bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colonization of a newly developing salt marsh: disentangling independent effects of elevation and redox potential on halophytes
Authors: Davy Anthony J. , Brown Michael J. H. , Mossman Hannah L. , Grant Alastair 
Published: July 2011

Summary1. Many characteristics of the salt marsh environment covary with elevation. It has therefore proved difficult to determine which environmental characteristics limit the distributions of particular species in the field. Oxygen supply to the rhizosphere may be particularly important, as it is determined by the duration and frequency of flooding.2. The re‐activation of a salt marsh by managed coastal realignment provided an opportunity to investigate the large‐scale manipulation of environmental effects on halophyte distribution in a situation where the usual relationships between environmental characteristics, elevation and succession had been partially uncoupled.3. Most locations sampled lay between mean neap and mean spring tidal levels. As expected, anoxic conditions occurred at lower elevation, redox potential increased generally with elevation and sediments were oxic on the upper parts. However, sediment oxygenation at any given elevation was variable, particularly at intermediate levels in the tidal range. This imperfect correlation between elevation and sediment redox allowed quantification of their independent effects on species distributions using the statistical technique of Hierarchical Partitioning.4. Effects of elevation and sediment redox potential were distinguishable from each other. Salicornia europaea occurred predominantly at lower elevation but was not influenced by redox potential. Puccinellia maritima favoured low redox potentials independently of elevation. In contrast, Suaeda maritima tolerated a wide range of elevations but was absent from areas with low redox potential. Atriplex portulacoides was apparently more averse to low redox potential than to low elevation. Elytrigia atherica was restricted to both high redox potential and high elevation. Smaller independent effects of sediment depth, salinity, water content, nitrate concentration, shear strength and loss on ignition were apparent for some species.5. Synthesis. Although much of the elevational zonation of species on salt marshes is mediated by differential tolerance of the consequences of co‐linearly varying variables, particularly sediment anoxia and elevation, these variables have independent effects that are quantifiable in the field. Hierarchical Partitioning provides a valuable tool for distinguishing the mechanisms underlying species zonations on environmental gradients, especially where large‐scale environmental manipulations have partially decoupled the usual co‐linear variation.
Connectivity, small islands and large distances: the Cellana strigilis limpet complex in the Southern Ocean
Authors: REISSER CÉLINE M. O. , WOOD ANN R. , BELL JAMES J. , GARDNER JONATHAN P. A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe Southern Ocean contains some of the most isolated islands on Earth, and fundamental questions remain regarding their colonization and the connectivity of their coastal biotas. Here, we conduct a genetic investigation into the Cellana strigilis (limpet) complex that was originally classified based on morphological characters into six subspecies, five of which are endemic to the New Zealand (NZ) subantarctic and Chatham islands (44–52°S). Previous genetic analyses of C. strigilis from six of the seven island groups revealed two lineages with little or no within‐lineage variation. We analysed C. strigilis samples from all seven island groups using two mitochondrial (COI and 16S), one nuclear (ATPase β) and 58 loci from four randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers (RAPDs) and confirmed the existence of two distinct lineages. The pronounced genetic structuring within each lineage and the presence of private haplotypes in individual islands are the result of little genetic connectivity and therefore very high self‐recruitment. This study supports the significance of the subantarctic islands as refugia during the last glacial maximum and adds to the knowledge of contemporary population connectivity among coastal populations of remote islands in large oceans and the distance barrier to gene flow that exists in the sea (despite its continuous medium) for most taxa.
Practical and analytical aspects of using friend controls in case–control studies: experience from a case–control study of childhood cancer
Authors: Bunin Greta R. , Vardhanabhuti Saran , Lin Agueda , Anschuetz Greta L. , Mitra Nandita 
Published: July 2011

SummaryBunin GR, Vardhanabhuti S, Lin A, Anschuetz GL, Mitra N. Practical and analytical aspects of using friend controls in case–control studies: experience from a case–control study of childhood cancer. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 402–412.We report empirical data on the use of friend controls, specifically response rates, case–control concordance and analytical approaches. The data derive from a North American multi‐institutional study of childhood cancer that was conducted in 2002–07 and that focused on paternal exposures. Case parents nominated friends as potential controls; up to three controls participated per case. For 137 (69%) of the 199 case families, at least one control parent participated. Of 374 potential controls contacted, 247 (66%) participated. Case fathers with controls were markedly more likely to be non‐Hispanic White, college graduates and non‐smokers compared with case fathers without controls. Odds ratios adjusted for demographic characteristics were generally similar but occasionally differed between analyses that included only members of matched sets and those that included all participants, i.e. controls and cases with and without controls. For demographic characteristics, simulations demonstrated that the observed concordance of cases and controls within matched sets exceeded that expected under random ascertainment, indicating probable overmatching. However, the observed concordance of smoking and other exposures was similar to the expectation under random ascertainment, suggesting little overmatching on exposures. Although not ideal, friend controls were convenient, had a reasonably high response rate and provided controls closely matched on race/ethnicity, education and age.
Phage‐display library biopanning as a novel approach to identifying nematode vaccine antigens
Authors: ELLIS S. E. , NEWLANDS G. F. J. , NISBET A. J. , MATTHEWS J. B. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryInfections with parasitic nematodes are of significant welfare and economic importance worldwide, and because of the emergence of anthelmintic resistance, this has lead to alternative methods of parasite control being required. Vaccination offers a feasible alternative control, and the majority of research has focused on the production of recombinant versions of native antigens previously identified as protective in vaccinated animals. Attempts at the production of protective recombinant subunit vaccines have been hindered, however, as these antigens have invariably failed to replicate the same level of protective immune response as seen with the native versions. It has been proposed that these failures are owing to the fact that the recombinant proteins do not contain the appropriate post‐translational modifications to retain the protective capacity of the native molecules. In this review, we discuss a novel approach to vaccine antigen identification through the application of random peptide phage‐display libraries and their use to identify peptide sequences that potentially mimic the structure(s) of antigenic epitopes. This area of research is still relatively novel with respect to parasites, and the current state of the art will be discussed here.
Gibberellin partly mediates LANCEOLATE activity in tomato
Authors: Yanai Osnat , Shani Eilon , Russ Dor , Ori Naomi 
Published: July 2011

SummaryElaboration of a compound leaf shape depends on extended morphogenetic activity in developing leaves. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), the CIN‐TCP transcription factor LANCEOLATE (LA) promotes leaf differentiation. LA is negatively regulated by miR319 during the early stages of leaf development, and decreased sensitivity of LA mRNA to miR319 recognition in the semi‐dominant mutant La leads to prematurely increased LA expression, precocious leaf differentiation and a simpler and smaller leaf. Increased levels or responses of the plant hormone gibberellin (GA) in tomato leaves also led to a simplified leaf form. Here, we show that LA activity is mediated in part by GA. Expression of the SlGA20 oxidase1 (SlGA20ox1) gene, which encodes an enzyme in the GA biosynthesis pathway, is increased in gain‐of‐function La mutants and reduced in plants that over‐express miR319. Conversely, the transcript levels of the GA deactivation gene SlGA2 oxidase4 (SlGA2ox4) are increased in plants over‐expressing miR319. The miR319 over‐expression phenotype is suppressed by exogenous GA application and by a mutation in the PROCERA (PRO) gene, which encodes an inhibitor of the GA response. SlGA2ox4 is expressed in initiating leaflets during early leaf development. Its expression expands as a result of miR319 over‐expression, and its over‐expression leads to increased leaf complexity. These results suggest that LA activity is partly mediated by positive regulation of the GA response, probably by regulation of GA levels.
LATE, a C2H2 zinc‐finger protein that acts as floral repressor
Authors: Weingartner Magdalena , Subert Christa , Sauer Norbert 
Published: July 2011

SummaryThe transition from vegetative to generative development is a major developmental switch in flowering plants and is critical for reproductive success. This transition requires reprogramming of lateral primordia at the shoot apical meristem, which leads to the formation of determinate floral meristems instead of leaves. In Arabidopsis, flowering is induced by a network of interacting pathways. In the photoperiod‐dependent pathway, the two key elements mediating the effect of day length on flowering time are the transcription factors CONSTANS (CO) and the phloem mobile flowering signal FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT). Here, we identify a factor that is critically involved in this flowering response. The gene, which we named LATE FLOWERING (LATE), encodes a C2H2‐type zinc‐finger transcriptional regulator, and is expressed in the leaf vasculature and the vegetative shoot apical meristem. Ectopic expression of LATE in all tissues results in a dose‐dependent phenotype characterized by late flowering, altered floral organ identity and sterile flowers. Using tissue‐specific promoters, we further show that LATE controls the transition to flowering at two levels: first, it regulates the expression of flowering time genes in the leaf vasculature, and second, it interferes with floral meristem identity genes at the apex.
Skin disorders among travellers returning from tropical and non‐tropical countries consulting a travel medicine clinic
Authors: Herbinger K.‐H. , Siess C. , Nothdurft H. D. , von Sonnenburg F. , Löscher T. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryObjective  To evaluate the causes and risks for imported skin disorders among travellers.Methods  Data of 34 162 travellers returning from tropical and non‐tropical countries and presenting at the outpatient travel medicine clinic of the University of Munich, Germany, between 1999 and 2009 were analyzed for this study. Of these, 12.2% were diagnosed with skin disorders.Results  Main destinations visited were Asia (40%), Africa (27%) and Latin America (21%). Tourism in the form of adventure travel/backpacking (47%) and package holidays (23%) was the most common purpose of travel. The leading causes of skin disorders were arthropodal (23%), bacterial (22%), helminthic (11%), protozoan (6%), viral (6%), allergic (5%) and fungal (4%). The 10 most frequently diagnosed specific skin diseases associated with specific destinations were insect bites (17%, Southern Europe), cutaneous larva migrans (8%, Asia and Latin America), cutaneous leishmaniasis (2.4%, Mediterranean Region/Middle East), dengue fever (1.5%, Asia), rickettsioses (1.3%, Southern Africa), myiasis (0.8%, Central America), filarioses (0.7%, Africa), tick bites (0.6%, Central/Eastern Europe), schistosomiasis (0.6%, Africa) and tungiasis (0.6%, Africa). Travellers in sub‐Saharan Africa had the highest relative risk of acquiring skin disorders.Conclusion  As more than 20% of all skin disorders among returned travellers were caused by arthropods and about 50% by infectious pathogens, pre‐travel consultations should include specific prophylaxis and consider the most important risk factor for the travel destination.
Endometrial Expression of IFNAR‐1 and Oxytocin Receptor (OTR) is not Improved by Prostaglandin Analogues when Compared to Progestagens in Ewes
Authors: Ruiz‐González I , Sánchez MA , García‐Fernández RA , García‐Palencia P , Sánchez B , Letelier CA , González‐Bulnes A , Flores JM 
Published: July 2011

ContentsThe objective of this study was to investigate differences on the endometrial immunoexpression of type I IFN receptor subunit 1 (IFNAR1) and oxytocin receptor (OTR) during the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy in sheep, when oestrus is synchronized with either prostaglandin analogues (group PG) or conventional progestagens (group P). Plasma progesterone was measured from day 0 to 21 post‐coitus (pc) (day 0 = day of oestrus). Immunohistochemistry was performed in samples of uterine horns from pregnant sheep on days 9pc, 13pc, 15pc, 17pc and 21pc to locate IFNAR1 and OTR expression in different endometrial compartments. Mean levels of plasma progesterone were different between treatments, obtaining higher levels in the PG group than in the P group (p < 0.05). Comparing days of pregnancy, IFNAR1 protein expression was different in the luminal epithelium (LE) (p < 0.05), while OTR was different in the LE and in the superficial glandular epithelium (SG) (p < 0.05). Temporal variation on the expression of both proteins from day 9pc to 21pc has been evidenced. IFNAR1 and OTR expression did not show significant differences between treatments. However, the response observed in the endometrium was highly inconsistent when prostaglandin analogues were used. Therefore, the protocol based on prostaglandin analogues still needs to be optimized before being considered as a better alternative to progestagens for oestrous synchronization in sheep.
Management of children with Thrombocytopenia‐absent radius syndrome: An institutional experience
Authors: Coccia Paola , Ruggiero Antonio , Mastrangelo Stefano , Attinà Giorgio , Scalzone Maria , Pittiruti Mauro , Zampino Giuseppe , Maurizi Palma , Riccardi Riccardo 
Published: July 2011

Aim:  Thrombocytopenia‐absent radius (TAR) syndrome is characterised by bilateral absence of the radii in the presence of both thumbs and hypomegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia.We report our experience of three patients affected by TAR syndrome presenting with different clinical manifestations focusing on the management of these patients.Methods and results:  We propose the use of long‐term central venous catheters to reduce discomfort because of repeated vein punctures in search for a venous access, rendered difficult by upper limbs abnormalities.Conclusions:  It is important to improve the quality of life of affected patients.
Parents' search for evidence‐based practice: A personal story
Authors: Ben‐Sasson Ayelet 
Published: July 2011

AbstractMany clients engage in an intense search for evidence related to the diagnosis, prognosis and intervention options of their (or their dependent's) health condition. A client‐based search for evidence poses challenges from a client and clinician perspective and evolves the client‐clinician relationship. This paper describes the meaning of searching for health evidence by health‐care clients such as parents of hospitalised children through a personal story. I discuss the subjective search for evidence‐based health information, interpretation and transfer of information as well as its impact on providers. In order to implement client‐centred care and evidence‐based practice health care organisations and providers need to take an active role in guiding clients in effective health information‐seeking behaviour and to develop mechanisms for processing evidence presented by clients.
Promoting mental health nursing: Employing undergraduate nursing students as assistants in mental health
Authors: Cleary Michelle , Horsfall Jan , Happell Brenda 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTThe difficulty in attracting graduates of nursing programmes into mental health nursing (MHN) remains an ongoing challenge. Moreover, it is frequently claimed that undergraduate nursing students do not always regard MHN favourably for future employment. Although undergraduate nurses are employed as assistants in nursing (AIN) in mental health settings, there is no published research exploring their role, the career trajectory into MHN, or its effectiveness as a recruitment strategy. In this paper, we draw on the literature to delineate factors that might contribute to the desire of AIN to work in MHN. Nine factors were identified: acceptance by nurses, fitting in with the culture, managing the workload, developing a realistic appraisal of the effectiveness and limits of psychiatry, constructive learning from direct interpersonal interactions with clients, practising communication skills, being supported in a structured way, working with positive role models, and the overall quality of the employment setting. A comprehensive understanding of these factors can enhance the experience of undergraduate nursing students working as AIN, and potentially increase recruitment into MHN.
Urethral trauma. Part I: introduction, history, anatomy, pathology, assessment and emergency management
Authors: Mundy Anthony R. , Andrich Daniela E. 
Published: July 2011

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Iatrogenic trauma aside, urethral injuries are not common. Nonetheless, there have been a large number of cohort studies, generally of small numbers of patients.This review pulls together all of the information available to try and produce a coherent narrative.
Postoperative systems models more accurately predict risk of significant disease progression than standard risk groups and a 10‐year postoperative nomogram: potential impact on the receipt of adjuvant therapy after surgery
Authors: Donovan Michael J. , Khan Faisal M. , Powell Douglas , Bayer‐Zubek Valentina , Cordon‐Cardo Carlos , Costa Jose , Eastham James , Scardino Peter 
Published: July 2011

Study Type – Prognostic (individual cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Physicians are becoming increasingly aware of the need to better understand adverse pathology (e.g. margin positive or extracapsular extension) post‐surgery. Systems models provide the necessary risk discriminatory tools to guide patient monitoring and decision‐making.OBJECTIVE
To compare the performance of a systems‐based risk assessment tool with standard defined risk groups and the 10‐year postoperative nomogram for predicting disease progression, including biochemical relapse and clinical (systemic) failure.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Clinical variables, biometric profiles and outcome results from a training cohort comprising 373 patients in a published postoperative systems‐based prognostic model were obtained.
Patients were stratified according to D'Amico standard risk groups, Kattan 10‐year postoperative nomogram and prognostic scores from the postoperative tissue model.
The association of pathological variables and calculated risk groups with biochemical recurrence and clinical (systemic) failure was assessed using the concordance index (C‐index) and hazard ratio (HR).
RESULTS
Systems‐based post‐prostatectomy models to predict significant disease progression (post‐treatment clinical failure) were more accurate than the D'Amico defined risk groups and the Kattan 10‐year postoperative nomogram (systems model: C‐index, 0.84; HR, 17.46; P < 0.001 vs D'Amico: C‐index, 0.73; HR, 11; P= 0.001; 10‐year nomogram: C‐index, 0.79; HR, 5.06; P < 0.001).
The systems models were also more accurate than standard risk groups for predicting prostate‐specific antigen recurrence (systems model: C‐index, 0.76; HR, 8.94; P < 0.001 vs D'Amico C‐ index, 0.70; HR, 4.67; P < 0.001) and showed incremental improvement over the 10‐year postoperative nomogram (C‐index, 0.75; HR, 5.83; P < 0.001).
The postoperative tissue model provided additional risk discrimination over surgical margin status and extracapsular extension for predicting disease outcome, and was most significant for the clinical (systemic) failure endpoint (surgical margin: C‐index, 0.58; HR, 1.57; P= 0.2; extracapsular extension: C‐index, 0.62; HR, 2.06; P= 0.04).
CONCLUSIONS
Risk assessment models that incorporate characteristics from the patient's own tumour specimen are more accurate than clinical‐only nomograms for predicting significant disease outcome.
Systems‐based tools should provide useful information concerning the appropriate receipt of adjuvant therapy in the post‐surgical setting.
Elevated physiological levels of folic acid can increase in vitro growth and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells
Authors: Petersen Lars F. , Brockton Nigel T. , Bakkar Ashraf , Liu Shuhong , Wen Jing , Weljie Aalim M. , Bismar Tarek A. 
Published: July 2011

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Evidence has emerged identifying folic acid supplementation as a potential risk factor for cancer development or progression. Long‐term folic acid supplementation has been shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer development by three‐fold. Sarcosine is a byproduct of folate metabolism and has been proposed as a biomarker for aggressive prostate cancer phenotypes.We looked at the effects of physiologically relevant levels of folic acid on in vitro prostate cancer cell growth and invasion, and demonstrated that higher levels can have the effect of increasing both of these biological processes. We also show that these changes toward a more aggressive phenotype are not linked to increased sarcosine levels, however other metabolic pathways may be involved.OBJECTIVES
To investigate the effects of different folic acid concentrations on the growth and invasiveness of prostate cancer cell lines.
To determine if observed changes are correlated with changes in levels of the potential prostate cancer biomarker, sarcosine, a byproduct of folate metabolism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The prostate cancer cell lines PC‐3, LNCaP and DU145 were cultured in media containing 4, 20 or 100 nm of folic acid and assayed for growth over 9 days by counting viable cells at 3‐day intervals, or for invasion by passage through a Matrigel‐coated transwell membrane.
Cells grown in the different folic acid media were collected and subjected to metabolomic analysis by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to measure levels of intracellular sarcosine.
RESULTS
The results show that higher levels of folic acid can increase cell growth in PC‐3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines, and may also increase the invasive capacity of PC‐3, LNCaP and DU145 cells.
We did not observe a correlation between increased invasion from higher folic acid concentrations and levels of sarcosine, but there were significant changes in other metabolites in cells grown in higher levels of folic acid.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that folic acid has an important and potentially negative role in prostate cancer progression.