bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compensatory growth responses to defoliation and light availability in two native Mexican woody plant species
Authors: Ballina-Gómez Horacio Salomón , Iriarte-Vivar Silvia , Orellana Roger , Santiago Louis S. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract:Defoliation, often caused by herbivory, is a common cause of biomass loss for plants that can affect current and future growth and reproduction. There are three models that predict contrasting compensatory growth responses of plants to herbivory and resource availability: (1) Growth rate model, (2) Compensatory continuum hypothesis and (3) Limiting resource model. The predictions of these three models were tested on the tree Brosimum alicastrum and the liana Vitis tiliifolia. Seedlings were subjected to three levels of experimental defoliation (0%, 50% and 90% leaf removal) along a light resource gradient (1%, 9% and 65% of full sun). In both species, defoliation significantly increased leaf production rate and relative growth rate of leaf area, but not of biomass. Net assimilation rate was the strongest driver of biomass growth in both species, but leaf area ratio and specific leaf area were also important in B. alicastrum. Compensatory responses of leaf area growth in B. alicastrum were significantly greater in higher than lower light availability, consistent with the compensatory continuum hypothesis predictions, but in contrast to the growth rate model predictions. The limiting resource model offered an explanation for all possible experimental outcomes by directly considering the effects of environmental differences in resource availability.
Growth and home range size of the gracile mouse opossum Gracilinanus microtarsus (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) in Brazilian cerrado
Authors: Fernandes Fernanda Rodrigues , Cruz Leonardo Dominici , Martins Eduardo Guimarães , dos Reis Sérgio Furtado 
Published: January 2010

Abstract:Differences in growth patterns between the sexes of the gracile mouse opossum Gracilinanus microtarsus and the consequences for home range size were investigated in a savanna habitat (cerrado) of south-eastern Brazil. A total of 51 juvenile individuals of Gracilinanus microtarsus was monitored using capture–mark–recapture from November 2005 to August 2006. The increase in body mass of gracile mouse opossums was described using the Gompertz growth model. Male gracile mouse opossums grew faster than females (dimorphic ratio of 1.5). Home range size, estimated with the minimum convex polygon method, was positively related to body mass. Model selection using Akaike's Information Criterion (AICc) and incorporating body mass, sex and season as independent variables showed that the best-supported model describing variance in home range sizes included only body mass. Our data suggest that a greater body mass gain in juvenile males is probably the proximate cause of sexual dimorphism in adult gracile mouse opossums and that energetic needs required for growth have a greater influence in home range size.
Spatial patterns of tree recruitment in East African tropical forests that have lost their vertebrate seed dispersers
Authors: Babweteera Fred , Brown Nick 
Published: January 2010

Abstract:The direct removal of adult trees by logging affects tree recruitment in tropical rain forests. However, secondary effects of logging, such as loss of vertebrate seed dispersers may also affect tree recruitment. We studied the recruitment and spatial distribution of five tree species namely Balanites wilsoniana, Celtis zenkeri, Chrysophyllum albidum, Cordia millenii and Ricinodendron heudelotii in Kibale, Budongo and Mabira Forests in Uganda. These forests have been subjected to varying degrees of disturbance leading to changes in their vertebrate seed dispersers. Vertebrate frugivores of the five tree species were identified. Three 1-ha plots were established around adult trees of the same five species in each forest and the distance from the juveniles to the nearest adult conspecific was measured to generate a recruitment curve. Frugivore visitation rates were high in the less disturbed Budongo and Kibale (2.2 and 1.6 individuals h−1 respectively) compared with the highly disturbed Mabira (0.9 individuals h−1). In the frugivore-impoverished forest, 70–90% of juveniles established beneath adult conspecifics, whereas in the less-disturbed forests juveniles were established up to 80 m from adult conspecifics. Shade-tolerant species capable of recruiting beneath adult conspecifics appeared to maintain their populations without dispersal. Consequently, disturbances leading to significant loss of vertebrates may alter tree recruitment and spatial distribution with consequences for long-term population viability of shade-intolerant tropical trees.
Detection of three distinct genetic lineages in methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) isolates from animals and veterinary personnel
Authors: ABBOTT Y. , LEONARD F. C. , MARKEY B. K. 
Published: January 2010

SUMMARYThis study involved the phenotypic and molecular characterization of a population of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusisolates from animals and from veterinary personnel in Ireland. Isolates from 77 animals (dogs,n=44; cats,n=4; horses,n=29) and from 28 veterinary personnel were characterized using their antimicrobial resistance profiles and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. In addition, a representative number of these isolates (n=52) were further analysed usingspa-typing techniques. The results obtained identified the presence of three distinct clonal complexes, CC5, CC8 and CC22, in both animal and human isolates. Two of these clonal complexes, CC8 and CC22, respectively, have been previously described in animals in Ireland but the presence of the third complex CC5 is a novel finding. The significance of this development, in relation to human and animal healthcare, is discussed.
Relapse and reacquisition of rectal colonization by vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faeciumafter decolonization
Authors: LEE W. G. , PARK I. J. , JIN H. Y. , PARK M. H. 
Published: January 2010

SUMMARYTo better understand the epidemiology of colonization of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), we performed an 8-year retrospective study of all hospitalized patients with recurrent VRE colonization after they were documented as being clear of VRE and compared the primary colonization isolates and recolonization isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and Tn1546typing. Review of the medical records of all patients showed that of the 15 patients with recurrent colonization, six continued to be hospitalized on the same floor. Five were discharged home and then readmitted. Four were moved to another floor. Patients who remained on the same floor were recolonized with a strain that was indistinguishable from the original colonizing strain. Patients who were moved or were discharged hadde novoVRE colonization with strains distinct from the original colonizing strain.
Prevalence of livestock-associated MRSA in broiler flocks and risk factors for slaughterhouse personnel in The Netherlands
Authors: MULDERS M. N. , HAENEN A. P. J. , GEENEN P. L. , VESSEUR P. C. , POLDERVAART E. S. , BOSCH T. , HUIJSDENS X. W. , HENGEVELD P. D. , DAM-DEISZ W. D. C. , GRAAT E. A. M. , MEVIUS D. , VOSS A. , VAN DE GIESSEN A. W. 
Published: January 2010

SUMMARYTo determine methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) carriage in poultry and slaughterhouse personnel, 40 Dutch broiler flocks, in six slaughterhouses and 466 personnel were sampled. Of the employees, 26 were positive (5·6%), indicating a higher risk of exposure when compared to the general Dutch population (0·1%). This risk was significantly higher for personnel having contact with live animals (5·2%) – especially hanging broilers on the slaughterline (20·0%) – than for all other personnel (1·9%). Conventional electric stunning conferred a significantly higher risk of MRSA carriage for employees than CO2stunning (9·7%vs. 2·0%). A total of 405 broilers were sampled upon their arrival at the slaughterhouse, of which 6·9% were positive. These broilers originated from 40 Dutch slaughter flocks of which 35·0% were positive. MRSA contamination in the different compartments of slaughterhouses increased during the production day, from 8% to 35%. Of the 119 MRSA isolates, predominantly livestock-associated MRSA ST398 was found, although 27·7% belonged to ST9 (spatype t1430). There is an increased risk of MRSA carriage in personnel working at broiler slaughterhouses, particularly those having contact with live animals.
Breeding population dynamics and habitat transition of Saunders's GullLarus saundersiin Yancheng National Nature Reserve, China
Authors: JIANG H. X. , HOU Y. Q. , CHU G. Z. , QIAN F. W. , WANG H. , ZHANG G. G. , ZHENG G. M. 
Published: January 2010

SummarySaunders's GullLarus saundersiis a breeding endemic of Common SeepweedSuaeda glaucahabitats on the east coast of China and south-west coast of South Korea. Much of this habitat has been lost and degraded due to human land use and expansion of the introduced Smooth CordgrassSpartina alterniflora. Yancheng National Nature Reserve (NNR) is one of three breeding and wintering areas in China. We used satellite images from 1992 to 2007 and visual interpretation combined with ground truthing to classify the land cover and quantify changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in areas of Yancheng NNR used by Saunders's Gull. The Common Seepweed habitat, in which this species nests, decreased in area by 79.1% (27,358 ha) over 15 years, predominantly as a result of conversion to aquaculture ponds (18,929 ha), and is now centred in the south-east of Yancheng NNR. The total population size of Saunders's Gull was maintained at over 900 individuals from 1999 to 2006 in Yancheng NNR, but was only 575 in 2007, and the number of breeding sites decreased from eight in 1992 and 1994 to a single site in 2000–2006 and two sites in 2007. From 1999 to 2007, the breeding population in the core area of Yancheng NNR accounted for 94.93% of the total population, and its nest-site spatial turnover rate was 0.84 ± 0.08 (n= 7 years), but it tended to decrease by about 40% in 2007 because of degradation of the Common Seepweed community. The conversion of Common Seepweed habitats to other habitat types and expansion of introduced Smooth Cordgrass were the major and direct reasons for the loss and degradation of breeding habitats of Saunders's Gull. Smooth Cordgrass habitats increased in area by 321.9% (11,057 ha) during this period and centred on the east, gradually occupying the mudflats, except the beach from Liangduo River to the south of Yancheng NNR, where potential breeding sites for the Saunders's Gull could be located. We discuss the implications of our results for the conservation this species and management of its habitats.
Metacognitive unawareness correlates with executive function impairment after severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: CIURLI PAOLA , BIVONA UMBERTO , BARBA CARMEN , ONDER GRAZIANO , SILVESTRO DANIELA , AZICNUDA EVA , RIGON JESSICA , FORMISANO RITA 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, neuropsychological, and functional differences between severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) outpatients with good and/or heightened metacognitive self-awareness (SA) and those with impaired metacognitive SA, assessed by the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS). Fifty-two outpatients were recruited from a neurorehabilitation hospital based on the following inclusion criteria: 1) age ≥ 15 years; 2) diagnosis of severe TBI; 3) availability of neuroimaging data; 4) post-traumatic amnesia resolution; 5) provision of informed consent. Measures: A neuropsychological battery was used to evaluate attention, memory and executive functions. SA was assessed by the PCRS, which was administered to patients and close family members. Patients were divided into two groups representing those with and without SA. Patients with poor SA had more problems than those with good SA in some components of the executive system, as indicated by the high percentage ofperseverativeerrors and responses they made on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Moreover, a decrease in metacognitive SA correlated significantly with time to follow commands (TFC). This study suggests the importance of integrating an overall assessment of cognitive functions with a specific evaluation of SA to treat self-awareness and executive functions together during the rehabilitation process. (JINS, 2010,16, 360–368.)
Expression, purification and identification of gibberellin-induced cysteine-rich protein ofGymanadenia conopsea
Authors: Yuan Liu , Guo-Quan Meng , Jian-Ping Zhou , Teng Zhang , Juan Feng , Zheng-long Ren 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPrimers bearing restriction enzyme sites forEcoR I andHind III were designed according to the known partial cDNA sequence for gibberellin-induced cysteine-rich protein and were then used to amplify the full-length open reading frame (ORF) and signal peptide-truncated fragment of thegcgasagene. Two fragments with lengths 319 and 238 bp were obtained and were further cloned into plasmid pET-32(a). Following transformation intoEscherichia coliBL21(DE3), the fusion proteins were observed to appear at ~26.0 and 25.2 kDa after induction from 1 mmol/l isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyronoside (IPTG). The results of sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of an ultra-thin section revealed that the presence of signal peptide gave rise to the formation of an inclusion body located in the periplasmic space; however, the absence of signal peptide greatly enhanced the solubility of the target protein. The expressed soluble protein was further purified by Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography and gel filtration methods.
Isolation, mapping and application of a repetitive DNA sequence in wheat (Triticum aestivum) A and B genomes
Authors: Zi-Xian Zeng , Zu-Jun Yang , Cheng Liu , Li-Jun Hu , Zheng-Long Ren 
Published: January 2010

AbstractSimple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis was performed on fiveSecalespecies, fourTriticumspecies and a Triticale line Fenzhi-1 using 102 pairs of microsatellite primers. A 387-bp specific DNA fragment FZ387 (GenBank accession no. EF179137) was obtained from the Triticale Fenzhi-1 with primer Xgwm614, without amplification inSecale. NCBI BLAST revealed that this FZ387 sequence had 94% and 95% similarity to part of the Gypsy Ty3-LTR retrotransposonFatimainTriticum monoccocum(AY485644) andTriticum turgidum(AY494981), respectively. A pair of specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, FaF and FaR, was designed based on the conserved region of this FZ387 sequence. The amplification of primer pair Xgwm614F and FaR revealed that a specific 350-bp band (designation as A350) was obtained from the species containing A chromosomes. Furthermore, PCR on Langdon Chinese Spring substitution lines was performed, and the results found that this segment was located on both long and short arms of all A chromosomes. However, the amplification of primer pair FaF and Xgwm614R gave rise to a specific DNA band of about 350 bp (designated AB350) from materials containing A and/or B chromosomes. The wild species of wheat and the relatives were amplified using the two pairs of primers, and revealed that only A350 and AB350 were found in Chinese Spring (CS). Sequence comparison and variation of SSR primers binding regions of FZ387 indicated that significant diversity might exist in the internal sequence of thisFatima-like element among triticeae genomes. Meanwhile, both A350 and AB350 can be used as molecular markers for the detection of A and AB genomes.
Reduction of RF-sheaths potentials by compensation or suppression of parallel RF currents on ICRF antennas
Authors: Mendes A. , Colas L. , Vulliez K. , Ekedahl A. , Argouarch A. , Milanesio D. 
Published: January 2010

Radio frequency (RF) sheaths are suspected of limiting the performance of present-day ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRFs) antennas over long pulses and should be minimized in future fusion devices. Within the simplest models, RF-sheath effects are quantified by the integral V
RF = ∫ E
∥ · dl where the parallel RF field E
∥ is linked with the slow wave. On ‘long open field lines’ with large toroidal extension on both sides of the antenna it was shown that V
RF is excited by parallel RF currents j
∥ flowing on the antenna structure.
In this paper, the validity of this simple sheath theory is tested experimentally on the Tore Supra (TS) ITER-like antenna prototype (ILP), together with antenna simulation and post-processing codes developed to compute V
RF. The predicted poloidal localization of high-|V
RF| zones is confronted to that inferred from experimental data analysis. Surface temperature distribution on ILP front face, as well as ILP-induced modifications of RF coupling and hot spots on a magnetically connected lower hybrid current drive antenna, indicates local maxima of dc plasma potential in both the upper and lower parts of the ILP. This result, qualitatively conforming to V
RF simulations, is interpreted in terms of j
∥ flowing on ILP frame.
Once the validation is done, such reliable theoretical models and numerical codes are then employed to provide predictive results. Indeed, we propose two ways to reduce |V
RF| by acting on j
∥ on the antenna front face. The first method, more adapted for protruding antennas, consists of avoiding the j
∥ circulation on the antenna structure, by slotting the antenna frame on its horizontal edges and by partially cutting the Faraday screen rods.
The second method, well suited for recessed antennas, consists of compensating j
∥ of opposite signs along long flux tubes, with parallelepiped antennas aligned with (tilted) flux tubes.
The different concepts are assessed numerically on a two-strap TS antenna phased [0, π] using near RF fields from the antenna code TOPICA. Simulations stress the need to suppress all current paths for j
∥ to substantially reduce |V
RF| over the whole antenna height.
Muscle Biopsy and In Vitro Contracture Test in Subjects with Idiopathic HyperCKemia
Authors: Malandrini Alessandro , Orrico Alfredo , Gaudiano Carmen , Gambelli Simona , Galli Lucia , Berti Gianna , Tegazzin Vincenzo , Dotti Maria Teresa , Federico Antonio , Sorrentino Vincenzo 
Published: January 2010

Background
Persistent high creatine kinase (CK) levels may reflect underlying subclinical myopathies. In most cases, pathogenesis is unknown and clinical management is unclear. Though clinically asymptomatic, these subjects are potentially susceptible to malignant hyperthermia.

Methods
The authors analyzed 37 subjects with persistent elevation of CK without significant weakness or other neurologic symptoms. Neurologic examination was performed according to manual muscle testing. Muscle biopsy and the in vitro contracture test were performed in all subjects.

Results
Twenty-three subjects (51.1%) were completely asymptomatic. The others had minor symptoms such as occasional cramps (11 subjects, 24.4%), fatigue (5 subjects, 11.1%), a combination of cramps and fatigue (5 subjects, 11.1%), and muscle pain (1 case, 2.2%). Muscle biopsy enabled precise diagnosis in 3 cases and was normal in 3 cases. The more frequent changes were variation in fiber size (31.1%), a combination of nuclear internalization and variation in fiber size (26.6%), nuclear internalization (6.6%), minor mitochondrial changes (4.4%), and neurogenic atrophy (4.4%). Immunocytochemical analysis was normal in all patients. In vitro contracture testing detected one malignant hyperthermia-susceptible and one malignant hyperthermia-equivocal subject.

Conclusions
The evidence of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility by in vitro contracture test seems to be relatively infrequent among subjects with idiopathic hyperCKemia, but the incidence of true malignant hyperthermia in idiopathic hyperCKemia is unknown. Muscle biopsy should be considered a useful, though not very sensitive, diagnostic tool in idiopathic hyperCKemia, because it enables potentially treatable disorders, such as inflammatory myopathies, to be discovered. No uniform morphologic finding typical of idiopathic hyperCKemia or malignant hyperthermia susceptibility was identified by muscle biopsy.
Brief Periods of Nitric Oxide Inhalation Protect against Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Nagasaka Yasuko , Fernandez Bernadette O. , Garcia-Saura Maria F. , Petersen Bodil , Ichinose Fumito , Bloch Kenneth D. , Feelisch Martin , Zapol Warren M. 
Published: January 2010

Background
Prolonged breathing of nitric oxide reduces myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, but the precise mechanisms responsible for the cardioprotective effects of inhaled nitric oxide are incompletely understood.

Methods
The authors investigated the fate of inhaled nitric oxide (80 parts per million) in mice and quantified the formation of nitric oxide metabolites in blood and tissues. The authors tested whether the accumulation of nitric oxide metabolites correlated with the ability of inhaled nitric oxide to protect against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Results
Mice absorbed nitric oxide in a nearly linear fashion (0.19 +/- 0.02 micromol/g x h). Breathing nitric oxide rapidly increased a broad spectrum of nitric oxide metabolites. Levels of erythrocytic S-nitrosothiols, N-nitrosamines, and nitrosyl-hemes increased dramatically within 30 s of commencing nitric oxide inhalation. Marked increases of lung S-nitrosothiol and liver N-nitrosamine levels were measured, as well as elevated cardiac and brain nitric oxide metabolite levels. Breathing low oxygen concentrations potentiated the ability of inhaled nitric oxide to increase cardiac nitric oxide metabolite levels. Concentrations of each nitric oxide metabolite, except nitrate, rapidly reached a plateau and were similar after 5 and 60 min. In a murine cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury model, breathing nitric oxide for either 5 or 60 min before reperfusion decreased myocardial infarction size as a fraction of myocardial area at risk by 31% or 32%, respectively.

Conclusions
Breathing nitric oxide leads to the rapid accumulation of a variety of nitric oxide metabolites in blood and tissues, contributing to the ability of brief periods of nitric oxide inhalation to provide cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. The nitric oxide metabolite concentrations achieved in a target tissue may be more important than the absolute amounts of nitric oxide absorbed.