7 and also increased the population of α‐smooth muscle actin expressing myofibroblasts within the infarcted myocardium relative to the control. Echocardiography showed it significantly improved left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, stroke volume and ejection fraction. The wall thickness of the infarcted middle anterior septum in the curcumin group was also greater than that in the control group.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Dietary curcumin is effective at inhibiting maladaptive cardiac repair and preserving cardiac function after ischaemia and reperfusion. Curcumin has potential as a treatment for patients who have had a heart attack.
redox status evaluation in dogs affected by mast cell tumour
Authors: Finotello R. , Pasquini A. , Meucci V. , Lippi I. , Rota A. , Guidi G. , Marchetti V. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractOxidative stress status has been evaluated in depth in human medicine and its role in carcinogenesis has been clearly established. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate antioxidant concentrations and oxidative stress in dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs) that had received no previous treatments, and to compare them to healthy controls. In 23 dogs with mast cell tumour and 10 healthy controls, oxidative status was assessed using the Reactive Oxygen Metabolites‐derived compounds (d‐ROMs) test, antioxidant activity was measured by the Biological Antioxidant Potential (BAP) test, and α‐tocopherol levels were evaluated using high‐performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet analysis. At baseline, dogs withMCThad significantly higher d‐ROMs(P < 0.00001) and lowerBAP(P < 0.0002) compared with healthy controls. However, no significant difference was observed for α‐tocopherol (P = 0.95). Results suggest that oxidative stress pattern and oxidative defence barrier are altered in dogs with newly diagnosedMCTcompared with control dogs. Future studies are needed in order to assess the prognostic role of oxidative stress and to evaluate the impact of different therapeutic approaches.
Vegetation and Soil Development in Compost‐Amended Iron Oxide Precipitates at a 50‐Year‐Old Acid Mine Drainage Barrens
Authors: Lupton Mary Kay , Rojas Claudia , Drohan Patrick , Bruns Mary Ann 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAcid mine drainage (AMD) barrens result from destruction of vegetation within AMD flow paths. When exposed to air, soluble iron in AMD undergoes oxidation and hydrolysis to form ferric iron (oxyhydr)oxides which accumulate on soil surfaces. A restoration experiment was conducted at a 50‐year‐old AMD barrens created by discharge from an abandoned underground coal mine. The objective was to determine whether vegetation could be established by altering rather than removing surface layers of acidic precipitates at a site representative of other mining‐degraded areas. Three zones in the barrens were identified based on moisture content, pH (2.7–3.3), and thickness of precipitates (0–35 cm). Our hypothesis was that application of the same reclamation method to all zones would fail to sustain >70% vegetative cover in each zone after four growing seasons. The method consisted of applying 11 t/ha lime and 27 or 54 t/ha compost before rototilling (top 15 cm) and mulching with oat straw containing viable seeds for a nurse crop. Lime‐only plots were included for comparison, and all amended plots were sown with a mine reclamation seed mix. Oats, sown species, and indigenous species dominated cover in the first, second, and fourth growing seasons, respectively. In the fourth year following reclamation, compost‐amended plots had >70% cover and improved soil properties in all three zones, providing evidence to reject our hypothesis. Vegetative restoration of AMD barrens did not require removal of highly acidic precipitates, since they could be transformed at low‐cost into a medium that supports indigenous plants.
Rewilding the Scottish Highlands: Do Wild Boar, Sus scrofa, Use a Suitable Foraging Strategy to be Effective Ecosystem Engineers?
Authors: Sandom Christopher J. , Hughes Joelene , Macdonald David W. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractEcosystem engineers are increasingly being reintroduced to restore ecological processes in restoration and rewilding projects. To predict and adaptively manage the impact of such species their behavioral ecology must be understood and quantified. Rooting behavior by wild boar qualifies them as ecosystem engineers due to their impact on vegetation disturbance regimes. The behavioral foraging ecology of wild boar was quantified in a fenced area in the Scottish Highlands in order to provide some of the understanding necessary to predict their ability to affect ecosystem restoration. Five wild boar were monitored within a 125 ha fenced area using Global Positioning System (GPS) collars and behavioral monitoring over a 12‐month period. Their activity budget, the relationship between foraging behavior and vegetation communities, and how these relationships vary between seasons was investigated. The results indicate that wild boar invested approximately four more hours daily to rooting during the autumn and winter than the spring and summer. During the spring and summer, grazing was the dominant foraging behavior (approximately 28% of foraging period) while rooting dominated in autumn and winter (approximately 76% of foraging period). Deep rooting behavior is particularly associated with bracken‐dominated communities. Associations between rooting, vegetation community, and season will have a strong influence on the spatial and temporal distribution of rooting behavior. This variation could have important implications for the impacts of boar on vegetation community dynamics. These results detail some of wild boar's ecosystem engineering behaviors; however, further research is required to consider the wider impacts of a full reintroduction.
Planting Design Effects on Avian Seed Dispersers in a Tropical Forest Restoration Experiment
Authors: Lindell Catherine A. , Reid John Leighton , Cole Rebecca J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSeed dispersal often limits tropical forest regeneration and animals disperse most rainforest tree seeds. This presents two important questions for restoration ecologists: (1) which animals are common seed dispersers? and (2) which restoration techniques attract them? Fourteen restoration sites were planted with four tree species in three designs, (1) controls (no planting, natural regeneration) (2) islands (trees planted in small patches), and (3) plantations (trees planted continuously over a large patch). We sampled birds in November, February, and April 2007–2008 with mist nets, in February and July 2009 with observations, and in July 2008 with both techniques. We documented 30 seed species from fecal samples of captured birds. All identified seed species were early‐successional forms. Four tanager species, three thrushes, two saltators, two flycatchers, and one finch were categorized as common seed dispersers, based on their high likelihood of dispersing seeds. Common dispersers were generalist species with small gape widths (<15 mm). Common dispersers were captured significantly more often in plantations than controls in most seasons and more often in plantations than islands during one season. Common disperser observations were significantly greater in plantations than controls during two periods and in plantations compared with islands in one period. Results indicate that plantation‐style planting is the conservative strategy to maximize attractiveness to common dispersers in tropical restoration sites. Island planting is an alternative when resources are limited although disperser activity may be lower in some seasons than in plantations. Additional research should investigate how to attract large, forest‐associated dispersers.
Cigarette Smoke Exposure Greatly Increases Alcohol Consumption in Adolescent C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Burns Benjamin E. , Proctor William R. 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundAlcohol and tobacco are often used together, and alcoholism is much more common among smokers compared with nonsmokers. Studies in humans suggest that nicotine (an active ingredient in cigarette smoke) can increase the consumption of alcohol. Research on rats and mice demonstrated mixed results; some studies report that nicotine increases alcohol consumption, while others show a decrease in drinking. Because cigarette smoke includes many other chemicals, these also may play a significant role in alcohol consumption. For example, 2 of these other constituents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and acetaldehyde, increase alcohol tolerance and/or alcohol consumption in rodents. This study was designed to investigate how cigarette smoke from tobacco may modify self‐administration of alcohol in adolescent C57BL/6 mice, a critical time when adolescent humans begin abusing drugs.MethodsC57BL/6 male mice (4 to 5 weeks old) were acclimated for 3 weeks to consume a 10% (w/v) alcohol solution during a 2‐hour daily access in the dark. Subsequently, half the animals were exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 h/d for 16 days. The remaining animals (control) were placed in a smoke‐free adjacent chamber. Immediately following the 6‐hour period in the chambers, the control and smoke‐exposed mice were given access to the 10% alcohol solution for 2 hours.ResultsAnimals exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 h/d consumed approximately 3‐ to 5‐fold more alcohol than the mice in the control group throughout the 16‐day study. The mice in the smoke group had a blood alcohol concentration that was nearly 4‐fold that of the control mice.ConclusionsCigarette smoke increases alcohol consumption several fold higher than reported studies using nicotine treatment alone in adolescent rodents. Thus, this model should be useful to determine the roles of other bioactive components in cigarette smoke that may be important in the high co‐abuse of smoking and alcohol consumption.
Electrocardiographic Diagnosis of Biventricular Pacing in Patients with Nonapical Right Ventricular Leads
Authors: JASTRZEBSKI MAREK , KUKLA PIOTR , FIJOREK KAMIL , SONDEJ TOMASZ , CZARNECKA DANUTA 
Published: July 2012

Background:
Assessment of left ventricular (LV) capture is of paramount importance in patients with biventricular (BiV) pacing. Our goal was to identify electrocardiographic features that differentiate between BiV and right ventricular (RV)‐only pacing in patients with nonapical RV leads.
Methods:
The study enrolled 300 consecutive patients with BiV devices and nonapical RV leads, and obtained from them 558 electrocardiograms with either BiV pacing (n = 300) or RV‐only pacing (n = 258). RV pacing served as a surrogate for loss of LV capture. Electrocardiograms from the first 150 patients were used to identify BiV‐specific features, and to construct an algorithm to differentiate between BiV and RV‐only pacing. Electrocardiograms from the second 150 patients were used to validate the algorithm.
Results:
The following electrocardiographic features typical of BiV pacing were identified: QS in lead V6 (specificity = 98.7%, sensitivity = 54.7%), dominant R in lead V1 (specificity = 100%, sensitivity = 23.3%), q in lead V6 (specificity = 96%, sensitivity = 22.7%), and a QRS < 160 ms (specificity = 100%, sensitivity = 66.0%). The algorithm based on those features was found to have an overall diagnostic accuracy of 95.0%, a specificity of 96.0%, and a sensitivity of 93.5%.
Conclusions:
The study identified QRS features that were very specific for BiV pacing in patients with nonapical RV leads. Sequential arrangement of those features resulted in an algorithm that was very accurate for differentiating between BiV pacing and loss of LV capture. (PACE 2012; 35:1199–1208)
Safety and Long‐Term Outcome of Modified Intracardiac Echocardiography‐Assisted “No‐Balloon” Sizing Technique for Transcatheter Closure of Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect
Authors: RIGATELLI GIANLUCA , DELL'AVVOCATA FABIO , CARDAIOLI PAOLO , GIORDAN MASSIMO , DUNG HO THUONG , NGHIA NGUYEN THUONG , DAGGUBATI RAMESH , NANJIUNDAPPA ARAVINDA 
Published: July 2012

Background:
The need for sizing the secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with the balloon sizing technique is still debated at least in adult patients. We sought to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)‐aided sizing technique for transcatheter closure of secundum ASD, without using a balloon sizing.
Methods:
In a prospective 5‐year registry, we enrolled 81 patients (mean age 48 ± 13.7 years, 54 females) who had been referred to three different centers for catheter‐based closure of secundum ASD. Eligible patients underwent ICE study and closure attempt. In a preliminary group of 21 patients, sizing balloon was performed under ICE guidance to assess the value of rim thickness necessary for device anchorage. In the remaining 60 patients, the retrieved value of the rim thickness was measured on ICE and used as key points to measure the defect and select the device.
Results:
In the preliminary group of patients, the value of thickness at point of initial deflection by the balloon was 1.23 ± 0.1 mm. ASD diameter in the study group was measured at the point of rim with at least 1.2 mm and the mean ASD diameter was 26.2 ± 10.1 mm. Rates of procedural success, predischarge occlusion, and major complications rate were 100%, 93.3%, and 0%, respectively. On mean follow‐up of 5.4 ± 1.8 years, the occlusion rate was 98.7% with no long‐term complications.
Conclusions:
Our novel ICE‐sizing technique appears to be safe and effective in adult patients, thus eventually minimizing overestimation, costs, and potential complications of balloon sizing. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:628–634)
Interventional Catheterization after Total Cavopulmonary Connection: Experience in 68 Patients
Authors: AGNOLETTI GABRIELLA , BORDESE ROBERTO , CORLETO ANTONELLA , GABBARINI FULVIO , MARINI DAVIDE 
Published: July 2012

Background:
Total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is performed in patients having a single ventricle to allow the passive flow of systemic venous blood to the lungs. Interventional catheterization is needed to treat residual defects or complications.
Aims:
We discuss our results concerning 68 patients who had had TCPC from January 1995 to December 2010.
Methods:
Initial and follow‐up catheterization data were reviewed retrospectively. Mid‐term results were evaluated by means of angiography and/or CT scan.
Results:
Mean age at TCPC was 5 years (2.5–18); mean interval between TCPC and catheterization was 5.6 years (1.5–15). Sixty‐nine catheterizations were performed in 53 patients. Eleven patients (21%) had low venous pressure, did not display a right‐to‐left shunt, and did not need any intervention. Fifteen patients (28%) had low venous pressure and only needed the closure of the fenestration. The remaining 27 patients (51%) needed the following interventions: embolization of venous vessels prompting right‐to‐left shunt (n = 15), stenting or reconnection of pulmonary arteries (n = 5), stenting or recanalization of systemic veins (n = 11), other procedures (n = 5). In 3 patients the fenestration could not be closed due to high venous pressure. After the interventions oxygen saturation increased from 90.5%± 4.8% to 94.7%± 3.6% (P = 0.002).
Conclusions:
Our data show that 49% of patients with TCPC are in good condition late after surgery. However, half of these patients continue to need interventions generally aimed at suppressing stenoses at various levels of TCPC or at occluding vessels prompting right‐to‐left shunt. This population should enter a multicenter program aimed at identifying patients at risk. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:622–627)
Chile's Criminal Law Reform: Enhancing Defendants' Rights and Citizen Security
Authors: Tiede Lydia Brashear 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMany democratic governments in Latin America have implemented broad judicial reforms, some of which are aimed at making criminal law and legal institutions more transparent and modern. Although such reforms are important for democratic development, scholars debate whether the reforms result in more rights for defendants and whether they jeopardize citizens' perceptions about security. Using two original datasets and a fixed-effects model, this study shows that groundbreaking criminal law reforms in Chile have improved certain aspects of defendants' rights by decreasing the number of individuals in pretrial detention. Chileans' perceptions about crime and violence in regions where the reforms were implemented also have improved. Chile's success appears to be due to the government's commitment to the reforms, as well as to concerted and consistent efforts by the police to fight crime. These results have implications for other countries implementing similar significant reforms.
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Paramecium (Viridoparamecium nov. subgen.) chlorelligerum Kahl (Ciliophora)
Authors: Kreutz Martin , Stoeck Thorsten , Foissner Wilhelm 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTWe redescribe Paramecium chlorelligerum, a forgotten species, which Kahl (Tierwelt Dtl., 1935, 30:651) briefly but precisely described in the addendum to his ciliate monographs as a Paramecium with symbiotic green algae. The redescription is based on classical morphological methods and the analysis of the small subunit (SSU) rDNA. Morphologically, P. chlorelligerum differs from P. (C.) bursaria, the second green species in the genus, by having a special swimming shape, the length of the caudal cilia, the size of the micronucleus, the size of the symbiotic algae, the contractile vacuoles (with collecting vesicles vs. collecting canals), and the number of excretory pores/contractile vacuole (1 vs. 2–3). The molecular investigations show that P. chlorelligerum forms a distinct branch distant from the P. (Chloroparamecium) bursaria clade. Thus, we classify P. chlorelligerum in a new subgenus: Paramecium (Viridoparamecium) chlorelligerum. The symbiotic alga belongs to the little‐known genus Meyerella, as yet recorded only from the plankton of a North American lake.