bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating whether protected areas reduce tropical deforestation in Sumatra
Authors: Gaveau David L. A. , Epting Justin , Lyne Owen , Linkie Matthew , Kumara Indra , Kanninen Markku , Leader‐Williams Nigel 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim  This study determines whether the establishment of tropical protected areas (PAs) has led to a reduction in deforestation within their boundaries or whether deforestation has been displaced to adjacent unprotected areas: a process termed neighbourhood leakage.Location  Sumatra, Indonesia.Methods  We processed and analysed 98 corresponding LANDSAT satellite images with a c. 800 m2 resolution to map deforestation from 1990 to 2000 across 440,000 km2 on the main island of Sumatra and the smaller island of Siberut. We compared deforestation rates across three categories of land: (1) within PAs; (2) in adjacent unprotected land lying with 10 km of PA boundaries; and (3) within the wider unprotected landscape. We used the statistical method of propensity score matching to predict the deforestation that would have been observed had there been no PAs and to control for the generally remote locations in which Sumatran PAs were established.Results  During the period 1990–2000 deforestation rates were found to be lower inside PAs than in adjacent unprotected areas or in the wider landscape. Deforestation rates were also found to be lower in adjacent unprotected areas than in the wider landscape.Main conclusions  Sumatran PAs have lower deforestation rates than unprotected areas. Furthermore, a reduction in deforestation rates inside Sumatran PAs has promoted protection, rather than deforestation, in adjacent unprotected land lying within 10 km of PA boundaries. Despite this positive evaluation, deforestation and logging have not halted within the boundaries of Sumatran PAs. Therefore the long‐term viability of Sumatran forests remains open to question.
Adaptive differences in gene expression associated with heavy metal tolerance in the soil arthropod Orchesella cincta
Authors: ROELOFS DICK , JANSSENS THIERRY K. S. , TIMMERMANS MARTIJN J. T. N. , NOTA BENJAMIN , MARIËN JANINE , BOCHDANOVITS ZOLTÁN , YLSTRA BAUKE , VAN STRAALEN NICO M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractField‐selected tolerance to heavy metals has been reported for Orchesella cincta (Arthropoda: Collembola) populations occurring at metal‐contaminated mining sites. This tolerance correlated with heritable increase in metal excretion efficiency, less pronounced cadmium (Cd)‐induced growth reduction and overexpression of the metallothionein gene. We applied transcriptomics to determine differential gene expression caused by this abiotic stress in reference and Cd‐tolerant populations. Many cDNAs responded to Cd exposure in the reference population. Significantly fewer clones were Cd responsive in tolerant animals. Analysis of variance revealed transcripts that interact between Cd exposure and population. Hierarchical cluster analysis of these clones identified two major groups. The first one contained cDNAs that were up‐regulated by Cd in the reference culture but non‐responsive or down‐regulated in tolerant animals. This cluster was also characterized by elevated constitutive expression in the tolerant population. Gene ontology analysis revealed that these cDNAs were involved in structural integrity of the cuticle, anti‐microbial defence, calcium channel‐blocking, sulphur assimilation and chromatin remodelling. The second group consisted of cDNAs down‐regulated in reference animals but not responding or slightly up‐regulated in tolerant animals. Their functions involved carbohydrate metabolic processes, Ca2+‐dependent stress signalling, redox state, proteolysis and digestion. The reference population showed a strong signature of stress‐induced genome‐wide perturbation of gene expression, whereas the tolerant animals maintained normal gene expression upon Cd exposure. We confirmed the micro‐evolutionary processes occurring in soil arthropod populations and suggest a major contribution of gene regulation to the evolution of a stress‐adapted phenotype.
Population genetic patterns suggest a behavioural change in wild common frogs (Rana temporaria) following disease outbreaks (Ranavirus)
Authors: TEACHER AMBER G. F. , GARNER TRENTON W. J. , NICHOLS RICHARD A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe use 14 microsatellite loci to investigate the impact of a viral disease (Ranavirus) on the population genetic structure of wild common frogs (Rana temporaria). Populations with a history of Ranavirus mortalities (and 83% declines in the number of frogs) were compared with populations with no history of infection. Infected ponds showed significantly elevated FIS (homozygote excess), significantly reduced relatedness, and no detectable effect on allelic richness. We hypothesize that the elevated FIS and reduced relatedness are consequences of assortative mating, and that allelic richness is maintained by immigration from nearby populations. Simulations indicate that the elevated FIS cannot be explained by population size reductions, but can indeed be explained by assortative mating (even if a mate choice locus is unlinked to the genetic markers). While the majority of studies consider demographic outcomes following disease outbreaks, our results indicate that emerging infectious diseases could also result in behavioural changes.
A moderate decrease in temperature induces COR15a expression through the CBF signaling cascade and enhances freezing tolerance
Authors: Wang Yi , Hua Jian 
Published: June 2009

SummaryTemperature has a profound effect on plant growth and development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation are not well understood. In particular, how moderate temperature variations are perceived and transduced inside the plant cells remains obscure. In this study, we analyzed transcriptional responses to a moderate decrease in temperature (cooling) in Arabidopsis thaliana. The cooling response involves a weaker and more transient induction of cold‐induced genes, such as COR15a, than cold response. This induction probably accounts for the increase in freezing tolerance by cooling acclimation. Cooling also induces some defense response genes, and their induction, but not that of COR15a, requires the salicylic acid signaling pathway. Analysis of the regulation of COR15a reveals that cooling induction is mediated through the same C repeat/dehydration‐responsive (CRT/DRE) element as cold induction. Furthermore, we identified a role for CBF1 and CBF4 in transducing signals of moderate decreases in temperature. It appears that variants of the CBF signaling cascade are utilized in cold and cooling responses, and a moderate decrease in temperature may invoke an adaptive response to prepare plants to cope with a more drastic decrease in temperature.
Three‐dimensional imaging of plant cuticle architecture using confocal scanning laser microscopy
Authors: Buda Gregory J. , Isaacson Tal , Matas Antonio J. , Paolillo Dominick J. , Rose Jocelyn K.C. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryFull appreciation of the roles of the plant cuticle in numerous aspects of physiology and development requires a comprehensive understanding of its biosynthesis and deposition; however, much is still not known about cuticle structure, trafficking and assembly. To date, assessment of cuticle organization has been dominated by 2D imaging, using histochemical stains in conjunction with light and fluorescence microscopy. This strategy, while providing valuable information, has limitations because it attempts to describe a complex 3D structure in 2D. An imaging technique that could accurately resolve 3D architecture would provide valuable additions to the growing body of information on cuticle molecular biology and biochemistry. We present a novel application of 3D confocal scanning laser microscopy for visualizing the architecture, deposition patterns and micro‐structure of plant cuticles, using the fluorescent stain auramine O. We demonstrate the utility of this technique by contrasting the fruit cuticle of wild‐type tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. M82) with those of cutin‐deficient mutants. We also introduce 3D cuticle modeling based on reconstruction of serial optical sections, and describe its use in identification of several previously unreported features of the tomato fruit cuticle.
Interaction between the light quality and flowering time pathways in Arabidopsis
Authors: Adams Sally , Allen Trudie , Whitelam Garry C. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryFlowering in Arabidopsis is accelerated by a reduced ratio of red light to far‐red light (R/FR), which indicates the proximity of competitive vegetation. By exploiting the natural genetic variation in flowering time responses to low R/FR, we obtained further insight into the complex pathways that fine‐tune the transition to flowering in Arabidopsis. The Bla‐6 ecotype does not flower significantly earlier in response to low R/FR, but is still able to display other features of shade avoidance, suggesting branching of low R/FR signalling. Here we show that the muted flowering response of Bla‐6 is due to high levels of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), conferred by a combination of functional FLC and FRIGIDA (FRI) alleles with a ‘weak’FY allele. The Bla‐6 FY allele encodes a protein with a corrupted WW binding domain, and we provide evidence that this locus plays a key role in the natural variation in light quality‐induced flowering in Arabidopsis. In Bla‐6, FLC blocks promotion to flowering by reduced R/FR by inhibiting expression of the floral integrator FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) in a dose‐dependent manner. Reduction of FLC removes this obstruction, and Bla6 plants then exhibit strong induction of FT and flower early in response to a low R/FR signal. This paper illustrates the intricate interaction of environmental signals and genetic factors to regulate flowering in Arabidopsis.
Cost‐effectiveness projections of single and combination therapies for visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India
Authors: Olliaro Piero , Darley Sarah , Laxminarayan Ramanan , Sundar Shyam 
Published: June 2009

SummaryObjectives To assess the cost‐effectiveness of current monotherapies and prospective combinations for treating visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Bihar, India in terms of years of life lost (YLL) averted as well as deaths averted.Methods We employed two methods to estimate the number of avertable deaths in our analysis: one using estimated mortality, the other using direct incidence estimates for VL. Costs of care are based on an average private hospital in Bihar, and data on drug costs were obtained both locally and from the World Health Organization.Results The cost of monotherapies per averted YLL ranged from US$2 for paromomycin in an outpatient setting to US$20–22 for AmBisome®at 20 mg/kg. The corresponding costs per death averted ranged from US$53–54 to US$523–527. Combinations ranged US$5–8 per YLL averted and US$124–213 per death averted.Conclusion The available treatments for VL are cost‐effective, and our mortality and incidence‐based methods produce consistent estimates. The combinations considered here were more cost‐effective than most monotherapies. Having multiple treatment options and combining drugs are also likely to reduce drug pressure and prolong the drugs’ life‐span of effective use.
Re‐emerging chikungunya fever: some lessons from Asia
Authors: Bhatia Rajesh , Narain Jai P. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryChikungunya is an arboviral infection that re‐emerged in several Asian countries during 2005–2006 after a long period of quiescence. Several microbial, climatic, social and economic factors influenced the occurrence of this disease as well as the rapidity with which it swept across many countries resulting in significant morbidity. Prevention and control of such diseases require not only a strong public health infrastructure but also a precise understanding of the factors that provide a conducive environment for the virus to propagate and infect a large number of people in a short time period. A multipronged response with an active role by the communities is critical for combating chikungunya and other emerging infectious diseases. The paper discusses important lessons that can be learned from the recent outbreaks of chikungunya fever in Asia.
Tuberculosis cluster in an immigrant community: case identification issues and a transcultural perspective
Authors: Tardin A. , Dominicé Dao M. , Ninet B. , Janssens J.‐P. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryObjectives  In a low incidence area for tuberculosis (TB), a computerized database identified an unusually high proportion of patients coming from one single country between 2004 and 2006. To determine whether they constituted a cluster, whether clustering was due to recent transmission, and to understand what undermined the efficacy of the contact tracing procedure, we conducted a retrospective study of all patients with TB from this country.Methods  Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates of 15 TB cases originating from the same country over a 2½ year period were analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and/or Rep‐PCR. To identify links between patients, we revisited the social worker’s files, cross‐matched contacts’ databases, and performed internet searches. A cultural evaluation was conducted by an anthropologist and an expert physician, through patient and community key informant interviews and a literature review.Results  Genotyping confirmed that 11 of 15 patients had identical isolates. Additional data revealed an unsuspected complex network of social links between 9 of these 11 patients. The transcultural evaluation pointed out the major obstacles to efficient contact tracing, such as importance of social stigma related to TB, differences in communication style and health beliefs, and linguistic barriers.Conclusion  The combined finding of identical genotypes and important social links between patients confirmed the suspicion of a TB cluster due to recent transmission. The cultural evaluation helped to explain the difficulties encountered during the contact tracing procedure, and offered strategies to improve its efficacy despite the magnitude of the social stigma attached to TB in this community.
Lack of endothelial dysfunction in patients under tacrolimus after orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Rouyer Olivier , Talha Samy , Di Marco Paola , Ellero Bernard , Doutreleau Stéphane , Diemunsch Pierre , Piquard François , Geny Bernard 
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Background:  Endothelial dysfunction is a significant cause of vascular and end‐organ damage after solid organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to compare endothelial function in healthy controls and in patients who received tacrolimus for immunosuppression after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods:  Eight OLT patients and eight age‐ and BMI‐matched healthy subjects were included in the study. Apart from hemodynamic parameters, enzymatic liver function, fasting plasma glucose levels, creatinine, cholesterol, nitric oxide and endothelin‐1 levels were measured. Flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) in the brachial artery was determined by bi‐mode ultrasound.Results:  Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were higher in OLT recipients compared with the control group, but remained within normal limits. Blood results did not differ significantly between the groups. Circulating nitric oxide (152.2 ± 29.7 vs. 180.6 ± 40.1 μmol/L) and endothelin‐1 (20.5 ± 1.0 vs. 18.9 ± 1.3 pmol/L) values were similar, and the FMD was normal in both groups (10.29 ± 0.89 vs. 9.86 ± 2.43% in controls and OLT recipients, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between plasma tacrolimus levels after OLT and FMD (r = 0.72, p < 0.05).Conclusion:  As assessed by both laboratory and functional approaches, endothelial function was unaltered in patients taking tacrolimus after OLT. The positive correlation between tacrolimus plasma levels and FMD suggest that tacrolimus might have beneficial effects on endothelial function after OLT.
New co‐attractants synergizing attraction of Cetonia aurata aurata and Potosia cuprea to the known floral attractant
Authors: Vuts J. , Imrei Z. , Tóth M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractTo improve the efficiency of the known floral attractant of Cetonia aurata aurata and Potosia cuprea [3‐methyl eugenol, 1‐phenylethanol and (E)‐anethol] electroantennographic tests were conducted using the antennae of both species. Among synthetic floral compounds eliciting the highest responses from the antennae, geraniol, (±)‐lavandulol and ß‐ionone, were chosen for field experiments. In field trapping tests in Hungary the addition of (±)‐lavandulol to the known attractant resulted in significantly higher catches of both scarabs than the ternary blend alone or the single compounds. Only geraniol resulted in higher catches of P. cuprea when added to the ternary attractant. The addition of ß‐ionone to the known attractant decreased catches. In further tests the addition of geraniol in the same single dispenser as the known ternary mixture plus (±)‐lavandulol did not increase catches of C. a. aurata and P. cuprea. The improved bait consisting of 3‐methyl eugenol/1‐phenylethanol/(E)‐anethol/(±)‐lavandulol described in this study is recommended for use in trapping of C. a. aurata and P. cuprea for agricultural purposes.
Orall‐histidine exerts antihypertensive effects via central histamine H3receptors and decreases nitric oxide content in the rostral ventrolateral medulla in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Toba Hiroe , Nakamori Ayako , Tanaka Yoshimi , Yukiya Ryosuke , Tatsuoka Keisuke , Narutaki Masako , Tokitaka Masaaki , Hariu Hitoshi , Kobara Miyuki , Nakata Tetsuo 
Published: June 2009

Summary1. l‐Histidine is generally found in meat, poultry and fish. To investigate its effects on blood pressure,l‐histidine was administered to 9‐week‐old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).2. Oral administration ofl‐histidine (100 mg / kg) increased histamine content in cerebrospinal fluid and reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) in SHR. Intracerebroventricular injection ofl‐histidine (0.01 μg / 5 μL) also caused a decrease in MAP, which was reversed by cotreatment with the histamine H3receptor antagonist thioperamide (20.4 μg / 5 μL, i.c.v.). There was a significant, time‐dependent increase (over 6 h) in the NOx(NO2− + NO3−) content of the dialysate from the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a major vasomotor centre, after oral administration ofl‐histidine.3. In another experiment, SHR were treated withl‐histidine (100 mg / kg) twice a day for 4 weeks. Chronic treatment withl‐histidine inhibited the age‐dependent increases in systolic blood pressure and urinary noradrenaline excretion seen in vehicle‐treated SHR. Conversely, intracerebroventricular injection of thioperamide (20.4 μg / 5 μL, i.c.v.) reversed the decrease in MAP in response tol‐hisitidine in SHR.4. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the aortic expression of angiotensin‐converting enzyme mRNA was suppressed by chronic treatment withl‐histidine.5. These results suggest thatl‐histidine decreases blood pressure by attenuating sympathetic output via the central histamine H3receptor in SHR. In addition, the antihypertensive effects ofl‐histidine appear to be associated with an increase in nitric oxide in the RVLM.
Adenosine receptor interactions alter cardiac contractility in rat heart
Authors: Rose’Meyer Roselyn B 
Published: June 2009

Summary1. The effect of the adenosine A2receptor (AdoA2R) agonist N6‐[2‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐2‐(2‐methylphenyl)‐ethyl]adenosine (DPMA) on adenosine A1receptor (AdoA1R)‐mediated negative inotropic responses was investigated in rat heart.2. Hearts from male Wistar rats (250–350 g) were perfused with Krebs’–Henseleit solution at constant flow in non‐recirculating Langendorff mode. Hearts were paced at 5 Hz (5 ms duration, supramaximal voltage) via ventricular electrodes. After 30 min equilibration, (R)‐N6‐phenylisopropyl adenosine (R‐PIA) concentration–response curves were constructed in the absence or presence of DPMA.3. In paced hearts, R‐PIA induced concentration‐dependent decreases in triple product (heart rate × peak systolic developed pressure × dP / dtmax), which were significantly attenuated by 1 nmol / L DPMA with a shift in pEC50from 8.0 ± 0.5 (n = 9) in control hearts to 6.63 ± 1.03 (n = 5) in treated tissues (P < 0.05). The AdoA2AR antagonist 8‐(3‐chlorostyryl)caffeine (1 μmol / L) and the adenylyl cyclase inhibitorcis‐N‐(2‐phenylcyclopentyl)‐azacyclotridec‐1‐en‐2‐amine hydrochloride (MDL12330A; 100 nmol / L) reversed the effects of DPMA on AdoA1R‐mediated negative inotropic actions, whereas the AdoA2BR antagonist alloxazine (3 μmol / L) had no effect on DPMA activity.4. The results of the present study show that stimulation of the AdoA2R attenuates AdoA1R‐dependent reductions in inotropic state. The receptor involved appears to be the AdoA2AR and its action involves stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity.
Resveratrol inhibits right ventricular hypertrophy induced by monocrotaline in rats
Authors: Yang Dan‐Li , Zhang Hai‐Gang , Xu Ya‐Li , Gao Yun‐Hua , Yang Xiao‐Jiao , Hao Xue‐Qin , Li Xiao‐Hui 
Published: June 2009

Summary1. Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenol in red wine, exhibits cardioprotective effects in vitro, such as inhibition of angiotensin II‐ or phenylephrine‐induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in rat neonatal myocyte cultures and suppression of cardiac fibroblast proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of RSV against monocrotaline (MCT)‐induced right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy in rats.2. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were given a single injection of MCT (50 mg/kg, s.c.) and were then treated with either vehicle (normal saline) or RSV (10 and 30 mg/kg, i.g., twice daily) for 21 days. A separate group of control rats were not injected with MCT and were treated with normal saline for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period, all rats were subjected to echocardiography and haemodynamic measurements. In addition, after rats had been killed, the hearts were subjected to histopathological, untrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses.3. In vehicle‐treated rats, MCT injection resulted in 33% mortality, whereas mortality in RSV‐treated MCT‐injected rats was 0%. In vehicle‐treated rats, MCT increased RV free wall thickness and RV systolic pressure and decreased pulmonary arterial acceleration time at the end of the experimental period. These dynamic changes were ameliorated by RSV in a dose‐dependent manner. Histologically, MCT injection resulted in RV hypertrophy, swollen mitochrondria and cardiomyocyte apoptosis; all these morphological changes were dose‐dependently improved in rats treated with RSV.4. In conclusion, RSV inhibits the RV hypertrophy induced by MCT in rats and this effect is mediated by both a direct effect of RSV on cardiomyocytes and an indirect effect mediated via a reduction in pulmonary hypertension.