bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil carbon stock and its changes in northern China's grasslands from 1980s to 2000s
Authors: YANG YUANHE , FANG JINGYUN , MA WENHONG , SMITH PETE , MOHAMMAT ANWAR , WANG SHAOPENG , WANG WEI 
Published: January 2010

AbstractClimate warming is likely to accelerate the decomposition of soil organic carbon (SOC) which may lead to an increase of carbon release from soils, and thus provide a positive feedback to climate change. However, SOC dynamics in grassland ecosystems over the past two decades remains controversial. In this study, we estimated the magnitude of SOC stock in northern China's grasslands using 981 soil profiles surveyed from 327 sites across the northern part of the country during 2001–2005. We also examined the changes of SOC stock by comparing current measurements with historical records of 275 soil profiles derived from China's National Soil Inventory during the 1980s. Our results showed that, SOC stock in the upper 30 cm in northern China's grasslands was estimated to be 10.5 Pg C (1 Pg=1015 g), with an average density (carbon stock per area) of 5.3 kg C m−2. SOC density (SOCD) did not show significant association with mean annual temperature, but was positively correlated with mean annual precipitation. SOCD increased with soil moisture and reached a plateau when soil moisture was above 30%. Site‐level comparison indicated that grassland SOC stock did not change significantly over the past two decades, with a change of 0.08 kg C m−2, ranging from −0.30 to 0.46 kg C m−2 at 95% confidence interval. Transect‐scale comparison confirmed that grassland SOC stock remained relatively constant from 1980s to 2000s, suggesting that soils in northern China's grasslands have been carbon neutral over the last 20 years.
Ecosystem properties determined by plant functional group identity
Authors: McLaren Jennie R. , Turkington Roy 
Published: January 2010

Summary 1. Ecosystem properties may be determined by the number of different species or groups of species in a community, the identity of those groups, and their relative abundance. The mass ratio theory predicts that the effect of species or groups of species on ecosystem properties will be dependent on their proportional abundance in a community. 2. Single plant functional groups (graminoids, legumes, non‐leguminous forbs) were removed from a natural grassland in northern Canada to examine the role of group identity in determining both ecosystem properties and biomass compensation by remaining species. Removals were conducted across two different environmental treatments (fertilization and fungicide) to examine the context dependency of functional group identity effects. 3. The degree of biomass compensation in the first 4 years after removal was influenced by the identity of the functional group removed and also of those remaining. When graminoids were removed, none of the remaining functional groups compensated for the loss of biomass. Graminoids partially compensated for the removal of forbs or legumes, with the degree of compensation depending on environmental treatments. 4. Light interception, soil moisture and soil nutrients were all influenced by functional group identity, with graminoids having a greater impact than expected based on their biomass contribution to the community. Legumes, in contrast, had very little effect on any of the ecosystem properties measured. 5. For most ecosystem properties measured, the role of plant functional groups was not context dependent; functional groups had the same effect on ecosystem properties regardless of fertilization or fungicide treatments. 6. Synthesis. We have shown that the effects of losing a functional group do not solely depend on the group’s dominance. In this northern grassland, there are greater effects of losing graminoids than one would predict based on their biomass contributions to the community, and functional group identity plays a critical role in determining the effects of diversity loss.
Facilitation vs. apparent competition: insect herbivory alters tree seedling recruitment under nurse shrubs in a steppe–woodland ecotone
Authors: Chaneton Enrique J. , Noemi Mazía C. , Kitzberger Thomas 
Published: January 2010

Summary 1. Facilitation of recruitment by ‘nurse’ plants can play a major role in harsh environments. Yet the extent to which consumer‐mediated apparent competition from habitat‐forming plants may counteract facilitative interactions remains largely unexplored. 2. We examined whether seedling predation by tenebrionid beetles seeking refuge under nurse shrubs may prevent tree recruitment facilitation in a Patagonian steppe–woodland ecotone. Newly emerged seedlings of Austrocedrus chilensis were planted in shrub canopy, off‐shrub shelter and bare soil microsites, and monitored for causes of early mortality and for overall survival under ambient and elevated beetle densities. 3. Most seedlings in open microsites died from abiotic stress, whereas shrub cover and artificial shelters decreased desiccation mortality. Herbivory was the main cause of mortality in shrub microsites. Beetle addition increased predation beneath shrubs and in off‐shrub shelters, indicating that apparent competition ‘spilled over’ from shrubs with high insect densities. 4. Litter removal from shrubs prevented seedling predation suggesting that nurse plants altered recruitment by providing food as well as shelter to insects. Herbivory rates did not depend on seedling patch density but decreased with seedling age, with 1‐week old plants being most vulnerable to beetle predation. 5. Synthesis. Apparent competition from nurse plants can strongly reduce recruitment facilitation in stressful environments, although weak herbivore density dependence and seedling growth into ontogenetic refuges may limit the strength of apparent competition. An explicit consideration of negative, as well as positive, herbivore‐mediated indirect effects from habitat‐forming plants would broaden the understanding of community dynamics along stress gradients.
Clustering and nearest neighbour distances in atom probe tomography: the influence of the interfaces
Authors: PHILIPPE T. , COJOCARU‐MIRÉDIN O. , DUGUAY S. , BLAVETTE D. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThe statistical 1NN method is an elegant way to derive the composition of small B‐enriched clusters in a random AB solid solution from 3D atomic fields. An extension of this method is proposed that includes the contribution of interface region and provides an estimate of the core composition of clusters. This model is applied to boron‐implanted silicon containing boron‐enriched clusters. A comparison with the previous model is performed. This new approach gives relevant information, i.e. the core composition of clusters and the cluster–matrix interface width.
Slope of changes in renal function in the first year post‐transplantation and one‐yr estimated glomerular filtration rate together predict long‐term renal allograft survival
Authors: Wu Jianyong , Li Hui , Huang Hongfeng , Wang Rending , Wang Yimin , He Qiang , Chen Jianghua 
Published: January 2010

Wu J, Li H, Huang H, Wang R, Wang Y, He Q, Chen J. Slope of changes in renal function in the first year post‐transplantation and one‐yr estimated glomerular filtration rate together predict long‐term renal allograft survival.  Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 862–868. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Background:  Few studies have examined the predictive value of the slope of changes in renal function in the first year post‐transplantation when combined with one‐yr estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Methods:  We reviewed 1062 recipients who underwent renal transplantations from deceased donors between January 1992 and June 2003. Recipients were stratified into four groups: (a) one‐yr eGFR <45 mL/min and slope <−2 mL/min/month, (b) one‐yr eGFR <45 mL/min and slope >−2 mL/min/month, (c) one‐yr eGFR >45 mL/min and slope <−2 mL/min/month, and (d) one‐yr eGFR >45 mL/min and slope >−2 mL/min/month. Survival was assessed by Kaplan‐Meier analysis and the significance of variables with the Cox proportional hazard model.Results:  Both the slopes of eGFR changes and one‐yr eGFR were significantly associated with survival in univariate analysis. The hazard ratio of graft loss was 2.645 when one‐yr eGFR was <45 mL/min. The risk increased to 7.438 when this was combined with slope <−2 mL/min/month. Patients with one‐yr eGFR <45 mL/min and slope >−2 mL/min/month had five‐ and 10‐yr graft survival rates similar to those with one‐yr eGFR >45 mL/min.Conclusions:  Long‐term graft survival was related to one‐yr eGFR and the slope of changes in eGFR within the first year. Their combination provides a more discriminatory predictive value.
A decade of minimally invasive donation: experience with more than 1200 laparoscopic donor nephrectomies at a single institution
Authors: Leventhal Joseph R. , Paunescu Smaranda , Baker Talia B. , Caciedo Juan Carlos , Skaro Anton , Kocak Burak , Gallon Lorenzo , Friedewald John , Luo Xunrong , Kaufman Dixon B. , Fryer Jonathan P. , Abecassis Michael M. 
Published: January 2010

Leventhal JR, Paunescu S, Baker TB, Caciedo JC, Skaro A, Kocak B, Gallon L, Friedewald J, Luo X, Kaufman DB, Fryer JP, Abecassis MM. A decade of minimally invasive donation: experience with more than 1200 laparoscopic donor nephrectomies at a single institution. Clin Transplant 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01199.x. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Background:  The past decade has seen laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) transform into a standard of care procedure. Furthermore, LDN has evolved with the introduction of new technologies aimed at increasing efficiency and safety. There are few large, single center experiences detailing the results of LDN, its associated complications, and their management.Methods:  We performed a retrospective review of 1200 LDN performed at our center for both pediatric and adult recipients.Results:  Mean body mass index of donors was 27.1 (range 17–48). Twenty‐six percent of kidneys had multiple renal arteries. Greater than 99% were left LDN. Mean length of stay was 1.37 ± 0.6 d, which decreased to 1.1 ± 0.5 d for the last 475 cases. The overall complication rate was 4.2%. Among those patients, 1.6% of the patients experienced an intraoperative complication, including eight renovascular injuries; 7/8 renovascular injuries led to open conversion. Four conversions were elective; our overall conversion rate was 0.92%; 2.6% had a post‐operative complication; 1.2% required readmission for complication management. Three of 1200 patients have required reoperation for prolonged ileus and internal hernia (2), respectively. There have been no cases of donor renal failure or death. Since 2003, we have routinely used hand‐assisted LDN (HALDN). There have been no cases of primary non‐function. Urologic complications have been uncommon.Conclusions:  Our series supports the safety and efficacy of LDN/HALDN.
Morphological Analysis of the Lung of Neonatal Yak
Authors: Yang B. , Yu S. , Cui Y. , He J. , Jin X. , Wang R. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryWith 20 figures and 5 tablesAlthough yaks play an important role as companion or pack and draught animals on Chinese plateaus in alpine and sub‐alpine regions, morphological studies and anatomical data on the lung of yak are sparse. To provide anatomical descriptions and morphometric data, 10 one‐day‐old yaks were examined by means of dissection, light and electron microscopy. The measurements of lung were made on dissected specimens and histological sections. Unequal dichotomous branching was demonstrated in the dissected tracheobronchial tree. The diameters of bronchial airways and height of epithelium were measured, and showed that the variation of diameters in airways was always greater than that of height of epithelium. In addition, the thickness of muscularis, cartilage and adventitia was examined, as well as the number of goblet and Clara cells in airways. Ultrastructural studies showed that the surface epithelium was mainly composed of goblet, ciliated, Clara and basal cells, similar to that in other domestic animals. Under electron microscope, two distinctive types of ciliated cells could be seen in the tracheobronchial epithelium. The first type contained some mitochondria, distended smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), little rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and numerous vacuoles in electron‐lucent cytoplasm. The second type had dense cytoplasm with abundant mitochondria, RER and no vacuoles. Both types were rich of glycogen granules. The goblet cells in neonatal yak lung had the following characteristic features: dentate nucleus in dense cytoplasm, with stacks of RER and numerous dense membrane‐bounded mucous droplets, which were round or oval, often with an electron‐lucent core. The droplets were not confluent. Glycogen granules were numerous, and Golgi complex was occasionally present. Clara cells were dome‐shaped and usually protruded into the airway lumen. Large amounts of SER and many secretory droplets were found within the cytoplasm. Several typical ‘clefts’ were also found in the cytoplasm.
The Attentive Spider: Search‐Image Use by a Mosquito‐Eating Predator
Authors: Cross Fiona R. , Jackson Robert R. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractEvarcha culicivora, a jumping spider from East Africa, feeds indirectly on vertebrate blood by choosing blood‐carrying female mosquitoes as prey. It also has an unusually complex mate‐choice system. Here, we show that both sexes ofE.culicivoracan use mate‐finding search images and also use prey‐finding search images. In experiments, individuals were primed by seeing blood‐carrying mosquitoes, primed by seeing potential mates or not primed (control: saw neither). They were then introduced into an arena where the task was to find a blood‐carrying mosquito or a potential mate. In all instances, the prey or potential mates were dead individuals used as lures. The lure in the arena was either cryptic (i.e. hidden behind nylon netting and accompanied by distractors) or conspicuous (i.e. netting and distractors absent). When lures were conspicuous, the identity of the priming stimulus appeared to be irrelevant. However, when lures were cryptic, significantly more spiders found the lure that was congruent with the priming stimulus and significantly fewer spiders found the lure that was incongruent with the priming stimulus. On this basis, we conclude that the spiders were using search images for finding the lures and that search images were relevant only when the lure to be found was cryptic.
Genetic Variability Analysis and Molecular Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. eustomae Isolated from Eustoma grandiflorum in Northern Italy
Authors: Li Yuan , Garibaldi Angelo , Gullino Maria Lodovica 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA total of 35 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. eustomae obtained from diseased Eustoma grandiflorum plants in northern Italy, showing typical Fusarium wilt symptoms, were analysed for their genetic variability and molecular identification. Genetic diversity of the isolates was studied by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). This analysis clustered the isolates into three groups at a genetic similarity of 69%. Sequence analysis of RAPD fragments led to the design of a pair of specific primers that amplify a 505‐bp SCAR (sequence characterized amplified region) marker (SCAR505) which was used to rapidly detect F. oxysporum f.sp. eustomae on Eustoma grandiflorum plants. In a temperature‐controlled chamber, detection of the pathogen by PCR was 100% successful in root and stem samples of infected but still symptomless plants. The diagnostic procedure could be completed in 1 day and allowed rapid and reliable detection of the pathogen in asymptomatic plants in the early stages of disease development.
In Vitro Evaluation of Liquid‐stored Buffalo Semen at 5°C Diluted in Soya Lecithin Based Extender (Bioxcell®), Tris‐Citric Egg Yolk, Skim Milk and Egg Yolk‐Citrate Extenders
Authors: Akhter S , Ansari MS , Rakha BA , Ullah N , Andrabi SMH , Khalid M 
Published: January 2010

ContentsThis study was designed to compare the quality of liquid‐stored buffalo bull spermatozoa in soya lecithin based extender Bioxcell® (BIOX), milk (MILK), tris‐citric egg yolk (TEY) and egg yolk‐citrate (EYC) extender at 5°C. Semen was collected from five Nili‐Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls of 6–7 years of age with artificial vagina over a period of 3 weeks (two consecutive ejaculates once in a week). Semen ejaculates having more than 60% motility were pooled, split into four aliquots, diluted (37°C; 10 × 106 motile spermatozoa/ml), cooled from 37 to 5°C in 2 h (0.275°C/min) and stored for 5 days. Sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and normal acrosomal ridge were studied at first, third and fifth day of storage. Higher values of progressive sperm motility (%), sperm viability (%), sperm PMI (%) and normal apical ridge (%) were observed in BIOX, MILK and TEY extenders at first, third and fifth day of storage than EYC extender. Progressive sperm motility, sperm viability and sperm PMI in BIOX® extender were not different from MILK and TEY extenders at 1st and third day storage period. However, at fifth day of storage, the values for these parameters remained significantly higher (p < 0.05) in BIOX® compared with MILK, TEY and EYC extenders. At fifth day of storage, the semen quality parameters for Bioxcell® were comparable to those with MILK and TEY extenders at third day of storage. In conclusion, motility, viability and PMI of buffalo bull spermatozoa remained similar in Bioxcell®, milk and TEY extender at first and third days of storage at 5°C. Yet, the values for the aforementioned parameters in Bioxcell® were higher compared with milk, TEY and EYC extender at fifth day of storage at 5°C.
Detection of Follicular Apoptosis in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Ovary by Histology and Nick End Labelling Technique
Authors: Sreejalekshmi P , Raghavendra BS , Siva Subramani T , Chandrashekara Murthy V , Jamuna KV , Prasad RV , Ravindra JP , Selvaraju S 
Published: January 2010

ContentsThe objective of this experiment was to assess the features and extent of follicular apoptosis in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) ovary using classical histology and nick end labelling technique. Ovaries (n = 40) procured from the slaughterhouse were used for the study. The sections (5 μm) were used for detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) and classical histology (H&E). Those follicles showing ≥ 5% TUNEL positivity (TUNEL assay) and pyknotic nuclei (histology) in granulosa cells were classified as atretic. Based on histology, the atretic primary and secondary follicles (%) were 93.82 and 95.62 respectively. The histology study reveals that the rates (%) of atresia in <1, 1–3, 3–5 mm and >5 mm were 36.90, 40.50, 62.84 and 74.5 respectively. Further the atretic tertiary follicles (%) were significantly lower than the primary and secondary classes of follicles. TUNEL assay reveals that the atretic rate (%) of tertiary follicles in <1, 1–3, 3–5 and ≥ 5 mm class follicles were 50.88, 53.84, 81.81 and 36.36 respectively. The percentage of atresia in >5 mm diameter follicles were significantly lower in TUNEL than histology. Percentages of granulosa and thecal cells positive for atresia by TUNEL were 30.7 ± 0.53 and 13.82 ± 0.18 respectively per follicle. The initial structural changes in atretic follicles were seen primarily in the granulosa cells. In severely atretic follicles TUNEL positive granulosa cells along with theca cells have to be considered in assessing the rate and extent of atresia.
Differential expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ and cyclin D1 does not affect proliferation of asthma‐ and non‐asthma‐derived airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: LAU Justine Y. , OLIVER Brian G. , MOIR Lyn M. , BLACK Judith L. , BURGESS Janette K. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Airway remodelling involves thickening of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) bulk. Proliferation of asthma‐derived ASM cells is increased in vitro, but underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Peroxisome proliferators activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) regulates the cell cycle. It is suggested that PPARγ agonists have anti‐inflammatory effects, which may be valuable in the treatment of asthma, but information regarding their antiproliferative properties in ASM is lacking. Although corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation, in vitro they inhibit proliferation in only non‐asthma ASM cells by reducing cyclin D1. We therefore investigated the effects of mitogenic stimulation (foetal bovine serum (FBS)), and a PPARγ ligand (ciglitazone), on PPARγ and cyclin D1 expression and proliferation of ASM cells. In addition, we examined the effects of ciglitazone on ASM cell proliferation.Methods:  We assessed PPARγ and cyclin D1 mRNA and protein levels using quantitative PCR and immunoblotting. Cell proliferation was assessed using bromodeoxyuridine uptake.Results:  In the presence of 5% FBS, PPARγ and cyclin D1 expression decreased over time in non‐asthmatic cells but increased in asthmatic cells (compared with sub‐confluent cells). FBS‐induced proliferation of asthmatic cells increased at all time points, but occurred only at day 7 with non‐asthmatic cells (compared with unstimulated time‐matched control). Ciglitazone increased PPARγ expression in both groups, but did not alter cell proliferation, while fluticasone increased PPARγ protein only in asthmatic cells.Conclusions:  Although in the presence of a mitogenic stimulus, PPARγ was differentially expressed in asthma‐ and non‐asthma‐derived ASM; its expression was not related to the increased proliferation observed in asthmatic ASM.
Lower incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome in community‐acquired pneumonia patients aged 85 years or older
Authors: TOBA Ayumi , YAMAZAKI Mariko , MOCHIZUKI Hideaki , NOGUCHI Toshiyuki , TSUDA Yasunari , KAWATE Eriko , SUZUKI Yohei , TAKAHASHI Hideki 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The incidence of and risk factors for ARDS among elderly patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) have not been well characterized.Methods:  The clinical details of 221 consecutive patients aged ≥65 years, who were admitted with CAP during the period April 2006 to June 2008, were investigated by review of patient charts. Clinical variables and laboratory data at admission for CAP were compared between patients with and without ARDS.Results:  Eighteen patients (8.1%) developed ARDS 1–5 days after admission. The mortality rate was 44% in patients with ARDS and 10.3% in those without ARDS (P < 0.001). The incidence of ARDS was 8.5–20% among patients aged <85 years and 1.1% in patients aged ≥85 years (P < 0.001), while overall mortality rates were not significantly different among the age groups. Predictors for the development of ARDS included higher serum levels of CRP and glucose, lower PaO2/fraction of inspired O2 (FiO2), PaCO2 and HCO3‐, and the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome at admission. ARDS developed less frequently among patients with pneumonia associated with oropharyngeal aspiration (AP). Multivariate analysis indicated that lower age, serum glucose, pre‐existence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and non‐oropharyngeal AP were significant risk factors for ARDS. The Pneumonia Severity Index and confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 score were not correlated with the incidence of ARDS.Conclusions:  Predictors for ARDS appeared to differ from the determinants of severity of CAP in the elderly. ARDS developed less frequently in patients aged ≥85 years and in those with oropharyngeal AP. It is important to identify subjects at high risk for ARDS upon admission and to observe them closely.