bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Last‐century changes of alpine grassland water‐use efficiency: a reconstruction through carbon isotope analysis of a time‐series of Capra ibex horns
Authors: BARBOSA INÊS C. R. , KÖHLER IRIS H. , AUERSWALD KARL , LÜPS PETER , SCHNYDER HANS 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe ecophysiological response of an alpine grassland to recent climate change and increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration was investigated with a new strategy to go back in time: using a time‐series of Capra ibex horns as archives of the alpine grasslands' carbon isotope discrimination (13Δ). From the collection of the Natural History Museum of Bern, horns of 24 males from the population of the Augstmatthorn–Brienzer Rothorn mountains, Switzerland, were sampled covering the period from 1938 to 2006. Samples were taken from the beginning of each year‐ring of the horns, representing the beginning of the horn growth period, the spring. The horns' carbon 13C content (Δ13C) declined together with that of atmospheric CO2 over the 69‐year period, but 13Δ increased slightly (+0.4‰), though significantly (P<0.05), over the observation period. Estimated intercellular CO2 concentration increased (+56 μmol mol−1) less than the atmospheric CO2 concentration (+81 μmol mol−1), so that intrinsic water‐use efficiency increased by 17.8% during the 69‐year period. However, the atmospheric evaporative demand at the site increased by approximately 0.1 kPa between 1955 and 2006, thus counteracting the improvement of intrinsic water‐use efficiency. As a result, instantaneous water‐use efficiency did not change. The observed changes in intrinsic water‐use efficiency were in the same range as those of trees (as reported by others), indicating that leaf‐level control of water‐use efficiency of grassland and forests followed the same principles. This is the first reconstruction of the water‐use efficiency response of a natural grassland ecosystem to last century CO2 and climatic changes. The results indicate that the alpine grassland community has responded to climate change by improving the physiological control of carbon gain to water loss, following the increases in atmospheric CO2 and evaporative demand. But, effective leaf‐level water‐use efficiency has remained unchanged.
Community‐level restoration profiles in Mediterranean vegetation: nurse‐based vs. traditional reforestation
Authors: Rey Pedro J. , Siles Gemma , Alcántara Julic M. 
Published: July 2009

Summary

Many restoration projects aim to transform degraded vegetation into mature native plant communities. The recovery of the structure and properties of reference native plant communities is acknowledged as a landmark of restoration, and the success of restoration practices is measured in terms of community metrics. Nurse‐assisted planting has been proposed as a promising technique for the restoration of Mediterranean and arid vegetation based on its success at seedling establishment rather than on the recovery of reference community properties. We investigate the adequacy of this restoration practice by shifting the focus of restoration from the species to the community level.
In contrast to previous studies in the Mediterranean region, we assessed the efficacy of several management techniques, including nurse‐based planting, in the recovery of the structure and properties of mature native reference communities. In a burned area of southern Spain, we applied widely used community analysis tools (rarefaction and species accumulation curves, Chao 2 richness estimator, species evenness and beta diversity) to compare the profiles of a reference native community and the community achieved through different management practices: traditional planting, nurse‐based planting and controls where natural regeneration was allowed to occur.
Our results showed that post‐fire establishment of planted seedlings was higher under the canopy of nurses than in open ground. More importantly, nurse‐based restoration increased the species richness and evenness of tall‐shrubs and trees as well as the life‐form diversity, with the restored community approaching the reference community in terms of both composition and structure of the bank of juveniles.
Synthesis and applications. We conclude that in contrast to traditional reforestation, where diversity is constrained by the elimination of pioneer and regenerated tall‐shrubs, nurse‐based restoration contributes to accelerated recovery of important community structure and properties. Thus, it should be used preferentially over traditional reforestation in Mediterranean mountains where restoration of native communities, and not merely tree establishment, is dictated under current habitat directives.
The life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability: a survey in a region in southern Sweden
Authors: NORDSTRÖM M. , SKÄRSÄTER I. , BJÖRKMAN T. , WIJK H. 
Published: July 2009

Accessible summary

This article describes the life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability living in a region in southern Sweden. The respondents themselves describe their life circumstances in terms of their living conditions, occupation and activities, health, and formal and informal support.
The results show that 77.5% are unmarried, which differ considerably from corresponding figures for the Swedish population in general, of whom only 34% are single. Approximately 23% reported some sort of regular work, while only 8.7% declared that they earned a salary. Nine of 10 participants reported that their income came from sickness benefits and disability pensions, which can be compared with 10% (approximately) of the general Swedish population. Ninety per cent of participants reported receiving two or three different types of support – e.g. practical, social and medical – and having extensive contacts with municipal services to help them cope with their daily lives.
People with psychiatric disability need both formal and informal support in coping with their everyday lives. The family plays an important role and it is essential to establish cooperation between the formal and informal support systems.
The socio‐political goal of fostering access to work and gainful employment is far from having been attained.

AbstractThis article describes the life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability living in one urban and six rural areas in a single region in Sweden. Furthermore, the life circumstances of persons with a psychiatric disability are discussed in relation to the aims of social policies in Sweden. Data were collected by means of a survey study exploring the formal support provided by local authorities to its citizens and the informal support given by family members and volunteers. The results reveal how the respondents themselves describe their life circumstances in terms of their living conditions, occupation and activities, health, and formal and informal support. The results indicate that persons with a psychiatric disability, regardless of where they live, need both formal and informal support in order to cope with their everyday lives. The family plays an important role in this, and it is essential for the formal and informal support systems to cooperate with each other. The lack of activities and opportunities for work experienced by persons with a psychiatric disability indicates that the sociopolitical goal of fostering access to employment and work and to earning a living for this group is far from having been attained.
Response of a southern temperate marsupial, the Tasmanian pademelon (Thylogale billardierii), to historical and contemporary forest fragmentation
Authors: MACQUEEN PEGGY , GOLDIZEN ANNE W. , SEDDON JENNIFER M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDespite only limited Pleistocene glacial activity in the southern hemisphere, temperate forest species experienced complex distributional changes resulting from the combined effects of glaciation, sea level change and increased aridity. The effects of these historical processes on population genetic structure are now overlain by the effects of contemporary habitat modification. In this study, 10 microsatellites and 629 bp of the mitochondrial control region were used to assess the effects of historical forest fragmentation and recent anthropogenic habitat change on the broad‐scale population genetic structuring of a southern temperate marsupial, the Tasmanian pademelon. A total of 200 individuals were sampled from seven sites across Tasmania and two islands in Bass Strait. High mitochondrial and nuclear genetic diversity indicated the maintenance of large historical population sizes. There was weak phylogeographical structuring of haplotypes, although all King Island haplotypes and three Tasmanian haplotypes formed a divergent clade implying the mid‐Pleistocene isolation of a far northwestern population. Both the mitochondrial and nuclear data indicated a division of Tasmanian populations into eastern and western regions. This was consistent with a historical barrier resulting from increased aridity in the lowland ‘midlands’ region during glacial periods, and with a contemporary barrier resulting from recent habitat modification in that region. In Tasmania, gene flow appears to have been relatively unrestricted during glacial maxima in the west, while in the east there was evidence for historical expansion from at least one large glacial refuge and recolonization of Flinders Island.
Diversification within glacial refugia: tempo and mode of evolution of the polytypic fish Barbus sclateri
Authors: GANTE HUGO F. , MICAEL JOANA , OLIVA‐PATERNA FRANCISCO J. , DOADRIO IGNACIO , DOWLING THOMAS E. , ALVES MARIA JUDITE 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA diversity of evolutionary processes can be responsible for generating and maintaining biodiversity. Molecular markers were used to investigate the influence of Plio‐Pleistocene climatic oscillations on the evolutionary history of taxa restricted to the freshwaters of a classical glacial refugium. Population genetic, phylogenetic and phylogeographical methods allowed the inference of temporal dynamics of cladogenesis and processes shaping present‐day genetic constitution of Barbus sclateri, a polytypic taxon found in several independent river drainages in southern Iberian Peninsula. Results from different analyses consistently indicate several range expansions, high levels of allopatric fragmentation, and admixture following secondary contacts throughout its evolutionary history. Using a Bayesian demographical coalescent model on mitochondrial DNA sequences calibrated with fossil evidence, all cladogenetic events within B. sclateri are inferred to have occurred during the Pleistocene and were probably driven by environmental factors. Our results suggest that glaciation cycles did not inhibit cladogenesis and probably interacted with regional geomorphology to promote diversification. We conclude that this polytypic taxon is a species complex that recently diversified in allopatry, and that Pleistocene glaciation–deglaciation cycles probably contributed to the generation of biological diversity in a classical glacial refugium with high endemicity.
Population differentiation of temperate amphibians in unpredictable environments
Authors: CHAN LAUREN M. , ZAMUDIO KELLY R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAmphibians are a globally distributed and diverse lineage, but much of our current understanding of their population genetic structure comes from studies in mesic temperate habitats. We characterize the population genetic structure of two sympatric explosive breeding amphibians in the southwestern deserts of the United States: the Great Plains toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) and Couch’s spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus couchii). For both species, we find limited genetic differentiation even between populations in adjacent valleys separated by dispersal barriers such as mountainous habitats. To understand how population genetic patterns in these two arid‐adapted species compare to taxa in more mesic environments, we computed a standardized measure of population differentiation forA. cognatus,S. couchii, and for pond‐breeding amphibians that inhabit mesic temperate environments. Our results indicate that the arid‐adapted species have lower population genetic structure at fine and moderate scales than most other amphibian species we surveyed. We hypothesize that stochasticity in the availability of appropriate breeding sites as well as landscape homogeneity may result in increased population connectivity in desert‐adapted frogs. Future work examining fine‐scale population structure in amphibians from a diversity of habitats will test the generality of our findings. Intraspecific comparisons among localities with varied seasonality and habitats will be particularly useful for investigating the interaction between species‐typical population dynamics and environmental characteristics as determinants of population connectivity in pond‐breeding amphibians.
Clinicopathologic evaluation of short‐term outcome after early corticosteroid discontinuation in kidney transplantation
Authors: Miura Masayoshi , Ogawa Yayoi , Kubota Kanako C. , Harada Hiroshi , Shimoda Naohiko , Seki Toshimori , Hirano Tetsuo , Nonomura Katsuya 
Published: July 2009

Abstract: Objectives:  Steroids have been a gold‐standard drug of immunosuppressive regimens in kidney transplantation. Steroid minimization protocols have been applied to minimize the adverse effects of steroids. We have evaluated the short‐term outcomes of our early steroid discontinuation regimen.Methods:  A total of 128 recipients who received kidney from ABO‐compatible, flow crossmatch‐negative living‐related donors were included in this study. Immunosuppressive regimens consisted of tacrolimus (TAC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and basiliximab. In a cohort of recipients, designated as a steroid early discontinuation (ESD) group, only three doses of methylprednisolone (MP) were given (500, 250, 125 mg). In the other cohort of recipients, designated as a chronic steroid (CS) group, MP was given chronically, being tapered to 4 mg at one month post‐transplant. TAC and mycophenolic acid (MPA) blood levels were monitored. The following data were retrospectively compared between the two groups at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months post‐transplant: serum creatinine (sCr), urine protein per gCr (uP/Cr), the incidence of biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft survival (GS), area‐under‐the‐curve of blood levels of tacrolimus (TAC‐AUC0–12, ng h/mL) and mycophenolic acid (MPA‐AUC0–12, μg h/mL), MMF dose (mg), the incidence of opportunistic infection, post‐transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), and histopathologic findings of protocol biopsy according to the Banff ‘07 classification.Results:  sCr and uP/Cr were comparable between the two groups up to 12 months except for sCr at one month (ESD group > CS group). TAC‐AUC0–12 was significantly higher in ESD group at one month but was equivalent thereafter, while the prevalence of biopsy‐proven tubulotoxicity was not different. MMF dose was comparable throughout the period between two groups. The incidence of BPAR until 12 months was equivalent. Of note, 60% of BPAR cases in ESD group occurred within one month. Prevalence of opportunistic infection or PTDM was equivalent. Graft survival was 100% in both groups. The following histopathologic scores up to 12 months were also equivalent: t, i, g, v, ci, ct, cg, cv, mm, ah, and ptc.Conclusions:  Favorable short‐term outcomes were achieved both clinically and histologically using our early steroid discontinuation protocol compared with the conventional protocol with chronic steroid treatment.
Subclinical peritubular capillaritis in serial graft biopsies in cadaveric kidney transplant recipient with pre‐transplant anti‐HLA antibodies
Authors: Masutani Kohsuke , Kitada Hidehisa , Noguchi Hideko , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Katafuchi Ritsuko , Tanaka Masao , Iida Mitsuo 
Published: July 2009

Abstract: A 63‐yr‐old Japanese woman on 18‐yr hemodialysis (HD) program underwent cadaveric kidney transplantation from non‐heart beating donor. Pre‐transplant lymphocytotoxicity test was negative, but flow cytometric cross‐match and flow‐cytometric panel reactive antibody (PRA) screening tests were positive. Flow‐PRA single‐antigen test revealed several anti‐HLA antibodies including donor‐specific antibody (DSA). She was treated with plasma exchange (PEX) and rituximab to prevent antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR). Urinary output increased from post‐operative day (POD) 5 and HD was discontinued from POD8. Graft biopsy performed on POD11 showed severe peritubular capillaritis (PTCitis), numerous polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), and moderate glomerulitis. Although C4d immunostaining on PTC was negative, the case was diagnosed as subclinical AMR based on the presence of pre‐transplant DSA and PTCitis with predominant PMNs. The patient was treated with additional PEX and rituximab, which increased urinary output and reduced serum creatinine (sCr). Graft biopsy repeated on POD39 showed persistent severe PTCitis, moderate interstitial infiltration, and mild tubulitis. C4d on PTC was negative again. The patient was discharged from the hospital on POD40. During the seven months follow‐up at the outpatient clinic, the sCr level has shown a slight increase. In this case, the patient had DSA, which can be detected only by flow‐PRA. In both graft biopsies, C4d on PTC was negative despite the presence of severe PTCitis, and thus the diagnosis of AMR could not be established. However, the significance of subclinical PTCitis is reported perhaps as an early marker for chronic AMR and to emphasize the importance of close follow‐up.
Clinicopathological analysis of transplant glomerulopathy cases
Authors: Shimizu Tomokazu , Ishida Hideki , Shirakawa Hiroki , Omoto Kazuya , Tsunoyama Kuniko , Iida Shoichi , Tanabe Kazunari , Yamaguchi Yutaka 
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  Transplant glomerulopathy (TG) is involved in the criteria of chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection (c‐AMR) in Banff 07 classification. In this report, we discuss the clinico‐pathological analysis of TG cases after renal transplantation, and analysis of whether all TG cases are applied to c‐AMR.Patients:  Transplant glomerulopathy, defined by double contours of glomerular basement membranes, was diagnosed in 13 patients from 13 renal transplant patients followed‐up in our institute between January 2007 and April 2008. We retrospectively reviewed these 13 patients.Results:  Among 13 cases of TG, three cases were mild (cg1 in Banff classification), four were moderate (cg2), and six were severe (cg3). Transplant glomerulitis and interstitial inflammation were present in all 13 biopsies, and peritubular capillaritis was present in 12 of 13 biopsies, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy in 13, and the thickening of the peritubular capillary (PTC) basement membrane in 11. PTC C4d deposition was presented in six cases, three out of six cases had diffuse C4d deposits in PTC, and the remainder had focal deposits. By assaying with plastic beads coated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in 12 cases, the circulating anti‐HLA alloantibody was detected in all 12 patients of which only 3 of 12 were donor‐specific antibodies (DSA). In our cases, there was no patient who fully met criteria for c‐AMR in Banff classification, which included TG, C4d deposition in PTC, and existence of DSA, but seven patients were diagnosed suspicious for c‐AMR. Seven cases (54%) had proteinuria at the time of the biopsies and the severity of proteinuria was associated with the severity of TG. Deterioration of renal allografts’ function after biopsies was seen in seven (54%), and two of them lost their graft.Conclusions:  We suggest that histopathological changes of TG accompanied by transplant glomerulitis, peritubular capillaritis, the thickening of the peritubular capillaries basement membrane, and circulating anti‐HLA antibodies may indicate c‐AMR, even if C4d deposition in PTC is negative. The severity of TG may be associated with proteinuria, reduced graft function, and reduced graft survival.
Steroid‐free living donor liver transplantation in adults: impact on hepatitis C recurrence
Authors: Marubashi Shigeru , Dono Keizo , Nagano Hiroaki , Kim Chiwan , Asaoka Tadafumi , Hama Naoki , Kobayashi Shogo , Takeda Yutaka , Umeshita Koji , Monden Morito , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki 
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  Although steroid‐free immunosuppression has been proven to be safe and feasible for liver transplantation, its impact on hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence remains unknown. We aimed to clarify the impact of steroid‐free immunosuppression on post‐operative HCV recurrence after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).Patients and methods:  Of 32 adult patients with HCV cirrhosis who underwent LDLT between 1999 and 2007 at our hospital, 28 were enrolled in this prospective study. We used steroid‐free immunosuppression, consisting of a calcineurin inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil and anti‐CD25 antibody in 18 patients (F‐group), and the remaining 10 patients received steroid‐based immunosuppression (S‐group) during the same period.Results:  Patient characteristics were similar between the two groups. Steroid‐free immunosuppression was associated with lower incidence of CMV infection (p = 0.049) and higher incidence of instituting preemptive anti‐HCV therapy (p = 0.015) without increasing acute cellular rejection in the F‐group than that in the S‐group.In the early period after LDLT, the serum HCV‐RNA level remained suppressed in the F‐group, whereas it increased rapidly in the S‐group (p < 0.05). HCV recurrence was less frequent in the F‐group (18.1% at one yr) than in the S‐group (46.0%) (p = 0.009).Conclusions:  Steroid‐free immunosuppression was confirmed to be safe and feasible for HCV‐positive recipients in LDLT, and was associated with suppressed HCV replication and HCV recurrence after LDLT.
A comparison of prediction equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate in Chinese potential living kidney donors
Authors: Zhao Wen‐Yu , Zeng Li , Zhu You‐Hua , Wang Li‐Ming , Zhou Mei‐Sheng , Han Shu , Zhang Lei 
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  Background:  Accurate measurement of donor renal function has important long‐term implications for both donors and recipients. In clinical practice, renal function may be estimated by using 24‐h urinary creatinine clearance (urine‐CrCl) and various specifically derived prediction equations. We assessed the suitability of urine‐CrCl and prediction equations for evaluating Chinese kidney donors.Methods:  A total of 224 donors who had undergone 99mTc‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation were enrolled. We evaluated the performance of the Cockcroft–Gault equation (CG‐CrCl), the CG‐CrCl equation corrected for GFR (CG‐GFR), the isotope dilution mass spectrometry traceable modification of diet in renal disease (IDMS‐MDRD) study equation, the new MDRD study equation for Chinese (C‐MDRD 1), the modified MDRD study equation with a Chinese coefficient (C‐MDRD 2), the modified IDMS‐MDRD study equation with a Japanese coefficient (J‐MDRD), and urine‐CrCl in predicting GFR before donation.Results:  Of 224 donors selected, 68 were male and 156 were female. Of all the prediction equations, C‐MDRD 1 was the least scattered and most precise. However, predictive performance was poor for all the equations.Conclusion:  The performance of urine‐CrCl and all the equations was disappointing, and even the best performing equation C‐MDRD 1 was unacceptable. Considering the potential risk of living kidney donation, other more accurate methods of GFR measurement should be used in clinical practice.