bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distance Decay of Tree Species Similarity in Protected Areas on Terra Firme Forests in Colombian Amazonia
Authors: Duque Álvaro , Phillips Juan Fernando , von Hildebrand Patricio , Posada Carlos Alberto , Prieto Adriana , Rudas Agustín , Suescún Mabel , Stevenson Pablo 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTIn this study, we investigated the pattern of floristic similarity as a function of geographical distances and environmental variability in well‐drained uplands (terra firme) in Colombian Amazonia. The study site comprised three National Natural Parks, Tinigua, Chiribiquete, and Amacayacu, located in different geological units that represent a soil fertility gradient linked to parental materials. Differences in species richness between sites were compared using rarefaction analysis. A clear floristic transition appeared in the east–west direction following a soil fertility gradient along the first PCoA axis. In multiple regression analyses based on distance matrices, both geographical distances and geology explained 64 percent of the total floristic variation. Geographical distances alone accounted for 12 percent of variation in floristic similarities among plots, while geology alone accounted for 1 percent, and the joint effect of both explained 51 percent of the floristic variation. The species richness trend supports the existence of a latitudinal corridor southward of the geographical Equator in the Amazon basin, where tree diversity reaches the maximum expected values. A coupled effect of stochastic dispersal limitation and habitat specialization would certainly appear to be an appropriate explanation for tree species turnover in terra firme forests in Colombian Amazonia, strongly emphasizing that competition and neutrality must be supplementary rather than mutually exclusive processes. This result pinpoints the effect of dispersal on floral mixing as an ongoing active process for structuring tree communities in NW Amazonia, and the size of the reserves as a relevant issue to protect rare species from extinction by chance.
Recognition of Host Plant Volatiles by Pheidole minutula Mayr (Myrmicinae), an Amazonian Ant‐Plant Specialist
Authors: Dáttilo Wesley F. C. , Izzo Thiago J. , Inouye Brian D. , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. , Bruna Emilio M. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTIn the tropics, several ant species are obligate inhabitants of leaf pouches and other specialized structures in plants known as myrmecophytes. However, the cues used by ant queens to locate suitable host‐plants following dispersal remain poorly understood. Here we tested the hypothesis that Pheidole minutula queens use volatiles to distinguish their host Maieta guianensis (Melastomataceae) from other sympatric myrmecophytes. To do so, we used a Y‐tube olfactometer to quantify the preference for volatiles of different plant species. Our results indicate that P. minutula queens discriminate the chemical volatiles produced by its host‐plant from those of other sympatric ant‐plant species. However, queens failed to distinguish the volatiles of Maieta from those of the ant‐plant Tococa bullifera (Melastomataceae), with which P. minutula is not mutualistically associated. Nevertheless, a strong preference for Maieta over Tococa was observed during a subsequent bioassay, where the ants had physical contact with a domatium of each plant species. These results suggest that additional, short distance mechanisms are also necessary for host discrimination. Overall, our findings suggest that the high degree of compartmentalization observed in symbiotic ant–plant relationships is achieved, at least in part, by the relatively high degree of specificity in host selection displayed by foundress queens.
Seed Dispersal of the Palm Syagrus romanzoffiana by Tapirs in the Semi‐deciduous Atlantic Forest of Argentina
Authors: Giombini Mariano I. , Bravo Susana P. , Martínez Mariela F. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTVertebrates play a fundamental role in the dispersal of Neotropical trees, generating different seed shadows according to their physical and behavioral features. Tapirs are capable of consuming great quantities of large fruits, and they defecate seeds far from parent trees. For instance, intact seeds of the palm Syagrus romanzoffiana have been found in tapir dung piles in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, suggesting that tapirs effectively disperse this species. However, recruitment was not examined therein. We studied tapir endozoochory of large and medium seeds in the semi‐deciduous Atlantic Forest of Argentina by examining dung piles found within Iguazu National Park. We recorded dung‐pile positions to evaluate the spatial distribution. We also counted the number of juveniles in 2 × 2 m quadrats placed on old dung piles in latrines, beneath adults and in random sites to estimate recruitment levels. Syagrus romanzoffiana seeds were present in 98 percent of dung piles, averaging >200 seeds/dung pile, indicating that this species constitutes the main fruit component in the tapir's diet. Dung piles showed a clumped deposition pattern reflecting the use of latrines. Juvenile recruitment in latrines was 21 times higher than that of under‐adult sites and 500 times greater than in random sites, and correlated with the frequency of use of the areas. We concluded that the lowland tapir is a major disperser of S. romanzoffiana. Given that this palm can be considered a keystone species, a disruption of this interaction might affect the entire community of frugivores in the long term.
OXIDATIVE AND FLAVOR STABILITY OF TORTILLA CHIPS FRIED IN EXPELLER PRESSED LOW LINOLENIC ACID SOYBEAN OIL*
Authors: WARNER KATHLEEN 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT To determine effects of expeller oil pressing and decreased linolenic acid, intermittent batch frying tests were conducted with tortilla chips using soybean oil (SBO), expeller pressed SBO (EPSBO), expeller pressed low linolenic SBO (EPLLSBO), high oleic sunflower oil, corn oil and hydrogenated SBO for up to 35 h of frying. Chips were aged at 25C and trained, experienced analytical sensory panelists evaluated their flavor. Oxidative stability of the chips was determined by hexanal analyses and oil fry life was measured by total polar compounds. The stability of tortilla chips fried in EPLLSBO was significantly better than chips fried in SBO or EPSBO as judged by rancid flavor intensity and hexanal formation after storage. This effect may be due, in part, to less linolenic acid in EPLLSBO and better tocopherol retention compared to EPSBO. The combination of expeller pressing and low linolenic acid (EPLLSBO) produced a significantly more stable fried product than expeller pressing (EPSBO) alone. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSFood manufacturers are interested in oils that can be used for frying as alternatives to trans fat‐containing hydrogenated fats. Since polyunsaturated vegetable oils are not sufficiently oxidatively stable for frying, alternatives such as modified fatty acid composition oils, additives and oil processing techniques could be used individually or in combination to increase fry life of the oil and shelf life of foods. Although expeller pressing of SBO or reducing linolenic acid of SBO alone have not given SBO the stability equivalent to HSBO, we found that combining decreased linolenic acid and expeller pressing of SBO produced frying oil and fried tortilla chips with the stability similar to that of hydrogenated fat in early stages of frying.
FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN TISSUES OF MICE FED DIETS CONTAINING CONJUGATED LINOLENIC ACID AND CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID
Authors: YUAN GAO‐FENG , SINCLAIR ANDREW J. , SUN HAI‐YAN , LI DUO 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT The influence of 1% alpha‐eleostearic acid (α‐ESA, cis9,trans11,trans 13‐18:3) and 1% punicic acid (PA, cis9,trans11,cis13‐18:3) on fatty acid composition in mouse tissues was compared with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, mixture of primarily cis9,trans11‐ and trans10,cis12‐18:2) in the present study. The content (% total fatty acids) of 18:2n‐6 was significantly reduced in the heart and adipose tissues, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n‐6 PUFA were significantly reduced in adipose tissue by α‐ESA, PA and CLA feeding. The content of 22:6n‐3 and total n‐3 PUFA were significantly increased in the liver, kidney and heart by PA feeding, but not by α‐ESA. In contrast to PA, supplementation with CLA significantly decreased 22:6n‐3 in the liver, kidney and heart. The content of 20:4n‐6 was significantly decreased in the liver and kidney by CLA feeding, but not by α‐ESA and PA. The present results indicate that α‐ESA, PA and CLA have differential effects on 22:6n‐3 and 20:4n‐6 content in mouse tissues. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSConjugated linolenic acid (CLnA), a group of octadecatrienoic acid isomers with a conjugated triene system, has been reported to exhibit favorable physiological effects, including anticancer properties and regulation of lipid metabolism. Punicic acid and alpha‐eleostearic acid, two isomers of CLnA, have been shown to convert into cis9,trans11‐18:2 in vivo. The effect of CLnA on fatty acid composition in mouse tissues was investigated in comparison with CLA mixtures in the present study. The data obtained here could provide information for the potential application of CLnA‐containing seeds as functional food ingredients, a natural source of endogenously formed cis9,trans11‐18:2 and a dietary feeding strategy to beneficially modify the fatty acid composition of animal tissues.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DRUPES, PHENOLIC CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF ITALIAN OLIVE FRUITS
Authors: BAIANO ANTONIETTA , GAMBACORTA GIUSEPPE , TERRACONE CARMELA , PREVITALI MARIA ASSUNTA , LA NOTTE ENNIO 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT Drupe characteristics, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of olive fruits were studied for 12 Italian oil cultivars grown in two areas (Cerignola and Torremaggiore) of Daunia district. The effects of plantation place were higher than those exerted by cultivars on drupe characteristics such as weight, pulp/stone ratio, oil content and maturation index. Olive fruits from Cerignola, which is located at a lower altitude than Torremaggiore, showed the highest phenolic content. The highest phenolic content (14 g gallic acid/kg dry olive) was detected on Peranzana and Cellina di Nardò grown in Cerignola groves. The lowest values were registered for FS17 and Cima di Melfi (about 7 g/kg). 1‐Acetoxypinoresinol, 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylethyl 4‐formyl‐3‐formylmethyl‐4‐hexenoate, the dialdehydic form of decarboxymethyl elenolic acid linked to hydroxytyrosol (3,4‐DHPEA‐EDA), hydroxytyrosol and luteolin, were the phenolic compounds detected in a greater amount and in most of the cultivars. Independently on the assay applied, the highest antioxidant activity was detected for Cellina di Nardò (Cerignola). The lowest antioxidant activity values were different depending on the method applied. According to the 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline)‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay, the lowest value was detected for Moraiolo from Torremaggiore, whereas Nociara showed the lowest contribution to the inhibition of lipid oxidation (β‐carotene beaching assay). A strong positive linear correlation (R = 0.82) existed between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity measured according to the ABTS method, whereas a low linear correlation coefficient (R = 0.36) was obtained when the β‐carotene bleaching assay was used.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe experimental results obtained with this research could help farmers to increase their knowledge of the minor components of some major and minor Italian olive cultivars. In fact, there are very few works on the characterization of olive fruits destined for oil production. The analytical findings of this study can also provide useful information to the oil industries interested in processing olives having high phenolic content and high antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the diffusion of these results could help consumers to choose, among monovarietal extra virgin oils available in the market, those derived from the cultivars rich in antioxidant compounds.
DELIVERY OF LYCOPENE TO PHYSIOLOGICALLY RELEVANT VASCULAR CELLS
Authors: LORENZ MARIO , STANGL VERENA , JACOB CHRISTINE , DAEMEN KERSTIN , BÖHM VOLKER , FRÖHLICH KATI , BAUMANN GERT , STANGL KARL , SIMONE ROSSELLA , PALOZZA PAOLA 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT Lycopene most likely contributes to the positive health effects of tomatoes on the cardiovascular system. However, elucidation of underlying cellular mechanisms is hampered by the intricate solubility of lycopene in aqueous solutions. Cells relevant to the cardiovascular system, including bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), the monocytic cell line THP‐1, and RAT‐1 fibroblasts, were treated for various time periods (0–72 h) with different concentrations of lycopene (1, 5, and 10 µM), solubilized either in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or micelles as solvents. Incubation of all three cell types led to a concentration‐ and time‐dependent increase in cellular lycopene content. Both vehicles tested, THF and micelles, proved equally effective in the delivery of lycopene to cells. A marked difference in the amount of lycopene incorporated was observed among the various cell types. Compared with THP‐1 cells, the uptake of lycopene using both solvents was higher in BAECs and RAT‐1 fibroblasts for all concentrations and time points tested. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSEpidemiological data indicate a beneficial effect for consumption of tomato products in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Only limited data are available on the cellular uptake of lycopene in vascular cells. Lycopene was successfully delivered to different cells relevant for the cardiovascular system. These results represent an important prerequisite for the study of molecular and cellular mechanisms by which lycopene may exert its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.
Isolation and characterization of 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers from striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax
Authors: PURCELL C. M. , HARRISON J. S. , EDMANDS S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe present the isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci for striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax. Thirty individuals from each of four locations revealed that all loci were polymorphic with two to 31 alleles per locus. Observed levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.3000 to 0.9667. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were detected in two loci, TA105 in Hawaii and New Zealand and TA155 in Hawaii, and null alleles may be present in loci TA105 and TA155 in those locations, and in locus TA193 in Mexico. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected in any pairwise‐locus comparison.
Microsatellite markers for the praying mantid Ciulfina rentzi (Liturgusidae)
Authors: ATTARD CATHERINE R. M. , HOLWELL GREG I. , SCHWARTZ TONIA S. , UMBERS KATE D. L. , STOW ADAM , HERBERSTEIN MARIE E. , BEHEREGARAY LUCIANO B. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractNine polymorphic microsatellite loci were characterized from an enrichment library of the Australian praying mantid Ciulfina rentzi, a group with a unique reproductive morphology and behaviour. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 16 and heterozygosity from 0.24 to 0.94. These markers are the first microsatellites developed for any praying mantid. They will be useful for paternity analysis and for population genetic studies in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Region of Australia.
GES-11, a Novel Integron-Associated GES Variant in
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Moubareck Carole , Brémont Sylvie , Conroy Marie-Christine , Courvalin Patrice , Lambert Thierry 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

New extended-spectrum β-lactamase GES-11 was detected in
Acinetobacter baumannii
BM4674. The enzyme conferred resistance to β-lactams, including aztreonam, and reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. The structural gene was part of a class 1 integron borne by self-transferable plasmid pIP847. GES-type β-lactamases have not been reported previously in
A. baumannii
.
In Vitro Activity of Garenoxacin against
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Mutants with Characterized Resistance Mechanisms
Authors: Yamamoto Kazuko , Yanagihara Katsunori , Sugahara Kazuyuki , Imamura Yoshifumi , Seki Masafumi , Izumikawa Koichi , Kakeya Hiroshi , Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Hirakata Yoichi , Kamihira Shimeru , Kohno Shigeru 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the potency of garenoxacin in selecting resistant
Streptococcus pneumoniae
mutants by determining its mutant prevention concentration, using strains with and without topoisomerase gene mutations, and compared its potency to that of other quinolones. Garenoxacin had a significantly greater potency against pneumococci, including strains containing topoisomerase mutations. Genetic analysis of the
S. pneumoniae
mutants created by garenoxacin revealed that the
gyrA
gene was a primary target of garenoxacin.
In Vitro Activities of Telavancin and Vancomycin against Biofilm-Producing
Staphylococcus aureus
,
S
.
epidermidis
, and
Enterococcus faecalis
Strains
Authors: LaPlante Kerry L. , Mermel Leonard A. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

We investigated the activities of telavancin and vancomycin against biofilm-producing
Staphylococcus
and
Enterococcus
strains. At clinically attainable concentrations, telavancin was active against bacteria embedded in biofilm (minimal biofilm eradication concentration [MBEC], 0.125 to 2 μg/ml) and inhibited biofilm formation at concentrations below the MIC. Vancomycin did not demonstrate the same activity (MBEC, ≥512 μg/ml) against
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Enterococcus faecalis
. Telavancin may have a unique role in biofilm-associated infections.
Regulation of Expression of the
Haemophilus ducreyi
LspB and LspA2 Proteins by CpxR
Authors: Labandeira-Rey Maria , Mock Jason R. , Hansen Eric J. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

The LspA1, LspA2, and LspB proteins of
Haemophilus ducreyi
comprise a two-partner secretion system that has been shown to be necessary for
H. ducreyi
to inhibit phagocytosis by immune cells in vitro. Inactivation of
lspA1
resulted in increased levels of LspA2, suggesting that these two proteins are differentially controlled (C. J. Ward et al., Infect. Immun. 71:2478-2486, 2003). Expression of LspA2 but not LspA1 was shown to be both growth phase dependent and affected by the presence of fetal calf serum (FCS) in the growth medium. In addition, neither LspA1 nor LspA2 could be detected in culture supernatant fluid in the absence of FCS. DNA microarray analysis revealed that 324
H. ducreyi
genes were differentially regulated after growth in the presence of FCS. Among these, the CpxRA two-component sensory transduction system was downregulated by the presence of FCS. Inactivation of
cpxR
resulted in increased expression of both LspB and LspA2. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that a recombinant
H. ducreyi
CpxR protein bound the promoter region of the
lspB-lspA2
operon. The
cpxR
and
cpxA
genes were shown to be part of an operon containing two additional genes in
H. ducreyi
35000HP. This is the first description of a two-component sensory transduction system regulating a proven virulence factor of
H. ducreyi.
CSbots
Authors: Lauwers Tom , Nourbakhsh Illah , Hamner Emily 
Published: May 2009

We present CSbots, an ongoing program to use robots as educational tools in the Introduction to Computer Science CS1) course. We aim to use robotics to improve learning and retention by altering course work so that it is more relevant to students.
In our development process we use an iterative cycle composed of design, pilot, and evaluation steps. We have completed the first of these cycles, the alpha cycle, and describe the robot hardware, software, and curriculum development processes as well as key evaluation results from pilots conducted at two community colleges in Fall 2007. We discuss the implications of these results and our experiences on the in-progress beta design cycle and planned pilots.
Influence of venous reservoir level on microbubbles in cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Nielsen PF , Funder JA , Jensen MØ , Nygaard H 
Published: May 2009

Patients undergoing open-heart surgery may, post-operatively, suffer from neurological disorders due to microbubbles created during extracorporeal circulation. Venous air is not completely removed in open hard-shell venous reservoirs. We, therefore, investigated the relationship between venous reservoir blood level and the amount of microbubbles in different commercially available reservoirs for comparison and determination of safe level. An in vitro flow loop with a heart-lung machine was used to compare three different reservoirs (Maquet, Sorin and Medtronic) at different levels. Microbubbles were measured after the reservoir and after the arterial filter with a GAMPT BCC200 detector. Microbubble count and volume were significantly higher with decreasing reservoir level ( p = 0.014), but not as much as earlier studies have shown. Reducing the level from 1000 ml to 250 ml resulted in a 12.4% increase in bubble volume after the reservoir and 40.2% after the arterial filter. There was an almost linear trend towards more bubble volume with decreasing reservoir level (R2 = 0.98-0.83). There was a significant difference in microbubbles between the 3 tested reservoirs, up to 32.6%, p < 0.001 measured after the reservoir. Bubble volume from the Sorin reservoir was markedly lower after the arterial filter than from the Medtronic and Maquet reservoirs (up to 60 times p < 0.001). A lower reservoir level results in a moderate rise in microbubbles passing the reservoir. The minimum levels recommended by the manufacturers are safe. There was a significant difference in bubbles between the different reservoirs, especially after the arterial filter.