bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A European approach to categorizing medicines for fitness to drive: outcomes of the DRUID project
Authors: Ravera Silvia , Monteiro Susana P. , de Gier Johan Jacob , van der Linden Trudy , Gómez‐Talegón Trinidad , Álvarez F. Javier ,   the DRUID Project WP4 Partners
Published: March 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Some commonly prescribed medications can be a hazardous to traffic safety.• Fifteen categorization systems are currently available in Europe. However, none of these systems clearly reports the methodology that was followed in order to categorize medications that impair driving.• None of the existing categorization systems are currently implemented at European level.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• This study describes standardized and harmonized criteria to categorize medications according to their potential to impair fitness to drive.• This study proposes a European categorization system of medications that impair driving that covers all the most frequently prescribed medications.• The proposed categorization system can be seen as a tool to improve prescribing and dispensing procedures of medications that impair driving as well as an instrument to make patients aware of the role medications play in traffic safety.AIMS To illustrate (i) the criteria and the development of the DRUID categorization system, (ii) the number of medicines that have currently been categorized, (iii) the added value of the DRUID categorization system and (iv) the next steps in the implementation of the DRUID system.METHODS The development of the DRUID categorization system was based on several criteria. The following steps were considered: (i) conditions of use of the medicine, (ii) pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data, (iii) pharmacovigilance data, including prevalence of undesirable effects, (iv) experimental and epidemiological data, (v) additional data derived from the patient information leaflet, existing categorization systems and (vi) final categorization. DRUID proposed four tiered categories for medicines and driving.RESULTS In total, 3054 medicines were reviewed and over 1541 medicines were categorized (the rest were no longer on the EU market). Nearly half of the 1541 medicines were categorized 0 (no or negligible influence on fitness to drive), about 26% were placed in category I (minor influence on fitness to drive) and 17% were categorized as II or III (moderate or severe influence on fitness to drive).CONCLUSIONS The current DRUID categorization system established and defined standardized and harmonized criteria to categorize commonly used medications, based on their influence on fitness to drive. Further efforts are needed to implement the DRUID categorization system at a European level and further activities should be undertaken in order to reinforce the awareness of health care professionals and patients on the effects of medicines on fitness to drive.
Stimulated erythropoiesis with secondary iron loading leads to a decrease in hepcidin despite an increase in bone morphogenetic protein 6 expression
Authors: Frazer David M. , Wilkins Sarah J. , Darshan Deepak , Badrick Alison C. , McLaren Gordon D. , Anderson Gregory J. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThe BMP/SMAD signalling pathway plays an important role in iron homeostasis, regulating hepcidin expression in response to body iron levels. However, the role of this pathway in the reduction in hepcidin associated with increased erythropoiesis (and secondary iron loading) is unclear. To investigate this, we established a mouse model of chronic stimulated erythropoiesis with secondary iron loading using the haemolytic agent phenylhydrazine. We then examined the expression of components of the BMP6/SMAD signalling pathway in these animals. We also examined this pathway in the Hbbth3/+ mouse, a model of the iron loading anaemia β‐thalassaemia intermedia. Increasing doses of phenylhydrazine led to a progressive increase in both liver iron levels and Bmp6 mRNA expression, but, in contrast, hepatic Hamp expression declined. The increase in Bmp6 expression was not associated with a corresponding change in the phosphorylation of hepatic SMAD1/5/8, indicating that stimulated erythropoiesis decreases the ability of BMP6 to alter SMAD phosphorylation. Increased erythropoiesis also reduces the capacity of phosphorylated SMAD (pSMAD) to induce hepcidin, as Hamp levels declined despite no changes in pSMAD1/5/8. Similar results were seen in Hbbth3/+ mice. Thus the erythroid signal probably affects some components of BMP/SMAD signalling, but also may exert some independent effects.
Prey naivety in the behavioural responses of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to an invasive predator
Authors: KUEHNE LAUREN M. , OLDEN JULIAN D. 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. Non‐native predators might inflict proportionally higher mortality on prey that have no previous experience of them, compared to species that have coexisted with the predator for some time.2. We tested whether juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were less able to recognise a non‐native than a native predator, by investigating behavioural responses to the chemical cues of the invasive smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and the native northern pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) in both laboratory and field experiments.3. Laboratory results demonstrated strong innate antipredator responses of individual juvenile Chinook salmon to northern pikeminnow; fish spent 70% of time motionless and exhibited 100% greater panic response than in controls. By contrast, antipredator responses to the chemical cues of smallmouth bass did not differ from controls.4. These results were supported by similar differences in recognition of these predator odours by groups of juvenile Chinook salmon in fully natural conditions, though responses reflected a greater range of antipredator behaviours by individuals. In field trials, responses to northern pikeminnow odour resulted in increased flight or absence, reductions in swimming and foraging, and increased time spent near the substratum, compared to smallmouth bass odour.5. Given that survival of juvenile fish is facilitated by predator recognition, our results support the hypothesis that naivety may be an important factor determining the effect of non‐native predators on prey populations. Efforts to manage the effect of native and non‐native predators may benefit by considering complex behavioural interactions, such as these at the individual and group levels.
Shifts in phytoplankton species richness and biomass along a latitudinal gradient – consequences for relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Authors: WEYHENMEYER GESA A. , PETER HANNES , WILLÉN EVA 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. Analysing phytoplankton community data from 205 small, mainly oligotrophic Swedish lakes along a 13° latitudinal gradient, we found that the duration of the open‐water season (DT > 0) was best related to phytoplankton species richness and biomass, probably because DT > 0 can be used as a proxy for nutrient concentrations, as well as for light and temperature conditions in lakes.2. The relationships between DT > 0 and phytoplankton species richness and biomass were not linear but showed significant shifts, that is, richness suddenly doubled at DT > 0 = 170 days and phytoplankton biomass began to strongly increase at DT > 0 around 220 days.3. The doubling in species richness corresponded to a change in the seasonal plankton succession from one to two peaks per year, and the shift in biomass corresponded to a shift in nutrient concentrations.4. The geographical differences in richness and biomass shifts resulted in an exponential biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship along a DT > 0 gradient.5. We conclude that phytoplankton species richness and biomass are driven by different environmental factors, resulting in a nonlinear biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship. The shape of the diversity–functioning relationship varies along with variations in environmental drivers, which is of highest importance for ongoing discussions about impacts of global change on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
High predictability of spring phytoplankton biomass in mesocosms at the species, functional group and community level
Authors: BAUER BARBARA , SOMMER ULRICH , GAEDKE URSULA 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. Models aim to predict phytoplankton dynamics based on observed initial conditions and a set of equations and parameters. However, our knowledge about initial conditions in nature is never perfect. Thus, if phytoplankton dynamics are sensitive to small variations in initial conditions, they are difficult to predict.2. We used time‐series data from indoor mesocosm experiments with natural phyto‐ and zooplankton communities to quantify the extent to which small initial differences in the species, functional group and community biomass in parallel treatments were amplified or buffered over time. We compared the differences in dynamics between replicates and among all mesocosms of 1 year.3. Temperature‐sensitive grazing during the exponential growth phase of phytoplankton caused divergence. In contrast, negative density dependence caused convergence.4. Mean differences in biomass between replicates were similar for all hierarchical levels. This indicates that differences in their initial conditions were amplified to the same extent. Even though large differences in biomass occasionally occurred between replicates for a short time, dynamics returned to the same path at all hierarchical levels. This suggests that internal feedback mechanisms make the spring development of phytoplankton highly predictable.
Response of plant species composition, biomass production and biomass chemical properties to high N, P and K application rates in Dactylis glomerata‐ and Festuca arundinacea‐dominated grassland
Authors: Hejcman M. , Strnad L. , Hejcmanová P. , Pavlů V. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractLittle is known about the immediate effect of high nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) application rates on sown grasslands cut twice per year. We asked how quickly plant species composition, biomass yield, biomass chemical properties and nutrient balance respond to N, P and K application. An experiment using unfertilized control, P, N, NP and NPK treatments was established on seven‐year‐old cut grassland in the Czech Republic in 2007 and monitored over four years. Annual application rates were 300 kg N ha−1, 80 kg P ha−1 and 200 kg K ha−1. The immediate response of plant species composition to N application was recorded and was found to be different to the response over the four years of the study period. Highly productive grasses (Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea and Phleum pratense) were promoted by N application in 2008 and then retreated together with legumes (Medicago sativa, Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens) in all N treatments where the expansion of perennial forbs (Urtica dioica and Rumex obtusifolius) and annual weeds (Galinsoga quadriradiata, Impatiens parviflora, Lamium purpureum and Stellaria media) was recorded. At the end of the experiment, Festuca rubra was the dominant grass in the control and P treatment, and species richness was lowest in all treatments with N application. Mean annual dry‐matter yield over all years was 3.5, 3.9, 5.8, 5.6 and 6.8 t ha−1 in the control, P, N, NP and NPK treatments, respectively. Concentrations of N in the biomass ranged from 20.0 to 28.7 g kg−1 in the P and N treatments; concentrations of P ranged from 3.2 to 3.7 g kg−1 in the N and P treatments; and concentrations of K ranged from 24.1 to 34.0 g kg−1 in the NP and NPK treatments. The N:P, N:K and K:P ratios did not correctly indicate the nutrient limitation of biomass production, which was primarily N‐limited, and K‐limitation was only recorded for high production levels in treatments with N applications. On the basis of the nutrient‐balance approach, the balanced annual application rates were estimated as 140 kg N ha−1, 30 kg P ha−1 and 100 kg K ha−1. We concluded that high N, P and K application rates can very quickly and dramatically change species composition, biomass production and its chemical properties in sown cut grasslands. High N application rates can be detrimental for tall forage grasses and can support the spread of weedy species.
Ontogenetic and evolutionary effects of predation and competition on nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) body size
Authors: Välimäki Kaisa , Herczeg Gábor 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. Individual‐ and population‐level variation in body size and growth often correlates with many fitness traits. Predation and food availability are expected to affect body size and growth as important agents of both natural selection and phenotypic plasticity. How differences in predation and food availability affect body size/growth during ontogeny in populations adapted to different predation and competition regimes is rarely studied.2. Nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) populations originating from habitats with varying levels of predation and competition are known to be locally adapted to their respective habitats in terms of body size and growth. Here, we studied how different levels of perceived predation risk and competition during ontogeny affect the reaction norms of body size and growth in (i) marine and pond populations adapted to different levels of predation and competition and (ii) different sexes. We reared nine‐spined stickleback in a factorial experiment under two levels of perceived predation risk (present/absent) and competition (high/low food supply).3. We found divergence in the reaction norms at two levels: (i) predation‐adapted marine stickleback had stronger reactions to predatory cues than intraspecific competition‐adapted pond stickleback, the latter being more sensitive to available food than the marine fish and (ii) females reacting more strongly to the treatments than males.4. The repeated, habitat‐dependent nature of the differences suggests that natural selection is the agent behind the observed patterns. Our results suggest that genetic adaptation to certain environmental factors also involves an increase in the range of expressible phenotypic plasticity. We found support for this phenomenon at two levels: (i) across populations driven by habitat type and (ii) within populations driven by sex.
Excessively high soluble Klotho in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Sze L. , Bernays R. L. , Zwimpfer C. , Wiesli P. , Brändle M. , Schmid C. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract.  Sze L, Bernays RL, Zwimpfer C, Wiesli P, Brändle M, Schmid C (Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, Zurich; Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Kantonsspital, Gallen; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Zurich; and Department of Internal Medicine, Kantonsspital Frauenfeld, Frauenfeld, Switzerland). Excessively high soluble Klotho in patients with acromegaly. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 93–97.Objectives.  Klotho‐deficient mice develop a syndrome resembling accelerated ageing, and genetic variants of Klotho have been associated with human ageing. In humans, serum levels of soluble Klotho decrease with age and with chronic renal failure. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between excess growth hormone (GH) and serum levels of Klotho in patients with acromegaly, a disease usually caused by a pituitary adenoma, which is associated with high phosphate levels and reduced life expectancy.Patients and design.  We determined the levels of soluble Klotho, GH and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) in serum samples from 24 consecutive patients with acromegaly (nine women/15 men, age 28–76 years) before and after transsphenoidal surgery.Results.  Soluble Klotho levels were excessively high at baseline (mean ± SEM, 4.2 ± 0.7 ng mL−1) and correlated with GH (r = 0.64), IGF‐1 (r = 0.57) and tumour size (r = 0.5). In multiple regression analysis, soluble Klotho was associated with GH after correction for age, gender and levels of creatinine and phosphate (P = 0.029). After surgery, GH and IGF‐1 levels decreased in all patients (from 26.3 ± 5.2 to 2.6 ± 0.6 μg L−1, P <0.0001, and from 588 ± 35 to 193 ± 12 μg L−1, P < 0.001, 0.0001, respectively). Creatinine increased from 71 ± 3 to 80 ± 3 μmol L−1 (P < 0.001), and phosphate decreased from 1.37 ± 0.04 to 1.06 ± 0.02 mmol L−1 (P < 0.001). The markedly increased preoperative levels of soluble Klotho returned towards normal after surgery (0.7 ± 0.1 ng mL−1, P < 0.0001).Conclusions.  This is the first study to show dramatically increased soluble Klotho levels in an acquired disease in humans. Reversal following tumour removal suggests a causal relation between the GH‐producing adenoma and high serum Klotho concentration in acromegaly.
Measuring the interaction of meal and gastric secretion: a combined quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and pharmacokinetic modeling approach
Authors: Sauter M. , Curcic J. , Menne D. , Goetze O. , Fried M. , Schwizer W. , Steingoetter A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground  The stimulation and intragastric accumulation of gastric secretion has been recognized as an important factor in gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the interaction of gastric secretion and meal emptying has not been fully understood. Current methods to assess gastric secretion are either invasive or unable to provide information on its volume, distribution and dynamics. The aim of this study was to quantify the interaction between meal emptying and meal induced gastric secretion by using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pharmacokinetic analysis.Methods  A chocolate test meal was developed which is secretion stimulating and MRI compatible. Meal emptying and gastric secretion were assessed in fourteen healthy volunteers using a validated quantitative MRI technique. A population based pharmacokinetic model was developed and applied to the extracted volume data, assessing the meal emptying rate, rate of secretion and their interaction.Key Results  The test meal continuously induced gastric secretion in all subjects, which partly accumulated at the meal–air interface, forming a ‘secretion layer’ in the proximal stomach. Traditional fitting detected a significant correlation between meal emptying rate and rate of secretion. The pharmacokinetic model quantified this interaction and estimated a 2.3 ± 1 fold higher effect of meal on secretion than vice versa. The efficacy of the emptied meal to produce gastric secretion was 61%.Conclusions & Inferences  The combined quantitative MRI and pharmacokinetic model approach allows for the quantification of gastric secretion volume and its interaction on meal emptying. The observed secretion layer might explain previous findings postulating the presence of an intragastric ‘acid pocket’.
Dolomite‐mediating bacterium isolated from the sabkha of Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Authors: Bontognali Tomaso R. R. , Vasconcelos Crisógono , Warthmann Rolf J. , Lundberg Rebecca , McKenzie Judith A. 
Published: March 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 248–254, 2012AbstractThe study of microbe‐mineral interactions and the identification of biominerals in sedimentary rocks provide crucial information on the coevolution of life and Earth surface environments. Desulfovibrio brasiliensis, a sulfate‐reducing bacterium isolated from Lagoa Vermelha (Brazil), is known for its ability to precipitate dolomite, a mineral that is common in the geological record, but difficult to obtain in laboratory experiments simulating Earth's surface conditions. Here, we report on a new bacterial strain capable of precipitating Mg‐calcite and Ca‐dolomite, isolated from a microbial mat in the sabkha of Abu Dhabi (UAE). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate revealed a 99.6% identity (i.e. same species) with Desulfovibrio brasiliensis. The presence of the same microbial species at two geographically distant dolomite‐forming locations is difficult to explain in terms of pure coincidence. Rather, it suggests that the ability of precipitating dolomite may be a unique characteristic associated with specific strains.
Composition, architecture and dynamics of the photosynthetic apparatus in higher plants
Authors: Nevo Reinat , Charuvi Dana , Tsabari Onie , Reich Ziv 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThe process of oxygenic photosynthesis enabled and still sustains aerobic life on Earth. The most elaborate form of the apparatus that carries out the primary steps of this vital process is the one present in higher plants. Here, we review the overall composition and supramolecular organization of this apparatus, as well as the complex architecture of the lamellar system within which it is harbored. Along the way, we refer to the genetic, biochemical, spectroscopic and, in particular, microscopic studies that have been employed to elucidate the structure and working of this remarkable molecular energy conversion device. As an example of the highly dynamic nature of the apparatus, we discuss the molecular and structural events that enable it to maintain high photosynthetic yields under fluctuating light conditions. We conclude the review with a summary of the hypotheses made over the years about the driving forces that underlie the partition of the lamellar system of higher plants and certain green algae into appressed and non‐appressed membrane domains and the segregation of the photosynthetic protein complexes within these domains.
Advances in plant genome sequencing
Authors: Hamilton John P. , Robin Buell C. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThe study of plant biology in the 21st century is, and will continue to be, vastly different from that in the 20th century. One driver for this has been the use of genomics methods to reveal the genetic blueprints for not one but dozens of plant species, as well as resolving genome differences in thousands of individuals at the population level. Genomics technology has advanced substantially since publication of the first plant genome sequence, that of Arabidopsis thaliana, in 2000. Plant genomics researchers have readily embraced new algorithms, technologies and approaches to generate genome, transcriptome and epigenome datasets for model and crop species that have permitted deep inferences into plant biology. Challenges in sequencing any genome include ploidy, heterozygosity and paralogy, all which are amplified in plant genomes compared to animal genomes due to the large genome sizes, high repetitive sequence content, and rampant whole‐ or segmental genome duplication. The ability to generate de novo transcriptome assemblies provides an alternative approach to bypass these complex genomes and access the gene space of these recalcitrant species. The field of genomics is driven by technological improvements in sequencing platforms; however, software and algorithm development has lagged behind reductions in sequencing costs, improved throughput, and quality improvements. It is anticipated that sequencing platforms will continue to improve the length and quality of output, and that the complementary algorithms and bioinformatic software needed to handle large, repetitive genomes will improve. The future is bright for an exponential improvement in our understanding of plant biology.