bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Repeat renal allografts treated with sirolimus, cyclosporine, anti‐thymocyte globulin induction and continuous steroids achieve similar immunosuppressive efficacy as primary transplants
Authors: Petero Jr Virgilio G. , Kaposztas Zsolt , Kahan Barry D. 
Published: August 2009

Petero VG Jr, Kaposztas Z, Kahan BD. Repeat renal allografts treated with sirolimus, cyclosporine, anti‐thymocyte globulin induction and continuous steroids achieve similar immunosuppressive efficacy as primary transplants. Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01055.x  © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Objective:  We sought to examine repeat versus primary renal transplantations using sirolimus‐based regimens.Methods:  We compared 98 repeat versus 200 matched primary recipients treated de novo with sirolimus plus cyclosporine. Every repeat case received polyclonal antibody induction and continuous steroids. Outcomes were evaluated over a mean five‐year follow‐up by univariate and multivariate techniques. Kaplan‐Meier plots were analyzed with using log‐rank statistics with significance at P ≤ 0.05.Results:  Significant differences in demographic features included greater panel reactive antibody (PRA), younger age, fewer HLA‐mismatches and more pre‐emptive repeat versus primary grafts. Neither graft and patient survivals, nor incidences of biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR), chronic vasculopathy or tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis among biopsies performed for cause were significantly different at 1 and 5 years. Younger recipients, better HLA matches and absence of diabetes promoted repeat graft survival; whereas older age, longer cold ischemia time and BPAR reduced primary transplant outcomes. Renal function was similar at 1, 3, 12, 24, 48 and 60 months.Conclusion:  At 5 years this sirolimus regimen achieved similar efficacy for repeat versus primary transplantations.
Evolution towards self‐compatibility when mates are limited
Authors: WILLI Y. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTheory of plant mating system evolution predicts the spread of self‐compatibility (SC) in a predominantly self‐incompatible population when inbreeding depression (ID; the decline in fitness because of selfing) is small and when compatible mates are limited. I tested these two predictions by measuring the occurrence of SC in 13 natural populations of Ranunculus reptans L. that varied in ID and frequency of cross‐incompatible mates. Enforced selfing experiments were conducted in 2 years. In the first year, self‐pollination was applied at two flower ages to investigate the occurrence of delayed SC. I found that SC was not uncommon across all populations, but self‐compatible plants usually produced few seeds. There was no evidence for delayed SC. The occurrence of SC was not associated with population‐level ID, but populations with more limited availability of compatible mates had a significantly higher frequency of plants that were at least partially self‐compatible. The results indicate that, in R. reptans, a shortage of available mates in small populations may cause the evolution of partial SC and mixed mating.
Heritability of and strong single gene (Pgi) effects on life‐history traits in the Glanville fritillary butterfly
Authors: KLEMME I. , HANSKI I. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe estimated broad‐sense heritabilities (H2) of 13 female and seven male life‐history traits of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) under semi‐natural conditions in a large outdoor population cage. The analysis was based on full‐sib families collected as young larvae in the field and reared under common garden conditions. We found significant genetic variance in female lifespan, fecundity, number of matings and host‐plant preference as well as in male body mass and mobility. Apart from host‐plant preference, female traits that were more strongly correlated with lifetime reproductive success (LRS; measured as total number of eggs laid) had higherH2. LRS itself exhibited significant heritability. Host‐plant preference had very highH2, consistent with a previously reported genetically determined geographical cline in host‐plant preference in the study area. Lifespan and egg hatching rate were significantly associated with a SNP in the coding region of thePgigene, for which there is previous evidence for balancing selection. Selection onPgi, which furthermore shows spatial and temporal variation, may maintain genetic variance in fitness‐related life‐history traits. In contrast, we found no strong evidence for life‐history trade‐offs.
Evolutionary transitions among dioecy, androdioecy and hermaphroditism in limnadiid clam shrimp (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata)
Authors: WEEKS S. C. , CHAPMAN E. G. , ROGERS D. C. , SENYO D. M. , HOEH W. R. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractExaminations of breeding system transitions have primarily concentrated on the transition from hermaphroditism to dioecy, likely because of the preponderance of this transition within flowering plants. Fewer studies have considered the reverse transition: dioecy to hermaphroditism. A fruitful approach to studying this latter transition can be sought by studying clades in which transitions between dioecy and hermaphroditism have occurred multiple times. Freshwater crustaceans in the family Limnadiidae comprise dioecious, hermaphroditic and androdioecious (males + hermaphrodites) species, and thus this family represents an excellent model system for the assessment of the evolutionary transitions between these related breeding systems. Herein we report a phylogenetic assessment of breeding system transitions within the family using a total evidence comparative approach. We find that dioecy is the ancestral breeding system for the Limnadiidae and that a minimum of two independent transitions from dioecy to hermaphroditism occurred within this family, leading to (1) a Holarctic, all‐hermaphrodite species, Limnadia lenticularis and (2) mixtures of hermaphrodites and males in the genus Eulimnadia. Both hermaphroditic derivatives are essentially females with only a small amount of energy allocated to male function. Within Eulimnadia, we find several all‐hermaphrodite populations/species that have been independently derived at least twice from androdioecious progenitors within this genus. We discuss two adaptive (based on the notion of ‘reproductive assurance’) and one nonadaptive explanations for the derivation of all‐hermaphroditism from androdioecy. We propose that L. lenticularis likely represents an all‐hermaphrodite species that was derived from an androdioecious ancestor, much like the all‐hermaphrodite populations derived from androdioecy currently observed within the Eulimnadia. Finally, we note that the proposed hypotheses for the dioecy to hermaphroditism transition are unable to explain the derivation of a fully functional, outcrossing hermaphroditic species from a dioecious progenitor.
Nitrogen balance in forest soils: nutritional limitation of plants under climate change stresses
Authors: Rennenberg H. , Dannenmann M. , Gessler A. , Kreuzwieser J. , Simon J. , Papen H. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractForest ecosystems with low soil nitrogen (N) availability are characterized by direct competition for this growth‐limiting resource between several players,i.e.various components of vegetation, such as old‐growth trees, natural regeneration and understorey species, mycorrhizal fungi, free‐living fungi and bacteria. With the increase in frequency and intensity of extreme climate events predicted in current climate change scenarios, also competition for N between plants and/or soil microorganisms will be affected. In this review, we summarize the present understanding of ecosystem N cycling in N‐limited forests and its interaction with extreme climate events, such as heat, drought and flooding. More specifically, the impacts of environmental stresses on microbial release and consumption of bioavailable N, N uptake and competition between plants, as well as plant and microbial uptake are presented. Furthermore, the consequences of drying–wetting cycles on N cycling are discussed. Additionally, we highlight the current methodological difficulties that limit present understanding of N cycling in forest ecosystems and the need for interdisciplinary studies.
From Charles Darwin’s botanical country‐house studies to modern plant biology
Authors: Kutschera U. , Briggs W. R. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAs a student of theology at Cambridge University, Charles Darwin (1809–1882) attended the lectures of the botanist John S. Henslow (1796–1861). This instruction provided the basis for his life‐long interest in plants as well as the species question. This was a major reason why in his book On the Origin of Species, which was published 150 years ago, Darwin explained his metaphorical phrase ‘struggle for life’ with respect to animals and plants. In this article, we review Darwin’s botanical work with reference to the following topics: the struggle for existence in the vegetable kingdom with respect to the phytochrome‐mediated shade avoidance response; the biology of flowers and Darwin’s plant–insect co‐evolution hypothesis; climbing plants and the discovery of action potentials; the power of movement in plants and Darwin’s conflict with the German plant physiologist Julius Sachs; and light perception by growing grass coleoptiles with reference to the phototropins. Finally, we describe the establishment of the scientific discipline of Plant Biology that took place in the USA 80 years ago, and define this area of research with respect to Darwin’s work on botany and the physiology of higher plants.
Effect of temperature on the biology of Creontiades dilutus (Stål) (Heteroptera: Miridae)
Authors: Khan Moazzem , Gregg Peter , Mensah Robert 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe egg and nymphal development, fecundity and survival of the green mirid, Creontiades dilutus were examined at a range of temperatures and a modified day‐degree model fitted to the data. Day degree (DD) requirements for egg and nymphal development, and threshold temperatures were calculated from the fitted lines. Female fecundity and longevity, egg and nymphal development, and survival of C. dilutus were significantly influenced by temperature. Eggs and nymphs failed to complete development at temperatures below 17 and at 38°C. Females also failed to produce any eggs at 11 and 38°C. The optimum temperature range for female fecundity was found to be 26–32°C. The optimum temperature for the development of eggs was calculated from the model as 30.5°C and for nymphs as 31.5°C. The threshold temperature for development was 15.8°C for egg and 15.1°C for nymph; 69.4 and 156.7 DD were required for completing the egg and the nymphal development, respectively. At the optimum temperature, it was estimated that development from egg to adult took 15 days. Survival was highest at 26°C for eggs and at 30–32°C for nymphs.
The Apionidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) of New Caledonia, genus Caledonapion Wanat
Authors: Wanat Marek 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe New Caledonian endemic weevil genus Caledonapion is revised, with one new species, C. assimile, described. Diagnoses, a key and distribution maps are provided for both species of the genus. An association of Caledonapion with the plant genus Hedycarya (Monimiaceae) is suggested from field observations.
Fungal mycelia allow chemotactic dispersal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading bacteria in water‐unsaturated systems
Authors: Furuno Shoko , Päzolt Katrin , Rabe Cornelia , Neu Thomas R. , Harms Hauke , Wick Lukas Y. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryContaminant biodegradation in soil is frequently limited by hindered physical access of bacteria to the contaminants. In the frame of the development of novel bioremediation approaches based on ecological principles, we tested the hypothesis that fungal networks facilitate the movement of bacteria by providing continuous liquid films in which gradients of chemoattractants can form and chemotactic swimming can take place. Unlike bacteria, filamentous fungi spread with ease in water‐unsaturated soil. In a simple laboratory model of a water‐unsaturated environment, we studied the movement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading Pseudomonas putida PpG7 (NAH7) along a mycelium of Pythium ultimum. Some undirected dispersal was observed in the absence of a chemoattractant or when the non‐chemotactic derivative strain P. putida G7.C1 (pHG100) was used. The bacterial movement became fourfold more effective and clearly directed when the chemotactic wild type was used and salicylate was present as a chemoattractant. No dispersal of bacteria was found in the absence of the fungus. These findings point at a role of mycelia for the translocation of chemicals and microorganisms. The results suggest that fungi improve the accessibility of contaminants in water‐unsaturated environments.
Antagonistic interactions among coral‐associated bacteria
Authors: Rypien Krystal L. , Ward Jessica R. , Azam Farooq 
Published: August 2009

SummaryReef‐building corals are comprised of close associations between the coral animal, symbiotic zooxanthellae, and a diversity of associated microbes (including Bacteria, Archaea and Fungi). Together, these comprise the coral holobiont – a paradigm that emphasizes the potential contributions of each component to the overall function and health of the coral. Little is known about the ecology of the coral‐associated microbial community and its hypothesized role in coral health. We explored bacteria–bacteria antagonism among 67 bacterial isolates from the scleractinian coral Montastrea annularis at two temperatures using Burkholder agar diffusion assays. A majority of isolates exhibited inhibitory activity (69.6% of isolates at 25°C, 52.2% at 31°C), with members of the γ‐proteobacteria (Vibrionales and Alteromonadales) being especially antagonistic. Elevated temperatures generally reduced levels of antagonism, although the effects were complex. Several potential pathogens were observed in the microbial community of apparently healthy corals, and 11.6% of isolates were able to inhibit the growth of the coral pathogen Vibrio shiloi at 25°C. Overall, this study demonstrates that antagonism could be a structuring force in coral‐associated microbial communities and may contribute to pathogenesis as well as disease resistance.
Cyclic di‐GMP signalling controls virulence properties of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium at the mucosal lining
Authors: Lamprokostopoulou Agaristi , Monteiro Claudia , Rhen Mikael , Römling Ute 
Published: August 2009

SummaryCyclic di‐GMP (c‐di‐GMP), a novel secondary signalling molecule present in most bacteria, controls transition between motility and sessility. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) high c‐di‐GMP concentrations favour the expression of a biofilm state through expression of the master regulator CsgD. In this work, we investigate the effect of c‐di‐GMP signalling on virulence phenotypes of S. typhimurium. After saturation of the cell with c‐di‐GMP by overexpression of a di‐guanylate cyclase, we studied invasion and induction of a pro‐inflammatory cytokine in epithelial cells, basic phenotypes that are major determinants of S. typhimurium virulence. Elevated c‐di‐GMP had a profound effect on invasion into and IL‐8 production by the gastrointestinal epithelial cell line HT‐29. Invasion was mainly inhibited through CsgD and the extracellular matrix component cellulose, while inhibition of the pro‐inflammatory response occurred through CsgD, which inhibited the secretion of monomeric flagellin. Our results suggest that transition between biofilm formation and virulence in S. typhimurium at the epithelial cell lining is mediated by c‐di‐GMP signalling through CsgD and cellulose expression.
Oxygen and the light–dark cycle of nitrogenase activity in two unicellular cyanobacteria
Authors: Compaoré Justine , Stal Lucas J. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryCyanobacteria capable of fixing dinitrogen exhibit various strategies to protect nitrogenase from inactivation by oxygen. The marine Crocosphaera watsonii WH8501 and the terrestrial Gloeothece sp. PCC6909 are unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacteria that are capable of aerobic nitrogen fixation. These cyanobacteria separate the incompatible processes of oxygenic photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation temporally, confining the latter to the dark. Although these cyanobacteria thrive in fully aerobic environments and can be cultivated diazotrophically under aerobic conditions, the effect of oxygen is not precisely known due to methodological limitations. Here we report the characteristics of nitrogenase activity with respect to well‐defined levels of oxygen to which the organisms are exposed, using an online and near real‐time acetylene reduction assay combined with sensitive laser‐based photoacoustic ethylene detection. The cultures were grown under an alternating 12–12 h light–dark cycle and acetylene reduction was recorded continuously. Acetylene reduction was assayed at 20%, 15%, 10%, 7.5%, 5% and 0% oxygen and at photon flux densities of 30 and 76 μmol m−2 s−1 provided at the same light–dark cycle as during cultivation. Nitrogenase activity was predominantly but not exclusively confined to the dark. At 0% oxygen nitrogenase activity in Gloeothece sp. was not detected during the dark and was shifted completely to the light period, while C. watsonii did not exhibit nitrogenase activity at all. Oxygen concentrations of 15% and higher did not support nitrogenase activity in either of the two cyanobacteria. The highest nitrogenase activities were at 5–7.5% oxygen. The highest nitrogenase activities in C. watsonii and Gloeothece sp. were observed at 29°C. At 31°C and above, nitrogenase activity was not detected in C. watsonii while the same was the case at 41°C and above in Gloeothece sp. The differences in the behaviour of nitrogenase activity in these cyanobacteria are discussed with respect to their presumed physiological strategies to protect nitrogenase from oxygen inactivation and to the environment in which they thrive.
Recombination and microdiversity in coastal marine cyanophages
Authors: Marston Marcia F. , Amrich Christopher G. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryGenetic exchange is an important process in bacteriophage evolution. Here, we examine the role of homologous recombination in the divergence of closely related cyanophage isolates from natural marine populations. Four core‐viral genes (coliphage T4 homologues g20, g23, g43 and a putative tail fibre gene) and four viral‐encoded bacterial‐derived genes (psbA, psbD, cobS and phoH) were analysed for 60 cyanophage isolates belonging to five Rhode Island Myovirus (RIM) strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the 60 concatenated sequences revealed well‐resolved sequence clusters corresponding to the RIM strain designations. Viral isolates within a strain shared an average nucleotide identity of 99.3–99.8%. Nevertheless, extensive microdiversity was observed within each cyanophage strain; only three of the 60 isolates shared the same nucleotide haplotype. Microdiversity was generated by point mutations, homologous recombination within a strain, and intragenic recombination between RIM strains. Intragenic recombination events between distinct RIM strains were detected most often in host‐derived photosystem II psbA and psbD genes, but were also identified in some major capsid protein g23 genes. Within a strain, more variability was observed at the psbA locus than at any of the other seven loci. Although most of the microdiversity within a strain was neutral, some amino acid substitutions were identified, and thus microdiversity within strains has the potential to influence the population dynamics of viral–host interactions.
Protective effect of edaravone, a free‐radical scavenger, on ischaemia‐reperfusion injury in the rat testis
Authors: Tamamura Mayuko , Saito Motoaki , Kinoshita Yukako , Shimizu Shogo , Satoh Itaru , Shomori Kohei , Dimitriadis Fotios , Satoh Keisuke 
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of edaravone, a radical scavenger, on ischaemia‐reperfusion (I‐R) injury in the testes.MATERIALS AND METHODSEight‐week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats were allocated to one of four groups: a no‐drug group subjected to induction of 30‐min of ischaemia and 60‐min reperfusion; two drug groups administered edaravone at 1 or 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal and then subjected to 30‐min ischaemia and 60‐min reperfusion; and a sham‐operated control group administered edaravone at 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal. To induce testicular I‐R, the right testis was exposed outside of the body and the testicular artery was clamped with a small clip for 30 min. Blood flow and nitric oxide (NO) release were monitored in real time simultaneously with a laser Doppler flowmeter and an NO‐selective electrode, respectively. After death the tissue levels of NO2‐NO3 (a marker of NO production), malondialdehyde (a marker of lipid peroxidation), 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (a marker of oxidative DNA damage), myeloperoxidase (a marker of neutrophil infiltration), and heat‐shock protein 70 (HSP 70) and its mRNA were measured. The testicular tissue was also analysed histologically.RESULTSClamping the testicular artery resulted in a decrease of blood flow to 0–5% of the basal level measured before clamping. NO release was increased during clamping and gradually recovered to the basal level on removing the clip. Interestingly, the peak of NO release in rats of the no‐drug group occurred at the start of reperfusion, while that in the high‐dose drug group occurred several minutes later. The levels of NO2‐NO3, malondialdehyde, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, myeloperoxidase and HSP 70 and its mRNA, and histological variables, were significantly greater in the no‐drug I‐R group than in the control, and these variables were ameliorated by treatment with edaravone.CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that edaravone reduces the oxidative stress and prevents the testicular damage induced by I‐R.