bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Analysis of the Arabidopsis PAL Gene Family in Plant Growth, Development, and Response to Environmental Stress
Authors: Huang Junli , Gu Min , Lai Zhibing , Fan Baofang , Shi Kai , Zhou Yan-Hong , Yu Jing-Quan , Chen Zhixiang 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) catalyzes the first step of the phenylpropanoid pathway, which produces precursors to a variety of important secondary metabolites. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) contains four PAL genes (PAL1–PAL4), but there has been no genetic analysis to assess the biological functions of the entire gene family. Here, we report the generation and analysis of combined mutations for the four Arabidopsis PAL genes. Contrary to a previous report, we found that three independent pal1 pal2 double mutants were fertile and generated yellow seeds due to the lack of condensed tannin pigments in the seed coat. The pal1 pal2 double mutants were also deficient in anthocyanin pigments in various plant tissues, which accumulate in wild-type plants under stress conditions. Thus, PAL1 and PAL2 have a redundant role in flavonoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, the pal1 pal2 double mutants were more sensitive to ultraviolet-B light but more tolerant to drought than wild-type plants. We have also generated two independent pal1 pal2 pal3 pal4 quadruple knockout mutants, which are stunted and sterile. The quadruple knockout mutants still contained about 10% of the wild-type PAL activity, which might result from one or more leaky pal mutant genes or from other unknown PAL genes. The quadruple mutants also accumulated substantially reduced levels of salicylic acid and displayed increased susceptibility to a virulent strain of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. These results provide further evidence for both distinct and overlapping roles of the Arabidopsis PAL genes in plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stresses.
A SQUAMOSA MADS Box Gene Involved in the Regulation of Anthocyanin Accumulation in Bilberry Fruits
Authors: Jaakola Laura , Poole Mervin , Jones Matthew O. , Kämäräinen-Karppinen Terttu , Koskimäki Janne J. , Hohtola Anja , Häggman Hely , Fraser Paul D. , Manning Kenneth , King Graham J. , Thomson Helen , Seymour Graham B. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Anthocyanins are important health-promoting phytochemicals that are abundant in many fleshy fruits. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is one of the best sources of these compounds. Here, we report on the expression pattern and functional analysis of a SQUAMOSA-class MADS box transcription factor, VmTDR4, associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in bilberry. Levels of VmTDR4 expression were spatially and temporally linked with color development and anthocyanin-related gene expression. Virus-induced gene silencing was used to suppress VmTDR4 expression in bilberry, resulting in substantial reduction in anthocyanin levels in fully ripe fruits. Chalcone synthase was used as a positive control in the virus-induced gene silencing experiments. Additionally, in sectors of fruit tissue in which the expression of the VmTDR4 gene was silenced, the expression of R2R3 MYB family transcription factors related to the biosynthesis of flavonoids was also altered. We conclude that VmTDR4 plays an important role in the accumulation of anthocyanins during normal ripening in bilberry, probably through direct or indirect control of transcription factors belonging to the R2R3 MYB family.
Species composition, abundance and habitat association of rodents and insectivores from Chilalo–Galama Mountain range, Arsi, Ethiopia
Authors: Kasso Mohammed , Bekele Afework , Hemson Graham 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA study on the ecology of rodents and insectivores on Mount Chilalo and the Galama Mountain range was conducted during August, 2007–April, 2008. Study grids were marked in nine randomly selected habitats. Sherman live traps and snap traps were used to capture the small mammals. A total of 2525 (including recaptures) individual rodents and insectivores were captured in 5488 (Sherman) and 1590 (snap) trap‐nights. Among the live‐trapped animals, 2037 (96.2%) and 80 (3.8%) were rodents and insectivores, respectively, that comprised 17 species. These were as follows: Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Arvicanthis blicki, Arvicanthis dembeensis, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, Lophuromys melanonyx, Mastomys natalensis, Mus mahomet, Otomys typus, Rattus rattus, Stenocephalemys albipes, Stenocephalemys albocaudata, Stenocephalemys griseicauda, Crocidura glassi, Crocidura flavescens and Crocidura thalia. Tachyoryctes splendens and Hystrix cristata were sighted but not captured. Endemics to Ethiopia constituted 60% of the trapped small mammals. Lophuromys flavopunctatus was the most abundant and widely distributed rodent species, while M. mahomet was the least. The altitudes between 3301 and 3400 m asl had the highest species composition and abundance although it is second in number of catches per trap‐nights. The majority of rodents and insectivores were associated with montane forest habitat, whereas the least were in the shrubland. Anthropogenic effects were witnessed affecting the distribution of small mammals.
The effect of pilot balloon design on estimation of safe tracheal tube cuff pressure
Authors: Janossy K. M. , Pullen J. , Young D. , Bell G. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryWe studied the effect of pilot balloon design on the ability of experienced anaesthetists to assess and inflate tracheal tube cuffs to safe pressures. A model trachea was designed, incorporating a degree of compliance and an air leak, to evaluate six different pilot balloons grafted onto identical tracheal tubes. Pilot balloons were inflated to one of four pressures and anaesthetists were asked to estimate whether the pressure was acceptable, too low or too high. Anaesthetists were then asked to inflate the cuff of each tube. Overall, 103 (42.9%) of anaesthetists’ assessments of tracheal tube cuff pressures were correct (33% correct would be expected by chance, p = 0.002). Pressures generated by anaesthetists inflating tracheal tube cuffs were very variable. Median (IQR [range]) pressures for each pilot balloon ranged from 29 (17–43 [9–56]) cmH2O to 74 (49–114 [4–140]) cmH2O (p < 0.001). The design of the pilot balloon significantly affects anaesthetists’ ability to inflate tracheal tube cuffs to safe pressures.
Herbivory in canopy gaps created by a typhoon varies by understory plant leaf phenology
Authors: TAKAFUMI HINO , KAWASE SATORU , NAKAMURA MASAHIRO , HIURA TSUTOM 
Published: June 2010

1. Availabilities of light and soil nitrogen for understory plants vary by extent of canopy gap formation through typhoon disturbance. We predicted that variation in resource availability and herbivore abundance in canopy gaps would affect herbivory through variation in leaf traits among plant species. We studied six understory species that expand their leaves before or after canopy closure in deciduous forests. We measured the availabilities of light, soil nitrogen, soil water content, and herbivore abundance in 20 canopy gaps (28.3–607.6 m2) formed by a typhoon and in four undisturbed stands. We also measured leaf traits and herbivory on understory plants.2. The availabilities of light and soil nitrogen increased with increasing gap size. However, soil water content did not. The abundance of herbivorous insects (such as Lepidoptera and Orthoptera) increased with increasing gap size.3. Concentrations of condensed tannins, total phenolics, and nitrogen in leaves and the leaf mass per area increased in late leaf expansion species with increasing gap size, whereas none of the leaf traits varied by gap size in early leaf expansion species.4. Herbivory increased on early leaf expansion species with increasing gap size, but decreased on late leaf expansion species. In these late leaf expansion species, total phenolics and C : N ratio had negative relationships with herbivory.5. These results suggested that after typhoon disturbance, increased herbivory on early leaf expansion species can be explained by increased herbivore abundance, whereas decreased herbivory on late leaf expansion species can be explained by variation in leaf traits.
Prophylaxis in the haemophilia population
Authors: BLANCHETTE V. S. 
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Prophylaxis is recommended as preventive therapy for young boys with severe haemophilia in countries where safe factor concentrates are available. This recommendation is supported by results from a randomized, controlled study that compared on‐demand therapy with full‐dose prophylaxis (Manco‐Johnson MJ, Abshire TC, Shapiro AD et al. N Engl J Med 2007;357:535). It is important to distinguish primary vs. secondary prophylaxis. Primary prophylaxis refers to preventive treatment started before the onset of joint damage, whereas secondary prophylaxis refers to treatment started after joint damage has occurred. Whereas the benefits of primary prophylaxis are well documented, data relating to secondary prophylaxis are limited, especially in the adolescent/adult haemophilia population. Failure of prophylaxis may relate to several variables, including: (i) underlying status of the joints; (ii) poor compliance; (iii) participation in high‐risk activities and (iv) unfavourable pharmacokinetics (PK), i.e., too rapid elimination of infused coagulation factors. There is evidence that the risk of joint bleeding in individuals with severe haemophilia A relates to time spent with factor levels < 1% (Collins PW, Blanchette VS, Fischer K et al. J Thromb Haemost 2009;7:413); this variable is strongly influenced by frequency of factor infusions and the individual’s PK profile. Key ongoing questions relating to prophylaxis include: (1) what is the optimal regimen for initiating primary prophylaxis; (2) role of prophylaxis in the adolescent/young adult haemophilia population and (3) role of prophylaxis in individuals with severe von Willebrand’s disease and other rare inherited coagulation disorders. The role of novel long‐acting factor concentrates for prophylaxis will also need to be evaluated.
Carry‐over effects reveal reproductive costs in a long‐distance migrant
Authors: Inger Richard , Harrison Xavier A. , Ruxton Graeme D. , Newton Jason , Colhoun Kendrew , Gudmundsson Gudmundur A. , McElwaine Graham , Pickford Matthew , Hodgson David , Bearhop Stuart 
Published: June 2010

Summary 1. It has been known for some time that the consequences of ‘decisions’ made at one point in an animal’s life may not always be borne immediately. For example, numerous studies have demonstrated the trade‐off between current and future breeding success across multiple taxa. 2. It is becoming increasingly clear that such processes may also operate among seasons, such that the conditions experienced at one point in the annual cycle may have significant downstream impacts, or ‘carry‐over effects’, and this is particularly evident among migratory species. We might therefore predict that certain combinations of reproductive and migratory strategy could lead to profound carry‐over effects. However, the extent to which these phenomena might generate variation in fitness within a population is unclear. 3. Here, we investigate how winter habitat selection in a long‐distance migrant, with extended parental care (the Light‐bellied Brent goose) is influenced by parental status and how this has a counterintuitive effect on subsequent breeding success. 4. Dominant individuals and groups generally monopolize the best quality resources. In the case of geese, families are dominant; however, our findings highlight a hidden cost to raising a family. Stable isotope analysis demonstrates that later in the non‐breeding season, adults with families utilize lower quality resources than non‐breeders. This is probably caused by parents being constrained in habitat choice by the lower foraging efficiency of their juveniles. Consequently, parental adults end the winter in poorer condition than non‐breeders. 5. We further demonstrate that parents in one year are less likely than expected to breed again in the next year and suggest that this is caused by conditions during the non‐breeding period being carried over into the breeding season. In conclusion, we demonstrate previously hidden costs to raising a family, which are likely to be important in terms of life‐history evolution.
Phylogeny of magpie‐robins and shamas (Aves: Turdidae: Copsychus and Trichixos): implications for island biogeography in Southeast Asia
Authors: Lim Haw Chuan , Zou Fasheng , Taylor Sabrina S. , Marks Ben D. , Moyle Robert G. , Voelker Gary , Sheldon Frederick H. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim  Magpie‐robins and shamas are forest and woodland birds of south Asia. There are two genera: Trichixos for the monotypic T. pyrrhopygus, and Copsychus for other species. Two species are widespread, whereas the others are restricted to specific islands. Endemicity is highest in the Philippines. Using phylogenetic methods, we examined how this group came to its unusual distribution.Location  Mainland Asia from India to southern China, and islands from Madagascar to the Philippines. Particular emphasis is placed on the Greater Sundas and Philippines.Methods  The phylogeny was estimated from DNA sequences of 14 ingroup taxa representing all nine currently recognized Copsychus and Trichixos species. The entire mitochondrial ND2 gene and portions of nuclear myoglobin intron 2 (Myo2) and transforming growth factor beta 2 intron 5 (TGFβ2‐5) were sequenced for all but two species. The phylogeny was reconstructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The timing of divergence events was estimated using a relaxed molecular clock approach, and ancestral areas were examined using stochastic modelling.Results  The group comprises three main clades corresponding to ecological types: Trichixos, a primary‐forest specialist; Copsychus magpie‐robins, open‐woodland and coastal species; and Copsychus shamas, thick‐forest species. Trichixos appears to be sister to the magpie‐robins, rendering Copsychus polyphyletic. The dating of phylogenetic nodes was too ambiguous to provide substantial insight into specific geographical events responsible for divergence within the group. Some patterns are nevertheless clear. Copsychus shamas reached the Philippines, probably in two separate invasions, and split into endemic species. Copsychus malabaricus and C. saularis expanded widely in the Greater Sundas and mainland Southeast Asia without species‐level diversification.Main conclusions  Magpie‐robins are excellent dispersers and have diversified into distinct species only on isolated oceanic islands. Trichixos, a poor disperser, is restricted to mature forests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Copsychus shamas are intermediate in habitat preference and dispersal capabilities. Their endemism in the Philippines may be attributed to early colonization and specialization to interior forests. In the Greater Sundas, C. malabaricus and C. saularis populations split and came together on Borneo to form two separate subspecies (of each species), which now hybridize.
Predicting species distributions from checklist data using site‐occupancy models
Authors: Kéry Marc , Gardner Beth , Monnerat Christian 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim (1) To increase awareness of the challenges induced by imperfect detection, which is a fundamental issue in species distribution modelling; (2) to emphasize the value of replicate observations for species distribution modelling; and (3) to show how ‘cheap’ checklist data in faunal/floral databases may be used for the rigorous modelling of distributions by site‐occupancy models.Location Switzerland.Methods We used checklist data collected by volunteers during 1999 and 2000 to analyse the distribution of the blue hawker,Aeshna cyanea(Odonata, Aeshnidae), a common dragonfly in Switzerland. We used data from repeated visits to 1‐ha pixels to derive ‘detection histories’ and apply site‐occupancy models to estimate the ‘true’ species distribution, i.e. corrected for imperfect detection. We modelled blue hawker distribution as a function of elevation and year and its detection probability of elevation, year and season.Results The best model contained cubic polynomial elevation effects for distribution and quadratic effects of elevation and season for detectability. We compared the site‐occupancy model with a conventional distribution model based on a generalized linear model, which assumes perfect detectability (p = 1). The conventional distribution map looked very different from the distribution map obtained using site‐occupancy models that accounted for the imperfect detection. The conventional model underestimated the species distribution by 60%, and the slope parameters of the occurrence–elevation relationship were also underestimated when assumingp = 1. Elevation was not only an important predictor of blue hawker occurrence, but also of the detection probability, with a bell‐shaped relationship. Furthermore, detectability increased over the season. The average detection probability was estimated at only 0.19 per survey.Main conclusions Conventional species distribution models do not model species distributions per se but rather theapparent distribution, i.e. an unknownproportionof species distributions. That unknown proportion is equivalent to detectability. Imperfect detection in conventional species distribution models yields underestimates of the extent of distributions and covariate effects that are biased towards zero. In addition, patterns in detectability will erroneously be ascribed to species distributions. In contrast, site‐occupancy models applied to replicated detection/non‐detection data offer a powerful framework for making inferences about species distributions corrected for imperfect detection. The use of ‘cheap’ checklist data greatly enhances the scope of applications of this useful class of models.
Bioinformatics‐assisted characterization of the ITS1‐5·8S‐ITS2 segments of nuclear rRNA gene clusters, and its exploitation in molecular diagnostics of European crop‐parasitic nematodes of the genus Ditylenchus
Authors: Marek M. , Zouhar M. , Douda O. , Mazakova J. , Rysanek P. 
Published: June 2010

In the present study, the determination and computer‐assisted characterization of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence data were performed to improve classification and diagnostics of nematodes of the genus Ditylenchus. Dot‐plot analyses of the ITS1‐5·8S‐ITS2 segments revealed the presence of short repeated DNA motifs localized in the ITS1 region of D. destructor, whilst no similar DNA repeats were identified in other members of the genus. Additionally, three‐domain secondary structure models were inferred for ITS2 transcripts, providing a valuable resource for complex phylogenetic studies. Finally, alignment of the ITS‐rDNA sequence data and subsequent oligonucleotide combinations trials led to the development of taxon‐specific amplified regions. Together, this is the first report in which the three most common taxa of crop‐parasitic nematodes of the genus Ditylenchus, namely D. dipsaci sensu stricto, Ditylenchus sp. B and D. destructor, have been simultaneously detected using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based approach. This novel DNA technology is particularly valuable for the precise molecular diagnostics applicable to phytosanitary control and marker‐assisted selection (MAS)‐based plant breeding.
Field Trial Evaluation of Two Chenopodium quinoa Genotypes Grown Under Rain‐Fed Conditions in a Typical Mediterranean Environment in South Italy
Authors: Pulvento C. , Riccardi M. , Lavini A. , D’Andria R. , Iafelice G. , Marconi E. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract Chenopodium quinoa Willd. or ‘quinoa’ is a plant having many uses as a food. Importantly, it offers an alternative to normal cereals in coeliac diets because its seeds are gluten‐free. For this reason, it is worthwhile to determine the properties of quinoa and to evaluate the suitability of this crop for the south of Italy. At the CNR‐ISAFoM’s experimental station in Vitulazio (CE), a 2‐year (2006–2007) field trial under rain‐fed conditions was carried out to compare the two quinoa genotypes: KVLQ520Y (KV) and Regalona Baer (RB). Comparison was also made between two sowing dates for KV. The results showed that April was the best sowing time for quinoa in our typical Mediterranean region. Of the two genotypes, RB recorded better growth and productivity, apparently being more tolerant to abiotic stress (high temperatures associated with water stress). Chemical analyses reveal the potential of quinoa seed as a valuable ingredient in the preparation of cereal foods having improved nutritional characteristics.
Serotonin fibre sprouting and increase in serotonin transporter immunoreactivity in the CA1 area of hippocampus in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Noristani H. N. , Olabarria M. , Verkhratsky A. , Rodríguez J. J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that deteriorates cognitive functions and associated brain regions such as the hippocampus, being the primary cause of dementia. Serotonin (5‐HT) is widely present in the hippocampus, being an important neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. Although recent evidence suggests alterations in 5‐HT neurotransmission in AD, it is not clear how hippocampal 5‐HT innervation is modified. Here, we studied hippocampal 5‐HT innervation by analysing: (i) the expression, density and distribution of 5‐HT transporter (SERT)‐immunoreactive fibres; (ii) the specific morphological characteristics of serotonergic fibres and their relation to amyloid plaques; and (iii) the total number of 5‐HT neurons within the raphe nuclei in triple transgenic mouse model of AD. We used quantitative light microscopy immunohistochemistry comparing transgenic and non‐transgenic animals of different ages (3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months). The transgenic animals showed a significant increase in SERT fibres in the hippocampus in a subfield‐, strata‐ and age‐specific manner. The increase in SERT fibres was specific to the CA1 stratum lacunosum‐moleculare. An increase in SERT fibres in transgenic animals was observed at 3 months (by 61%) and at 18 months (by 74%). No changes, however, were found in the total number of raphe 5‐HT neurons at any age. Our results indicate that triple transgenic mice display changes in the expression of SERT and increased SERT fibres sprouting, which may account for imbalanced serotonergic neurotransmission associated with (or linked to) AD cognitive impairment.