bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic behaviour of physiological traits conferring cytosolic K+/ Na+ homeostasis in wheat
Authors: Cuin T. A. , Zhou M. , Parsons D. , Shabala S. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA plant’s ability to maintain an optimal cytosolic K+/Na+ ratio has long been cited as a key feature of salinity tolerance. As traditional whole‐leaf nutrient analysis does not account for tissue and organelle‐specific ion sequestration, the predictive value of this index at the whole‐plant level is not always satisfactory. Consequently, suitable in situ methods for functionally assessing the activity of the key membrane transporters contributing to this trait at the cellular level need to be developed. The aim of this work was to investigate the extent to which plasma membrane transporter‐mediated Na+ exclusion and KOR‐mediated K+ retention traits, measured with the microelectrode ion flux measuring (MIFE) technique, are inheritable in wheat, and whether the MIFE technique has the potential to be used in combination with molecular markers to determine QTLs for these transporter proteins. Experiments involved two bread (Triticum aestivum) and two durum (Triticum turgidum) wheat lines contrasting in their salinity tolerance. Net Na+, K+ and H+ fluxes were measured from 6‐day‐old roots of parental lines and their F1 hybrids upon addition and removal of NaCl. These results were complemented by assessment of whole‐plant physiological and agronomic characteristics. We show evidence for a strong heritability of plasma membrane transporter‐mediated Na+ exclusion and K+ retention traits in wheat at the cellular level. This opens the prospect of using the MIFE technique to map the position of these transporters on particular loci of wheat chromosomes. The next obvious step would be to pyramid these traits in one ideotype with superior salinity tolerance.
Psychopathic traits moderate peer influence on adolescent delinquency
Authors: Kerr Margaret , Van Zalk Maarten , Stattin Håkan 
Published: November 2011

Background:  Peer influence on adolescent delinquency is well established, but little is known about moderators of peer influence. In this study, we examined adolescents’ (targets) and their peers’ psychopathic personality traits as moderators of peer influence on delinquency in peer networks. We used three separate dimensions of the psychopathic personality: grandiose‐manipulative traits, callous‐unemotional traits, and impulsive‐irresponsible traits.Methods:  We used a peer network approach with five waves of longitudinal data from 847 adolescents in one community. Peer nominations were not limited to the school context, thus allowing us to capture all potentially important peers. In addition, peers reported on their own delinquency, thus allowing us to avoid problems of false consensus or projection that arise when individuals report on their peers’ delinquency. We used simulation investigation for empirical network analyses (SIENA), which is the only program currently available that can be used to study peer influence effects in peer networks of multiple relationships while controlling for selection effects.Results:  Targets’ and peers’ callous‐unemotional and grandiose‐manipulative traits uniquely moderated peer influence on delinquency. Relative to those with low levels, targets who were high on these traits were less influenced by peers’ delinquency, and peers who were high on these traits were more influential on targets’ delinquency. Selection effects were found for impulsive‐irresponsible traits, but these traits did not moderate peer influence on delinquency.Conclusions:  As the first study to look at moderating effects of psychopathic traits on peer influence, this study advances knowledge about peer influence on delinquency and about psychopathic traits in adolescents. In addition, the study contributes to the literature by looking at unique effects of the three dimensions of psychopathy and taking a peer network approach, in which network effects, self‐selection, and other selection effects are controlled when examining influence and moderators of influence.
Making the connection: randomized controlled trial of social skills at school for children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Kasari Connie , Rotheram‐Fuller Erin , Locke Jill , Gulsrud Amanda 
Published: November 2011

Background:  This study compared two interventions for improving the social skills of high functioning children with autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms. One intervention involved a peer‐mediated approach (PEER) and the other involved a child‐assisted approach (CHILD).Method:  The two interventions were crossed in a 2 × 2 factorial design yielding control, PEER, CHILD, and both PEER and CHILD conditions. Sixty children participated from 56 classrooms in 30 schools. Interventions involved 12 sessions over 6 weeks, with a 3‐month follow‐up. Outcome measures included self, peer and teacher reports of social skills and independent weekly observations of children on their school playground over the course of the intervention.Results:  Significant improvements were found in social network salience, number of friendship nominations, teacher report of social skills in the classroom, and decreased isolation on the playground for children who received PEER interventions. Changes obtained at the end of the treatment persisted to the 3‐month follow‐up.Conclusions:  These data suggest that significant improvements can be made in peer social connections for children with autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms with a brief intervention, and that these gains persist over time.
Ectodomain shedding of nectin‐1 regulates the maintenance of dendritic spine density
Authors: Lim Seung T. , Chang Allison , Giuliano Rita E. , Federoff Howard J. 
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 741–751.AbstractSynaptic remodeling has been postulated as a mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity and cell adhesion molecules are thought to contribute to this process. We examined the role of nectin‐1 ectodomain shedding on synaptogenesis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Nectins are Ca2+‐independent immunoglobulin‐like adhesion molecules, involved in cell‐cell adherens junctions. Herein, we show that the processing of nectin‐1 occurs by multiple endoproteolytic steps both in vivo and in vitro. We identified regions containing two distinct cleavage sites within the ectodomain of nectin‐1. By alanine scanning mutagenesis, two point mutations that disrupt nectin‐1 ectodomain cleavage events were identified. Expression of these mutants significantly alters the density of dendritic spines. These findings suggest that ectodomain shedding of nectin‐1 regulates dendritic spine density and related synaptic functions.
Cholesterol enhances neuron susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli via cAMP/PKA/CREB‐dependent up‐regulation of Kv2.1
Authors: Zhou Meng‐Hua , Yang Guang , Jiao Song , Hu Chang‐Long , Mei Yan‐Ai 
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 502–514.AbstractCholesterol is a major component of membrane lipid rafts. It is more abundant in the brain than in other tissues and plays a critical role in maintaining brain function. We report here that a significant enhancement in apoptosis in rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) was observed upon incubation with 5 mM K+/serum free (LK‐S) medium. Cholesterol enrichment further potentiated CGN apoptosis incubated under LK‐S medium. On the contrary, cholesterol depletion using methyl‐beta‐cyclodextrin protected the CGNs from apoptosis induced by LK‐S treatment. Cholesterol enrichment, however, did not induce apoptosis in CGNs that have been incubated with 25 mM K+/serum medium. Mechanistically, increased IK currents and DNA fragmentation were found in CGNs incubated in LK‐S, which was further potentiated in the presence of cholesterol. Cholesterol‐treated CGNs also exhibited increased cAMP levels and up‐regulation of Kv2.1 expression. Increased levels of activated form of PKA and phospho‐CREB further supported activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway upon treatment of CGNs with cholesterol‐containing LK‐S medium. Conversely, inhibition of PKA or small G protein Gs abolished the increase in IK current and the potentiation of Kv2.1 expression, leading to reduced susceptibility of CGNs to LK‐S and cholesterol‐induced apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that the elevation of membrane cholesterol enhances CGN susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli via cAMP/PKA/CREB‐dependent up‐regulation of Kv2.1. Our data provide new evidence for the role of cholesterol in eliciting neuronal cell death.
Dietary n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid deprivation increases docosahexaenoic acid metabolism in rat brain
Authors: Igarashi Miki , Kim Hyung‐Wook , Chang Lisa , Ma Kaizong , Rapoport Stanley I. 
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 985–997.AbstractDietary n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deprivation in rodents reduces brain arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6) concentration and 20:4n‐6‐preferring cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2‐IVA) and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 expression, while increasing brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) concentration and DHA‐selective calcium‐independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2)‐VIA expression. We hypothesized that these changes are accompanied by up‐regulated brain DHA metabolic rates. Using a fatty acid model, brain DHA concentrations and kinetics were measured in unanesthetized male rats fed, for 15 weeks post‐weaning, an n‐6 PUFA ‘adequate’ (31.4 wt% linoleic acid) or ‘deficient’ (2.7 wt% linoleic acid) diet, each lacking 20:4n‐6 and DHA. [1‐14C]DHA was infused intravenously, arterial blood was sampled, and the brain was microwaved at 5 min and analyzed. Rats fed the n‐6 PUFA deficient compared with adequate diet had significantly reduced n‐6 PUFA concentrations in brain phospholipids but increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3), docosapentaenoic acid n‐3 (DPAn‐3, 22:5n‐3), and DHA (by 9.4%) concentrations, particularly in ethanolamine glycerophospholipid (EtnGpl). Incorporation rates of unesterified DHA from plasma, which represent DHA metabolic loss from brain, were increased 45% in brain phospholipids, as was DHA turnover. Increased DHA metabolism following dietary n‐6 PUFA deprivation may increase brain concentrations of antiinflammatory DHA metabolites, which with a reduced brain n‐6 PUFA content, likely promotes neuroprotection and alters neurotransmission.
Comparison of Cbln1 and Cbln2 functions using transgenic and knockout mice
Authors: Rong Yongqi , Wei Peng , Parris Jennifer , Guo Hong , Pattarini Roberto , Correia Kristen , Li Leyi , Kusnoor Sheila V. , Deutch Ariel Y. , Morgan James I. 
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 528–540.AbstractCerebellin precursor protein 1 (Cbln1) is the prototype of a family of secreted neuronal glycoproteins (Cbln1–4) and its genetic elimination results in synaptic alterations in cerebellum (CB) and striatum. In CB, Cbln1 acts as a bi‐functional ligand bridging pre‐synaptic β‐neurexins on granule cells to post‐synaptic Grid2 on Purkinje neurons. Although much is known concerning the action of Cbln1, little is known of the function of its other family members. Here, we show that Cbln1 and Cbln2 have similar binding activities to β‐neurexins and Grid2 and the targeted ectopic expression of Cbln2 to Purkinje cells in transgenic mice rescues the cerebellar deficits in Cbln1‐null animals: suggesting that the two proteins have redundant function mediated by their common receptor binding properties. Cbln1 and Cbln2 are also co‐expressed in the endolysosomal compartment of the thalamic neurons responsible for the synaptic alterations in striatum of Cbln1‐null mice. Therefore, to determine whether the two family members have similar functions, we generated Cbln2‐null mice. Cbln2‐null mice do not show the synaptic alterations evident in striatum of Cbln1‐null mice. Thus, Cbln2 can exhibit functional redundancy with Cbln1 in CB but it does not have the same properties as Cbln1 in thalamic neurons, implying one or both utilize different receptors/mechanisms in this brain region.
Multicolony tracking reveals the winter distribution of a pelagic seabird on an ocean basin scale
Authors: Frederiksen Morten , Moe Børge , Daunt Francis , Phillips Richard A. , Barrett Robert T. , Bogdanova Maria I. , Boulinier Thierry , Chardine John W. , Chastel Olivier , Chivers Lorraine S. , Christensen‐Dalsgaard Signe , Clément‐Chastel Céline , Colhoun Kendrew , Freeman Robin , Gaston Anthony J. , González‐Solís Jacob , Goutte Aurélie , Grémillet David , Guilford Tim , Jensen Gitte H. , Krasnov Yuri , Lorentsen Svein‐Håkon , Mallory Mark L. , Newell Mark , Olsen Bergur , Shaw Deryk , Steen Harald , Strøm Hallvard , Systad Geir H. , Thórarinsson Thorkell L. , Anker‐Nilssen Tycho 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAim  An understanding of the non‐breeding distribution and ecology of migratory species is necessary for successful conservation. Many seabirds spend the non‐breeding season far from land, and information on their distribution during this time is very limited. The black‐legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla, is a widespread and numerous seabird in the North Atlantic and Pacific, but breeding populations throughout the Atlantic range have declined recently. To help understand the reasons for the declines, we tracked adults from colonies throughout the Atlantic range over the non‐breeding season using light‐based geolocation.Location  North Atlantic.Methods  Geolocation data loggers were deployed on breeding kittiwakes from 19 colonies in 2008 and 2009 and retrieved in 2009 and 2010. Data from 236 loggers were processed and plotted using GIS. Size and composition of wintering populations were estimated using information on breeding population size.Results  Most tracked birds spent the winter in the West Atlantic, between Newfoundland and the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, including in offshore, deep‐water areas. Some birds (mainly local breeders) wintered in the North Sea and west of the British Isles. There was a large overlap in winter distributions of birds from different colonies, and colonies closer to each other showed larger overlap. We estimated that 80% of the 4.5 million adult kittiwakes in the Atlantic wintered west of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, with only birds from Ireland and western Britain staying mainly on the European side.Main conclusions  The high degree of mixing in winter of kittiwakes breeding in various parts of the Atlantic range implies that the overall population could be sensitive to potentially deteriorating environmental conditions in the West Atlantic, e.g. owing to lack of food or pollution. Our approach to estimating the size and composition of wintering populations should contribute to improved management of birds faced with such challenges.
Phylogeography of the Temminck’s Stint (Calidris temminckii): historical vicariance but little present genetic structure in a regionally endangered Palearctic wader
Authors: Rönkä Nelli , Kvist Laura , Pakanen Veli‐Matti , Rönkä Antti , Degtyaryev Victor , Tomkovich Pavel , Tracy Diane , Koivula Kari 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAim We study the population differentiation and phylogeography of the Temminck’s Stint (Calidris temminckii). Specifically, we seek signs of past and present population size changes and dispersal events and evaluate management and conservation unit status of the populations. We also study the possibility of introgression as the origin of two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages found and estimate the divergence time of the lineages.Location Northern Eurasia.Methods We analysed 583 bp of mtDNA control region domains I and II and 11 microsatellite loci from 13 localities throughout the breeding range. In addition, we used mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI), a barcoding gene, to search for signs of introgression.Results More population differentiation was found from microsatellites than from mtDNA, although differentiation was weak in both markers. Signs of past population growth were observed, in addition to more recent decline in some areas. Both control region andCOIsequences revealed two maternal lineages coexisting in Fennoscandia and in north‐west Siberia. No signs of introgression were detected. Lineage divergence time was estimated to have occurred during the glacial periods of Pleistocene.Main conclusions Slight differences in mtDNA and microsatellite differentiation and diversity may reflect different features – such as the mutation rate and effective population size – of the markers used, or female‐biased dispersal pattern and high male site‐fidelity of the species. The coexistence of the two mitochondrial lineages is most likely a consequence of post‐glacial mixing of two refugial Pleistocene populations. Based on genetic information alone, global conservation concerns are not imminent. However, fast decline of a marginal Bothnian Bay population and the smallness and remoteness of a Central Yakutian population warrant conservation actions.
Predicting the distribution potential of an invasive frog using remotely sensed data in Hawaii
Authors: Bisrat Simon A. , White Michael A. , Beard Karen H. , Richard Cutler D. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAim  Eleutherodactylus coqui (commonly known as the coqui) is a frog species native to Puerto Rico and non‐native in Hawaii. Despite its ecological and economic impacts, its potential range in Hawaii is unknown, making control and management efforts difficult. Here, we predicted the distribution potential of the coqui on the island of Hawaii.Location  Puerto Rico and Hawaii.Methods  We predicted its potential distribution in Hawaii using five biophysical variables derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) as predictors, presence/absence data collected from Puerto Rico and Hawaii and three classification methods – Classification Trees (CT), Random Forests (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM).Results  Models developed separately using data from the native range and the invaded range predicted potential coqui habitats in Hawaii with high performance. Across the three classification methods, mean area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.75 for models trained using the native range data and 0.88 for models trained using the invaded range data. We achieved the highest AUC value of 0.90 using RF for models trained with invaded range data.Main conclusions  Our results showed that the potential distribution of coquis on the island of Hawaii is much larger than its current distribution, with RF predicting up to 49% of the island as suitable coqui habitat. Predictions also show that most areas with an elevation between 0 and 2000 m are suitable coqui habitats, whereas the cool and dry high elevation areas beyond 2000 m elevation are unsuitable. Results show that MODIS‐derived biophysical variables are capable of characterizing coqui habitats in Hawaii.
Phylogeography and reproductive variation of the poecilogonous polychaeteBoccardiaproboscidea(Annelida:Spionidae) along theWestCoast ofNorthAmerica
Authors: Oyarzun Fernanda X. , Mahon Andrew R. , Swalla Billie J. , Halanych Kenneth M. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYThe ability to produce more than one kind of offspring, or poecilogony, is a striking example of reproductive variability. Traditionally, larval nutrition has been classified as a dichotomy: if offspring obtain nutrition from their mothers (lecithotrophy), there is lower fecundity and greater chance of offspring survival than when they get their nutrition from plankton (planktotrophy). The polychaeteBoccardiaproboscidea(Spionidae) produces both types of embryos using three different reproductive strategies. In this study, we examined the roles of genetic history and phenotypic plasticity on explaining natural variation inB. proboscideaalong thePacific coast of theUnitedStates using two genetic mitochondrial markers,16SrDNAandCyt b, and common garden experiments. These data show a singleNorthAmericanWestCoast network that is structured, geographically, by the well‐documented biogeographic break nearPointConception,California. The southern group within this network covers a smaller range, but has larger haplotype diversity, than the northern group. Some individuals differing in reproductive type had the same haplotype, indicating independence of these features; however, differences between laboratory and field data suggest additional geographic variation within one of the reproductive types. Females from higher latitudes provide offspring with larger supplies of extra embryonic nutrition than females from southern latitudes. Results herein suggest that both genetic history and developmental plasticity are playing a role in the maintenance of this reproductive polymorphism.
Developmental basis of mammalian digit reduction: a case study in pigs
Authors: Sears Karen E. , Bormet Allison K. , Rockwell Alexander , Powers Lisa E. , Noelle Cooper Lisa , Wheeler Matthew B. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYDigit reduction has occurred in parallel in many mammalian lineages. However, despite this pattern's prevalence, the developmental mechanisms underlying mammalian digit reduction remain controversial. We therefore undertook a study of digit development in the pig (Sus scrofa), a mammal with reduced first, second, and fifth digits. Our results indicate that from its earliest formation, the pig limb bud is significantly narrower than that of the model pentadactyl mammal, mouse. Furthermore, the cartilage condensations of the pig's reduced digits are noticeably smaller than those of their nonreduced counterparts from the time of their formation. In addition, growth rates of pig digits are comparable, as are the patterns of cell death in developing pig and mouse limbs. Taken together, results suggest that pig's first, second, and fifth digits are primarily reduced through evolutionary modifications in the early developmental patterning of their limbs. Results of this study, coupled with those from study of limb development in other mammals, suggest that although major developmental reorganizations (e.g., complete digit or limb loss) during early limb development may be selected against, it may be common for more subtle evolutionary modifications in limb development (e.g., changes in relative digit size) to occur at this time.
HomeoDB2: functional expansion of a comparative homeobox gene database for evolutionary developmental biology
Authors: Zhong Ying‐fu , Holland Peter W. H. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYHomeobox gene database (HomeoDB), a manually curated database of homeobox genes and their classification, has been well received since its release in 2008. Here, we report HomeoDB2, an expansion and improvement of the original database that provides greater functionality for the user. HomeoDB2 includes all homeobox loci from 10 animal genomes (human, mouse, chicken, frog, zebrafish, amphioxus, nematode, fruitfly, beetle, honeybee) plus tools for downloading sequences, comparing between species and BLAST searching. HomeoDB2 provides a resource for studying the dynamics of homeobox gene evolution, and is freely accessible at http://homeodb.zoo.ox.ac.uk