bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climatic constraints on trait‐based forest assembly
Authors: Laughlin Daniel C. , Fulé Peter Z. , Huffman David W. , Crouse Joseph , Laliberté Etienne 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. Climatic constraints on plant distributions are well known, but predicting community composition through knowledge of trait‐based environmental filtering remains an important empirical challenge. Here, we evaluate the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model of trait‐based community assembly using forest communities occurring along a 12 °C gradient of mean annual temperature (MAT).We use independent cross‐validation to evaluate model predictions from sites where trait constraints are predicted from environmental conditions. We also test whether orthogonal axes of trait variation can be used as predictors to improve model parsimony and explore MaxEnt forecasts of species distributions in a warmer climate.2. Environmental factors explained between 31% and 74% of the community‐weighted mean trait values, indicating moderate‐to‐strong selection of traits along the environmental gradients. A model with 10 traits explained 54% of the variation in observed relative abundances, which approached the upper limit of 57% given the available environmental information. Three orthogonal axes accounted for 81% of the trait variation among species, and environmental factors explained between 47% and 67% of the variation in these axes. However, the axes only explained 18% of the variation in relative abundances, suggesting that minor axes of functional variation may be important or that models with many traits may achieve good predictive capacity through over‐fitting.3. Trait–environment relationships formed the basis for predicting vegetation change in a future scenario where MAT was increased by 2.5 °C. The results suggested that up to 78% of Pinus ponderosa forest in Arizona may transition to dominance by Juniperus monosperma, but this forecast likely overestimates the rates of species migration.4. Synthesis. MaxEnt is a mathematical translation of trait‐based environmental filtering of the species pool and performs moderately well in predicting forest community structure using empirical trait–environment relationships. MaxEnt required many traits to achieve good fits, and three orthogonal axes of trait variation performed poorly as predictors of community structure. To be useful predictors, traits must vary strongly among species and community‐weighted mean traits must vary predictably along environmental gradients.
Fungal farmers or algal escorts: lichen adaptation from the algal perspective
Authors: PIERCEY‐NORMORE MICHELE D. , DEDUKE CHRISTOPHER 
Published: September 2011

Domestication of algae by lichen‐forming fungi describes the symbiotic relationship between the photosynthetic (green alga or cyanobacterium; photobiont) and fungal (mycobiont) partnership in lichen associations (Goward 1992). The algal domestication implies that the mycobiont cultivates the alga as a monoculture within its thallus, analogous to a farmer cultivating a food crop. However, the initial photobiont ‘selection’ by the mycobiont may be predetermined by the habitat rather than by the farmer. When the mycobiont selects a photobiont from the available photobionts within a habitat, the mycobiont may influence photobiont growth and reproduction (Ahmadjian & Jacobs 1981) only after the interaction has been initiated. The theory of ecological guilds (Rikkinen et al. 2002) proposes that habitat limits the variety of photobionts available to the fungal partner. While some studies provide evidence to support the theory of ecological guilds in cyanobacterial lichens (Rikkinen et al. 2002), other studies propose models to explain variation in symbiont combinations in green algal lichens (Ohmura et al. 2006; Piercey‐Normore 2006; Yahr et al. 2006) hypothesizing the existence of such guilds. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Peksa & Škaloud (2011) test the theory of ecological guilds and suggest a relationship between algal habitat requirements and lichen adaptation in green algal lichens of the genus Lepraria. The environmental parameters examined in this study, exposure to rainfall, altitude and substratum type, are integral to lichen biology. Lichens have a poikilohydric nature, relying on the availability of atmospheric moisture for metabolic processes. Having no known active mechanism to preserve metabolic thallus moisture in times of drought, one would expect a strong influence of the environment on symbiont adaptation to specific habitats. Adaptation to changes in substrata and its properties would be expected with the intimate contact between crustose lichens in the genus Lepraria. Altitude has been suggested to influence species distributions in a wide range of taxonomic groups. This is one of the first studies to illustrate an ecological guild, mainly for exposure to rainfall (ombrophiles and ombrophobes), with green algal lichens.
The spatial distribution of acid phosphatase activity in ectomycorrhizal tissues depends on soil fertility and morphotype, and relates to host plant phosphorus uptake
Authors: ALVAREZ MARICEL , HUYGENS DRIES , DÍAZ LEILA MILENA , VILLANUEVA CLAUDIA AÑAZCO , HEYSER WOLFGANG , BOECKX PASCAL 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTAcid phosphatase (ACP) enzymes are involved in the mobilization of soil phosphorus (P) and polyphosphate accumulated in the fungal tissues of ectomycorrhizal roots, thereby influencing the amounts of P that are stored in the fungus and transferred to the host plant. This study evaluated the effects of ectomycorrhizal morphotype and soil fertility on ACP activity in the extraradical mycelium (ACPmyc), the mantle (ACPmantle) and the Hartig net region (ACPHartig) of ectomycorrhizal Nothofagus obliqua seedlings. ACP activity was quantified in vivo using enzyme‐labelled fluorescence‐97 (ELF‐97) substrate, confocal laser microscopy and digital image processing routines. There was a significant effect of ectomycorrhizal morphotype on ACPmyc, ACPmantle and ACPHartig, while soil fertility had a significant effect on ACPmyc and ACPHartig. The relative contribution of the mantle and the Hartig net region to the ACP activity on the ectomycorrhizal root was significantly affected by ectomycorrhizal morphotype and soil fertility. A positive correlation between ACPHartig and the shoot P concentration was found, providing evidence that ACP activity at the fungus:root interface is involved in P transfer from the fungus to the host. It is concluded that the spatial distribution of ACP in ectomycorrhizas varies as a function of soil fertility and colonizing fungus.
Could rapid diameter changes be facilitated by a variable hydraulic conductance?
Authors: STEPPE KATHY , COCHARD HERVÉ , LACOINTE ANDRÉ , AMÉGLIO THIERRY 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTAdequate radial water transport between elastic bark tissue and xylem is crucial in trees, because it smoothens abrupt changes in xylem water potential, greatly reducing the likelihood of suffering dangerous levels of embolism. The radial hydraulic conductance involved is generally thought to be constant. Evidence collected about variable root and leaf hydraulic conductance led us to speculate that radial hydraulic conductance in stem/branches might also be variable and possibly modulated by putative aquaporins. We therefore correlated diameter changes in walnut (Juglans regia L.) with changes in water potential, altered by perfusion of twig samples with d‐mannitol solutions having different osmotic potentials. Temperature and cycloheximide (CHX; a protein synthesis inhibitor) treatments were performed. The temperature response and diameter change inhibition found in CHX‐treated twigs underpinned our hypothesis that radial hydraulic conductance is variable and likely mediated by a putative aquaporin abundance and/or activity. Our data demonstrate that radial water transport in stem/branches can take two routes in parallel: an apoplastic and a cell‐to‐cell route. The contribution of either route depends on the hydraulic demand and is closely linked to a boost of putative aquaporins, causing radial conductance to be variable. This variability should be considered when interpreting and modelling diameter changes.
Temporal comparison of ultrasound vs. auscultation and capnography in verification of endotracheal tube placement
Authors: PFEIFFER P. , RUDOLPH S. S. , BØRGLUM J. , ISBYE D. L. 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundThis study compared the time consumption of bilateral lung ultrasound with auscultation and capnography for verifying endotracheal intubation.MethodsA prospective, paired, and investigator‐blinded study carried out in the operating theatre. Twenty‐five adult patients requiring endotracheal intubation were included. During intubation, transtracheal ultrasound was performed to visualize passage of the endotracheal tube. During bag ventilation, bilateral lung ultrasound was performed for the detection of lung sliding as a sign of ventilation simultaneous with capnography and auscultation of the epigastrium and chest. Primary outcome measure was time difference to confirmed endotracheal intubation between ultrasound and auscultation alone. Secondary outcome measure was time difference between ultrasound and auscultation combined with capnography.ResultsBoth methods verified endotracheal tube placement in all patients. In 68% of patients, endotracheal tube placement was visualized by real‐time transtracheal ultrasound. Comparing ultrasound with the combination of auscultation and capnography, there was a significant difference between the two methods. Median time for ultrasound was 40 s [interquartile range (IQR) 35–48 s] vs. 48 s (IQR 45–53 s), P < 0.0001. Mean difference was −7.1 s in favour of ultrasound [95% confidence interval (CI) −9.4–−4.8 s]. No significant difference was found between ultrasound compared with auscultation alone. Median time for auscultation alone was 42 s (IQR 37–47 s), P = 0.6, with a mean difference of −0.88 s in favour of ultrasound (95% CI −4.2–2.5 s).ConclusionsVerification of endotracheal tube placement with ultrasound is as fast as auscultation alone and faster than the standard method of auscultation and capnography.
Rapid floral senescence following male function and breeding systems of some tropical orchids
Authors: Huda M. K. , Wilcock C. C. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractNo comparative study of floral senescence following male function among a range of tropical orchid genera has previously been undertaken. The timing and pattern of floral senescence and occurrence of fruit formation were studied following self‐, geitonogamous and cross‐pollination in 14 epiphytic and two terrestrial orchid species to determine their breeding system and assess the occurrence of floral abscission following pollinaria removal. Both pollination and pollinaria removal caused rapid floral senescence, and the pattern and timing of the floral changes were the same in all treatments. Six Dendrobium species and Pelatantheria insectifera were self‐incompatible (SI) and eight other species, including one terrestrial species, were self‐compatible (SC). Capsules produced from outcrossing in four SC species, Phalaenopsis cornu‐cervi, Eria pubescens, Cleisostoma appendiculatum and Arundina graminifolia, were larger and heavier than those produced after selfing. Reductions in flower life span following pollinaria removal were positively correlated with flower size and longevity of unpollinated flowers but not with position in the inflorescence or nature of the breeding system. Rapid flower senescence following pollinaria removal reported here suggests that it may be widespread in tropical species. The significant association of the response with size of flowers and inflorescences among the species studied suggests that the cost of flower maintenance outweighs the benefit of remaining open for female function after pollinaria have been removed. Both SC and SI species were found among tropical orchids, but variation in capsule size following self‐ and cross‐pollination indicates that there may be a reduction in seed production following selfing, even in SC species, and that fruit formation alone should not be taken as reliable evidence of full self‐compatibility.
Whole‐genome QTL scan for ultrasound and carcass merit traits in beef cattle using Bayesian shrinkage method
Authors: Nalaila S.M. , Stothard P. , Moore S.S. , Li C. , Wang Z. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryFine mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for 16 ultrasound measurements and carcass merit traits that were collected from 418 hybrid steers was conducted using 1207 SNP markers covering the entire genome. These SNP markers were evaluated using a Bayesian shrinkage estimation method and the empirical critical significant thresholds (α = 0.05 and α = 0.01) were determined by permutation based on 3500 permuted datasets for each trait to control the genome‐wide type I error rates. The analyses identified a total of 105 QTLs (p < 0.05) for seven ultrasound measure traits including ultrasound backfat, ultrasound marbling and ultrasound ribeye area and 113 QTLs for seven carcass merit traits of carcass weight, grade fat, average backfat, ribeye area, lean meat yield, marbling and yield grade. Proportion of phenotypic variance accounted for by a single QTL ranged from 0.06% for mean ultrasound backfat to 4.83% for carcass marbling (CMAR) score, while proportion of the phenotypic variance accounted for by all significant (p < 0.05) QTL identified for a single trait ranged from 4.54% for carcass weight to 23.87% for CMAR.
Lack of association between color morphs of the Jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda and zooxanthella clade
Authors: Lampert Kathrin P. , Bürger Patrick , Striewski Sebastian , Tollrian Ralph 
Published: September 2011

AbstractUnderstanding the ecology and evolution of the cnidarian‐algal symbiosis is of major scientific interest as it is sensitive to temperature and strong light and may therefore be susceptible to climate change. The stability of this mutualism is often mediated by host color pigments that influence photosynthetic activity in symbiotic dinoflagellates either by providing the photosystem with irradiance of suitable wavelength or by protecting it from much too much and potentially damaging light. Like scleractinian corals, the upside‐down jellyfish, Cassiopea andromeda, relies heavily on the nutrients provided by its symbionts of the dinoflagellate genus Symbiodinium. It occurs in several conspicuously different color morphs and is found in habitats with high levels of irradiation. We tested whether the color morphs of Cassiopea were correlated with the Symbiodinium distribution in the host and whether host color was associated with different clades of Symbiodinium. We found that the presence of color pigment did not correlate with the distribution of Symbiodinium in the host. Symbiodinium was found in both the colored tentacles of the jellyfish and the colorless feeding tentacles. At least six different color morphs co‐occurred in the very shallow waters of the Red Sea, but they all hosted a single Symbiodinium clade (clade A1). Therefore, no correlation of host color morph and Symbiodinium clade could be found. Photoaccumulative or photoprotective functions of host pigments, as proposed for some scleractinian corals, thus seem unlikely in the colored tentacles (vesicles) of the upside‐down jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda.
Inhibitory effect of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine digluconate in clinical isolates of Sporothrix schenckii
Authors: Madrid Isabel Martins , Mattei Antonella Souza , Santin Rosema , dos Reis Gomes Angelita , Cleff Marlete Brum , Meireles Mário Carlos Araújo 
Published: September 2011

SummaryThe susceptibility of Sporothrix schenckii isolates from clinical cases of canine, feline and human sporotrichosis, and from the environment, was evaluated with 4% sodium hypochlorite and 6.6% chlorhexidine digluconate using the broth microdilution, agar diffusion and direct exposure techniques. The minimal inhibitory concentration was smaller than 0.8% for chlorhexidine digluconate and between 8% and 4% for sodium hypochlorite. Inhibition zones were not found in agar diffusion for sodium hypochlorite, and zones averaging 1.9 mm were found for chlorhexidine digluconate. In the direct exposure test, sodium hypochlorite demonstrated best performance at 20 min of contact, as chlorhexidine digluconate presented little antimicrobial activity.
Ocular infections caused by non‐tuberculous mycobacteria: update on epidemiology and management
Authors: Girgis Dalia O , Karp Carol L , Miller Darlene 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground:  To provide an update on the frequency, distribution, risk factors and in vitro susceptibility of ocular infections caused by non‐tuberculous mycobacteria.Design:  Retrospective study of university clinic patients.Participants:  One hundred thirty‐nine patients with culture confirmed non‐tuberculous mycobacteria infections seen at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute from January 1980 to July 2007.Methods:  Chart review of data collected included patients' demographics, risk factors, microbiological profiles and clinical outcomes.Main Outcome Measures:  Frequency, distribution, risk factors and in vitro susceptibility of ocular infections caused by non‐tuberculous mycobacteria.Results:  A total of 183 non‐tuberculous mycobacteria isolates from 142 eyes were identified, with a fourfold increase in the number of eyes infected with non‐tuberculous mycobacteria from 1980–1989 (13.4%) to 2000–2007 (56.3%). Eighty‐three percent of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria isolates were identified as M. abscessus/chelonae. The majority (91%) of isolates were recovered within 10 days. Common diagnoses included keratitis (36.6%), scleral buckle infections (14.8%) and socket/implant infections (14.8%). Identifiable risk factors were presence of biomaterials (63.1%), ocular surgery (24.1%) and steroid exposure (77%). The median time from diagnosis of culture positive non‐tuberculous mycobacteria infection to resolution was 13 to 24 weeks. Combination therapy was used to treat 80% of infected eyes. In vitro susceptibility of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria isolates were: amikacin, 81%; clarithromycin, 93%; and moxifloxacin, 21%.Conclusions:  The incidence of ocular infections caused by non‐tuberculous mycobacteria has increased within the last 8 years, with a high number of biomaterial associated infections among this group. Clinical diagnosis and microbiological confirmation of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria infections remains challenging. Patient outcomes may be improved by early diagnosis, appropriate therapy and removal of biomaterials.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐2 antisense oligonucleotides inhibits myopia by expression blocking of retinal insulin‐like growth factor‐2 in guinea pig
Authors: Tang Ren‐hong , Tan Jia , Deng Zhi‐hong , Zhao Shao‐zhen , Miao Ying‐bin , Zhang Wei‐juan 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjective:  To clarify the role of IGF‐2 on the development of myopia, the dynamic expression of IGF‐2 was investigated in the FD eyes’ retina, and the effects of intravitreous injection with IGF‐2 ASON was studied on the diopter and axial eye length of FD eyes.Methods:  64 guinea pigs were divided into 2 groups. In group A (n = 24), the right eyes were covered. On days 7, 14 and 21, the diopter, axial eye length and level of IGF‐2 of both eyes were measured in every 8 guinea pigs. In group B (n = 40), the right eyes were covered. On day 1, the right eyes were received intravitreal injection with 40 µg IGF‐2SON, 10 µg, 20 µg or 40 µg IGF‐2 ASON. The diopter, axial eye length and level of IGF‐2 were measured on day 14.Results:  FD eyes showed myopic shift, axial length enlongation, and up‐regulation in retinal IGF‐2 from day 7 to day 21. The level of retinal IGF‐2 in FD eyes was higher than that in non‐FD eyes. Compare with FD eyes without injection, the myopia diopter of FD eyes decreased in received intravitreous injection with IGF‐2 ASON, axial length shortened, and down‐regulated with retinal IGF‐2. With the increase dose of IGF‐2 ASON, the change of myopic diopter, axial length, and level of retinal IGF‐2 were showed more and more significant.Conclusions:  FD is effective to up‐regulate the level of retinal IGF‐2 expression in guinea pig. Intravitreous injection with IGF‐2 ASON can inhibit the development of myopia.
Prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in indigenous Australians within central Australia: The Central Australian Ocular Health Study
Authors: Landers John , Henderson Tim , Craig Jamie 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground:  Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) has been found to occur more commonly among indigenous Australians. This paper was designed to determine the prevalence of XFS within the indigenous Australian population living in central Australia.Design:  Clinic‐based cross‐sectional study.Participants:  One thousand eight hundred eighty‐four individuals living in one of 30 remote communities within the statistical local area of ‘Central Australia’ were recruited. This equated to 36% of those aged 20 years or older and 67% of those aged 40 years or older within this district.Methods:  Participants aged 20 years or over were recruited as they presented to the eye clinic at each remote community. Slit‐lamp examination was performed, and the presence of XFS in each eye was recorded and presented.Main Outcome Measure:  Prevalence and associations of XFS.Results:  XFS was present in one or both eyes of 4.7% of the individuals recruited into the study. Prevalence increased with age (5.9% of those ≥40 years and 12.7% ≥ 60 years). There was a significant association between the presence of XFS and climatic keratopathy (χ2 = 240.13; P < 0.00001). Notably, none of those with XFS had ocular hypertension or glaucoma.Conclusion:  XFS was present in a significantly higher proportion of indigenous Australians compared with previously reported prevalence estimates among non‐indigenous Australians. The association found between XFS and climatic keratopathy may represent a common causal link between the two conditions. The lack of association of XFS with ocular hypertension and glaucoma appears to be a unique feature of the indigenous Australian population, and this merits further investigation.