bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cortisol response to synacthen stimulation is attenuated following abusive head trauma
Authors: Heather Natasha L. , Derraik José G. B. , Brennan Christine , Jefferies Craig , Hofman Paul L. , Kelly Patrick , Jones Rhys G. , Rowe Deborah L. , Cutfield Wayne S. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackgroundChild abuse and other early‐life environmental stressors are known to affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. We sought to compare synacthen‐stimulated cortisol responses in children who suffered inflicted or accidental traumatic brain injury (TBI).MethodsChildren with a history of early‐childhood TBI were recruited from the Starship Children's Hospital database (Auckland, New Zealand, 1992–2010). All underwent a low‐dose ACTH1–24 (synacthen 1 μg IV) test, and serum cortisol response was compared between inflicted (TBII) and accidental (TBIA) groups.ResultsWe assessed 64 children with TBII and 134 with TBIA. Boys were more likely than girls to suffer accidental (P < 0·001), but not inflicted TBI. TBII children displayed a 14% reduction in peak stimulated cortisol in comparison with the TBIA group (P < 0·001), as well as reduced cortisol responses at + 30 (P < 0·01) and + 60 min (P < 0·001). Importantly, these differences were not associated with severity of injury. The odds ratio of TBII children having a mother who suffered domestic violence during pregnancy was 6·2 times that of the TBIA group (P < 0·001). However, reported domestic violence during pregnancy or placement of child in foster care did not appear to affect cortisol responses.ConclusionSynacthen‐stimulated cortisol response is attenuated following inflicted TBI in early childhood. This may reflect chronic exposure to environmental stress as opposed to pituitary injury or early‐life programming.
Sediments, not plants, offer the preferred refuge for Daphnia against fish predation in Mediterranean shallow lakes: an experimental demonstration
Authors: NIHAN TAVŞANOĞLU ÜLKÜ , IDIL ÇAKIROĞLU AYŞE , ERDOĞAN ŞEYDA , MEERHOFF MARIANA , JEPPESEN ERIK , BEKLIOGLU MERYEM 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. Different behavioural responses of planktonic animals to their main predators, fish, have been reported from shallow lakes. In north temperate lakes, large‐bodied zooplankton may seek refuge from predation among macrophytes, whereas in subtropical lakes, avoidance of macrophytes has been observed. The prevalent behaviour probably depends on the characteristics of the fish community, which in Mediterranean lakes is typically dispersed in both the open water zone and in the littoral, as in temperate lakes, and is dominated by small size classes, as in subtropical lakes.2. We performed ‘habitat choice’ experiments to test the response of Daphnia magna to predation cues at both the horizontal and vertical level by mimicking a ‘shallow littoral’ zone with plants and a ‘deeper pelagic’ zone with sediments.3. Initial separate response experiments showed that natural plants, artificial plants and predation cues all repelled D. magna in the absence of other stimuli, while sediments alone did not trigger any significant response by D. magna.4. The habitat choice experiments showed that, in the presence of predation cues and absence of plants, Daphnia moved towards areas with sediment. In the presence of both plants and sediments, Daphnia moved away from the plants towards the sediments under both shallow and deep water treatment conditions.5. Based on these results, we suggest that Daphnia in Mediterranean shallow lakes avoid submerged macrophytes and instead prefer to hide near the sediment when exposed to predation risk, as also observed in subtropical shallow lakes. This pattern is not likely to change with water level alterations, a common feature of lakes in the region, even if the effectiveness of the refuge may be reduced.
Ecosystem transformation by emerging infectious disease: loss of large tanoak from California forests
Authors: Cobb Richard C. , Filipe João A. N. , Meentemeyer Ross K. , Gilligan Christopher A. , Rizzo David M. 
Published: February 2012

Summary1. Few pathogens are the sole or primary cause of species extinctions, but forest disease has caused spectacular declines in North American overstorey trees and restructured forest ecosystems at large spatial scales over the past 100 years. These events threaten biodiversity associated with impacted host trees and other resources valued by human societies even when they do not directly cause host extinction.2. Invasion of Phytophthora ramorum and emergence of the forest disease sudden oak death has caused a large‐scale decline of tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) in Californian coastal forests. Here, we describe structural changes to tanoak forests and develop predictive models of infection rates, mortality rates and changes in tanoak biomass and abundance by combining regionally extensive longitudinal field studies and mathematical modelling.3. Pathogen‐invaded stands had smaller average tanoak tree size and higher proportions of large dead tanoak trees compared with uninvaded stands. This pattern is caused in part by a positive relationship between tanoak size and mortality rate, as well as prolific basal sprouting from trees killed by the disease. Tanoak infection, mortality and biomass decline rates were positively related to the prevalence of infection in sporulation‐supporting species, especially California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica).4. We developed a stage‐structured and spatially explicit mathematical model including species dynamics and P. ramorum transmission, where the long‐term outcome of disease ranges from host extinction when densities of bay laurel are high to limited or no disease outbreak. Low densities of tanoak in a matrix of non‐susceptible neighbouring species resulted in slow‐enough transmission to retain overstorey tanoak, suggesting host‐density thresholds may exist in real forests.5.
Synthesis. Tanoak is likely to persist in many disease‐impacted forests via vegetative reproduction, but overstorey trees may be eliminated or greatly reduced in abundance, a pattern similar to other forest diseases that have emerged in the last century including chestnut blight and beech bark disease. Our results support a general model of disease‐caused changes to forest trees useful for the analysis of emerging forest pathogens where vegetative reproduction, community‐level epidemiology and stage‐specific mortality rate interact to determine local disease intensity and host decline.
Lymphoid organ cell culture system from Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) as a platform for white spot syndrome virus and shrimp immune‐related gene expression
Authors: Jose S , Jayesh P , Sudheer N S , Poulose G , Mohandas A , Philip R , Bright Singh I S 
Published: February 2012

AbstractShrimp cell lines are yet to be reported and this restricts the prospects of investigating the associated viral pathogens, especially white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). In this context, development of primary cell cultures from lymphoid organs was standardized. Poly‐l‐lysine‐coated culture vessels enhanced growth of lymphoid cells, while the application of vertebrate growth factors did not, except insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1). Susceptibility of the lymphoid cells to WSSV was confirmed by immunofluoresence assay using monoclonal antibody against the 28 kDa envelope protein of WSSV. Expression of viral and immune‐related genes in WSSV‐infected lymphoid cultures could be demonstrated by RT‐PCR. This emphasizes the utility of lymphoid primary cell culture as a platform for research in virus–cell interaction, virus morphogenesis, up and downregulation of shrimp immune‐related genes, and also for the discovery of novel drugs to combat WSSV in shrimp culture.
Psychometric evaluation of a scale to assess satisfaction with life among people with intellectual disabilities living in community residences
Authors: Bergström H. , Hochwälder J. , Kottorp A. , Elinder L. S. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  In the context of a health intervention among people with intellectual disabilities (ID), there was a need to assess satisfaction with some aspects of life, in order to monitor both potential positive and negative effects of the intervention. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate an easily administered scale for assessing satisfaction with home environment and leisure time among people with mild or moderate ID, living in community residences.Methods  A number of questions were constructed to measure satisfaction with home environment and leisure time. The questions were answered by 132 adults with mild or moderate ID, living in community residences in Sweden. The dimensionality of the scale was evaluated by factor analysis, and the reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficients.Results  The analysis supported a four‐factor solution with 12 items. The four factors were: (I) Satisfaction with housing environment; (II) Satisfaction with life; (III) Satisfaction with meals; and (IV) Satisfaction with recreational activity. The four factors explained almost 70% of the variance in the data set. Cronbach alpha coefficients for all scales were above 0.70, indicating that the reliabilities of the scales were satisfactory. Correlations between the four sub‐scales ranged from 0.06 to 0.52, indicating low to moderate inter‐correlations between the four sub‐scales.Conclusion  The scale has fairly good psychometric properties and is easy to administer. The scale, which can be further improved, can be an important resource in health intervention studies.
Recent research on aetiology, development and phenomenology of self‐injurious behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review and implications for treatment
Authors: Furniss F. , Biswas A. B. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Behavioural interventions conceptualise self‐injurious behaviour (SIB) as developing from early repetitive behaviours through acquisition of homeostatic functions in regulating stimulation and subsequent shaping into SIB through socially mediated or automatic operant reinforcement. Despite high success rates, such interventions rarely completely eliminate SIB, and overall effectiveness has not increased since the 1960s.Methods  Research (excluding studies of single genetic syndromes) on the early development, functional properties and phenomenology of SIB in persons with intellectual disabilities (IDs) published from 1999 to 2010 inclusive is reviewed.Results  Despite evidence to support the operant shaping hypothesis, in some cases tissue‐damaging SIB, especially head‐banging, emerges at a similar or younger age than stereotyped behaviours or ‘proto‐SIB’, often associated with tantrums following frustrative non‐reward and/or abrupt situational transitions. Many young children show undifferentiated patterns of responding in functional analyses of SIB, and SIB is associated with aggression and impulsivity as well as with repetitive behaviour.Conclusions  One dynamic in the development of SIB may be Pavlovian conditioning of aggression, originally elicited by aversive events or frustrative non‐reward, to stimuli associated with such situations. Integration into operant technology of interventions based on Pavlovian principles such as graduated exposure (with or without counterconditioning) to aversive stimuli may enhance the effectiveness of behavioural interventions.
Differences in seed rain composition in small and large fragments in the northeast Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Knörr U. C. , Gottsberger G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTropical forests are seriously threatened by fragmentation and habitat loss. The impact of fragment size and forest configuration on the composition of seed rain is insufficiently studied. For the present study, seed rain composition of small and large forest fragments (8–388 ha) was assessed in order to identify variations in seed abundance, species richness, seed size and dispersal mode. Seed rain was documented during a 1‐year period in three large and four small Atlantic Forest fragments that are isolated by a sugarcane matrix. Total seed rain included 20,518 seeds of 149 species of trees, shrubs, palms, lianas and herbs. Most species and seeds were animal‐dispersed. A significant difference in the proportion of seeds and species within different categories of seed size was found between small and large fragments. Small fragments received significantly more very small‐sized seeds (<0.3 cm) and less large‐seeded species (>1.5 cm) that were generally very rare, with only one species in small and eight in large fragments. We found a negative correlation between the inflow of small‐sized seeds and the percentage of forest cover. Species richness was lower in small than in large fragments, but the difference was not very pronounced. Given our results, we propose changing plant species pools through logging, tree mortality and a high inflow of pioneer species and lianas, especially in small forest fragments and areas with low forest cover. Connecting forest fragments through corridors and reforestation with local large‐seeded tree species may facilitate the maintenance of species diversity.
Nucleoside transport across the plasma membrane mediated by equilibrative nucleoside transporter 3 influences metabolism of Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Cornelius S. , Traub M. , Bernard C. , Salzig C. , Lang P. , Möhlmann T. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe metabolism of nitrogen‐rich nucleosides in Arabidopsis seedlings was investigated at the level of import and subsequent salvage or degradation. Uptake and fate of nucleosides imported by equilibrative nucleoside transporter 3 (ENT3) was analysed and, furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the effect of exogenously fed nucleosides at the level of metabolic as well as transcriptomic alterations was performed. Expression of nucleoside transporters ENT1 and ENT3, together with nucleoside import, was increased upon nitrogen limitation. Thereby a role for ENT3, which is expressed mainly in the vasculature of roots and leaves, as a major import route for nucleosides was supported. Exogenously fed nucleosides were able to attenuate nitrogen starvation effects such as chlorophyll breakdown, anthocyanin accumulation, RNA breakdown and reduced levels of amino acids. In response to nucleoside supply, up‐regulation of genes involved in nitrogen distribution in plants was observed. In addition, genes involved in nucleoside metabolism were identified as regulated upon nitrogen limitation. In summary, an overall beneficial effect of nucleoside supply to Arabidopsis seedlings, especially under limiting nitrogen conditions, was observed.
A genetic approach to the species problem in wild potato
Authors: Camadro E. L. , Erazzú L. E. , Maune J. F. , Bedogni M. C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWild potatoes are native to the Americas, where they present very wide geographical and ecological distribution. Most are diploid, obligate out‐crossers due to a multiallelic gametophytic self‐incompatibility (S) locus that prevents self‐fertilisation and crossing between individuals carrying identical S‐alleles. They have two alternative modes of reproduction: sexual (by seeds) and asexual (by stolons and tubers), which provide, respectively, for genetic flexibility in changing environments and high fitness of adapted genotypes under stable conditions. Since the early twentieth century, their taxonomic classification has been mostly based on morphological phenotypes (Taxonomic Species Concept). More recently, attempts have been made to establish phylogenetic relationships, applying molecular tools in samples of populations (accessions) with a previously assigned specific category. However, neither the reproductive biology and breeding relations among spontaneous populations nor the morphological and genetic variability expected in obligate allogamous populations are considered when the taxonomic species concept is applied. In nature, wild potato populations are isolated through external and internal hybridisation barriers; the latter, which are genetically determined, can be either pre‐zygotic (pollen–pistil incompatibility) or post‐zygotic (abortion of embryo, endosperm or both tissues, sterility, and hybrid weakness and breakdown in segregating generations). The internal barriers, however, can be incomplete, providing opportunities for hybridisation and introgression within and between populations and ploidy levels in areas of overlap. The widespread occurrence of spontaneous hybrids in nature was recognised in the mid‐twentieth century. Using genetic approaches, results have been obtained that provide strong support to the assertion that populations are at different stages of genetic divergence and are not at the end of the evolutionary process, as presupposed by the Taxonomic Species Concept. Furthermore, since wild potatoes have uniparental and biparental overlapping generations, the Biological Species Concept – developed for sexually reproducing biparental organisms – cannot be applied to them. In this paper, morphological, genetic, molecular and taxonomic studies in wild potato are reviewed, considering the genetic consequences of their reproductive biology, in an attempt to shed light on the species problem, because of its relevance in germplasm conservation and breeding.
Comparison between stearoyl‐CoA desaturase expression in milk somatic cells and in mammary tissue of lactating dairy cows
Authors: Jacobs A. A. A. , Dijkstra J. , Hendriks W. H. , van Baal J. , van Vuuren A. M. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryStearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) is an important enzyme in the bovine mammary gland, where it inserts a cis‐double bond at the Δ9 position in a wide range of fatty acids. Investigating SCD expression in the bovine mammary gland generally requires invasive biopsy to obtain mammary tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of milk somatic cells as a non‐invasive alternative to biopsy for measuring mammary SCD expression in dairy cows. Both milk somatic cells and mammary tissue were collected from 14 Holstein‐Friesian cows and used for analysis of SCD expression by real‐time PCR. The SCD5 mRNA levels in mammary tissue compared with SCD1 were low, and for several milk somatic cell samples, SCD5 expression was even below the limit of detection. A significant relationship was found between SCD1 expression in milk somatic cells and in mammary tissue. In addition, SCD1 expression in milk somatic cells was significantly related to Δ9‐desaturase indices in milk, which are commonly used as an indicator of SCD1 activity within the mammary gland. Our study showed that milk somatic cells can be used as a source of mRNA to study SCD1 expression in dairy cows, offering a non‐invasive alternative to mammary tissue samples obtained by biopsy.
Effect of Several Antioxidants on Thawed Ram Spermatozoa Submitted to 37°C up to Four Hours
Authors: Mata‐Campuzano M , Álvarez‐Rodríguez M , Álvarez M , Anel L , de Paz P , Garde JJ , Martínez‐Pastor F 
Published: February 2012

ContentsThawed ram spermatozoa were incubated at 37°C in the presence of dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), TEMPOL (TPL), N‐acetyl‐cysteine (NAC) and rutin (RUT), at 0.1 and 1 mm, in order to test their effects on sperm physiology. Cryopreserved spermatozoa from four rams were thawed, pooled, washed and incubated in TALP‐Hepes with 1 mm or 0.1 mm of each antioxidant, performing a replicate with induced oxidative stress (Fe2+/ascorbate). Motility (CASA), viability and mitochondrial membrane potential (flow cytometry) were analysed at 2 and 4 h. Lipoperoxidation (MDA production), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA status (TUNEL) were analysed at 4 h. Antioxidants, except DHA 0.1 mm, decreased motility and kinematic parameters, but had little effect on viability or mitochondrial activity. Except 1 mm DHA, the antioxidants reduced ROS at 4 h. Moreover, NAC 1 mm, rutin and TEMPOL reduced ROS and DNA damage in the presence of oxidative stress. N‐acetyl‐cysteine, rutin 1 mm and TEMPOL reduced lipoperoxidation in the presence of oxidative stress. However, DHA did not affect lipoperoxidation. At 1 mm, DHA increased DNA damage in the absence of oxidative stress. Dehydroascorbic acid effects could arise from spermatozoa having a low capacity for reducing it to ascorbic acid, and it may be tested in the presence of other antioxidants or reducing power. Future research should focus in testing whether the inhibition of motility observed for NAC, rutin and TEMPOL is reversible. These antioxidants might be useful at lower temperatures (refrigerated storage or cryopreservation) when their protective effects could be advantageous.
Guideline use: A survey of dietitians working with adult kidney transplant recipients
Authors: ORAZIO LINDA K , MURRAY ERYN M , CAMPBELL KATRINA L 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTAim:  To establish current service provision as well as barriers and enablers to guideline implementation in the Nutritional Management of Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients (KTR).Methods:  Fifteen primary renal transplant centres (15/17; 88% response rate) and 21 secondary renal transplant centres (21/24; 88% response rate) responded to an online survey addressing key questions investigating their current practice in the nutritional management of adult KTR.Results:  Referral from primary to secondary sites was limited with only two sites (9%) routinely receiving referrals. Allocated funding for KTR at secondary sites was low (n = 4, 14%). Many primary sites received nil or <0.5 full‐time equivalent (FTE) funding for inpatient (n = 8, 53%); and nil or ≤0.2 FTE funding for outpatient services (n = 9, 60%). In sites reporting FTE hours, the average dietitian‐to‐patient ratio was 1 FTE dietitian for every 383 (range 50–1280) annually transplanted patients. Major barriers identified in delivering nutrition services at primary sites included time/lack of resources and limitations with systems to identify or track transplant recipients.Conclusion:  Dietitian‐to‐patient ratios in the management of KTR at primary sites are inconsistent and likely to be inadequate at secondary transplant sites to implement guideline recommendations, especially for weight management. Investigations into the effectiveness of innovative interventions such as groups or telehealth are warranted, which may assist practitioners to achieve guideline recommendations in an environment of limited resources.
Long‐distance gene flow and adaptation of forest trees to rapid climate change
Authors: Kremer Antoine , Ronce Ophélie , Robledo‐Arnuncio Juan J. , Guillaume Frédéric , Bohrer Gil , Nathan Ran , Bridle Jon R. , Gomulkiewicz Richard , Klein Etienne K. , Ritland Kermit , Kuparinen Anna , Gerber Sophie , Schueler Silvio 
Published: February 2012

Ecology Letters (2012) 15: 378–392AbstractForest trees are the dominant species in many parts of the world and predicting how they might respond to climate change is a vital global concern. Trees are capable of long‐distance gene flow, which can promote adaptive evolution in novel environments by increasing genetic variation for fitness. It is unclear, however, if this can compensate for maladaptive effects of gene flow and for the long‐generation times of trees. We critically review data on the extent of long‐distance gene flow and summarise theory that allows us to predict evolutionary responses of trees to climate change. Estimates of long‐distance gene flow based both on direct observations and on genetic methods provide evidence that genes can move over spatial scales larger than habitat shifts predicted under climate change within one generation. Both theoretical and empirical data suggest that the positive effects of gene flow on adaptation may dominate in many instances. The balance of positive to negative consequences of gene flow may, however, differ for leading edge, core and rear sections of forest distributions. We propose future experimental and theoretical research that would better integrate dispersal biology with evolutionary quantitative genetics and improve predictions of tree responses to climate change.