bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Net mineralization of N at deeper soil depths as a potential mechanism for sustained forest production under elevated [CO2]
Authors: IVERSEN C. M. , HOOKER T. D. , CLASSEN A. T. , NORBY R. J. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractElevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations [CO2] is projected to increase forest production, which could increase ecosystem carbon (C) storage. This study contributes to our broad goal of understanding the causes and consequences of increased fine‐root production and mortality under elevated [CO2] by examining potential gross nitrogen (N) cycling rates throughout the soil profile. Our study was conducted in a CO2‐enriched sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) plantation in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. We used 15N isotope pool dilution methodology to measure potential gross N cycling rates in laboratory incubations of soil from four depth increments to 60 cm. Our objectives were twofold: (1) to determine whether N is available for root acquisition in deeper soil and (2) to determine whether elevated [CO2], which has increased inputs of labile C resulting from greater fine‐root mortality at depth, has altered N cycling rates. Although gross N fluxes declined with soil depth, we found that N is potentially available for roots to access, especially below 15 cm depth where rates of microbial consumption of mineral N were reduced relative to production. Overall, up to 60% of potential gross N mineralization and 100% of potential net N mineralization occurred below 15 cm depth at this site. This finding was supported by in situ measurements from ion‐exchange resins, where total inorganic N availability at 55 cm depth was equal to or greater than N availability at 15 cm depth. While it is likely that trees grown under elevated [CO2] are accessing a larger pool of inorganic N by mining deeper soil, we found no effect of elevated [CO2] on potential gross or net N cycling rates. Thus, increased root exploration of the soil volume under elevated [CO2] may be more important than changes in potential gross N cycling rates in sustaining forest responses to rising atmospheric CO2.
Histone and ribosomal RNA repetitive gene clusters of the boll weevil are linked in a tandem array
Authors: Roehrdanz R. , Heilmann L. , Senechal P. , Sears S. , Evenson P. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractHistones are the major protein component of chromatin structure. The histone family is made up of a quintet of proteins, four core histones (H2A, H2B, H3 & H4) and the linker histones (H1). Spacers are found between the coding regions. Among insects this quintet of genes is usually clustered and the clusters are tandemly repeated. Ribosomal DNA contains a cluster of the rRNA sequences 18S, 5.8S and 28S. The rRNA genes are separated by the spacers ITS1, ITS2 and IGS. This cluster is also tandemly repeated. We found that the ribosomal RNA repeat unit of at least two species of Anthonomine weevils,Anthonomus grandisandAnthonomus texanus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is interspersed with a block containing the histone gene quintet. The histone genes are situated between the rRNA 18S and 28S genes in what is known as the intergenic spacer region (IGS). The complete reiteratedAnthonomus grandishistone‐ribosomal sequence is 16 248 bp.
Beyond taxonomy: a review of macroinvertebrate trait‐based community descriptors as tools for freshwater biomonitoring
Authors: Menezes Salomé , Baird Donald J. , Soares Amadeu M. V. M. 
Published: April 2010

Summary 1. Species traits have been frequently used in ecological studies in an attempt to develop a general ecological framework linking biological communities to habitat pressures. The trait approach offers a mechanistic alternative to traditional taxonomy‐based descriptors. This review focuses on research employing traits as biomonitoring tools for freshwater ecosystems, although the lessons learned have wider application in the assessment of other ecosystem types. 2. We review the support from ecological theory to employ species traits for biomonitoring purposes (e.g. the habitat templet concept, landscape filtering hypothesis), and the subsequent studies that test the hypotheses arising from these theories, and apply this knowledge under real freshwater biomonitoring scenarios. We also include studies that deal with more specific issues such as trait trade‐offs and trait syndromes. 3. We highlight the functional trait approach as one of the most promising tools emerging for biomonitoring freshwater ecosystems. Several technical issues are addressed and solutions are proposed. We discuss the need for: a broader unified trait biomonitoring tool; a more accurate understanding of the natural variation of community patterns of trait expression; approaches to diminish the effects of trait trade‐offs and trait syndromes; additional life history and ecological requirement studies; and the detection of specific impacts under multiple stressor scenarios. 4. Synthesis and applications. This review provides biologists with the conceptual underpinning for the use of species traits as community descriptors and for freshwater biomonitoring and management. We expect that the functional trait approach will ultimately improve communication to managers and legislators of the importance of protecting freshwater ecosystem functions.
Landscape effects on birds in urban woodlands: an analysis of 34 Swedish cities
Authors: Hedblom Marcus , Söderström Bo 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAim  To compare bird abundances in woodlands along gradients from the city centre to the peri‐urban area. To evaluate the importance of the proportion of woodland within the city and in the peri‐urban landscape to forest bird communities breeding in urban woodlands. To test whether fragmentation effects on birds were linked to the type of peri‐urban matrix.Location  A total of 34 Swedish cities with > 10,000 inhabitants in south‐central Sweden. The study area covered 105,000 km2, in which 84% of the Swedish population of 9.1 million lives.Methods  Repeated point count surveys were conducted in 2004 in a total of 474 woodlands. General linear models were used to test for possible differences in abundance along urban to peri‐urban gradients, and to regress bird abundances in local urban woodlands on: (1) total woodland cover in the city, (2) total woodland cover in the peri‐urban landscape, (3) the interaction between woodland cover in the city and in the peri‐urban area, (4) region, and (5) human density.Results  More than 12,000 individuals of 100 forest bird species were recorded. Of the 34 most common species detected, 13 bird species had higher abundances in urban than in peri‐urban woodlands, and seven species showed the opposite trend. The bird community of urban woodlands was characterized by species associated with deciduous forests and tree nesters, whereas the bird community of peri‐urban woodlands was characterized by species associated with coniferous woodland and ground nesters. Twelve species were significantly linearly associated with the proportion of urban woodland and/or the proportion of peri‐urban woodland, and a further eight species were associated with the interaction between these two factors. Local breeding bird abundances of four species were significantly positively associated with the proportion of urban woodland only in farmland‐dominated landscapes.Main conclusions  Fragmentation effects on some urban birds are linked to the type of peri‐urban matrix. In farmland landscapes, peri‐urban woodlands may have been too scarce to act as a source of bird immigrants to fragmented urban woodlands. To maintain populations of specialized forest birds within cities in landscapes dominated by agriculture, it is of paramount importance to conserve any remaining urban woodlands.
Construct and criterion validity of the SF‐12 health questionnaire in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina
Authors: Failde Inmaculada , Medina Pilar , Ramirez Carmen , Arana Roque 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground  The aim of the study was to determine the construct and criterion validity of the 12‐item short‐form questionnaire (SF‐12) in coronary patients with either acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina in Spain.Method  A total of 186 patients hospitalized with coronary heart disease have been studied. The construct validity has been analysed by means of the association between the SF‐12v.1 and sociodemographic and clinical variables; and the criterion validity was tested by the correlations between 36‐item short‐form question (SF‐36) and SF‐12 summary scores. The equivalence between both health questionnaires was examined by means of the proportion of variance in the SF‐36 physical and mental component summary (PCS‐36 and MCS‐36) scores explained by the 12 items adjusted by age and sex.Results  The validation result was as expected: female patients and those with poor education level, worse mental health, unstable angina, cardiovascular risk factor and co‐morbidity obtained a lower score in the SF‐12. The correlations between SF‐36 and SF‐12 summary scores were high. The equivalence between the SF‐12 and SF‐36 was good, because the models explained 87% of the variation in PCS‐36 score and 93% of the variation in MCS‐36.Conclusion  The SF‐12 is a valid tool in studies assessing health‐related quality of life in coronary patients. The use of the SF‐12 may be especially useful in patients where the clinical situation make difficult the application of the longer instrument.
Host and parasite genomics, an Australasian perspective
Authors: PEACOCK C. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryThe last decade has seen rapid advances in the genetic technology that is allowing researchers to examine host–pathogen interactions at a whole organism level. The advent of ‘affordable’ post‐genomic technology has opened up a world of proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic methodologies that have been utilized by research groups in the Australasian region to examine the hosts’ response to parasitic infections. Significant contributions have been made to many areas of parasitic infections with particular strengths being in malaria vaccine development, genetic susceptibility to leishmaniasis, genomic and proteomic analysis of schistosomiasis and genetic determination of resistance to helminthes in domestic animals. This review highlights some of these studies that have made significant contributions to our knowledge of the pathogenesis of parasitic diseases with a particular emphasis placed on studies reported in the last couple of years.
Fact or hypothesis: concomitant immunity in taeniid cestode infections
Authors: LIGHTOWLERS M. W. 
Published: April 2010

SummarySustained research efforts over the last 50 years have revealed a considerable amount of information about immunity to taeniid cestode infections in the parasites’ intermediate hosts. As a product of this research, a series of effective recombinant vaccines have been developed which have no parallel in any other group of parasitic organisms. There are, however, many important aspects relating to immunity that remain to be elucidated. Some concepts have come to be firmly held as facts and yet the supportive data are either conflicting or unconfirmed. This review considers the phenomenon of immunity to re‐infection with taeniid cestodes in their intermediate hosts, examining carefully the nature of the evidence that is available to support conclusions that have been drawn in this area.
Immunological response of sheep to injections of plasmids encoding Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 and ROP1 genes
Authors: LI B. , OLEDZKA G. , McFARLANE R. G. , SPELLERBERG M. B. , SMITH S. M. , GELDER F. B. , KUR J. , STANKIEWICZ M. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryInfection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes health problems to both humans and livestock and has a large economic impact worldwide. The immune response in sheep following infection with T. gondii was evaluated using six different combinations of plasmid DNA, recombinant antigen and adjuvant. Sheep were generally vaccinated twice by intramuscular injection with plasmid DNA containing gene sequences for either the surface antigen (SAG1) or the rhoptry protein (ROP1) of T. gondii. Two of the groups injected with plasmid DNA SAG1 were boosted with recombinant protein (SAG1). We investigated the efficacy of including oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) that contain CG motifs (CpG) and the gene coding for ovine granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) as potential adjuvants. Administration of the plasmid encoding the ROP1 gene significantly enhanced both IFN‐γ production from peripheral blood cells when cultured in vitro with Toxoplasma antigen, and ROP1‐specific IgG1 and IgG2 antibody levels present in serum. However, injection with SAG1 did not stimulate IFN‐γ production. These results indicate the potential of ROP1, given as plasmid DNA, as a potential vaccine candidate to protect sheep against T. gondii infection.
ANCORP: a high‐resolution approach that generates distinct chromatin state models from multiple genome‐wide datasets
Authors: Luo Chongyuan , Lam Eric 
Published: April 2010

SummaryChromatin components can be extensively modified and dynamically regulated by a plethora of catalytic complexes. The numerous modifications may form a type of molecular pattern that defines particular local and global ‘chromatin states’ through extensive cross‐talk. Analyses that can integrate multiple genome‐wide datasets are essential to determine the interactions and biological function of chromatin modifications in various contexts. Through a combination of hierarchical clustering and pattern visualization, we categorized all annotated Arabidopsis genes into 16 chromatin state clusters using combinations of four chromatin marks (H3K4me3, H3K36me2, H3K27me3 and cytosine methylation) using publicly available data. Our results suggest that gene length may be an important factor in shaping chromatin states across transcription units. By analysis of two rare chromatin states, we found that the enrichment of H3K36me2 around the transcription start site is negatively correlated with transcriptional activities. High‐resolution association analyses in the context of chromatin states have identified inter‐correlations between chromatin modifications. H3K4me3 were found to be under‐represented in actively transcribed regions that are modified by DNA methylation and the H3K36me2 mark, concomitant with increased nucleosome occupancy in these regions. Lastly, quantitative data from transcriptome analyses and gene ontology partitioning were integrated to determine the possible functional relevance of the corresponding chromatin states. We show that modelling the plant epigenome in terms of chromatin states and combining correlative visualization methods can be a productive approach to unravel complex relationships between epigenomic features and the functional output of the genome.
The Arabidopsis eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit F (AteIF3f), is required for pollen germination and embryogenesis
Authors: Xia Chuan , Wang Yu‐Jiao , Li Wen‐Qing , Chen Yi‐Ran , Deng Yi , Zhang Xue‐Qin , Chen Li‐Qun , Ye De 
Published: April 2010

SummaryPrevious studies have shown that subunits E (eIF3e), F (eIF3f) and H (elF3h) of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 play important roles in cell development in humans and yeast. eIF3e and eIF3h have also been reported to be important for normal cell growth in Arabidopsis. However, the functions of subunit eIF3f remain largely unknown in plant species. Here we report characterization of mutants for the Arabidopsis eIF3f (AteIF3f) gene. AteIF3f encodes a protein that is highly expressed in pollen grains, developing embryos and root tips, and interacts with Arabidopsis eIF3e and eIF3h proteins. A Ds insertional mutation in AteIF3f disrupted pollen germination and embryo development. Expression of some of the genes that are essential for pollen tube growth and embryogenesis is down‐regulated in ateif3f‐1 homozygous seedlings obtained by pollen rescue. These results suggested that AteIF3f might play important roles in Arabidopsis cell growth and differentiation in combination with eIF3e and eIF3h.
Lichen sclerosus of lips: a clinical and histopathologic study of 27 cases
Authors: Attili Venkat Ratnam , Attili Sasi Kiran 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground & Methods  Oral lichen sclerosus (LS) has been considered uncommon and involvement of lips extremely rare. We reviewed the clinical and histologic features of 72 cases of LS with oral/genital involvement, seen in our institute from 2002 to 2007.Results  Lichen sclerosus was diagnosed with exclusive genital lesions in 45, exclusive lip involvement in 20, and orogenital involvement in seven cases. Fifteen of 27 histologically confirmed lip LS lesions were considered as early inflammatory or presclerotic, eight were intermediate/progressive, and four as late resolved lesions. Lip LS presented as asymptomatic vitiligoid lesions in 70% and dermal sclerosis was demonstrable in only 44%, which was limited to the papillary layer. This was in contrast with genital LS lesions which were asymptomatic in only 12% and demonstrated both papillary and reticular dermal sclerosis in 69%.Conclusion  Lip LS is far less symptomatic and destructive with limited dermal sclerosis compared with genital LS. Greater awareness and histologic assessment are essential for diagnosis because of the misleading vitiligoid appearance. “Vitiligoid LS” a superficial variant proposed by Borda can be aptly applied to lip LS. Dermatologists need to be aware of this rarely reported manifestation of LS as it adds to the spectrum of oral lichenoid lesions and lichenoid dysplasia, which are suspected to have a malignant potential.
Tinea capitis in adults in Tunisia
Authors: Mebazaa Amel , E.L. Oumari Kamel , Ben Said Moncef , Ghariani Najet , Denguezli Mohamed , Mili Akila Fathallah , Kenani Nesrine , Belajouza Colandane , Nouira Rafiaa 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjective  To determine the pattern of infectious agents causing tinea capitis (TC) in adult patients in adult patients in Tunisia.Methods  From January 1990 to December 2005, we retrospectively collected all cases of adult TC, confirmed by the mycological examination.Results  Sixty patients (18 male, 42 female) with a mean age of 34.5 years were diagnosed as having adult TC among a total number of 1137 cases of TC (5.27%). Clinical features were polymorphic and diagnosis was made on mycological examination. Culture identified Trichophyton violaceum in 36 cases (60%), Microsporum canis in 12 cases (20%), Trichophyton schoenleini in 7 cases (12%), Trichophyton verrucosum in two cases (3.5%), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum in one case (each 1.77%). Culture was negative in one case. Treatment consisted of administration of Griseofulvin at the dose of 20–25 mg/kg/d during 6–8 weeks associated with antifungal topics. A complete recovery was noted in 55 cases and relapse occurred in two patients. A scary alopecia was observed in one patient and two patients were lost to follow‐up.Conclusion  Trichophyton violaceum remains the most common etiological agent of adult TC in Tunisia. Microsporum canis is rising rapidly most notably due to the high frequency of asymptomatic carriage by domestic animals.
Positive concomitant test reactions to allergens in the standard patch test series
Authors: Landeck Lilla , González Ernesto , Baden Lynn , Neumann Konrad , Schalock Peter 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground  Patch testing is performed to evaluate suspected allergic contact dermatitis. Common wisdom suggests that various allergens cross‐react but only a few larger studies have published confirmations of this. The purpose of our study was to identify significant correlations between positive test reactions in a screening series.Methods  A total of 1235 patients undergoing patch testing to the Hermal standard series at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Contact Dermatitis Clinic between 1990 and 2006 were investigated.Results  Two or more positive reactions were seen in 411 patients (33.3%). Sensitizations to eight pairs of allergens were found to have significant correlation (P ≤ 0.0001). A strong association was observed for cross reactions between formaldehyde and its releasers quaternium 15 and imidazolidinyl urea and between balsam of Peru and fragrance mix. Moreover, significant co‐sensitization was identified for potassium dichromate and colophony. Three significant pairings in our study were associations between fragrances and metals. Our data confirm the previously published cross‐reactions in the literature between fragrance components, and formaldehyde and formaldehyde‐releasing preservatives. The increased numbers of patients with metal and fragrance sensitization can be considered as a random finding due to independent sensitization.Conclusion  Being aware of cross‐reacting allergens is essential to success in resolving allergic dermatitis when counseling patients.
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: analysis of cases managed in a tertiary hospital in Singapore
Authors: Lee Haur Yueh , Chou Danny , Pang Shiu Ming , Thirumoorthy T 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAcute generalized exanthematous pustulosis  We reviewed eight cases of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis managed in a tertiary hospital in Singapore.Background  Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a pustular reaction characterized by a sudden eruption of widespread nonfollicular sterile pustules associated with systemic symptoms. AGEP is primarily believed to be an adverse reaction to drugs. Outside of Europe, few reports exist on the clinical presentation of AGEP.Methods A retrospective review of patients who presented with AGEP to a Singapore tertiary hospital was performed.Results  Eight patients were diagnosed with AGEP in 2006–2007. All patients presented with a macular, maculopapular eruption prior to the onset of pustules. AGEP was characterized by nonfollicular, pinpoint pustules, which were generalized and accentuated in the flexural areas in seven of the patients. The remaining patient had erythematous patches, and scattered plaques studded with pustules. Other less common features included oral/genital mucositis, blisters and erosions. The mean duration from the cessation of medications to defervescence, resolution of pustules and normalization of leukocytosis was 5, 6, and 7 d, respectively. Despite the resolution of pustules, two patients had protracted clinical courses with evolution to generalized exfoliative dermatitis and Drug rash, eosinophilia, and systemic symptoms (DRESS), respectively. The implicated medications included antibiotics in six patients, morphine and phenytoin in one patient each.Conclusions  Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is generally described as benign and self‐limiting. However, in certain patients, the clinical course is prolonged and may exhibit features that overlap with other forms of cutaneous adverse drug reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis and DRESS.
Advanced tools for in vivo skin analysis
Authors: Cal Krzysztof , Zakowiecki Daniel , Stefanowska Justyna 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA thorough examination of the skin is essential for accurate disease diagnostics, evaluation of the effectiveness of topically applied drugs and the assessment of the results of dermatologic surgeries such as skin grafts. Knowledge of skin parameters is also important in the cosmetics industry, where the effects of skin care products are evaluated. Due to significant progress in the electronics and computer industries, sophisticated analytic devices are increasingly available for day‐to‐day diagnostics. The aim of this article is to review several advanced methods for in vivo skin analysis in humans: magnetic resonance imaging, electron paramagnetic resonance, laser Doppler flowmetry and time domain reflectometry. The molecular bases of these techniques are presented, and several interesting applications in the field are discussed. Methods for in vivo assessment of the biomechanical properties of human skin are also reviewed.